Mar 26 2013
Over at GetReligion, a discussion is occurring regarding Easter and Passover. No, not which is better, but more, who celebrates and how do they celebrate. In effect, there are two groups: those who hear the stories (“Why is this night not like other nights? ” “Oh happy fault!”) and those who eat the meals (not Sacramental). A good read. It seems the meals crowd has won thusfar, but the Stories crowd is still significant.
Aug 02 2012
I am originally from Buffalo, which received a new bishop quite quickly after +Kmiec turned 75. Erie waited at least a year for +Trautman to be replaced. Rochester, which some would say is in bad shape, waits (im)patiently for its turn.
I write about this because one of its few remaining Catholic high schools, DeSales, which served the eastern parts of that diocese, announced that it was closing. Rochester is a small diocese compared with Buffalo in terms of population. Yet, for about half of its high schools to close in the span of one bishop is too much to bear. So, I join with those in Rochester who must feel like the title of this post is just right.
Jul 26 2012
So, I’ve been busy. First I was at TeCaBoCa to cook for a family retreat program, then I helped at a youth leadership develop program whose aim is to train the students for leading small Christian communities. After that I went on retreat and heard Ronald Rohlheiser. I relaxed a few days before I went to see my family and then returned. Shortly after my return, I went to a week of Scout camp offered through the archdiocesan Catholic committee on Scouting. During that time, the Boy Scouts of America affirmed its policy to forbid those who have homosexual tendencies and act upon them from registered leadership positions within the organization. By doing so, the Boy Scouts have said that certain activities are forbidden by its members.
Some would say this is intolerant, that this decision violates Scouting’s principles. I say it is truly enlightened. It says that I am not my actions. It also says that some behaviors can disqualify me from certain activities. We see this in many places. For example, being in a state of current marriage prevents one from joining a Catholic religious order. Being convicted of a felony prevents one from voting.
The enlightenment, though, is the first point that can easily be thrown away. I am not my actions. Another major group is getting flak for saying the same message: the Catholic Church. This large group consistently tells us that we are called to overcome our sinful habits because we are not bound by them. In other words, I am not my sins. I have concupiscience, but I also have knowledge, wisdom, and reason. I am called to use those to better my relationship with God, people, and myself. Do I succeed at the challenge the Catholic Church issues? No. When I participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I find myself reciting the same sins I did before. The challenge is worthwhile for the the rewards are greater than the instant gratification I get from sin.
So to can I say about the Boy Scouts of America. I am an Eagle Scout. The values instilled in me include being brave. I find that the BSA is sticking to this value (bravery) by affirming its policies out of concern for children. It had numerous lawsuits filed against it because pedophiles had entered its ranks. These acts were homosexual in nature. The BSA is not equating all those with homosexual tendencies as pedophiles and is not saying that all pedophiles are homosexual in orientation. What this decision does is minimize the risk of children becoming victims of pedophilia. Is it perfect? No. We can still find recent news stories of pedophiles preying upon children in the Boy Scouts at various Scouting functions.
To those who disagree with the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to affirm its policies, why do you disagree? Is it to be kind? To share concern is an act of kindness, and so you are doing so by expressing your concern. The Boy Scouts is also kind because it expresses its concern about active homosexual practitioners in its ranks. Its kindness is to the children because it is borne out of a desire to keep them safe from pedophiles. (This obviously does not mean that all people with homosexual tendencies are pedophiles or vice versa.)
We hear that the Boy Scouts is forcing its morality (or that of others) unto its membership. Well, no. Membership is voluntary, thus when I send my dues to the Boy Scouts of America, I place myself under that group’s authority. I give myself. The Boy Scouts cannot take who I am away when I give myself freely. Thus, I am called to agree with the Boy Scouts’ understanding of “do[ing] my duty to God and my country.” I am also called to agree with their policies regarding homosexual practice among its leaders.
Peculiarly, this is similar to when I underwent my conversion. I gave my life to the Catholic Church freely. I am called to support her in her mission. I am called to agree with her teachings. They are readily accessible, so if I am ignorant, then I can rectify the situation. In other words, the Catholic Church did not force me to accept her teachings. Instead, I gave myself to her and put myself under her authority.
As an Eagle Scout, I learned much about leadership. I also learned that if I am to be an effective leader, I also must be an effective follower. By placing myself under authority, I can learn what it means to be in authority. The Boy Scouts of America taught me much, and I give it the kudos it deserves for its bravery to make what appears to be an unpopular decision.
As Albus Dumbledore said in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, “It takes courage to stand up to ones friends.” I may be taking an unpopular view with this blog post, but it is where I stand. I did not need to write this; but the bravery instilled in me by my journey to Eagle forces me to do so.
Other links:
Tip Of The Hat to “Boy Scouts Of America”
Thoughts of a Simple Citizen: I am an Eagle Scout
The Boy Scouts Stand and Deliver
And as only Elizabeth Scalia could put it: Big Gay Al on the Boy Scouts and Homosexuality (In other words, don’t be a fascist!)
UPDATE I
May 30 2012
English: Most Reverend Richard J. Malone (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Buffalo has a new bishop: Richard J Malone of Portland, Maine, USA. I don’t know much about him, but I do know this is the second in an unusual pattern, that Buffalo is getting out-of-state bishops. Bishop Kmiec is originally from New Jersey, and Bishop Malone is from Massachusetts. In the past, Buffalo received bishops from within New York. I now suspect that Rochester’s upcoming bishop will likewise be from out-of-state. As of now, Rochester has 47 more days of Bishop Clark.
May 13 2012
jkklglh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
An article that features five generations of mothers. A great pro-life article without intending to be one.
May 11 2012
Apr 28 2012
Today is the Vigil for Good Shepherd Sunday. It is also the day the Church prays for vocations to religious life. Today, my order celebrated the lives of five brothers who together have been in religious life for 230 years. (Five is not the number of jubiliarians we in total are celebrating; it is the number in St Louis who we celebrated here.) One brother was 70 yrs, 60 yrs, 50 yrs, and 2 at 25 yrs. Thank you, gentlemen, for your faithfulness.
Apr 26 2012
Georgetown University, to be more specific, in order to give the Whittington Lecture. Apparently, some professors did not like the fact that Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) would be addressing a crowd at the fine institution, so they drafted a letter and sent him Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Now, Georgetown University, a Catholic University, the first one in the US, recently hosted another speaker, Ms. Sandra Fluke, to speak on why women should have unfettered access to contraceptive and abortifacient services on the grounds of a university that proclaims itself to be Catholic. Since some professors are concerned about the catechesis of speakers who address their students, I must wonder if they gave her a copy of Humane Vitae. Surely, they did, for they would not want to cause scandal
I crack me up.
Apr 13 2012
So, I haven’t posted much about the HHS mandate. I have found the focus on violation of conscience, while important, not enough. I think this is about the relationship of the State and the Church, namely, that the State can tell the Church what She may consider works integral to Her mission. The HHS mandate wants to do just that. This is part and parcel with the case that saw the State, in the guise of EEOC, fight the Church, in the guise of the Hosanna-Tabor School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to determine who may or may not be a minister. This current administration within the executive branch strives to tell the Church who She may name a minister and what She may name ministries. These actions remind me of what occurred in Hungary immediately after World War II. In particular, I am reminded of Mindszenty‘s memoirs and what the Communist government did. So, the trail can only lead to one place: eminent domain. The State will force the Church to abandon Her schools, universities, hospitals, and other institutions that fulfill works of mercy. Yes, I can even see the Church forced to abandon her graveyards. Then after the Church has given up all save Her houses of worship, the buildings, etc., will be stolen from her by the State. I thought I was thinking unusual thoughts, but it appears I am not the only one thinking these. I know now what I am voting for, and what I am voting against.
UPDATE: From Bishop Jenky of Peoria
Apr 08 2012
Alithos Anesti!
Christ is Risen!
Indeed, He is Risen!
Our faith is not vain!
Apr 05 2012
Today we begin the Holy Triduum. After leaving Mass this evening, I noticed the full moon. I was struck by how close Passover is this year to Holy Thursday. The bloodless sacrifice today, the bloody sacrifice tomorrow that leads us on the exodus from our sins.
