Jeff Miller comments on an interview with Cardinal Francis Arinze that discussed the question of pro-abortion Catholic politicians receiving Communion. The good cardinal seemed a bit disgusted by all the quavering and hand-wringing over what should be a simple question.
‘Do you really need a cardinal from the Vatican to answer that question?’ Can a child having made his First Communion not answer that question? Is it really so complicated?
Jeff then notes that instead of showing the episcopal leadership Cardinal Arinze cries out for, the US bishops have instead formed a commission to investigate the matter.
The sin of commision is instead of making the [common] sense and theologically correct decision they instead create a commision. Have you ever heard of the members of a commision that was martyred for their faith? [N]either have I and I doubt to see it any time soon.
Quite right, Jeff. The forming of a task force or a commission (especially a blue-ribbon one) is an exercise in shifting the burden of leadership from oneself to an amorphous group that can take any blame.
Gentlemen, the office of bishop entails both leadership and self-sacrifice. If you don’t want to exhibit either, then put down the pectoral cross and let another take your place.
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By the way…
Look at the Advertisement in the November 14 The Washington Times by Judy Brown’s American Life League…
http://www.all.org/hp8.htm (hit the link, then click “see the ad”)
She has no problem calling it like it is.. She calls the bishops’ behavior SCANDALOUS!!!
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http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=62481
“Regarding those prominent Catholics who reject Church teachings on issues such as abortion and euthanasia, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington reported that his task force, which has been studying that topic, will soon meet with Catholic politicians from both major parties, to seek their opinions. The cardinal said that the meetings would be private, with no results announced.”
Seeking the opinions of “catholics” from both parties? Gee, I wonder how that’s going to go.
Earth to Bishops: It’s your job to instruct and shepherd. Not to ask the (largely) apostates how you should proceed when they spit in Christ’s face.
Dispair is a mortal sin, I know. But the temptation to give in to it is almost too hard to bear in these stupid times of ours.
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And they wonder why the Catholic Church in the USA is in such trouble.
By the way…
Look at the Advertisement in the November 14 The Washington Times by Judy Brown’s American Life League…
http://www.all.org/hp8.htm (hit the link, then click “see the ad”)
She has no problem calling it like it is.. She calls the bishops’ behavior SCANDALOUS!!!
A reflection of this “form a committee” mentality can be seen here in the Boston Archdiocese where Archbishop O’Malley and Fr. Herir have formed a committee to investigate the issue of Catholic Charities furnishing same-sex sex partners with babies through adoption. Now,there will probably be another committee formed to discuss the fact that Catholic Charities is honoring “The Honorable Thomas M. Menino with Special Guest Archbishop Sean P. O’Malley” at the Annual Christmas Dinner,Friday,December 9th at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Besides publicly supporting abortion, Mayor Menino has been a major advocate for same-sex sex acts and same-sex “marriage”. He publicly described the “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference that was recently the target of a fierce picketing effort to shut it down by the GLBT /MassEquality organizers and their troops, as follows:“The mayor noted with bemusement,“We believe that their message is hate,not love. We also know that same-sex marriages are pro-family.”(Bay Windows,11/3/05,“The Neverending Soiree” by Laura Kirby). Mayor Menino openly derides the Pope and the Catholic Church teachings on marriage and scorns the protection of the life of the baby in the womb. Yet, he will be honored by Catholic Charities as Archbishop O’Malley looks on in agreement. What a scandal!!
And how about this ditty from
http://www.ewtn.com/vnews/getstory.asp?number=62481
“Regarding those prominent Catholics who reject Church teachings on issues such as abortion and euthanasia, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of Washington reported that his task force, which has been studying that topic, will soon meet with Catholic politicians from both major parties, to seek their opinions. The cardinal said that the meetings would be private, with no results announced.”
Seeking the opinions of “catholics” from both parties? Gee, I wonder how that’s going to go.
Earth to Bishops: It’s your job to instruct and shepherd. Not to ask the (largely) apostates how you should proceed when they spit in Christ’s face.
Dispair is a mortal sin, I know. But the temptation to give in to it is almost too hard to bear in these stupid times of ours.