Abbey-Roads2

Looking for the devil in the details.

There is a group in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis who seem to travel from church to church looking for heretics and homosexuals.  They seem to have set themselves up as inquisitors for their own Holy Office.  Disagree with them or criticise their tactics and you are labeled a liberal, a progresive, a gay, or an outright heretic.

The latest brouhaha is over the upcoming Republican National Convention - and the gay activist boycott or protest that is rumored to take place there.  Whatever - how does this concern the Inquisition?  Well, I already got one crazy email suggesting a respectable Catholic man, and a group of religious would be supporting whoever is planning to protest.  That is outright defamation and calumny.  Yet this person claims she is working for the Church.

Idle hands…

This morning I received another email - which is why I am posting when I said I wouldn’t - claiming our local dissident parish, St. Joan’s hosted an event with Buddhist monks.  The title of the email was, “Buddhist monks concelebrate Eucharist at St. Joan of Arc.”  That is an out and out lie - again, it is defamation and calumny.  This is what really happened - a month ago!  (And yet the email arrives today as if the event is taking place this weekend - that is dissimulation at best.):

“St. Joan of Arc Church is hosting an interfaith prayer for the people of Tibet that will include blessings from nearly every faith practice from Catholic and Lutheran to Hindu and Zen.

Highlighting the event will be reflections by the former abbot of Kumbum Monastery in Tibet, Arjia Rinpoche, and sacred chants by the Gyuto Tantric Choir. Twin Cities vocalist Robert Robertson also will perform.” - Mpls Star/Tribune Dated July 25, 2008

Witch hunt.

From what I understand it was simply an interfaith service - not a Eucharist - and it was held in the gym, where Sunday liturgies take place, even though it is not a consecrated church - St. Joan’s has a separate church.  After checking with the parish, I realized the event was held a month ago - nothing is scheduled for this Sunday as was implied in the email alert.  Several years ago, progressive staff at St. Paul Seminary hosted a Buddhist prayer service in the seminary chapel, wherein a monk sat upon the altar.  Those days are over in our Archdiocese however - and it is quite obvious these self-appointed inquisitors do not know what to do with themelves in the meantime.  (Why would they send out old news items a month later?)

We have Archbishop Nienstedt now!  So pray and don’t worry.  (Although these people seem intent upon finding devils even in Archbishop Nienstedt’s actions.  False emails defaming a woman recently named as chancellor of canonical affairs for the archdiocese have been circulating ever since the announcement was made.  I think it is fairly obvious where the devil is in these details.) 

It’s like laying the groundwork to accomplish an intended goal.

When I was first learning to paint in 5th grade, my uncle Jim, who is also an artist, was visiting one day.  I was painting a  ‘portrait’ of St. Therese, beginning with her eyes.  My uncle said, “Usually it is best to begin painting in the background first, and then painting the subject in the foreground.”  It was my first lesson in art, and I always think of it as I begin a new painting.  It is also a good method to employ in the preparation of any important work; that is, lay the groundwork, build a foundation, fill in the background of a project to support the work at hand, in order to sell the the final proposition, and accomplish the intended goal.

Background music.

I mention this after reflecting upon a couple of emails concerned friends sent to me regarding the upcoming exhibit, Vatican Splendors, at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, Minnesota this September.  Although it is not sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, the exhibit is undoubtedly appealing to Roman Catholic faithful, who are sure to attend in great numbers.  My friends suspicions were aroused when they noticed on the museums website that  the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus would be one of the groups performing in a series of monthly concerts staged throughout the exhibit.  One day only, in December.  Copy for the event reads:

The TC Gay Men’s Chorus, led by Artistic Director, Dr. Stan Hill. Following the quote “Nation shall not lift sword against Nation, neither shall they learn war any more”-Isaiah 2:4, the Chorus will make an appeal for that most sought after of world condition: Peace. From the rapturous finale of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ inspiring Dona Nobis Pacem (Give us peace), to intimate pleas from the pen of 16th-Century composer Guilio Caccini, they sing of peace’s long-awaited arrival, couched in the garlands of the holidays. From a touching and dramatic rendition of Silent Night, to a heart-stirring arrangement of Oh Holy Night, they hope for and reflect on the possibilities of a world bathed in the sweet rapture of peace. - MNHS

Are the background singers insignificant to the song?

My first reaction was, “It’s a non-event - it is insignificant.  The group is one of many to perform for the duration of the exhibit.  It is a public business venture, negotiated with the Vatican Museums, in the year 2008 of the Common Era.”  Yet one of my friends had a few interesting, if not provocative things to add to the discussion.  She first asked, “Is someone at the History Center trying to make a statement of some sort?” 

“The mission of Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus is gay men building community through music.” TCGMC

In a separate email, my friend clarified her concerns, writing:  “My problem is not with the Choir, I’ve seen them perform before and they are very good.  However I know some members are active gay Catholics who advocate the Catholic Church change Her teachings to accommodate homosexual practices and approve of same sex marriage.”  My friend believes that the groups appearance in conjunction with the exhibit will be used by gay advocacy - persons or groups - for propaganda purposes.  Supposedly the TCGMC had been scheduled in advance of the planned exhibit, but so was the exhibit planned in advance - in all likelihood, further out than the scheduling of entertainment.  Hence the implication of political maneuvering may not be that far fetched. 

The Archdiocese was informed.

The History Center graciously informed the chancery of the inclusion of the Gay Men’s Chorus in the scheduled events for the run of the exhibit:  In other words, the chorus had already been “painted into the background”, and it appears someone with the museum painted the archdiocese into a corner on this one.  At any rate, a spokesman for the chancery conceded that since the program was already scheduled, the archdiocese would still support the exhibit.  He reasonably offered that the TCGMC is a highly regarded group, while their appearance is ancillary and not part of the exhibit, noting their musical selection is in keeping with the sacred tone of the exhibit.

Catholic Taliban -no, no, no.

I had to agree.  The Archdiocese would come off in a manner similar to the Taliban if they protested the TCGMC performance and withdrew its support of this “once in a lifetime event” for local Catholics as well as non-Catholics.  The spokesman from the chancery cited the CDF document, “The Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons and Non Discrimination against Homosexual Persons” to support this position.  Just the title of the document sums the matter up - as Catholics, we are not to discriminate against homosexual persons.

So, how far do we take that?  

I don’t know sometimes.  It is a complicated issue, don’t you agree?  But the spokesman from the chancery is sending me the document from the CDF regarding pastoral care and non discrimination against homosexual persons.  I’ll let you know what I think.

Links:

From the TCGMC website:

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus seeks to provide its members with rewarding musical experiences and to promote social exchange among a group of men with a common purpose. As an organization that celebrates diversity and uses music as a way to transform, educate and heal, TCGMC works towards the elimination of homophobia and intolerance through community outreach.  - TCGMC

Fr. DeBruycker is back at St. Joan’s.

He was gone for awhile, so he missed some of the fireworks that goes on there.  Ray from Stella sent me a piece Father wrote for this Sunday’s bulletin.  I reprint it here:

Pastors 2 Cents: From Fr. Jim DeBruycker

It’s good to be back. First of all thank you to Fr. Cassidy who made it so easy to get away and for his leadership during our latest crisis. The prayer service of June 25 has been described to me as one of the most moving and memorable services held here at St. Joan’s. Forgiveness and understanding called forward in truly hurtful times are powerful.

Do you know what Mass is? In the Church it is what the sun is in our world, it is the soul of our faith, the center of our religion, the end and center of all the ceremonies, rites and sacraments. In a word, it is the summary of all that is beautiful and good in the Church of God.”

- St. Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751) This quote, and many others like it on old yellowed paper, were glued to the wall in the sacristy at St. Leonard of Port Maurice. St. Leonard was the father of the ferverino, those short fire and brimstone speeches calling the sinner to repentance with threats of damnation. His fame was built on his preaching repentance through meditation on the sufferings of Christ in the stations and especially the Mass.

“Be now confounded for very wonder, reflecting that the proposition just laid down is indeed most true; a soul assisting with adequate devotion at holy Mass renders more honor to God than that which all the Angels and all the Saints put together render with all their adorations.”

- St. Leonard of Port Maurice (1676-1751)When I was first called to priesthood, as with many of you in the congregation, it was this theology which inspired me. The great privilege of serving at and saying Mass. It still is and it is still true at St. Joan’s. If nobody cared, where would the controversy be of who said it, where and how and by whom? At Mass we meet God face to face in the elements of the Eucharist and in the gathered assembly in prayer.

Why bring this up? On Sunday afternoon I made the mistake of checking my e-mails that had accumulated during the last six weeks. There were surprisingly few about the GLBT prayer group, but literally a hundred commenting on a YouTube film of our Palm Sunday Mass with the masks created by our children in cooperation with the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater.

The insinuation was that we were idiots who despised the Mass. Nothing could have been further from the truth. We made sure all of the elements of the Mass were there and used the art of this world renowned acting troop and the art of our children to help deepen the sense of the mystery of the passion. Many commented on how this Mass, more than ever before, made the betrayal and death of our Lord come alive in their hearts. To our detractors; you own no monopoly on understanding or reverence. - Fr. Jim 

So here are my unsolicited 2 cents:

I already forgot about the controversy over the puppet Mass - Father has a point however - probably more valid about 10 to 20 years ago when innovations, along with good intentions, were enough.  While reading his comments,  I realized that the parish actually thrives on controversy - much like a severely dysfunctional family does - living through one crises after another - it is what unifies them as a ‘community’ I think.  As such, they seem to have marginalized themselves into a corner, filled with co-dependent individualists in a state of continuous dissent.  God bless Fr. DeBruycker for his deep faith, heartfelt sincerity, and genuine compassion - he is a good man in a very difficult job. 

Our Blessed Archbishop John C. Nienstedt immediately after receiving the pallium from Pope Benedict XVI on June 29, 2008.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis is richly blessed.  Thanks be to God.

Photo credit:  Fr. Zuhlsdorf. 

The continuation of the revolution. 

“Dissent is revolution!”  - Warren Beatty’s character, John Reed from the film, “Reds”

[Photo credit: "Gay" seniors at St. Joan of Arc, dissenting from Church teaching at a secular prayer service held outside the church on June 25, 2008.  Photo and story by Ray Marshall.] 

Checking who sent what.

I’m sure many of you have heard of people checking the floral arrangements at a wake to find out who sent the largest arrangement and who sent the smallest.  Somehow, even in death, the popularity contest  endures to discover who thought enough of the deceased to honor him with a bouquet, and size matters.

The florals are gorgeous.

I thought of these things as I looked through the commemorative edition of the Catholic Spirit, the diocesan newspaper - it is a tribute to Archbishop Flynn as he retires.  Indeed it is a beautiful tribute to a very good Archbishop.  And yes, the many congratulatory additions from Cardinals, Bishops, communities of religious and businesses is impressive, as well as fitting.  Similarly blogs have posted their congratulations and best wishes to the retiring Archbishop as well.  It is a lovely testimony of the good will of Catholic bloggers, some of whom have not always been his biggest fans.

Great expectations.

Certainly it is no secret the Archbishop has not always been accoladed the best bishop in the country.  Although, I honestly believe he always did the very best he could, although not a few expected him to do more.  Nevertheless his retirement naturally allows for an honest retrospective of his tenure as the Archbishop of such a vast see.  Compared to his predecessor, many would agree he did a great job.

Where’s the whip? 

When he became Archbishop after Archbishop Roach retired, many traditional/conservative Catholics were relieved that Roach was finally gone.  Not a few thought Archbishop Flynn would come in and clean house, as it were.  Instead, he proceeded with a quiet, pastoral concern towards all the faithful in his care.  He exercised his authority with deep respect for individuals as well as groups of the faithful; in parishes/faith communities, religious congregations, and so on.  (Even the dissident ones - which pretty much raised his critics ire.)

A good shepherd.

Of course the Archbishop’s most dynamic focus, indeed his greatest contribution and legacy, remains the renewal of the seminary while actively encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life.  He became a close father to his seminarians and priests, in whom  (I suspect) he placed great hope for them to become the necessary leaders in the ongoing renewal and reform of the entire Archdiocese.

The respect due his office.  

All in all, I believe Archbishop Flynn has been very good for the local Church;  I think he will always be known as a compassionate and caring shepherd.   I have learned from him (actually directly from him)  how to be more patient and tolerant, and most especially, to understand that the bishop, no matter who he is, deserves our respect and obedience. 

["You say good bye, I say hello..."]  

Liturgical anarchy.

I never could figure that out - why after renovation of a parish church to look like a gym, parishioners chose to worship in the school gym anyway?  That is what they did at St. Stephen’s - they made up their own liturgy and held it in the gym.  The “spirits” guiding these folk discourage liturgical  rubrics, rules of order, and obedience to the Magisterium.  Naturally, to be Roman Catholic, a parish is obliged to follow the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), that isn’t too much to ask.  Unless elements within the worshipping community are not Roman Catholic, in that case, the honest thing to do would be to go elsewhere for worship.

In the Gospel, several followers left Jesus after our Lord revealed himself as the Bread of Life, proclaiming, “if you do not eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you.” (Jn. 6)  “From this time on, many of his disciples broke away and would not remain in his company any longer.”  (Jn. 6)  Just so, some of the parishioners at St. Stephens have found the integrity to move off Church grounds to celebrate worship services which accord with their personal piety elsewhere.

Some of the protestors chose to remain behind in the school gym to conduct their eucharistic celebration, an act of “holy resistance” - as the above photo demonstrates.  The woman performing the ‘elevation’  of the wine at the end is a Sister of St. Joseph.

Thankfully, the new pastor, Fr. Joseph Williams, is a very kind and holy priest, he will be an immense blessing for those in the parish who hunger for authentic worship, in spirit and truth.  He arrives on the Sunday after Easter, supported by the faithful of the archdiocese and much prayer.

(Topmost photo:  Laetare Sunday Procession of protestant Catholics leaving the school gym for their new “underground” church.)

Links:

Photos and story of the migration: The Wild Reed

All the background you need on the ruckus:  Stella Borealis

RCIA and incompetence. 

The woman who cuts my hair sends her children to school at St. Richard’s, a Catholic church/community and school in Richfield, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis.  Her husband is ‘undergoing‘ RCIA at the ‘community center’.  Typically, the parish priest or pastor has little to nothing to do with the formation of RCIA candidates - at St. Richards any way.  In fact, the pastor is on sabbatical - so he definitely is not involved.  He is traveling the Middle East.  The parissh website explains:

“Our pastor, will be gone on sabbatical January through April in 2008. The focus of his sabbatical is the meeting of East and West in Christian spirituality. He received a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment that will allow him to travel to Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.” - St. Richard’s

[Strange to be away on sabbatical over the most important feast in the Christian calendar.]

First Communion - then First Penance.

My friend’s husband is Lutheran, but attended Mass with his wife and children and wanted to receive the Eucharist - so he decided to enroll in RCIA.  My friend is young, still in her 20’s, but was raised in a conventional Catholic parish.  She made her first confession, and then  made her first communion.  Her child’s religious education person told her she had to adapt to change when she asked why her children couldn’t make their first confession before communion.  The teacher explained that first penance is reserved for the 5th graders - “because children younger than that just couldn’t sin.”  (And people wonder why there is a loss of a sense of sin in our society.)

My friend’s husband will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, although he has never been prepared for the sacrament of penance.  In fact, he has been told nothing about the sacrament, and it appears he is not required to make a confession before his profession of faith and confirmation.

Once my friend asked the woman in charge of RCIA about aspects of the faith she felt were important for her husband to learn about, the instructor pretty much blew her off.  My friend told me that every parish she checked out in south Minneapolis and the southern suburbs seemed like entirely different denominations of Catholic, each appeared to have their own rules and way of celebrating Mass.

So - What’s in your parish? 

There’s gonna be a fight…

That line was repeated over and over in a Laurel and Hardy film as the camera pulled away, revealing the inside hallways and staircase of a posh apartment building, while residents were rushing out of their apartments, following everyone down stairs to go outside and see the promised fight.  (Whew!  That’s a long sentence!)  Anyway, there is going to be a fight in the Archdiocese of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

The Nienstedt affair.

All the blogs are picking up the story now that it has hit Catholic News Service  and Lifesite News.  Poor Fr. Tibesar, the local priest embroiled in the controversy, got himself more deeply involved in the controversy.  To such an extent that he comes off as a priest completely disloyal to the Magisterium.   He gave that bitchy homily  you see…  

The newspapers are getting involved.

So now Nick Coleman, a writer for a local newspaper in the Twin Cities has picked up the story in his Nov. 27 column, “Future Archbishop’s compassion stops short when it comes to gays.”     Mr. Coleman interviews a few of the principals involved in the brouhaha, one key person being the official spokesman for the Archdiocese, Dennis McGrath.  McGrath had this to say:

Dennis McGrath, a spokesman for the archdiocese, said Nienstedt’s comments were not aimed at families of gays, or at individual homosexuals.

“It was about the sin, the activity — not the person,” McGrath said. “He didn’t mean you must stop loving your child. But if you say, ‘Why don’t you go hit the gay bars tonight? …’ He was talking about those who encourage or promote homosexual activities, like a pornographer might.” - StarTribune

Crying out loud.

Of course, the emotional response from gay activists won’t be diminished no matter what the Archdiocese says.  Active homosexuals want total acceptance and inclusion in the Catholic Church.  In other words,, they want the Church to do the impossible and declare same-sex sexual relations to be no longer a sin.  Christ gave the Church authority on earth, but not the authority to change natural and divine law.  All Archbishop Nienstedt did was present a catechetical response to the issues regarding homosexuality and Church teaching:

“Those who actively encourage or promote homosexual acts or such activity within a homosexual lifestyle formally cooperate in a grave evil,” wrote Nienstedt, who is scheduled to succeed retiring Archbishop Harry Flynn in May. “If they do so knowingly and willingly, [they] are guilty of mortal sin.”

Nienstedt went on to set three conditions for such church members to receive communion: They must experience a “conversion of heart,” express “sorrow for their action” and receive absolution from a priest. - StarTribune

It’s emotionalism run a muck.

The Archbishop was fulfilling his duty as a faithful shepherd of his flock and simply clarifying Church teaching.  This is what bishops do, they teach and guide the faithful in “faith and morals”.   Nienstedt was not telling parents to reject their children who happen to be gay.  He wasn’t demanding that they stop loving them.  He was clearly speaking to people who promote the gay lifestyle as a viable alternative, on parity with heterosexual relations and marriage, in defiance of Church teaching.

The people who are protesting Church teaching are making this into a personalized, highly charged emotional issue in rebellion of the Catholic Church.  One parent, Mary Lynn Murphy had this to say:

“It is a human right to express your sexuality,” says Murphy, who met last week with Catholic parents of gays who were in tears over Nienstedt’s statements on homosexuality.

“They are being tormented by a church that is driving a wedge between parent and child,” Murphy said. “They believe they are being asked to choose between loving their church and loving their child. And they are furious. For the most prominent religious leader in the state to use that kind of language, well, it brings shame on him.” - StarTribune

Crock-o-dile tears maybe?

Don’t these tearful parents realize that couples who have divorced and remarried outside of the Church, are under similar restrictions as active homosexuals when it comes to receiving Communion?  Homosexuals, who wish to be Catholic, are not the only people who are required to obey God’s commandments regarding chastity.

Many single heterosexual men and women are also obliged to live chaste lives.  If they live with their boyfriend or girlfriend and are in an active sexual relationship, they too are barred from Holy Communion.  The Church does not ask us to disown or exclude these people from our families or list of friends.  Neither does the Church order society to deny these people human rights.  But the Church does require us to witness to the faith, and out of charity, admonish the sinner - at appropriate times - which at the very least entails our not promoting sinful behavior.

Saving souls. 

The Church and her ministers are concerned for the salvation of souls.  To misinform people on faith and morals, what is good and evil, is inexcusable for a Roman Catholic bishop, priest, or lay person - even parents - to do.  It is misplaced charity to say that a sin is not a sin, in order that a family can pretend everything is all right.  It suggests to me that parents really do not know what homosexual sex is all about.

Everyone is asked by Christ to deny himself, take up his own cross and follow him.  In each of our lives we have something we must deny - and not seek to justify or conjure up an exception to.  In contemporary culture we have lost any sense of sacrifice or self denial - and we would have our children find fleeting happiness in this life, only to lose their soul in the next.  That really isn’t love, much less good parenting.

[On December 2, the First Sunday of Advent, LGBT activists will stage a rally on the steps of the Cathedral in St. Paul between 2pm  and 3pm.  It may be a good time to have a holy hour, either at the Cathedral or at your local adoration chapel, to pray for the conversion of sinners.]