Fr. Z's Blog | Catholic commentary by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

About Bp. Finn in Kansas City – St. Joseph

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I was sorry to read that His Excellency Most Rev. Robert Finn, Bishop of Kansas City – St. Joseph is facing an indictment for the misdemeanor of not reporting to police a suspicion that one of the priests of that diocese was engaged in improper behavior towards children.

I am sorry for Bp. Finn, whom I know a little bit, and who has struck me as a good and humble man trying to be a good bishop in difficult times.

I am also sorry that the press in Kansas City, as some of my friends there have been telling me, are doing their darnedest to to make every aspect of the case sound as lurid and horrible as possible.

I have a few requests to the readership.

First, you can stop sending me emails telling me that Bp. Finn was indicted. I know.

Second, in your charity please say a prayer for Bp. Finn, perhaps asking the Holy Angels to guard him in a special way while this is going on.

Third, when you read stories about this case, carefully attend to the language of the reporting.

The judicial system will now grind away at everyone in this matter until a verdict is reached, lots of people will be hurt even more, and the liberal press will sharpen their knives on the Church in Kansas City.

It grieves me to have to watch this vivisection take place.

We must entrust all this to the Lord.

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Clerical Sexual Abuse | Tagged Bp. Finn, D. Kansas City-St. Joseph
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Some photos and comments and thanks

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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Here are some photos I have pulled out of my phone, in no special order.

I visited Greenwich the other day and, coming up from the Thames into the great quadrangle I saw this in the pavement. The birthplace of a monstrous fellow.

On a better note, I had a very nice look around Westminster Cathedral with a friend. I had no idea that on the back of the great Crucifix in the sanctuary there was a Stabat Mater.

Here you can see the altar from the side. The little wall behind was actually moved at huge expense before the Holy Father’s visit last year precisely so that he wouldn’t say Mass ad orientem.

This Rolls Royce has little wipers on the headlights.

Meanwhile, back at Greenwich, Fr. Finigan is still standing at attention.

The uniform Admiral Nelson was wearing when he was killed.

There are splendid models of ships at the museum in Greenwich. In my opinion they are the best thing to see there.

Yesterday was a glorious, beautiful day. It is hard to imagine more splendid weather.

Of interest to art historians. I spotted this after visiting the gang saying the Rosary at Bedford Square for Forty Days For Life.

Don’t know why this image is smaller. Oh well. It was a really nice day.

Just coming out of the National Gallery, Sainsbury Wing where the older stuff is. I spent a couple happy hours comparing Sienese and other Tuscan Mary and Child paintings.

On the way home, I grabbed a couple of trout of the shelf at a Tesco. They had an interesting package, nicely vacuum-packed, which accounts for the little ridges on one side. The ridges didn’t affect either the cooking time or the flavor.

So far so good. My trip is winding down to an end soon… sniff. I should have made it longer.

Thanks to all of you who have sent donations! Here are some of the kind people’s initials, whom I always note down and whom I remember in prayer. I will soon again say Holy Mass for the intention of benefactors which is my pleasure and duty. Your kindness is always appreciated and my spirits are lifted each time I get a notification that a donation has come in. I hope I got everyone…. if not, your names are noted down elsewhere.

LS, AR, LR, MH,
LL, JB, JP, RB, WH x 2,
MH, RB, MR, CS, MK,
DG, MH, PK, MR, DP,
MC, AN, SS, LT, KB,
AO, HE, KA x 2, AB, RD,
TB, AR, AKP, MG, ED,
JK, MR, JP, J&GG,
DT, LL, CW

Posted in Just Too Cool, On the road |
8 Comments

Winnipeg: Catholic school principal faces dismissal for promoting 40 Days for Life

Posted on 15 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From Life Site:

Catholic principal faces dismissal for promoting 40 Days for Life
BY PATRICK B. CRAINE

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, October 13, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The principal at a Catholic elementary school in Winnipeg faces possible dismissal after he considered allowing students to count the 40 Days for Life vigil towards community service hours.

Principal David Hood of Christ the King School advertised the local 40 Days campaign in a recent newsletter and then told the Winnipeg Free Press on Tuesday that he was considering allowing students to join the vigil to satisfy part of the 10 hours of community service required of grade 7 and 8 students.

The comments led to a media firestorm with calls for the school, which is independent and under the auspices of the Archdiocese, but receives 50 percent funding, to lose its public funding for promoting “political” activism.

Now Principal Hood’s employment is under review by the school’s board of directors, the CBC reported Thursday afternoon. Hood was asked to stay home Thursday.

After the Winnipeg Free Press broke the story Tuesday, the Archdiocese, headed by Archbishop James Weisgerber, immediately distanced themselves from Hood’s actions, insisting that “Catholic Schools in Winnipeg do not give community service or academic credit for participation in prayer vigils.”

“There are no Catholic schools in Winnipeg that give academic credit for political activity,” Robert Praznik, the Archdiocese of Winnipeg’s director of education, told the Winnipeg Free Press. “We’re very careful, we’re not a political organization. None of this is part of the curriculum, and none of this is done on school time.”

In an interview with LifeSiteNews, Praznik insisted the Winnipeg Catholic schools strongly uphold the right to life, but said they “would never give credit to people for attending a prayer service,” just like they “wouldn’t give credit to people for attending Mass.”

“We respect the sanctity of human life. It would be individual parents, families that would make those decisions,” he continued.

Asked if the schools would organize a group to attend a pro-life event, like the Catholic schools in Ontario do by sending students to the Ottawa March for Life, he said, “We would have difficulty if it happened during school hours because of our funding.”

“It’s not that we’re not supporting pro-life activities, but we’re also politically sensitive to the political environment,” he said. “In terms of government regulations in terms of school hours and so forth. We walk a fine line.”

[…]

There is a lot more to read over there.

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras | Tagged 40 Days for Life, abortion, D. Winnipeg
13 Comments

London impromptu, brief “Blognic” possible this (Friday) afternoon! UNDERWAY!

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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I will be in central London today on sundry errands and quests. Should anyone like to meet for a pint in the afternoon, I will be

17:30 at The Coal Hole.

Also, I am forwarding my London phone number (020… or Skype call to “WDTPRS”) – found on the left side bar of this blog – to my mobile. You can also text to 07501852559.

Only a couple more days here! Sniff.

Impromptu Blognic

No! Alas, I'd love to but I can't make it. (76%, 141 Votes)
No! I wouldn't be caught dead with you lot. (12%, 22 Votes)
Yes! Best idea I've heard today! Sounds like fun! (6%, 12 Votes)
No way! Are you out of your mind? Who cares? (3%, 5 Votes)
Yes! I'll stop in for a bit. (2%, 3 Votes)
Yes! And I am buying for everyone! Huzzah! (2%, 3 Votes)

Total Voters: 186

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UPDATE 1123 London Time:

Two people have already sent me texts with their intention to come!

UPDATE 1409 London Time:

I’ve had a couple voicemails from people wanting to confirm the time and place. Yes, as above! I don’t know if we will be upstairs or down. Down was pretty warm last time.

UPDATE 2005 London Time:

It was a great small impromptu blognic. Thanks for coming!

Off to the grocery for provisions. Cooking again!

Posted in Blognics |
9 Comments

QUAERITUR: People who arrive at Mass really late and then go to Communion

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

During the Agnus Dei at Mass this morning, two unfamiliar teenage
girls and a man, who I suspect to be their father, entered our rather
small church and made their way to a pew.
I was saddened to see as I returned to my seat after receiving Holy
Communion that the aforesaid trio were presenting themselves to
recieve, and that even though our priest knew they’d arrived late, he
went ahead and distributed the Eucharist to them.

So my question is this: Should the priest have quietly explained to
them that they couldn’t receive as they reached the front of the
“queue,” or should he have distributed HC, and sought them out
immediately after Mass with a view to correcting them in private?

How do you see the laity’s role in all this?

There are several points here to consider.

Many people are poorly catechized. The don’t realize that they should not receive if they are not properly disposed. They are not receiving in a sense of defiance of the Church’s good order.

We have to balance our desire to pursue the perfect with a need in prudence to achieve slowly but surely what it possible, always with an eye on the restrictions of fraternal correction.

What is the role of the laity in this regard?

I would say pretty close to ZERO.

If a person is well-known, doing this often, and is a friend, then perhaps bring it up. Otherwise, leave this sort of thing to the priest and the person involved. We usually can’t make a good guess at the individual’s disposition to receive. Normally, people complete their preparation for reception by their participation during Mass. But, that isn’t always the only way.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged disposition, Holy Communion, late for Mass
66 Comments

Forty Days For Life in London

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Seminarians and others at Bedford Square in London during Forty Days For Life.

Posted in Emanations from Penumbras, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices |
4 Comments

QUAERITUR: Using a different set of mysteries during communal recitation of the Rosary.

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

I prayed the Rosary with some others today, but since it was Thursday they used the Luminous Mysteries. I, however, meditated on the Joyful Mysteries. Is that legit? Would I still qualify for an indulgence if I was meditating on different mysteries from the others?

Yes. I think you would.

Go ahead and meditate on this or that set of mysteries as it pleaseth you.

An argument can be made for having everyone on the same page. Communal recitation does imply doing something in common, right? Some people might find it a bit distracting or disharmonious to have meditations on a different set of mysteries going on. That said, if you want to do your own thing, then do it. Of course that undermines a little the communal aspect of recitation of the Rosary, but… whatever.

I know that some people have not embraced the “Luminous Mysteries” for their own meditation. Fine. They don’t have to use them if they don’t want to. The mysteries are suggestions for our benefit, not iron-clad channels into which we are forced.

Our devotions don’t require perfect lockstep with everyone else.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged Luminous Mysteries, mysteries of the rosary, rosary
9 Comments

Conversations we have to have about Communion under both kinds.

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The debate about U.S. bishops making the decision to follow the Church’s laws about Communion under both kinds continues.

We need a conversation about several points. Let us today limit ourselves to one (which means we don’t need the introduction of “And a different point is….”). We can have conversations about some other aspects of this debate under different entries.

First, I wonder if the high dudgeon about Bp. Olmsted and Bp. Morlino is less about Communion under both kinds and more about having as many lay people involved as EMHCs as possible.

I am guessing those who object to the decisions of the aforementioned bishops have figured out that by curtailing Communion under both kinds, the occasions and numbers of Extraordinary Ministers will also be reduced. Some people have the false notion that “active participation” means “doing stuff”. They want lots of lay people in the sanctuary doing things, stepping into the role the priest is supposed to fulfill.

This is a conversation we need to have.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, I'm just askin'..., Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill | Tagged communion under both kinds, EMHC
54 Comments

QUAERITUR: A host found on the altar after Mass.

Posted on 14 October 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

This morning I attended a Mass that was celebrated by a VERY old priest; just a simple daily Mass, nothing fancy, no smells or bells.

When it came time for the prayers of consecration, it seemed as if the priest could not find the “larger” host, so he used one the smaller
ones. All is well.

BUT after Mass when the sacristan was bringing everything back to the sacristy, I watched him pick up a host from the very end of the altar and bring it back to the sacristy. My first thought was, “wait a
second, I think that host is consecrated!”

So my question is, do all hosts that are present on the altar, whether they are directly involved in the prayers of consecration or not, become the Body and Blood?

Thank you, this has been buggin’ me all day. Just say the word and
I’ll break into that sacristy to save the True Presence from the pile
of non-Jesus wafers.

In general, the well-trained priest intends to consecrate what is placed within the confines of the corporal spread on the altar. He makes a moral intention to consecrate what stands on the corporal. He could intend to consecrate other elements as well, but usually the corporal provides a standard “consecration zone”, as it were.

However, it may that a consecrated Host got away during the consolidation of two partially filled ciboria. I can’t say anything more about that possibility. Who knows?

Where there is doubt in cases like this, the finder could consume the host in question or, taking it to the priest or, in the case of a sacristan, he himself could place it in a cup of water. When entirely dissolved, the liquid is poured down the sacrarium.

When you find a host somewhere other than on the altar itself or in the sacristy, it might be a good idea to assume that it was consecrated and carried away by some person and thrown away.

Finally, if you know that throwing away the Eucharist, or giving or selling it to someone else is the gravest of sins and one that incurs an excommunication, you in fact incur latae sententiae – by the very fact of doing it – an excommunication, the lifting of which is reserved to the Holy See or a confessor to whom the Holy See has given the faculty. The Holy See, not the local bishop.