US bishop hear the word “blog” during meeting

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Problem: Catholic Bishops in general today know as much about most social issues – in this case the internet and social networking – as they did about astronomy in the 16th century.

With that in mind… a note from the USCCB plenary:

Go forth and blog, tweet and post, US Catholic bishops told

(AFP) – 16 hours ago

WASHINGTON — Roman Catholic bishops in the United States should go forth and blog, tweet and preach on the “new digital continent” of social media, a church leader said Monday. [Interesting idea.]

“The church does not have to change its teachings to reach young people, but we must deliver it to them in a new way,” Bishop Ronald Herzog told the general assembly meeting of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Baltimore.

“If the church is not on their mobile device, it doesn?t exist,” he said, likening social media to a “new digital continent” waiting to be evangelized.  [Well… tress fall in forests, too.  But, we should ask which Church would be on their mobile.  What would be a Catholic content on their mobile devices were bishops involved?]

The biggest handicap facing the church is that many members of the clergy don’t understand the culture of the unexplored continent and might even fear confrontation with the natives, he said. [I could deliver a workshop or two on that score.]

On the digital continent, “Anyone can create a blog. Everyone’s opinion is valid. And if a question or contradiction is posted, the digital natives (bloggers) expect a response and something resembling a conversation,” Herzog said. [There is at work in blogs that allow a lot of interaction something like a Reverse Gresham’s Law.  You have to be able to back yourself up if you are going to make a claim.  This is why liberal Catholic blogs don’t get much traction.]

“We can choose not to enter into that cultural mindset, but we do so at great peril to the church’s credibility and approachability in the minds of the natives, those who are growing up in this new culture.”

Ignoring social media could have a similar impact on the church as another communications revolution did back in the 1500s, said Herzog.

Social media “is causing as fundamental a shift in communication patterns and behavior as the printing press did 500 years ago. And I don’t think I have to remind you of what happened when the Catholic church was slow to adapt to that new technology,” he told the gathering of Catholic bishops.

The printing press was a driving force behind the Reformation in the 16th and early 17th centuries, which saw a schism in the Roman Catholic church and the establishment of Protestantism as a branch of Christianity.

Though the Roman Catholic church isn’t usually associated with social networks, the church, Pope Benedict XVI and individual clergy members are on digital media including Facebook and Twitter.

[…]

News: the internet has been around for a while now.

There are a lot of priests and Catholic laypeople involved in the Catholic blogosphere.  I have not seen much engagement with them so far.  If you were to draw up a list of “digital natives” who might have a few things to say, I think you might have to include my name, and those of a few of my fellow travelers.  Some of us have been involved with the internet for a long time.

I am glad that the bishops have heard the words “I-N-T-E-R-N-E-T” and “B-L-O-G” mentioned at their meeting.

I’m really glad.

Posted in New Evangelization, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged ,
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Benedict XVI on the role of bishops conferences

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

First, let me ask: Have you read Apostolos suos yet, as I suggested elsewhere?

As the USCCB has a plenary meeting, as the CEI still hums with the Pope’s message, this comes from CNA:

Pope: Bishops’ conferences should serve bishops not replace them

Vatican City, Nov 15, 2010 / 07:18 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A national conference of Catholic bishops exists so that pastors of the Church might “share the fatigue of their labors.” But, according to Pope Benedict XVI, those national conferences can never substitute for an individual bishop’s authority and duty to guide his people.

The Pope turned a Nov. 15 address to a group of bishops from Brazil into a lesson on the function of the bishops’ conference. [Bishops are bishops also for the whole Church, and not just one little part of the Church isolated somewhere in the world.  When the Vicar of Christ speaks to a group of bishops, he will surely mean to address their particular concerns, but he is also speaking to all bishops everywhere.]

[…]

Since the Second Vatican Council (1963-1965), some critics have argued that bishops’ conferences have assumed too much influence in the lives of local churches and in some cases have diminished the authority of local bishops.

In his address, Pope Benedict reminded the Brazilian Church leaders that “the counselors and structures of the episcopal conference exist to serve the bishops, not to replace them.”

[…]

Posted in Pope of Christian Unity | Tagged
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QUAERITUR: Can a church’s name be changed?

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Bp. Finn consecrates Old Saint Patrick'sParish mergers happen.  When they do, sometimes a new name is cobbled up to identify the new entity.  Sometimes, however, names of churches are changed.

From a reader:

There is a parish in my diocese that was formed years ago through the
merger of two ethnic parishes. Over the course of time, the smaller of
the two was torn down and the congregation still uses the second of
the two churches. 2012 will be the 125th anniversary of the dedication of that church. The parish is advertising it, though, as the 125 anniversary of the dedication of the parish, which did not come about until some 60 years after the dedication of the church. Can they do this? It was my understanding that once a church is dedicated, it
cannot change its name.

My understanding is that the name of church cannot be changed without the permission of the Holy See’s Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.

Churches are dedicated or consecrated with a name.  In the rite of consecration of a church, the walls were washed and anointed.  The building is a thenceforth a sacramental.  Like a living thing, it is given a name.  These names cannot be changed unless there is great need.

If the name of a church has changed, it is reasonable to wonder of permission was sought.   I repeat that it is my understand that permission is necessary.  I am happy to be corrected if it is not necessary.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000, Our Catholic Identity | Tagged
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Catholic priests in the military: serious shortage

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Back in the day, I reached out to the US Navy about being a chaplain.  I never heard back.  I am probably too old now.

I have, however, heard stories from chaplain friends about non-Catholic superiors putting head pressure on them to support payment for abortion.  I have heard about the room to made for Wicca.  We know that the change on the policy of homosexuality in the military thing is going to be a problem for Catholic priests who need to be faithful to Catholic teaching.

However,this is  from CNA:

Baltimore, Md., Nov 16, 2010 / 12:54 am (CNA).- Military Archbishop Timothy Broglio told bishops at their annual gathering in Baltimore that the U.S. military is facing an alarming shortage of priests that is increasingly leading Catholic servicemen to seek help from Protestant pastors. [I suspect that a lot of bishops won’t do anything to help both because they don’t have enough priests themselves and because they don’t like the military.]

Calling it a “pastoral problem” that “affects all of us,” Archbishop Broglio appealed to bishops across the U.S. during the annual Nov. 15-18 meeting in Baltimore to consider sending more priests to help serve in the military.

“As you know, the Archdiocese for the Military Services assures the pastoral care for people from your respective particular churches,” he told the bishops. When these people “hang up their uniforms and return home,” he added, “I would like to be able to return them to you as Catholics.”  [Or have the last rites when they die.]

Approximately one fourth of active duty personnel – 400,000 people – and their immediate families are Catholic, he said.

At present, these Catholics “are served by only 275 priests in a territory that covers the globe,” the archbishop noted. “Those numbers will shrink in the coming years.” [Please, people, pray for vocations!]

Because many in the armed services often face grave situations, he said, questions about the meaning of life and the existence of God often surface.

“They are at great risk because there are not nearly enough priests to meet their needs,” he said. Speaking of the growing trend for Catholics to seek help from Protestant ministers, Archbishop Broglio said “our separated brothers and sisters are more than eager to fill the gap created by the absence of a priest.”

“If we are not there,” he said, “someone else will be.”

Archbishop Broglio also lamented the increasing amount of suicides that occur in the military. He said that one suicide occurred per day this last June in the U.S. armed forces and asserted that the presence of a priest is essential in helping prevent future “tragedies.”

“We cannot abandon” service men and women “at the moment of their greatest need,” he added.

Archbishop Broglio concluded his remarks by urging the bishops in attendance at the annual meeting to “to consider sending one more priest to the military.” He also appealed for the bishops to designate a day of prayer for peace, an end to suicides, and to express gratitude to U.S. military personnel.

Of course His Excellency, whose name is on the list of bishops for whom I pray a Memorare after every Mass, is right.  But there is also the dimension of the environment chaplains must work in with in the military culture.

How friendly is the military, under the present administration, to priests.

Posted in SESSIUNCULA | Tagged ,
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Church sign

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Speaking of signs, a reader sent me this shot taken somewhere in Dallas, TX.

It made me chuckle.

church sign

Posted in Lighter fare |
14 Comments

Change to the coat-of-arms of the Roman Curia?

Posted on 16 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I found something you should know about.

Preamble:  Surely someone with little intellectual flexibility will opine that all the heraldry stuff is meaningless in our sophisticated modern world, or that people who are interested in it are, well, as effete as they really are behind closed doors.

I respond that symbols make a difference.  They herald something.

That said… you will remember the dust up a few weeks ago when for the Papal Sunday Angelus, a new drapery was suspend at the Holy Father’s window at the Apostolic Palace.  The drapery, with the Pope’s personal coat-of-arms, included the traditional papal tiara rather than the miter which was adopted at the time of his election.

The coat-of-arms was designed by soon-to-be Card. Montezemolo.  The miter, rather than the tiara, is an innovation.  The change means something.

Furthermore, there is a difference between the Pope’s personal coat-of-arms and the coat-of-arms of the Holy See and therefore the entities of the Holy See.  You will see, for example, on the letterhead of a Vatican dicastery the crossed keys surmounted by the papal tiara.

Now take a look at this:

Papal Tiara

When the papal coat-of-arms was introduced as the Pope’s personal symbol the Secretary of State said that the tiara remains in use for the offices of the Holy See.

It would be good to know precisely what the policy of the Holy See is in this regard.

Changing important symbols means something.

In this case we are considering a heraldic “grammar”, if you will.  In my view, that grammar should be respected.  In our liturgical worship formal changes caused a change in identity.  Some changes are simply not good even when they are well-intentioned.

A change of the tiara to a miter seems to have something to do with a change in someone’s view of the authority of the Roman Pontiff.

Posted in The Drill | Tagged ,
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A priest wonders why there is a revival of exorcists; Fr. Z rants

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Take a look at this, from CWN and then… well… just take a look.

Prominent US priest bemused by exorcism conference

Father Richard Vega, a priest of the Archdiocese of band president of the National Federation of Priests Councils, has told The New York Times [Why am I not surprised to see that publication involved?] that when he heard that the US bishops were offering a conference on exorcism, “My immediate reaction was to say, why?”

The Times reported:

The conference on exorcism comes at a time, he said, when the church is bringing back traditional practices. The Vatican has authorized the revival of the Latin Mass, and now a revised English translation of the liturgy, said to be closer to a direct translation from the Latin, is to be put in use in American parishes next year.

“People are talking about, are we taking two steps back?” Father Vega said. [?] “My first reaction when I heard about the exorcism conference was, this is another of those trappings we’ve pulled out of the past.”

But he said that there could eventually be a rising demand for exorcism because of the influx of Hispanic and African Catholics to the United States. People from those cultures, he said, are more attuned to the experience of the supernatural.

I don’t trust Hell’s Bible to report things clearly.  That said, is there is – what – touch of condescension in this?  Sure, it is filtered and passed along.  But, I get a sense that this mean:

“Let those primitives dabble in that sort of thing.  If that does it for them, we’ll have to be accommodating.”

After all, we are so very grown up now.  We know that most of this is based on superstition, or exaggerated devotions and psychological imbalances they produce.  We are people of nuance.

I think we are more in need now of good and holy exorcists than ever because the Enemy is bold, cunning and has succeeded with the help of men who ought to know better in belittling his malicious work to the point where the “devil” is a punchline.

But consider: the enemy has ability of fallen angels.   They have knowledge and patience.  They never sleep.  They are never distracted.  They never forget.  They never flag in their malice.

Priests would do well to think about the four last things before going to bed.  A priest will be judged by the Just Judge as a priest, not as Joe Sixpack.

Then think about what must go through the mind of a soul during those first ten seconds in hell.

They had better think about hell good and hard, because they are going to go to hell if they by negligence prompt people to stop believing in the attacks of the enemy and the possibility of a judgment that could go very badly indeed.  And he would be, in hell, also a priest forever, with particular torments, special pains.

How’s that for something pulled out of the past, padre?

Posted in Our Catholic Identity, Wherein Fr. Z Rants | Tagged
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Of nuntii and bishopese and the “New Evangelization”

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I had intended relay this the day Damian posted it on his blog at The Daily Telegraph.  I was reminded of it tonight over supper with friends (including the great Fr. Finigan).

First, think about the “New Evangelization” that is supposed to be a priority.

Are you thinking?

Now read this, with my emphases and comments.

Wanted: a Papal Nuncio who will improve the calibre of our Catholic bishops

By Damian Thompson

Archbishop Faustino Sainz Muñoz, the Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, is retiring early because of ill health. It’s sad for him, of course: I wish him a full recovery, a happy retirement and shall try to forget his attempts to silence this blog. But now, [NB] PLEASE, will the Vatican recognise that the Catholics who responded so warmly to Benedict XVI deserve a Nuncio willing to recommend bishops motivated by the Pope’s programme of orthodox renewal? [I think it is fair to say that the Catholic Church in the USA experienced a “bump” after the visit of Pope Benedict.  The Holy See needs to strike while the iron is hot.] I don’t want to single out Archbishop Sainz, because he was just one of a string of Apostolic Nuncios or Delegates who represented the Bishops’ Conferences to the Pope rather than the other way around. Like secular diplomats who go native, the Holy See’s ambassadors have allowed the Magic Circle to force the names of second-rate church politicians on to ternas. The results are plain to see, especially in the North-West of England, its Catholic heritage left to rot by complacent prelates, and in the liberal protestant dioceses of the south coast with their 1970s retro liturgies. So…  [I think many in the Roman Curia are overawed by people who speak with some sort of English accent (perhaps few excluded).  Italians in particular go all wobbly.]

Wanted: a Papal Nuncio, inspired by the writings and teachings of Joseph Ratzinger, preferably a native English speaker, with a bullshit detector that’s set off by Eccleston Square Bishopese and a knack for spotting dynamic orthodox priests capable of turning round a moribund diocese. I can name a dozen such priests off the top of my head, but none of them stands a cat in hell’s chance of receiving a mitre until we get a decent Nuncio.

Some of the English priests I have met would be outstanding bishops.

Perhaps you readers out there, of whatever nationality and origin, might stop right now and say a prayer to the guardian angels of those who must make a determination about the new Nuncio.  The Holy Father himself will probably have to make this particular determination, since this Nuntiature is so important.  But the Holy Father will be advised, and I dare say even pressured by human forces.

Oremus pro pontificeHelp to sustain him with your prayers in this matter.  Pray for the Pope and perhaps also offer some fasting for him and this particular decision.

V. Let us pray for our Pontiff, Pope Benedict.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, and bless him upon earth, and deliver him not to the will of his enemies.

Our Father.  Hail Mary.

Let us pray.

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Posted in New Evangelization, The future and our choices | Tagged
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Parenting: nintendo during Mass, Communion

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Some food for thought for parents and for priests alike.

I remember once how I caught hell from a weak-kneed pastor because I wouldn’t give Communion to a girl quite obviously chewing gum.

Nintendo DS on the Communion Line
BY MATTHEW ARCHBOLD

I traveled yesterday with my five children to attend my niece’s confirmation. It was a beautiful event that was so well attended my kids and I had to park in a nearby neighborhood.

But there’s a reason I’m telling you the story. Look, I know it can be difficult to have kids in church. Believe me I know. I’ve had kids knocking their chins into the pews and crying, I’ve had kids vomiting and then crying that they vomited, I’ve had kids accidentally tearing the missal and crying because they thought they’d be in trouble. But I couldn’t believe what I saw yesterday at the confirmation Mass. [Remember… above, he was calling it a “beautiful event”.]

Mind you, the church was packed so my children and I were standing and couldn’t see a whole lot but in my limited field of vision I saw at least five kids either texting or playing their Nintendo DS in their pew. And I’m talking 9,10,11 year old kids on their DS while sitting right next to their parents.

But the worst part happened later. I saw one 11-ish year old girl walking up to the altar to receive Communion while playing her hand held video game. I guess we all should’ve just been thankful that she had it on mute. The usher who looked like Bowzer from Sha-na-na stood there not knowing what to do. I could see he wanted to say something but he simply looked perplexed. He implored with his eyes Nintendo girl’s parents and an older woman I suspect was her grandmother as they walked past him. But he was ignored. As Nintendo girl walked up the aisle her face reflecting digitized glory I could see Bowser looking around at a nearby usher who also mysteriously looked like Bowzer for an answer on what to do. Bowzer 2 simply shrugged his shoulders as in “Hey watcha gonna do?”  [Indeed.]

The Church seemed intent on playing “Speed Jesus” because there were probably a dozen Eucharistic ministers. The line moved double time and Nintendo girl got to within about twelve steps of the altar rail before closing the DS, shoving it in her pocket, putting on her solemn face, and receiving the Eucharist. [Beautiful.]

And while you can blame the kid, to me the real fault lies with the parents [D’ya think?  And there is the priest.  What has his liturgical style tacitly condonned?  By his preaching and his ars celebrandi has he communicated that what happens in church is important?  Maybe he does… and those who go to church would hear it.  But I suspect that lots of those confirmands don’t go too often.] for not conveying to their children the importance of the holy sacrifice. And clearly, this child’s parents didn’t feel she was doing anything wrong. Or they knew it was wrong but they just didn’t care.

And let me tell you, before Communion the church was standing room only but right after there were plenty of seats available.  [Beautiful.] So my kids and I sat down in an empty pew like those people at ballgames who move into box seats in the seventh inning after all the people who were just there for business left.

My eight year old daughter looked shocked when she saw a young boy playing a video game and the boy’s sister crowded up next to him watching the screen and whispering instructions. As I looked at that my two year old fell over the kneeler and bent her fingers back and she cried. Loudly. And then – get this – Bowzer 2 looked at me like I was a terrible parent.

I guess he thought that if she had a Nintendo she would’ve at least sat still.

Let’s save time.  Just station some unnecessary ministers of Communion outside before Mass so people don’t even have to be bothered to come in and wear out their batteries.

This raises some questions about Catholic identity.

Posted in Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 | Tagged ,
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QUAERITUR: survey at sermon time

Posted on 15 November 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:

Today at Mass, instead of a homily the priest invited a member of the
Parish Council to the podium to inform us that it would be helpful to
them if we’d fill out a survey regarding the parish finances.

Then the ushers proceeded to distribute the survey throughout the
church, fully expecting folks to fill it out right then and there. The
priest sat patiently while people filled out the surveys.

I was astonished and felt almost violated. This is a time of worship
and we’re going to stop to fill out a survey?

Was this really as great an afront as I take it to be or am I
overreacting here? I wanted to walk out of the church then and there
but my dear wife counseled more patience.

I think that sermon time should be for the sermon.

Yet, there are announcements during Mass also.  There are times when news must be given, simple or important.  Collections are taken up at Mass, sometimes more than once.

The sermon time should be for the sermon.  But there are rare, hopefully, rare occasions when other business must be conducted.  Parish finances are important, … at least if you want to continue to have a parish where you can worship.

But I agree… a survey would be a bit of a mood killer.

It would be a different matter if people would remain in large numbers after Mass for some of this stuff… but they don’t.

Posted in ASK FATHER Question Box, Liturgy Science Theatre 3000 |
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