If you have not watched A Hidden Life yet, stop what you are doing and watch it. A powerful film about the reality of life and living out the faith! Franz is a model for our times for sure.
As someone who values her privacy, particularly online, I appreciate Ed's preference for the same; as someone seeking to grow closer to the First Person of the Trinity, I'm grateful for his forthrightness today. Here's to praying the Our Father as sincerely and lovingly as I can, and I'm so glad the retreat was fruitful!
“The temptation to a lukewarm faith is ever-present for me … .” Just reading this made me happy (oddly enough) to know I’m not alone. And I saw good news in The Pillar today (even if I am cynical as to how it came about) so today is a good day!!
"Consider, for example, what would have happened to an ordinary parish priest accused of even one tenth of what Rupnik is said to have done, on even a fraction of the witness testimony"
"Delegates are debating more than 1,000 amendments to the draft text, which was written by committee and, like all things connected to the synodal sessions, classed as confidential and not to be distributed to the press."
"A camel is a horse designed by committee," ask the saying goes.
What sort of horse will we get from this committee based off of the dialogue of a few handpicked individuals that were plucked from the millions of faithful in the world? Attendees who were only allowed to give short four minute reflections, which were then summarized by a further few selected individuals, that may or may not have included any sort of referral to the continental, diocesan, or parish synthesis documents written by less than 3% of faithful (what percentage of those were even submitted by faithful, orthodox weekly mass attendants?).
From that fractional percentage of responses there is no indication that final document, based on the "Conversation in the Spirit," is a reflection of anything but the FEELINGS of the final documents synthesizers. There is no way to know! Secrecy is the word. What foul things lurk as they prepare to strike at those in the light?
My experience shows a strong correlation between priests wearing cassocks and following the rubrics of the Mass. Vice versa: no cassock, making it up as they go.
Glad to see that Rupnick's statute of limitations has been lifted. Finally, they got something right with this.
One of the disadvantages of our social media age has been that we can see in real time just how many tares are growing in the wheat field, and just how negligent the earthly caretakers of the field have been in their pruning. Despite being a species hardwired for parish-sized communities, we can see an entire globe's worth of scandal.
On the other hand--it has also created a feedback loop that the earthly caretakers of the field can also see, in real time. Yes, we see their scandals in real time. But then they see that we see. The outrage at injustice can spread so much faster, and they can't control that. And then they have to listen. Hey, what do you know, listening. How synodal of them!
I'm glad there's a case, but I'm not so sure justice will be seen to be done. First of all, there's only a case because of the outrage not because of the victims. And second, I fear Ed will turn out correct that there will be an expedited judicial procedure which will obscure public disclosure in the same way we saw with McCarrick.
I was once given a penance to pray the Our Father slowly and thoughtfully over the course of 10 minutes. Of course, I did it, but it was only within a couple of minutes. So I refocused and got serious about it, and it was really a powerful prayer experience. Now that I am ordained myself, I occasionally give it as a penance. Not that many of us have attention spans that will focus on a prayer for 10 minutes, but when entered into and really considered, it can nurture a newer and deeper encounter with God, the Father.
Really good newsletter this week. So much to ponder. I have already communicated with my parish pastor because I was so bothered by events this week. He is fab and sent a very thoughtful response. Also, loved the hat/scandal graphic.
The comment the pope made about priests shopping for clothes in shops is completely baffling to me. What, are they supposed to buy everything on Amazon and send them back if they don’t fit?
As a victim-survivor, the Marco Rupnik case and “circling of the wagons” is an example of why it is so hard to remain a practicing Catholic. Commissions, meetings on Bishop accountability, admonitions about clericalism, apologies and promises to do better - it all means NOTHING if the Pope and others in the magisterium don’t follow through. All this talk about Rupnik - what about the victims? It’s sickening, embarrassing and maddening.
Ed, your ruminations on why people use ouija boards, saying it is a "horrific disordering of the desire to believe" is a wonderful insight. And, lurking along with it is a disordered desire to control, to use the conjured spirit for knowledge and personal benefit.
"Disturbing and soulless" is right. The man is undoubtedly technically proficient, but I'm baffled by those who find his work compelling. Long before the scandal broke, I found that bizarre three-eyed image profoundly creepy.
It is subjectively (objectively probably)terrible art. It should all be demolished. Mostly because it’s bad art. You add in how he created it...and just get rid of it. All of it.
I have a book that I have not gotten around to reading (I bought it in 2016, read the foreword and a couple of pages, maybe, and I think I decided "this is one of those books written by people who don't know what they are talking about" (since this was after I had started buying books about Christianity and saints but before I had realized that books cannot be judged by the cover, this was not a rare occurrence), shelved it, and have not gotten back to it since). Someone said they were looking for a particular book and I knew I had a used copy - they mentioned the title, author, and (I don't know why this was worth mentioning) that Jean Vanier had written the foreword. Anyway, this was that book. I took it down from my shelf to look it over, and looked up when I had bought it (definitely before I had heard of him in any context, some random guy writing a foreword, I probably didn't even notice that the foreword was not written by the book's author and conflated them) and flipped through the book a little to try to assess whether I had read it (or wanted to read it before lending it; I do not, though I assume the actual author is fine), and read the foreword to see "well, how bad is it" in hindsight (given that Vanier is now known to have had a perverse spirituality for lack of a better phrase, and that people write according to how they perceive the world because there is really no other way to write) and I am honestly considering slicing this couple of pages out of the book with a boxcutter (and burning them) before lending it. This is because I am no better able than several years ago to describe what is wrong about it (anyone who has read The Gift of Fear understands that this is fairly normal), but can see that it is not a case of "oh here's a person with a shallow spiritual life writing about a mystic saint... ain't nobody got time for that". I do not want to put on this person's glasses and see their world. It is a twisted world. I got only partway through In Sinu Jesu because there was something just a little bit off somehow (again, I do not know how to properly describe what, and I know that lots of people like that book so I gave it away without worrying about it), and part of what is off in this foreword is maybe the same thing, but there is more going on than that, it wants burning. I think it is entirely possible for visual arts to sometimes also want burning for reasons that may be hard to describe.
If you have not watched A Hidden Life yet, stop what you are doing and watch it. A powerful film about the reality of life and living out the faith! Franz is a model for our times for sure.
Just watched it. Amazingly beautiful movie, powerful is a great descriptor for both the movie and Bl. Franz!
“ One of these is a global symbol of sandal and clericalism, the other is a hat.”
You surely meant scandal, no?
I thought it was one of those hidden puzzle pictures (like Where's Waldo), so I was looking for the sandal but couldn't find it. JK.
As someone who values her privacy, particularly online, I appreciate Ed's preference for the same; as someone seeking to grow closer to the First Person of the Trinity, I'm grateful for his forthrightness today. Here's to praying the Our Father as sincerely and lovingly as I can, and I'm so glad the retreat was fruitful!
“The temptation to a lukewarm faith is ever-present for me … .” Just reading this made me happy (oddly enough) to know I’m not alone. And I saw good news in The Pillar today (even if I am cynical as to how it came about) so today is a good day!!
"Consider, for example, what would have happened to an ordinary parish priest accused of even one tenth of what Rupnik is said to have done, on even a fraction of the witness testimony"
Like getting a tailored vestment!
"Delegates are debating more than 1,000 amendments to the draft text, which was written by committee and, like all things connected to the synodal sessions, classed as confidential and not to be distributed to the press."
"A camel is a horse designed by committee," ask the saying goes.
What sort of horse will we get from this committee based off of the dialogue of a few handpicked individuals that were plucked from the millions of faithful in the world? Attendees who were only allowed to give short four minute reflections, which were then summarized by a further few selected individuals, that may or may not have included any sort of referral to the continental, diocesan, or parish synthesis documents written by less than 3% of faithful (what percentage of those were even submitted by faithful, orthodox weekly mass attendants?).
From that fractional percentage of responses there is no indication that final document, based on the "Conversation in the Spirit," is a reflection of anything but the FEELINGS of the final documents synthesizers. There is no way to know! Secrecy is the word. What foul things lurk as they prepare to strike at those in the light?
My experience shows a strong correlation between priests wearing cassocks and following the rubrics of the Mass. Vice versa: no cassock, making it up as they go.
Glad to see that Rupnick's statute of limitations has been lifted. Finally, they got something right with this.
One of the disadvantages of our social media age has been that we can see in real time just how many tares are growing in the wheat field, and just how negligent the earthly caretakers of the field have been in their pruning. Despite being a species hardwired for parish-sized communities, we can see an entire globe's worth of scandal.
On the other hand--it has also created a feedback loop that the earthly caretakers of the field can also see, in real time. Yes, we see their scandals in real time. But then they see that we see. The outrage at injustice can spread so much faster, and they can't control that. And then they have to listen. Hey, what do you know, listening. How synodal of them!
Getting mad online--it's the new synodality.
I think is a combo: public outrage and the Holy Spirit. Let’s keep the outrage and prayers.
Amazing choice of music today.
Yeah, it's a song I've long liked. It's one I have in rotation in my car.
I had not heard it before and I am pleased to have heard it now.
Thank God there’s finally a case in motion against Fr. Rupnik! Let justice be done and be seen to be done.
Also, you have excellent taste in music - most of what you post at the end of your newsletters are in my top favorites.
I'm glad there's a case, but I'm not so sure justice will be seen to be done. First of all, there's only a case because of the outrage not because of the victims. And second, I fear Ed will turn out correct that there will be an expedited judicial procedure which will obscure public disclosure in the same way we saw with McCarrick.
I 100% agree with both you and Ed on this, which is why I’m praying for public justice.
I was once given a penance to pray the Our Father slowly and thoughtfully over the course of 10 minutes. Of course, I did it, but it was only within a couple of minutes. So I refocused and got serious about it, and it was really a powerful prayer experience. Now that I am ordained myself, I occasionally give it as a penance. Not that many of us have attention spans that will focus on a prayer for 10 minutes, but when entered into and really considered, it can nurture a newer and deeper encounter with God, the Father.
Really good newsletter this week. So much to ponder. I have already communicated with my parish pastor because I was so bothered by events this week. He is fab and sent a very thoughtful response. Also, loved the hat/scandal graphic.
The comment the pope made about priests shopping for clothes in shops is completely baffling to me. What, are they supposed to buy everything on Amazon and send them back if they don’t fit?
So where do Francis' cassocks and miters come from?
One of those exclusive , clerical tailor shops maybe?
As a victim-survivor, the Marco Rupnik case and “circling of the wagons” is an example of why it is so hard to remain a practicing Catholic. Commissions, meetings on Bishop accountability, admonitions about clericalism, apologies and promises to do better - it all means NOTHING if the Pope and others in the magisterium don’t follow through. All this talk about Rupnik - what about the victims? It’s sickening, embarrassing and maddening.
Ed, your ruminations on why people use ouija boards, saying it is a "horrific disordering of the desire to believe" is a wonderful insight. And, lurking along with it is a disordered desire to control, to use the conjured spirit for knowledge and personal benefit.
"Disturbing and soulless" is right. The man is undoubtedly technically proficient, but I'm baffled by those who find his work compelling. Long before the scandal broke, I found that bizarre three-eyed image profoundly creepy.
It is subjectively (objectively probably)terrible art. It should all be demolished. Mostly because it’s bad art. You add in how he created it...and just get rid of it. All of it.
I do not know much about the visual arts.
I have a book that I have not gotten around to reading (I bought it in 2016, read the foreword and a couple of pages, maybe, and I think I decided "this is one of those books written by people who don't know what they are talking about" (since this was after I had started buying books about Christianity and saints but before I had realized that books cannot be judged by the cover, this was not a rare occurrence), shelved it, and have not gotten back to it since). Someone said they were looking for a particular book and I knew I had a used copy - they mentioned the title, author, and (I don't know why this was worth mentioning) that Jean Vanier had written the foreword. Anyway, this was that book. I took it down from my shelf to look it over, and looked up when I had bought it (definitely before I had heard of him in any context, some random guy writing a foreword, I probably didn't even notice that the foreword was not written by the book's author and conflated them) and flipped through the book a little to try to assess whether I had read it (or wanted to read it before lending it; I do not, though I assume the actual author is fine), and read the foreword to see "well, how bad is it" in hindsight (given that Vanier is now known to have had a perverse spirituality for lack of a better phrase, and that people write according to how they perceive the world because there is really no other way to write) and I am honestly considering slicing this couple of pages out of the book with a boxcutter (and burning them) before lending it. This is because I am no better able than several years ago to describe what is wrong about it (anyone who has read The Gift of Fear understands that this is fairly normal), but can see that it is not a case of "oh here's a person with a shallow spiritual life writing about a mystic saint... ain't nobody got time for that". I do not want to put on this person's glasses and see their world. It is a twisted world. I got only partway through In Sinu Jesu because there was something just a little bit off somehow (again, I do not know how to properly describe what, and I know that lots of people like that book so I gave it away without worrying about it), and part of what is off in this foreword is maybe the same thing, but there is more going on than that, it wants burning. I think it is entirely possible for visual arts to sometimes also want burning for reasons that may be hard to describe.