Blog - July 2013 RSS Feed

Well, since everybody else is talking about it, I guess I should. I’m speaking about, of course, the Holy Father’s remarks to the journalists on the plane returning from World Youth Days in Brazil. Since I finally got to read the whole text of his conversation, it’s a good time to weigh in with a half-dozen or so of my own observations.

Since I returned from Rio, I am catching up on some reading. I came across this insightful op-ed on religious freedom that was published last week’s Wall Street Journal . Here is an excerpt: A common theory about freedom of religion suggests that such a value is grounded in a modus vivendi, or compromise: People agree to respect each other’s freedom in order to avoid religiously motivated strife.

Just home yesterday from World Youth Days in Rio, with three million young people and Pope Francis, I am saddened to learn of the passing of one of the more gracious, influential people I’ve ever come to know, a woman at 97 still ever young, Lindy Boggs .

You did it again, dear participants in World Youth Days . . . This was my sixth one. Before each of them, I debate, should I go? It’s so much trouble, travel, time; it will be unorganized and so jammed; there will be a lot of walking, waiting, and inconvenience .

You probably didn’t even hear about it:  about a month ago, 12 refugees, fleeing war and poverty in their home, Africa, drowned at sea, victims, not only of a leaky, worn-out, wooden boat, but also of unscrupulous traffickers.

Mark Doll, the chairman of the Finance Council for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee , has an article in today’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel , which gives a complete explanation of the decision in Milwaukee to establish a cemetery trust with the money that had been set aside over the course of many decades for the perpetual care of cemetery plots.

On July 6, I celebrated Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Gettysburg to commemorate the 150 th anniversary of the horrific battle. I would like to share a copy of my homily with you. AMDG 6.VII.13 JMJ Gettysburg A blessed Fourth of July Weekend!

Today’s announcement that our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has approved the cause for canonization of two of his beloved predecessors, Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II, is an occasion of great joy for the entire Church!

Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day, tomorrow, is also the conclusion of our Fortnight for Freedom , our two-weeks of prayer, penance, and advocacy on behalf of our “first and most cherished freedom,” that of religion.

Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League , commented on the deposition released yesterday by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Here is an excerpt: In short, there was nothing new—it was another fishing expedition conducted by a man who believes there should be one standard for the Catholic Church, and another for the rest of the world.

Sad . . . worrisome . . . but hardly surprising. That’s how I answered another concerned person who asked my sentiments about Wednesday’s Supreme Court decision allowing the redefinition of marriage.

Today the Archdiocese of Milwaukee released documents related to how they responded to the evil of the sexual abuse of minors by priests. One of the documents they released was my deposition from this past February that was part of their on-going bankruptcy proceeding.