Ever notice that students couldn't care less about Church happenings?

How many of our students know what a cardinal does and other attributes about one of the most exclusive clubs on the planet? Here's something to get them interested.

With the current rumors that Pope Benedict will be naming new cardinals soon, make a cardinal display for the classroom. I suggest using dry erase paper so that you can add or subtract numbers easily. I haven't made mine yet, but I'm planning on using a long sheet of red construction paper with two squares of dry erase paper. On two strips of white paper I will print the following (probably from the computer so it's neat): Number of Cardinals Eligible to Vote in a Papal Conclave; Total Number of Cardinals. Then I'll write in the current numbers (104; 184) on the dry erase paper and change them as necessary.

I plan to just put it up and wait for the kids to ask about it. When I change the numbers, I plan to write them in a different color, that way they're more likely to notice there's been a change. This leads to a discussion (student-initiated) on the cardinal who just passed away or the one who just turned 80. When the rumored consistory happens next month, the kids will actually be interested in it and we can discuss it, show clips, and look at the new guys. Since Archbishop Wuerl is likely to get a red hat, they'll look forward to seeing him at the Youth Mass before the March for Life in January.

If Catholic identity is a concern among educators, and to me it should be, here's one way to bring them in on a uniquely Catholic phenomenon. Perhaps extra credit projects can include research on the new cardinals, the history of cardinals, or of the U.S. cardinals.

Labels: Catholic education, international, Pope Benedict, school, U.S. Bishops

This is weird and just doesn't sit well with me. From CNA:

Over a week ago, Bishop Donald Pelotte of the Diocese of Gallup was taken to the hospital after sustaining severe head injuries in a fall. However, when he arrived at the emergency room, the doctor on call noted that his injuries were not consistent with a fall and called the police.

According to Deacon Timoteo Lujan, Pelotte's assistant and the chancellor of the diocese, the severity of Pelotte's injuries caused the emergency room physician to wonder if the 62-year-old bishop had possibly been a victim of a violent assault.

However, according to the Gallup Independent, Bishop Pelotte has insisted that he was not assaulted by anyone and that his injuries are the result of a fall down a staircase at his home. The Bishop remains in the intensive care unit at the John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix.

The Bishop’s accident was discovered by Lujan on Monday afternoon when Pelotte failed to show for a 2 p.m. appointment at work, causing a concerned Lujan to drive to the bishop’s home. Lujan had a key to the house and let himself in. When he entered he discovered blood on the tile floor at the bottom of the carpeted stairway, which leads up to Pelotte's bedroom, and became alarmed.

When Lujan went upstairs and unlocked the bishop's bedroom door, he found him severely injured.

The police report says Lujan found Pelotte "heavily bruised across the face, along the chest area, both arms, the knuckles, the legs, and the feet." Lujan suspected someone may have assaulted the bishop, but a conscious Pelotte told Lujan that was not the case.

The Gallup Police Department reports that currently the incident is not under investigation because of Pelotte's insistence that a fall caused his injuries. However, an investigation could be launched if new information indicated it was warranted.

Although Deacon Lujan admitted he has his own questions about what caused the bishop's injuries, he does know that the house was secure when he entered it. "Nothing is missing," he said. "I can tell you nobody broke in," he added.

And even though the bishop has insisted he was not assaulted, Lujan said a number of people have questioned the bishop's claim. "He looks like he got beat up," Lujan admitted.

The Vicar General, Fr. Walker, who has been administering the diocese, released the following statement today:

"I know that many are concerned about the bishop’s condition and there is much speculation as to what happened to cause Bishop’s injuries."

"There are certain things we know about what happened: Bishop was alone in his home and there were no signs of a struggle, forced entry, presence of another person, or missing items from the bishop’s home. Bishop has responded repeatedly, when ask about what happened, merely that he fell. Bishop’s injuries, although extensive, are consistent with injuries sustained by falling down a staircase, with a ceramic tile floor. He hit the wall.

"I am careful about speculation that might be unwarranted. “Our immediate focus is to pray for the Bishop’s full and speedy recovery."

"I visited with Bishop earlier today, and he continues to make reasonable progress."

The Bishop is a native of Maine and a member of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. He wrote his doctoral dissertation on John Courtney Murray and the American experience that later went on to be published by Paulist Press. He has been in Gallup since being appointed Coadjutor in 1986 and he succeeded in 1990. His motto is "Strengthen One Another."

His congregation's founder is Saint Peter Julian Eymard whose feast day is Thursday. Perhaps we can all remember the bishop in our prayers this week.

Links:
Diocese of Gallup
Catholic Hierarchy
Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Labels: U.S. Bishops

New coadjutor Archbishop of Minneapolis/ Saint Paul: New Ulm's Bishop Nienstadt.

His episcopal career from New Ulm's website:

On June 12, 1996 Bishop Nienstedt was named an Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit by Pope John Paul II. He was ordained a Bishop on July 9, 1996 by Cardinal Adam J. Maida, Archbishop of Detroit. Bishop Nienstedt served as Bishop for the Dearborn, Downriver, Monroe, Northwest Wayne, Southland, and Western Wayne Vicariates.

On June 12, 2001 Pope John Paul II named Bishop Nienstedt the Third Bishop of the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota. He was installed on August 6, 2001.

On April 24, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Bishop John C. Nienstedt as Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and as the Apostolic Administrator
of the Diocese of New Ulm.

Catholic Hierarchy
Diocese of New Ulm
Archdiocese of Saint Paul/ Minneapolis

Archbishop Flynn will turn 74 on May 2. He already has one auxiliary: Bishop Richard Pates who is only 64.

Labels: U.S. Bishops

Condolences go to Bishop McManus of Worcester on the death of his mother last night. I had a great working relationship with him while he was still the Auxiliary Bishop of Providence. Please remember him and his family in your prayers along with the repose of his mother's soul.

Her wake will be Wednesday night and her funeral Mass on Thursday at 10 in the Providence Cathedral. Cards can be sent to Bishop McManus at the Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm Street, Worcester, MA 01609.

Labels: U.S. Bishops

Today Cardinal Maida turns 77 years old, the oldest Latin Rite Ordinary in the United States. There's been so much speculation as to when he will retire and why he hasn't already.

Rocco had this to say last month:

The oldest active prelate of the US hierarchy, Detroit's Cardinal Adam Maida turns 77 in March. Despite his passport's provenance, Maida's heritage earned him a place in the late Pope John Paul II's circle of Polish friends and confidants. Amid the final stages of a reconfiguration of Detroit's parishes and institutions and local controversy over his archdiocese's investment in Washington's Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, the cardinal -- who's headed the 1.4 million-member archdiocese since 1990 -- has been permitted to continue in office well past his 75th birthday, and was notably given a new auxiliary bishop toward the end of 2006.

Months of near-silence on the Detroit succession have ended in recent days, with word spreading that an announcement is believed to be "coming quickly," and two separate reports saying that the dossier had reached the pontiff's desk, awaiting Benedict's final sign-off.

Keeping in mind that the sitting Pope has shown a greater independence in deciding episcopal appointments than his predecessor, the most prevalent name linked to the post over recent months has been that of Archbishop John Myers of Newark. Said to enjoy close ties with Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Myers, 65, is a member of the executive committee of the John Paul II Center alongside Wuerl, Bishop Bernard Harrington of Winona (a former Detroit auxiliary) and Maida, who serves as the museum/think-tank's president.

Other names proffered have included Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, and a trio of onetime Detroit auxiliaries -- Bishops John Nienstedt of New Ulm, Allen Vigneron of Oakland and Leonard Blair of Toledo -- who would ostensibly enjoy the support of Maida's predecessor, Cardinal Edmund Szoka, who has effectively served as Detroit's advocate on the Congregation for Bishops.

Links:
Catholic Blog Search
Catholic Hierarchy entry
Archdiocese of Detroit


Picture Source: Archdiocese of Detroit

Labels: U.S. Bishops

with Bishop Kevin!

Labels: humor, U.S. Bishops

This is from LifeSiteNews. I usually don't focus on this particular issue to the exclusion of others, but I like his answers. (h/t to Gerald)

An interview with Bishop Coakley of Salina, Kansas:

LifeSiteNews: Here is a tough question. One of the prominent issues as far as Catholics are concerned – both in Canada and the US - it seems worse in Canada – is Catholic politicians promoting and implementing expanded abortion rights and funding and also the redefinition of marriage. So far they don’t feel there is anything wrong with that because there haven't been any significant sanctions for their obstinate, public behavior, even after having been advised by their religious leaders and their parish pastor that this is wrong. Should more be done about this?

Bishop: That is a difficult, challenging question. I think you are right. It is a scandal that so many Catholic politicians who have such power to influence our nation for the good are not accepting that responsibility that comes with that power and acting upon it.

Sadly, as you observed, many of our Catholic politicians have been in the forefront in fostering so-called abortion rights. I think many of the bishops are taking this very seriously and working, as we must, to meet privately and work toward educating, informing those individuals and helping them to recognize the consequences of their actions and what that is going to mean for, well, primarily their spiritual well-being, the salvation of their souls but also in terms of their being in full communion with the Church.

Each bishop finds himself in a very challenging position and I certainly would never dare to sit in judgment on any of my brother bishops. I have my own problems in my own backyard but I think we are really trying to take this matter very seriously because it does become a source of scandal.

LifeSiteNews: A few bishops – one in Canada and a few in the US – have said that it has come to a point now where they would deny them Communion because of the severity of the situation and how it hasn’t gotten any better – in fact it seems to have become worse. Also Cardinal Ratzinger, just prior to becoming pope, did make a very definitive statement that, in such cases where it is obstinate and persistent… they must be denied Communion. What is your response to that?

Bishop: I agree. I think, one has to determine yet at what point it can be determined that they have come to that state of obstinate refusal to desist from that condition of manifest, grave sin. I think we have an obligation as bishops, as pastors, to try to work with them to bring them to a change of heart and refusing them Communion would be, not the first, but more than likely, the last stage in a serious of steps.

LifeSiteNews: So, it is not something that you would rule out?

Bishop: Oh, absolutely not. I think it is something that Canon Law sanctions and that I think many bishops find themselves with no other choice but to make that decision. I think in many cases it becomes the right decision and the only choice.

Labels: life issues, politics, U.S. Bishops

Dear Sean,

I have noticed that many people refer to you as “Your Eminence.”

I trust and hope that you are urging people to stop addressing you in this manner.

Meaningful Catholics think it’s ridiculous. After all you are but a servant leader, not a king in a castle.

Sincerely,

Paul Kendriick

OK, I'm not sure where to start on this absolutely absurd and unthinkably disrespectful letter. It is amazing to me how people have lost all sense of decorum. I am so disgusted by this man's attitude, that I will say but one thing: I am a thoughtful, meaning, intelligent Catholic. Many of you who read my blog have known the cardinal personally, as have I. He has been in my car! I was even privileged to accompany him as his Master of Ceremonies to Martha's Vineyard a few years ago for a Confirmation. (The rickety little plane ride we took over there is quite the story, but I'll save it for now. ) He is a man who has accomplished so much and tries each day to lead a largely ungrateful flock with integrity.

From now and until the day I die, I will call him "Your Eminence" unless, of course, it would be more proper to call him by the title "Your Holiness" some day. As far as I'm concerned, he's earned every last bit of that title and is yet still a servant. For this doofus to think that he speaks for "meaningful Catholics" shows a tremendous lack of activity in the frontal lobe not to mention a total disregard for the millions of our brothers and sisters who have, through trial and persecution, preserved our great faith.

His comment is posted on the December 29th entry on Cardinal Sean's blog if you feel the need to register your disgust.

Labels: random, U.S. Bishops

The Code of Canon Law requires that all diocesan bishops submit a letter of resignation to the Holy See on their 75th birthday. After due consideration of various circumstances, the Holy See decides when to accept the resignation and appoint a successor (Canon 401, § 1). Likewise, in the apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis of Pope John Paul II (February 22, 1996), a document which governs the papal interregnum and the conclave that elects a new Roman Pontiff, the prescript laid down by Paul VI that cardinals who have reached the age of 80 can no longer vote in the next papal conclave was confirmed. Thus, this becomes a significant milestone in the life of a prince of the Church.

During the year, eight cardinals will turn 80 years old. Some of these eight held or currently hold important positions in the Church. First among them is Cardinal Sodano, who just relinquished his role as the second-in-command at the Vatican as the Secretary of State in September. The Chamberlain, Cardinal Somalo, who plays a key role in a papal interregnum will turn 80 in March. Cardinal Martini, S.J., often mentioned as a possible candidate for the papacy in the last conclave, will celebrate his birthday in March. Finally, Cardinal Szoka, an American who until this past September was the head of Vatican City-State, will turn 80 in September. Rounding out the list are Cardinals Rivera of Mexico City, Paskai of Budapest, Macharski of Krakow, and Vithayathil of the Syro-Malabar Rite in India.

Going into the new year, there are fifteen Ordinaries in the United States who are already past the normal retirement age, including two cardinals (Maida of Detroit and Keeler of Baltimore) and two archbishops (Kelly of Louisville and Lipscomb of Mobile).

In 2007, one cardinal, Edward Egan of New York, will turn 75 (April 2) along with Cardinal Stafford, an American native, who is currently the head of the Apostolic Penitentiary in Rome (July 26). Two archbishops, Eldin Curtiss of Omaha (June 16) and Alfred Hughes of New Orleans (December 2) will reach this milestone.

Four ordinaries will turn 75 this year. They are Bishops Nevins of Venice (January 19), Murray of Kalamazoo (July 5), Moynihan of Syracuse (July 16), and D’Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend (August 18). The list also includes three auxiliaries: Bishops Quinn of Cleveland (April 8), Dougherty of Scranton (April 29), and Chavez of San Diego (May 9).

Original location

Labels: U.S. Bishops, Vatican

I greeted this week's news of the Holy See's agreement with Bishop Bruskewitz's excommunication decision of certain fringe groups ten years ago with joy. Although excommunication is never joyful, it can sometimes be necessary. These groups, on both the right and left of the theological spectrum, are so far from the middle that they've literally fallen off the radar.

Take Call to Action, for example. There's nothing wrong with being in favor of relaxing the discipline of mandatory celibacy for priests of the Latin Rite, since it is just a discipline (one that I happen to love, by the way) and could be changed. However, existing in order to protest women's ordination and the Church's teaching on artificial contraception is an exercise in futility. These will not (and cannot) change and beginning a "Catholic" group in order to oppose them just promotes disunity and is waste of energy. If you want to fight for justice, first figure out what that means, then work with the Church, not against it.

In a statement released by Call to Action yesterday, they continued beating their drum against the hierarchy of the Church. They even resorted to the very tired argument that Jesus sometimes challenged the religious hierarchy of his day. It seems these folks so easily forget that Jesus set up a hierarchy when he founded the Church.

In the same statement they also rail against the penalty of excommunication, calling it "medieval" which we all know is a dirty word in today's world. While excommunication is not always the best solution to a problem, sometimes it seems we have to exercise some standard of membership in order to preserve the unity of the Body of Christ.

They say that they believe in the Nicene Creed. Whatever happened to the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church? Lower our standards, abandon our tradition, and ditch our structures of authority and you have what many other Christians experience today: disunity, misunderstanding, constant disputes with no recourse to authority, and a lack of corporate memory. These often lead me to wonder that if you don't have a past, can you have a future?

If we, as Catholics, have these wonderful things at our disposal (a unified structure that is faithful to a common tradition) we should embrace it because it truly is who we are. Those who don't like it should really examine why they are Catholics at all. This is how we believe that we can stay faithful to the mission of Jesus. After 2,000 years of varying historical circumstances including both good and bad, how can we not trust the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Labels: dissent, reflection, U.S. Bishops, U.S. Church, Vatican

In his blog entry this week (posted today rather than Friday to avoid the holiday break), Cardinal Sean writes his own letter to those serving in the military and he shares the reflections of several people in the Archdiocese, one a nun from Iraq now ministering in Boston, and two others from priests who both served as chaplains to the military. They are well worth a read. To me, they serve as a reminder to keep praying for those who are serving our country and for their families back home who suffer the pain of separation during the holidays.

Cardinal Sean's Blog

Labels: prayer, U.S. Bishops

"I wish God were still alive to see this!"
- Homer Simpson on witnessing a meteor shower

The U.S. Bishops began meeting today after quite a Mass at the newly restored basilica in Baltimore last night. I watched a little bit of the meeting today on EWTN before they went into executive session. I saw a few bishops I knew but I didn't catch any of the local boys. They must have been sitting in the back.

I won't be covering much of the meeting here since I can't watch much because I'm in school and others are doing a wonderful job. Specifically, I've read both Rocco and Amy today and they have some great stuff. Be sure to check them out.

On a totally unrelated note: I had read a post Rocco had written for All Saints and I remembered a section of it on Mother Cabrini that I quoted to my students today. He mentioned that Mother Cabrini was the patron saint of finding a parking spot. He said one might pray the following: "Mother Cabrini, Mother Cabrini, find a spot for my little machiney."

Cute.

Labels: saints, U.S. Bishops