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

Support Bishop Finn: proposal for prayers, penance against the attacks of Hell.

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Again, in regard to the dust up in the Diocese of Kansas City -St. Joseph, over at SERVIAM there is a very good proposal, couched in the no-nonsense language we like around here at WDTPRS.

In Support of Bishop Finn

by RJS | 29th May 2011

I nor anyone else outside the chancery of the Diocese of Kansas City/St. Joseph will ever know exactly who said what, when and to whom leading to the current storm over the handling of Fr. Shawn Ratigan. Regardless, I am privileged to know Bishop Finn. I know many people who know him intimately and work with him daily. Based on this knowledge, I have every confidence that he acted with love and concern for all and that whatever was broken will be fixed and we will get back to the business of fighting Satan and saving souls. [OOH-RAH!]

Priestly vocations have soared under Bishop Finn. Satan does not like that. [Not one bit. And Satan hates priests and bishops with a particular violence.] At least two traditional groups of nuns have relocated here recently. He does not like that either. [Not a bit. Imagine the good work these women do.] Liturgical celebrations are more reverent, people are returning to frequent Confession, Catholic education is seeing a resurgence and a Cause for Canonization is being conducted here. Satan’s influence here has been pushed back so it’s no surprise he is stepping up. The Church in Kansas City and Bishop Finn in particular are under attack. [And everyone in the unity of Christian charity is, therefore, under attack due to the attack on him.]

This purpose of this post is simply to say that I support Bishop Finn and I stand with him.

God bless you, Your Excellency.

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host –
by the Divine Power of God –
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Since the diocese also bears the name of the mighty St. Joseph, a prayer to St. Joseph is in order as well.

Joseph is Protector of the Church and, in his litany, is invoked as “Terror of Demons”.

Prayer to St. Joseph in time of Distress – Written by Pope Leo XIII, a partial indulgence is attached to this prayer (EnchInd 19).

We come to thee, O blessed Joseph, in our sore distress. Having sought the aid of thy most blessed spouse, we now confidently implore thy assistance also. We humbly beg that, mindful of the dutiful affection which bound thee to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God, and of the fatherly love with which thou didst cherish the Child Jesus, thou wilt lovingly watch over the heritage which Jesus Christ purchased with His blood, and by thy powerful intercession help us in our urgent need.

Most powerful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen race of Jesus Christ; drive far from us, most loving father, every pest of error and corrupting sin. From thy place in heaven, most powerful protector, graciously come to our aid in this conflict with the power of darkness, and as of old thou didst deliver the Child Jesus from supreme peril of life, so now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of her enemies and from all adversity.

Have each of us always in thy keeping, that, following thy example, and borne up by thy strength, we may be able to live holily, die happily, and so enter the everlasting bliss of heaven. Amen.

Ad te beate Ioseph, in tribulatione nostra confugimus, atque, implorato Sponsae tuae sanctissimae auxilio, patrocinium quoque tuum fidenter exposcimus. Per eam, quaesumus quae te cum immaculata Virgine Dei Genetrice coniunxit, caritatem, perque paternum, quo Puerum Iesum amplexus es, amorem, supplices deprecamur, ut ad hereditatem, quam Iesus Christus acquisivit Sanguine suo, benignus respicias, ac necessitatibus nostris tua virtute et ope succurras.

Tuere, o Custos providentissime divinae Familiae, Iesu Christi subolem electam; prohibe a nobis, amantissime Pater, omnem errorum ac corruptelarum luem; propitius nobis, sospitator noster fortissime, in hoc cum potestate tenebrarum certamine e caelo adesto; et sicut olim Puerum Iesum e summo eripuisti vitae discrimine, ita nunc Ecclesiam sanctam Dei ab hostilibus insidiis atque ab omni adversitate defende: nosque singulos perpetuo tege patrocinio, ut ad tui exemplar et ope tua suffulti, sancte vivere, pie emori, sempiternamque in caelis beatitudinem assequi possimus. Amen.

You can add comments of support here, also indicating what penances you will perform for Bp. Finn’s intention. Please do so as well at SERVIAM.

I suspect that if you pray for him and do penance, you will also be attacked in various ways. Take courage.

I am adding prayers to St. Joseph to the live stream of the Z-Cam and Radio Sabina. The Benedictines of Mary, whom Bp. Finn welcomed into the diocese, have a lovely hymn to St. Joseph. I will put that on the stream as well.

I will start my spiritual war by saying Mass tomorrow, Monday – Feria Secunda in Rogationibus – for Bishop Finn. It is a Rogation Day, so I’ll have my own little “beating of the bounds”. And pray for me, please. When I do stuff like this, bad things follow.

The combox will be open, but not for the purpose of endless debate or rehashing the shoulda, coulda, woulda yet again. Time to pray. Very simple.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Brick by Brick, Clerical Sexual Abuse, Our Catholic Identity, The Drill, The Last Acceptable Prejudice, Throwing a Nutty | Tagged Bp. Finn, D. Kansas City-St. Joseph
31 Comments

Teas in the afternoon

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It was a tea day, with an equivocation.

First, I shifted a Fukien Tea I picked up for a song at, of all places Sam’s Club, into a bonsai tray sent by a reader here some time ago, chosen from my wishlist. I was feeling a bit guilty for not having utilized it yet.

The tray is rather too large for the tree, but it is far better than the hideous plastic thing it came in.

I put some screen in the bottom and threaded a copper wire from the holes.

The mix is supposed to drain well. I put some fine gravel in to be sure..

Having extracted the tree from its hideous captivity, I sorted out the roots with a fork and cut them off a bit. Then I situated it in its new noble reader-sent home, wrapping the wire around.

Finally, I gave it some ornamental gravel, a rock, and little Chinese scholars.

I will let it get settled before trying to trim or shape.

I would like to get a small boxwood. I understand they make great bonsai.

The other, far more famous Fukien around here is known to many of you readers.

PENJING REPORT

Penjing struggled over the winter, having lost leaves more than once and looking sickly at that.

It didn’t help that it had but indifferent care from someone supposed to water when I was gone.

Penjing is seen here with Irohamomiji, the Japanese Maple, which is starting to unfurl its leaves. There are lots of buds coming as well.

Penzai was not available for comment.

Penjing is getting lots of new growth now, however, and is showing promising signs.

So much is Penjing recovered but that he wants to remind you …

[CUE MUSIC]

… that the Mystic Monks, the Carmelites in Wyoming, also are happy to send you

tea.

That’s right, it’s summer and time for iced tea.

Yum.

What could be better than to give support to these traditional Carmelites by preparing your own cool, refreshing Mystic Monk iced tea?

Irohamomiji agrees and thinks you should order the Raspberry.

Whereas, not having an interest in the special flavors, this… ummm… unnamed…

…. ummmm….

This tree has no name.

Hmnmm. Now that I think about it, trees don’t have to have names. In fact, penjing and penzai are merely Chinese words for “bonsai” and irohamomiji is just the Japanese word for this type of maple.

But this Fukien Tea tree is nameless.

No matter. Refresh your coffee supply. Iced coffee is a great change of pace.

Mystic Monk TEA.

It’s swell!

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged bonsai, Chinese elm, fukien tea tree, Japanese Maple, PENJING REPORT, Penzai, tea
11 Comments

QUAERITUR: The collection basket when you are poor.

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

I experienced something today at Mass I’ve never experienced before.
When the collection basket got passed around and I put nothing in, the lady sitting next to me “tsk’d” me.

I’m a student with no money, and I just finally got a job making minimum wage. I’m expected to save the money I make during summer for school, so I live very frugally during the summer. Granted, I don’t look poor because I’ve learned how to look presentable on a low budget, so she likely wouldn’t have known.

This left me wondering just what my financial responsibilities are to my parish when I’m literally nickel and diming it every month? Also, because I live at home right now, and still registered under my family’s address and name, does their monthly lump sum offering cover me as well, even though we attend different Mass times?

I suppose it was not the best moment loudly to tell the nosy old trout to mind her own business.

We have all at one point or another not been able to be as generous as we would prefer, when it comes to the obligation to see to the material support of the Church.

It seems to me that at a certain age you begin to contribute your own contributions.

But perhaps it might be helpful to remember that we can contribute on more ways than simply by giving money. Sometimes we talk about supporting parishes through

Time
Talent
and Treasure

If you are not able to give money at the moment, perhaps there are other ways to help around the place, ways to get involved.

In the meantime, if you had more disposable cash, you could print some cards saying something like:

“Congratulations, you just committed the sin of rash judgment. Furthermore, in your desire to feel morally superior, like the Pharisee praying in the temple, you may also have also scandalized your neighbor. Since you are probably closer to the end of your life than its beginning, do confess these things as soon as possible. And if you can’t pay attention to MASS during Mass, at least mind your own business instead of everyone elses. Have a nice day!”

And put a little smiley face on the card, and maybe some daisies.

UPDATE:

I hope people understand that I was being somewhat satirical to make a point. I am not advocating actually giving people cards like that, which is fraught with its own problems in the realm of fraternal correction.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged collection basket, material support of the Church, Precepts of the Church
48 Comments

FOLLOW UP: The storm building in the D. of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I wonder if we have gotten to a point in the wealthy West where the erosion of culture and mores is so advanced that the notion of fatherhood is simply an option. In vast swathes of society fathers are optional or perhaps even disposable.

As a follow up to the entry about the storm building in Kansas City, MO over the priest who had child pornography, and in reference to the blog entry at SERVIAM (go there to discuss this – the combox is open), I found this exchange interesting.

Context: Some will assert that Bp. Finn must resign. That’s rubbish, of course.

Nevertheless…

Brindle

May 29th, 2011 :

goodbye Bp Finn as a mother of seven children I see no other way
MDB

May 29th, 2011 :

So Bishop Finn should give in to the jackals in the media and just quit? Did our Lord not promise all of us persecution and trials? “Quo vadis?” “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Should the good bishop flee his own cross and leave his flock to fend for themselves against marauding wolves? If he does resign, there’s not a priest in that diocese that will be safe. Merely an accusation will be enough to ruin a priest’s life and reputation. If the liberals in the Church and the hate mongers in the media can bring him down, nobody is safe. God help the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph if that occurs.

Do I hear an “Amen!”?

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Clerical Sexual Abuse | Tagged Bp. Finn, D. Kansas City-St. Joseph, fatherhood, fathers
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Shakespeare: Catholic

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

When I was seven, I discovered Shakespeare. Ever since his works have never been far from my reach. In my seventh year I was given sets of LP records with some of the greatest actors in the world reading the plays. I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about, but I was enthralled. I was driven to a dictionary, and to the texts of the plays in print. Slowly but surely, it all started to make sense. The language provided endless treasure hunts. I was ensorcled.

We’ve even observed “Talk Like Shakespeare Day” here (skipped this year for obvious reasons).

I am convinced that Shakespeare was Catholic and that he put all sorts of Catholic content in his works.

This is the subject of some books (which you readers have sent me from my wish list), such as Clare Asquith’s engaging but uneven book Shadowplay Joseph Pearce’s critic-provoking The Quest for Shakespeare and Through Shakespeare’s Eyes: seeing the Catholic presence in the plays. And it is has been advanced that he studied for the priesthood, in Rome.

Today I saw this in The Telegraph:

William Shakespeare was probably a Catholic, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury, who discussed spirituality and secularism in the Bard’s plays with the actor Simon Russell Beale. [Beale, by the by, is the fellow who narrated that great BBC 4 series on Sacred Music. It’s on DVD.]

Little is known of Shakespeare’s life and there is no direct evidence of his religious affiliation, but Dr Rowan Williams said he believed him to be a Catholic. “I don’t think it tells us a great deal, to settle whether he was a Catholic or a Protestant, but for what it’s worth I think he probably had a Catholic background and a lot of Catholic friends and associates. [With due respect to Dr. Rowan’s erudition, I do think it makes a difference. We may read his plays differently.]

“How much he believed in it, or what he did about it, I don’t quite know. He wasn’t a very nice man in many ways – it’s always very shocking, that. The late Shakespeare was hoarding grain and buying up property in Stratford – it was not terribly attractive.”

However, he went on: “The extent to which I want to call him a Christian is not [an attempt] to kidnap him for the tribal trophy wall, but a) because everybody at that time was some sort of Christian, and b) there are things in his plays you can’t understand without understanding the notions of forgiveness and free grace.

“He wrestled with human questions and he ends up saying there is a great deal more to all this than some might think. That mysteriousness is part of what the plays are about. That seems impossible without something of the sacred.” [Do you suppose this is brought up in public schools when Shakespeare is read. No… wait… is any Shakespeare read any more in public schools?]

Asked which Shakespearean character he found most compelling, Dr Williams chose Macbeth, but quickly added: “That’s not to say I identify with him, because you don’t really want a serial killer as the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare, The Drill | Tagged Archbp. Rowan Williams, Clare Asquith, Joseph Pearce, Shakespeare, Simon Russell Beale
16 Comments

Card. Pell: “Young people don’t see the Catholic Church as being inevitably in decline”

Posted on 29 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Remember the Tumult in Toowoomba? Bp. Morris, removed from governance of the diocese after years … strange stuff?

From CNA:

Cardinal Pell says Bishop Morris sacking ‘a tragedy’ but also ‘a useful clarification’
By David Kerr

Sydney, Australia, May 28, 2011 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- It’s been nearly a month since Bishop Bill Morris of Toowoomba in Australia was dismissed from office by Pope Benedict XVI. Now the country’s most senior Catholic, Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, has given his first in-depth interview on the controversial sacking to CNA.

“Well, it was a tragedy. It should never have come to this,” Cardinal Pell told CNA while on a visit to Rome.

“Rome was very patient. You could say the dialogue had continued on for 13 years and unfortunately Bishop Morris felt unable to give satisfactory clarifications.” [13 years … ?!?… who appointed him in the first place?]

Bishop Morris’s dismissal followed comments he made in a 2006 pastoral letter. In it he called for the ordination of women and married men, and suggested that protestant ministers could offer Mass to compensate for the lack of priests in his diocese. This in turn led the Vatican to order an investigation.

“Catholics stand with the Pope as the successor of Peter and his role is to strengthen his brothers and to defend the apostolic tradition, and it’s now Catholic teaching that women cannot be ordained priests. That’s not an optional belief; it’s now part of the Catholic package,” said Cardinal Pell. [So is Summorum Pontificum.]

Critics of the bishop who’ve spoken in recent weeks to CNA suggest that the problems in Toowoomba went far beyond the bishop’s public disagreement with Catholic doctrine on the priesthood.

They’ve claimed Bishop Morris – who preferred a shirt and tie to a priestly collar and bishops’ attire – did much to undermine Catholic identity and teachings during his 18 years in office.

Cardinal Pell was both balanced and charitable in his assessment of Bishop Morris’s legacy.

“He’s a very good man. He had a lot of pastoral strengths. He’s got a lot of good points. He’s done of lot of good work. He’s got quite a strong following in the diocese.” [I am convinced of all of that. I’ll bet he is a really nice who did great things for people. He would have been a great parish priest.]

“But the diocese was divided quite badly and the bishop hasn’t demonstrated that he’s a team player. I mean even at the end he didn’t wait for the official Vatican announcement.” [I’d say.]

“He sent around messages to every parish, to all his priests, the Australian bishops before the official announcement and since then he’s made a number of public announcements which haven’t been helpful.”

As for critics of the Pope’s decision to sack Bishop Morris?

“There’s been a predictable chorus from a minority but such is life.” [Such is life.]

The job of rebuilding things in Toowoomba now falls to Bishop Brian Finnegan of Brisbane who has now been appointed apostolic administrator until a new bishop can be found. Cardinal Pell said it’s time “to look to the future.”

“You know, life moves on, but also I think it will be a useful clarification for people that Catholic doctrine is there to be followed and bishops take promises to defend the integrity of Catholic teaching.”

Cardinal Pell believes that it’s this orthodox approach that is reaping apostolic benefits in many parts of Australia including Sydney. He points to an increased number of priestly and religious vocations, vibrant university chaplaincies and the legacy of World Youth Day in 2008.

“Young people don’t see the Catholic Church as being inevitably in decline at least in most parts of Australia.” [Do I hear and “Amen!”?]

“We’re doing what Christ wants, and I think that if you do that you’ve always got to be optimistic” [DO I HEAR AN “AMEN!”?]

“There’s life and energy and promise.”

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged Bp. Morris, Card. Pell, D. Toowoomba
24 Comments

Lunch: Follow up to 20th Anniv. supper

Posted on 28 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I made chicken the other night. I am eating left-overs.

Sandwich from toasted bread with chopped garlic, watercress, goat cheese, chicken.

Lunch: Follow up to 20th Anniv. supper

I found a sweet tooth today. Chocolate chip cookies in a pale imitation of my mother’s masterpieces.

Espresso.

Posted in Fr. Z's Kitchen | Tagged chicken, cookies, espresso
7 Comments

QUAERITUR: What do I call a friend about to be ordained a priest?

Posted on 28 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

My friend was just ordained to the Diaconate, and will be ordained to the Priesthood next year. This leaves me with a question regarding etiquette when addressing him now, and then later when he’s a priest.

Being that we’ve been friends since junior high, I’m left wondering if I’m supposed to start calling him Deacon N and later Father N out of respect for him, his changed state in life, and his vocation, or if it’s still fine to not use titles unless we’re doing something liturgical?

Definitely call him “Father” in public. In private too, until he makes it clear how the two of you are going to do this. He’ll let you know.

I am glad you were concerned enough to ask.

Aside: I am concerned about the erosion of decorum in our times. I would not be sad to see, rather hear, a return of the use of honorifics or titles even, say, between spouses. Think… Jane Austen:

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered as the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters.

“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day, “have you heard that Netherfield Park is let at last?”

[…]

I times past spouses would, in other languages, address each other by “vous”, “Sie”, “Voi/Lei”.

O tempora.

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box | Tagged honorifics, titles
57 Comments

The storm building in the D. of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

You have probably seen news about the case of a priest in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph who had photos from different sources, some he took, of children.

Bp. Robert Finn is taking some heat about Fr. Ratigan, a bloke with some obvious issues. There are questions about how the priest was handled by the diocese.

Bp. Finn has made public statements, for example here. This statement has a lot of the facts of the case.

Leaving aside for a moment the issue of how the facts and concerns were reported to the bishop’s office and to the bishop himself, as I read in the news reports and statements from Bp. Finn and the diocese, a) in the first stage of inquiries made by the diocese the photos the priest had and which were given to the diocese did not arrive at the legal definition of child pornography and b) there were no victims of sexual abuse, c) while concerns were raised about Fr. Ratigan, he didn’t seem originally to have broken civil laws, d) only later were more photos discovered – previously unknown – which did, in fact, meet the definition of child pornography.

As I read it, the media is pressing that the policies and procedures of cases of sexual abuse of children, or possession of child pornography, were supposed to be applied, even before the priest had been found to have broken laws. As I read it, it is claimed that the bishop should have done something about this child-abusing child-pornography fiend, even before the priest was determined to have been either. They should have applied provisions before they knew they were to be applied.

If I am mistaken about that, I hope to be corrected. I think the priest right now is in jail for the pornography, but I don’t think he has actually been accused of child abuse.

That said, I think that once the diocese had received the information they did at first get, the diocese probably should have asked for a more thorough investigation. A lot depended, however, – I can’t believe I am writing this cliché – on what Bp. Finn knew and when he knew it. Sometimes that phrase actually is applied to men who are good a diligent! It seems that Bp. Finn was not shown everything that was presented to the diocese for consideration regarding this priest.

In any event, once all of the situation was revealed, the system kicked into action. The priest is now in jail and the diocese has obviously suspended him. It think it is pretty clear that this priest’s life is at present in a near total ruin.

A friend in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph with a fine blog, Serviam, has an interesting take on the situation building like a Missouri diocesan wall cloud.

More Double Standards From The Media

by RJS | 27th May 2011

I [RJS] recently posted this question in the comments section of a KC Star article dealing with the latest turn in the Fr. Ratigan case. As I don’t expect an intelligent response there, I thought I might ask the same question here. :-) [We’ve all seen the mindless and even demonic hatred of the Church and of Christianity and of anything Catholic in the comboxes of secular news sources.]

Someone help me understand something please. This reminds me of the “burn the witch” scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. What we have here is a priest who took pictures, likely downloaded others and obviously needs help. We have a diocesan office who did not do a good job of policing and following its established policies. However there are no allegations of abuse (which is what the policies were primarily designed to eliminate). [The policies, it seems, didn’t quite fit a bloke like this.]

[NB] Meanwhile, statistics show that children are up to 100x more likely to be sexually abused in public schools. Yet there are no media circuses, no cries of “I’m leaving the public schools”, no calls for resignations, no “SNAT” (which is surprising since it would provide a much more consistent revenue stream) and more concerning – no published policy on abuse prevention on the NEA website, the KCMO School District site, the Shawnee Mission School District site or others.

Why the double standard? Or is it simply a back-handed compliment to the Catholic Church that it is expected to maintain a higher moral standard that was long-ago written off in our public schools?.

Please do say some prayers every day for the near future for Bp. Finn.

The media and, no doubt, the FIshwrap, are going to put him through the grinder for all manner of things imagined not to have been done properly.

Also, say a prayer for that priest, who has issues. Along the line he tried to commit suicide.

Don’t expect to see much reason applied during this media storm. I once heard Card. George make the comment that Americans are simultaneously hedonistic and puritanical.

Another thing… I know a lot of priests who are nearly terrified of being around children of any age. What a sad sad sad state of affairs.

Lastly, by all means discuss this also at SERVIAM.

UPDATE 28 May 1319 GMT:

In a comment below we read:

[W]hen is it incumbent upon the citizen who is reporting the facts to “ask” the police to carry out a more thorough investigation?

So, it seems easy to pass the buck to the bishop.

But if you as, say, a school administrator, suspect that someone is doing something wrong, should the first call be to the police (in countries where is still reasonable treatment of the Church by the state) and the second call be to the bishop? If, later, something were found to be truly wrong with that, for example, priest. wouldn’t the school administrator actually be the one to blame for the situation?

Just wondering.

Posted in Biased Media Coverage, Clerical Sexual Abuse, The Last Acceptable Prejudice | Tagged Bp. Finn, D. Kansas City-St. Joseph
53 Comments

REVIEW: 1962 Roman Breviary iPhone app

Posted on 27 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate created an app for the 1962 Breviarium Romanum. It is now available, FREE, for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

This may be a way for some of you to get more familiar with the older form of the Office.

There are some typos, throughout, but that doesn’t make much of a difference if you pay attention. I am sure they will be corrected along the way. We hope.