The Bishops Take a Stand

This post is a bit late, as it relates to the recent political elections. Also, as I have stated before, this is not a political blog. This relates to life; politics are just a reflection of morals and culture.

That said, these stories thrill me because they reflect a cultural shift. It seems to me that too few of our spiritual leaders have taken hard public stances against the evil of abortion - or perhaps it is only that news organizations have not covered those who have taken such stances.



Here, for instance, is Bishop Martino of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton. He had the courage to arrive at a political forum to assert his pastoral authority. This forum was discussing the candidates and their views on abortion, and cited statements from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on voting and abortion. As one might suspect, the USCCB statements allowed for voting for pro-abortion candidates providing "other important moral issues involving human life and dignity" override one's concern for the unborn. Bishop Martino was understandably upset that his pastoral letter to the dioscese was ignored in this forum, and that he was not invited. “The USCCB doesn’t speak for me.... The only relevant document ... is my letter,” he said. “There is one teacher in this diocese, and these points are not debatable.” That letter stated unequivocally that a candidate's stance on abortion supercedes all other considerations.


Consider also Bishop Chaput of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Denver, and his courage dealing with this issue while the Democrat Convention was in town. Of course he was not invited to speak at the convention, but he did issue a strong response to Speaker Pelosi's ill-informed attempt to explain Catholic doctrine concerning abortion.


And our own Bishop Hutchens, who, acting as a Good Shepherd, issued a pastoral letter to the churches in his care, outlining in no uncertain terms where the ACC stands on abortion, as well as the consequences one will face if that stand is ignored, or worse, if one were to cause scandal for the Church (think Speaker Pelosi).

This is an important step for the Church as a whole. Groups or individuals who publicly violate the Church's doctrines, or worse, misrepresent those doctrines to the harm of others, should
be counseled, disciplined, and if necessary, removed from communion, for the good of their souls, the protection of the innocent and ignorant, and to maintain the authority of the Church.

The Mohammedan Heresy

I am spending some time studying The Great Heresies by Hilaire Belloc. My main interest is in learning more about the heresies that have afflicted the Church since the beginning - I've read about the early ecumenical councils, studied their decrees and read some basic commentary. What I find interesting about Belloc's book is the emphasis he places on understanding the historical and sociological grounds in which each heresy developed.

Of particular interest is his exploration of Islam. The economic conditions which contributed to the rise of Islam are not unlike the conditions faced in many parts of the world today, and may be contributing to the recent rise of the Islamic threat. Indeed, many of the concerns he expressed concerning the dangers posed by Mohammedanism appear prescient, even though said ideas were dismissed when he wrote his book, and even today are dismissed by those unwilling to risk offending others (at least non-Christian others) with a critical examination of religious beliefs and the subsequent behaviors of religious adherents.

Forgiveness

I am working on an upcoming sermon for Trinity XXII. The topic of forgiveness is one that has been at the forefront of my mind for some time. Indeed, much of the difficulty our Parish faces has to do with an unforgiving spirit. Sometimes blame for our problems is misdirected, sometimes it is properly attributed, but there is an endemic problem in the way we treat each other.

It has been my opinion that some in the Parish do not pay attention to the Lord's Prayer, especially the implied conditional nature of forgiveness. And frankly, I struggle with this as a preacher; there is a depth to this that I cannot easily breach. Is forgiveness dependent upon repentance and contrition? In other words, are those who wait for an apology for slights real or imagined correct to withhold forgiveness? What if they wait (in vain) for an apology from one who has not wronged them? Or perhaps they wait for an apology from one who will never apologize. What then is our obligation regarding forgiveness?

Evidently, I have much to learn and consider. Indeed, much of my struggle comes from my own unforgiving heart towards those who have tried to damage this Parish. It's funny in a way, because I bear no ill will to those who malign me personally; but I have trouble forgetting or forgiving those who attack our Parish, our Clergy, and those I consider friends.

I don't know why, but Elvis Presley springs to mind:

Well, you can knock me down,
Step in my face,
Slander my name
All over the place.

Do anything that you want to do, but uh-uh,
Honey, lay off of my shoes

I don't know that our Clergy would consider themselves flattered at the reference, but it fits in an odd sort of way.

Does every innocent life have worth?

Some have openly suggested that Gov. Palin of Alaska should have aborted her youngest son, who, due to a chromosomal abnormality, has Down's syndrome. Some would consider this to be an act of mercy, saving the poor child (and his family) from a difficult and less-than-normal life.

The testimony of those who live with children or with siblings affected by Down's syndrome put a lie to this disturbed line of reasoning. A commentary found at National Review Online provides some insight from real-life examples of life with Down's.

All kinds of people face all kinds of challenges; physical or mental, congenital or accidental, societal or geographical. We cross into dangerous territory when we allow radical elements of our society decide whose life is worth living.

It is discouraging that, at times, even clergy seemingly find it difficult to draw a hard line in the sand and say, "We go no further." All is not relative; there really are some areas of life that are black and white, right or wrong.

From
First Things
An excerpt from a letter of St. Thomas More to Erasmus, written on the 14th of June, 1532:

"Congratulations, then, my dear Erasmus, on your outstanding virtuous qualities; however, if on occasion some good person is unsettled and disturbed by some point, even without making a sufficiently serious reason, still do not be chagrined at making accommodations for the pious dispositions of such men. But as for those snapping, growling, malicious fellows, ignore them, and, without faltering, quietly continue to devote yourself to the promotion of intellectual things and the advancement of virtue."

Excellent advice to anyone in a leadership role.

One Note Concerning Adverts

You may see Google Ads on this page. As with the Amazon links, including them is an attempt to raise a few dollars to help with the cost of my studies. However, I see that some of the ads may be of concern. For instance, an advertisement for the "Reformed Anglican Catholic Church", which has no affiliation with the Anglican Catholic Church, and which holds many views in stark contrast to the views of the ACC and those of the historic Church.

Please understand that I do not control which ads are placed, and I certainly cannot recommend this "reformed" church.

I will have to re-think the Google ads.

Obedience

My neighbors belong to a very liberal Roman Catholic parish; one in which, evidently, Speaker of the House Pelosi attended Mass during the Democrat convention. I don't know if she received communion.

But I do wonder how, or if, the priest addressed the issue. I assume he would know she was coming, considering the Secret Service detail that accompanies her, which would not allow her to go into a situation that may be dangerous. The priest would likely have advance notice.

So, considering Bishop Chaput has stated in no uncertain terms his views in this case, and considering that Speaker Pelosi expects reception of the Sacrament regardless of her pro-abortion votes (based on statements she's made elsewhere), I wonder what the priest did?

This question of obedience is crucial to any hierarchical church, and a lack of obedience can tear a church apart. Our Parish was torn almost in two when a Deacon arrogantly decided he knew better than his Rector and his Bishop.

For Ms. Pelosi to put this Parish priest in a position of having to decide between accommodating her personal desires or obeying his own oath of obedience to his Bishop is a measure of her ignorance and arrogance.

This is not a political blog, but when a politician seeks to instruct the faithful (incorrectly) and puts a priest in an untenable situation, I believe it is worthy of note.

Plainsong

In a comment on an earlier post, a blogger named Christopher asked a question regarding plainsong.

"I am very interested in how your music has changed. I am interested in introducing chants and removing hymns. How did younger people like the c plainsong as opposed to hymns?"

In our liturgy this was not an either/or choice. We have three Masses on Sunday: the early Mass is a low Mass, with a sermon, but no chanting or hymns. The evening Mass is also low, but without a sermon. The Sung Mass or High Mass (we alternate, depending on the day and the need) uses both chants and hymns. We use the Anglican Missal (either American or English version), which is pointed for the celebrant, and the 1940 American Hymnal.

As an example, the Mass today opened with an organ prelude. Our Processional Hymn, sung by the congregation with organ accompaniment, was “Go Forward Christian Soldier”. The celebrant then chanted the Introit, from Psalm 86, using Gregorian Chant. The Collect for Purity is chanted in plainsong.

The change in our music setting that upset folks starts here. Traditionally, in this Parish, the Kyrie (lead by a Cantor) was sung by the congregation in Gregorian Chant. This was sometimes a challenge to newcomers to the congregation (including my wife and I) because there are six different settings, varying by season and day. The Missa Dominicalis, Missa Angelis, Missa Penitentialis for Advent, Missa Penitentialis for Lent, Missa Paschalis, and... and... and late at night I have forgotten the name of the setting for Masses for the Dead. Some of the settings were very easy for the congregation to sing; some were very challenging, especially since we heard them infrequently. Visitors and newcomers were especially challenged, as no written music was available to aid the novice. This was in part due to an uncharitable (in my mind) attitude among the congregation that "Saint Mary's is not for everyone".

For a variety of reasons, the music setting was changed. The Introit, Collects, and much of the service is still chanted by the celebrant in plainsong or Gregorian chant. The Creed and Lord's Prayer are still chanted by the congregation. The Epistle and Gospel are still chanted by the Servers, Deacons, and Priest. But the Kyrie, the Gloria in Excelsis, the Sanctus and Benedictus, and the Agnus Dei are sung by the congregation using the Healey Willan setting from the Hymnal. Much easier to sing, familiar to many who come into the Anglo-Catholic Church from other traditions, and constant from season to season. And of course, we include several hymns for the congregation throughout the service.

Not as rich a musical tradition, perhaps, but the question becomes one of Church versus museum. We chose Church.

At any rate, I hope this explains the difference. I don't know whether younger people would respond to replacing hymns with plainsong. I might suggest you try plainsong or Gregorian chant for Morning Prayer, or Evensong, and see what kind of response you get. There has been a resurgence of interest in chant; you may be surprised.

By the way, Wikipedia has some good information and a number of links to chant sites. This link is to an audio file of the Epistle for the Solemn Mass of Easter. This chant is in Latin, where we chant in English, but the chant is the same regardless which language is used. I don't chant as nicely as this fellow, though.

The Petrine Claims by Richard Frederick Littledale

Recommended through a post at The Continuum, this book is available through Google books as a PDF download. It has taken a top place on my reading list. When I am done with Staley's The Catholic Religion (also available through Google books) and Scupoli's Unseen Warfare I will dig in.

Special on iPods at Calumet

Yes, a blatant plug. Full disclosure - I (through my company, Camera Collectors, Inc.) am an affiliate of Calumet Photographic. A new relationship, I hope they can supply items my customers may want, but that I cannot supply. With luck, I may make a buck or two as well. Enough to pay for seminary? Well....

That said, they are offering free shipping on iPods. My older daughter loves hers, and I was sufficiently impressed I may replace my MP3 player with an iPod (I have some Scot blood in me, so I won't do it until the MP3 player breathes it's last breath).

How does this apply to the deaconate? Please, if you haven't already, check out iTunes University. My MP3 player does not have any music. I have iTunes U college lectures on the Epistles, I have lessons on Biblical Greek (these lectures are downloaded free of charge), and a few audio books from Audible.com. I load Jack Benny's radio programs to listen to while traveling - driving at night, kids and wife asleep, and I'm laughing out loud.

Anyway - here is the link. If it looks like a good deal, try them out. I buy hard-to-find photographic gear from Calumet, and have always been pleased by their prices and service.

Free Shipping on ALL iPods at Calumet Photographic! while supplies last. no code necessary

Not to get political...

...but I find it very hard to listen to Senator Obama's answer to Rick Warren on the question of when a human being has rights.

During the recent candidate meeting, Sen. Obama had a... well, nuanced is the term some are using, nonsensical is the term I prefer, answer to this question. Not what one would expect from an experienced politician, and most assuredly less than one might expect from a Christian. I cannot reconcile what amounts to infanticide through neglect (being as charitable as I can) with the Christian faith.

Sermons for Layreaders

This is from Kay Lewis, through the ACCMembers Yahoo group. Ed Pacht from New Hampshire is producing a series of booklets that include morning and evening prayer lessons, and homilies he has written that are suitable for use by lay readers in the ACC (and elsewhere, presumably). He has so far received permission and a recommendation from Bishop Hutchens, Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of New Orleans and Vicar Capitular of the Diocese of the Holy Trinity. These booklet homilies may be found here.

And many thanks to Mr. Pacht for the effort.

Loss

Our Parish has been experiencing the devastating consequences of poor financial decisions - decisions made over a decade ago, even longer. One consequence is that Parish property is being sold, including the house where our retired Canon Emeritus and his wife lived for many years.

Unfortunately, while trying to deal with the loss of property, the loss of the Mass the way it "used to be", and the loss of membership over an unrelated (at least, not directly related) matter, some long-time members are complaining that this Parish no longer practices the catholic faith.

What they have confused, in my opinion, is faith and practice with form and music. The Mass music and hymns are not what these parishioners are used to. Personally, I enjoyed the Gregorian chant used for much of the Mass, but it was very difficult for newcomers to learn. The hymn selection was generally identical from year to year - beautiful hymns, but the 1940 hymnal contains a great selection of music.

The basic catholic faith, and the practice of that faith in our Parish, has not changed. Some of the external adornments of that practice have changed. How does one convince a person that the faith is intact, even if the presentation is different from that which he remembers from his youth? I suspect that few can be swayed; especially if they have the mistaken conviction that they are defending the church from heresy.

The Simple (or Simplistic) View

When I first received the call to Holy Orders (my understanding is that this call is to the Deaconate only) my instruction was "Begin your education". Well, I had no idea the form this education would take. Over the last 15 months I have seen about every form of strife possible within a parish - although I shouldn't say that. I am sure that there is more fun to come. I guess I assumed book learnin' was the education alluded to, and I was unprepared for all I have seen and learned.

One thing I have learned is that I tend to have a simple (or simplistic) view of the Church. A number of the problems we face at Saint Mary's would not have become problems if we were acting like a church - in other words, fulfilling the Great Commission, caring for the poor, widows and orphans, visiting the prisons and hospitals. Yes, we break bread as Our Lord commanded, but little else he asked of us is being done. Too simplistic a view, perhaps. But I do think we have lost our way.

Meanwhile, the book learning proceeds apace. I am currently in Fulton Sheen's book, The Priest is Not His Own. This one was given to me by the Rector, and the idea of Priest and victim is interesting. It helps me understand the role the priest plays, and it helps me accept some of the garbage being thrown my way. I just finished the section on preaching and prayer, and enjoyed how Cardinal Sheen interweaves two subjects that I may have thought to be dependent, but not interdependent.

Also, still slogging through Unseen Warfare by Scupoli. It is not the antiquarian language (English translated from Russian translated from Italian) that causes difficulty, but the call to an aesthetic lifestyle I find difficult. The basic ideas are important and worthwhile; fitting a monk's idea of discipline into the lifestyle I lead (husband, father, teacher, businessman, warden, acolyte, aspirant) is nearly impossible. The challenge, then, is to find those bits of truth that can lead me to a higher spirituality without thinking I need to lead a hermit's life.

I am just about to finish The Catholic Religion by Vernon Staley. Another superb book encompassing the basics of Anglo-Catholicism, but difficult to find. I was able to download a copy in PDF format from Google books.

Pardon the Amazon links. This blog is not purely commercial, but I am hoping that if any readers find an interest in these books, and use this link to buy them, maybe I can make a few dollars to put toward seminary.

Heavy Metal Monk

Not much to add to this!

A great story

Being sent by email with no attribution:

As a young minister in Kentucky, I was asked by a funeral director to hold a grave-side service for a homeless man, who had no family or friends. The funeral was to be held at a new cemetery way back in the country, and this man would be the first to be buried there.? I was not familiar with the backwoods area, and I soon became lost. Being a typical man, I did not stop to ask for directions. I finally arrived an hour late. I saw the backhoe and the open grave, but the hearse was nowhere in sight. The digging crew was eating lunch. I apologized to the workers for my tardiness, and I stepped to the side of the open grave. There saw the vault lid already in place. I assured the workers I would not hold them up for long, as I told them that this was the proper thing to do.

The workers gathered around the grave and stood silently, as I began to pour out my heart and soul. As I preached about 'looking forward to a brighter tomorrow' and 'the glory that is to come,' the workers began to say 'Amen,' 'Praise the Lord,' and 'Glory!' The fervor of these men truly inspired me. So, I preached and I preached like I had never preached before, all the way from Genesis to Revelations.

I finally closed the lengthy service with a prayer, thanked the men, and walked to my car. As I was opening the door and taking off my coat, I heard one of the workers say to another, 'I ain't NEVER seen nothin' like that before, and I've been puttin' in septic tanks for thirty years!'

The Bible on-line

I recently found a very nice parallel bible on-line, with multi-lingual translations as well. I expect this will be a ready resource for my studies.

The Seven Ecumenical Councils

I just finished reading The Councils of the Church by Norman P. Tanner. An interesting and succinct text, it is my first foray into the details of the Councils. I may have to buy Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils 2 Volume Set so I can get a more complete understanding of the machinations surrounding these gatherings.

My initial reaction is that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It is unfortunate that these errors continue, and even grow in strength through the centuries. It is easy to see, though, how quickly the errors can multiply when, in a modern age, we are faced with preachers who seemingly have little understanding of the traditional interpretation of scripture, and who can broadcast their error to a huge television audience.

I witnessed one such preacher today, a fellow by the name of Creflo Dollar (quite the appellation, considering his work in the so-called prosperity gospel). The contortions he performed in the fourth chapter of the Gospel according to Saint Luke would have filled a Chinese gymnast with envy. The desired result of the remarkable transformation of this gospel passage was to lead his congregation to believe that when Our Lord read from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, the reference to preaching the gospel to the poor meant that Our Lord had come to make them rich. It took some work in selective repetition to convince even his gullible congregation of that meaning.

Now, I suspect that this preacher, dressed in his two thousand dollar suit, is a showman first and foremost. Certainly he has done well financially by preaching that which his flock seemingly wants to hear. I just keep hearing the little voice, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"