Fr. Z's Blog

There are some good web pieces available about the funeral Mass of the late, great Extraordinary Ordinary, Bp. Robert Morlino of Madison.

One of the better is at CWR.  [UPDATE: Nothing at Fishwrap.  There is, however, a piece by Jesuit arguing that the bishops should cave in on paying for contraception.  After all, can’t we all just get along?]

His passing is an important moment in the Church in these USA.  His death and the funeral were followed all over the world.  Bp. Morlino was and still is seen as a strong, orienting beacon guiding people to the truth. His sermons, writings and interviews are like buoys, guiding people in the life-rafts around the Barque of Peter away from the rocks and back to the boat.

The naming of his successor will be a watershed in the Church in these USA.

We must now pray with redoubled efforts for the soul of the late bishop, and also for all those who will be involved in the naming of his successor.

Some people might make the grave error of thinking that that little and mostly rural and ultra-liberal diocese of Madison is some sort of ecclesiastical fly over country.   I assure you that that is mistaken thinking.

There are a couple of factors which people might remember when thinking about the open see of the late Extraordinary Ordinary.

First, Mary has placed her blessing on this state.  To the East of Madison, in central South Wisconsin, is Holy Hill, the National Shrine of Our Lady, Help of Christians.  To the West of Madison is the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  To the North is Champion, the only officially approved Marian apparition in these USA.

Second, there are a few “force multipliers” in Madison.  The greatest of these is the legacy of Bp. Morlino himself.  However, his voice and message were, I must in honesty, admit were also amplified by other force multipliers which continue even now.  For example, here in the Diocese Fr. Heilman is doing his good work, which is having a national impact.  And, well… I’m here.  If anyone thinks we’ll be quiet, think again.

Third, this is a diocese where the most important legacy of Benedict XVI is being implemented.  Benedict XVI did what he could to deal with the increasingly alarming erosion of Catholic identity through artificial or badly-conceived liturgical worship.  Much of the deeper foundation of the terrible times we are is a crisis of liturgical worship.  Madison has many, especially, young priests who are saying the TLM and saying the Novus Ordo having been shaped by learning the TLM.  The knock on effect, ripple effect, is spreading on many levels, affective, intellectual, spiritual.  This is spiritual warfare we are engaged in.  Liturgy is one of the most important activities we engage in.  Madison is where the vision of Benedict XVI has put down roots.  This vision was also the vision of the Extraordinary Ordinary.  And, remembering the motto on his episcopal arms: Visus non mentietur…The Vision Will Not Disappoint”

This is an important time for the Church in these USA.