Fr. Geoff Farrow is a Roman Catholic priest in Fresno, California. Upon receiving a "pastoral" letter from his bishop asking all the pastors in the diocese to advocate to their parishioners to vote in favor of Proposition 8, which would overturn a recently passed law permitting same-gender marriages and enforce a ban on them once again, Fr. Farrow could not keep silent and publicly expressed his disagreement with the bishop's "pastoral".
He now has a blog. His first post, titled How It All Began, explains the reason for his disagreement and his decision not to remain silent. His words are beautiful and eloquent.
Fr. Farrow faces serious consequences by publicly expressing his opposition to the bishop's letter advocating for a "Yes" vote for the proposition. I admire him greatly for his honesty and courage. I urge you to visit his blog and read his initial post and perhaps leave a word for him. His comments moderation is enabled, so your comment may not appear immediately.
I can't help but wonder at the RCC bishops' many admonitions to the laity about bringing forth life and procreating, since they do not follow their own advice in the matter. Why aren't they doing their part by marrying and procreating?
Further, how is it life-giving to condemn gays and lesbians to lives of loneliness by not allowing them to bind together and express their love for one another, even if they are in faithful and committed relationships? It seems to me that members of the bishops' flocks are left unpastored. Anyway, Fr. Farrow says all of this a lot better than I ever could.
I offer him my prayers and support.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
John McCain On The Trail Today
From TPM.
"Across this country, this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners and the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent."
The video is now posted.
Watch Sarah's expression after he says "prisoners".
The manner in which Sarah Palin and other surrogates of McCain whip up the crowds into a frenzy to the point where there are shouts of "Terrorist!" or "Treason!" about Obama is quite dangerous. Or are they plants as Josh Marshall asks? Whatever it is, this campaign tactic is irresponsible in the extreme.
"Across this country, this is the agenda I have set before my fellow prisoners and the same standards of clarity and candor must now be applied to my opponent."
The video is now posted.
Watch Sarah's expression after he says "prisoners".
The manner in which Sarah Palin and other surrogates of McCain whip up the crowds into a frenzy to the point where there are shouts of "Terrorist!" or "Treason!" about Obama is quite dangerous. Or are they plants as Josh Marshall asks? Whatever it is, this campaign tactic is irresponsible in the extreme.
What Breed Of Liberal Are You?
My Liberal Identity:
You are a Peace Patroller, also known as an anti-war liberal or neo-hippie. You believe in putting an end to American imperial conquest, stopping wars that have already been lost, and supporting our troops by bringing them home.
Take the quiz at www.FightConservatives.com
I don't believe that I am liberal. I lean more toward the radical persuasion.
From Merriam-Webster: Definition of RADICAL:
Etymology:
Middle English, from Late Latin radicalis, from Latin radic-, radix root — more at root
Date:
14th century
1: of, relating to, or proceeding from a root: as a (1): of or growing from the root of a plant
2: of or relating to the origin : fundamental
3 a: marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional : extreme b: tending or disposed to make extreme changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions c: of, relating to, or constituting a political group associated with views, practices, and policies of extreme change d: advocating extreme measures to retain or restore a political state of affairs
4: slang : excellent, cool
I'll take 3 and especially 4.
Thanks to Lapin, who can tell you himself his results of the quiz, if he so chooses.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Not You, Tom!
What was that about? Tom Brokaw, you will not be Secretary of the Treasury. Strange, very strange. What's McCain got against Brokaw? Or was it his lame idea of a joke?
Did McCain give a straight answer to a single question? Maybe so. I may have missed it. He called Obama "that one". Again, he seemed condescending and dismissive of Obama. He appeared quite uncomfortable, too, whereas Obama was cool and in command.
The tee vee talking heads say that McCain needed to hit a knock-out punch to win the debate, and he did not. And that's the way it is.
Did McCain give a straight answer to a single question? Maybe so. I may have missed it. He called Obama "that one". Again, he seemed condescending and dismissive of Obama. He appeared quite uncomfortable, too, whereas Obama was cool and in command.
The tee vee talking heads say that McCain needed to hit a knock-out punch to win the debate, and he did not. And that's the way it is.
Happy Birthday Archbishop Desmond Tutu!
Shame, shame, shame on me. Fran, a Roman Catholic, scooped me in remembering Archbishop Tutu's birthday. Do visit her site, FranIAm to see her lovely post on the dear, dear man.
God's dream is that you and I and all of us will realize that we are family, that we are made for togetherness, for goodness, and for compassion. In God’s family, there are no outsiders, no enemies. Black and white, rich and poor, gay and straight, Jew and Arab, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Buddhist, Hutu and Tutsi, Pakistani and Indian—all belong. When we start to live as brothers and sisters and to recognize our interdependence, we become fully human.
This dream can be found throughout the Bible and has been repeated by all of God's prophets right down to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi.
Just the other day, I received his authorized biography in the mail. I have not read it yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
Image from Wiki.
What If...?
What if a time of persecution against Christians arose all over the world and great numbers were martyred for the faith, including all priests and bishops? Is there a way that the Christian remnant could still have the Eucharist?
I'm referring rather specifically to those groups and denominations who profess belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I tried really hard to think of a less cruel and violent manner to get priests and bishops out of the picture, in order to ask my purely speculative question, but I could not. God forbid that this should ever happen! No wish-fulfillment involved here, my clergy friends. I love you all and very much appreciate your services to us, especially during this month when we celebrate Clergy Appreciation.
The reason that the question occurred to me is that in the early church, I can't make out which procedures were followed as to deciding who presided at the gathering of the meal in obedience to Jesus' instruction, "Do this in remembrance of me". The ordination process, as we know it today, seemed not to exist. How did it come to be that only those who were validly ordained (and what does that mean?) could pronounce the words of consecration?
Even now, as I type this, I wonder if I should even hit "Publish" for this post, but the question has been simmering for a while, therefore, I shall hit "Publish", for better or for worse.
I'm referring rather specifically to those groups and denominations who profess belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I tried really hard to think of a less cruel and violent manner to get priests and bishops out of the picture, in order to ask my purely speculative question, but I could not. God forbid that this should ever happen! No wish-fulfillment involved here, my clergy friends. I love you all and very much appreciate your services to us, especially during this month when we celebrate Clergy Appreciation.
The reason that the question occurred to me is that in the early church, I can't make out which procedures were followed as to deciding who presided at the gathering of the meal in obedience to Jesus' instruction, "Do this in remembrance of me". The ordination process, as we know it today, seemed not to exist. How did it come to be that only those who were validly ordained (and what does that mean?) could pronounce the words of consecration?
Even now, as I type this, I wonder if I should even hit "Publish" for this post, but the question has been simmering for a while, therefore, I shall hit "Publish", for better or for worse.
John McCain - From The Dark Into The Light
A reader sent me a link to a long article (10 pages online) in the October issue of Rolling Stone on John McCain. The sources of the information in the piece are many. It's quite revealing in that it sheds light on periods and incidents in McCain's life about which I had been in the dark. I have not yet read the entire article (only through to p. 7), but I've read enough to recommend reading it if you have time.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Today Seems The Right Day For This
How many Republicans/members of the McCain campaign does it take to change a light bulb?
1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed;
2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed;
3. One to blame American voters for burning out the light bulb;
4. One to arrange the invasion of a country rumored to have a secret stockpile of light bulbs;
5. One to give a One trillion dollars to Wall Street for the new light bulb;
6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush or McCain, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Light Bulb Change Accomplished;
7. One campaign insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how McCain/Bush was literally in the dark and out of touch with the American Voter
8. One to viciously smear #7;
9. Sarah Palin to campaign on TV and at rallies on how John McCain has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along;
10. And finally one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.
From the Rabbit.
1. One to deny that a light bulb needs to be changed;
2. One to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the light bulb needs to be changed;
3. One to blame American voters for burning out the light bulb;
4. One to arrange the invasion of a country rumored to have a secret stockpile of light bulbs;
5. One to give a One trillion dollars to Wall Street for the new light bulb;
6. One to arrange a photograph of Bush or McCain, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner: Light Bulb Change Accomplished;
7. One campaign insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how McCain/Bush was literally in the dark and out of touch with the American Voter
8. One to viciously smear #7;
9. Sarah Palin to campaign on TV and at rallies on how John McCain has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along;
10. And finally one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a light bulb and screwing the country.
From the Rabbit.
Diocese of Wenchoster Movin' On Up
Wenchoster Cathedral and the Pharisaios Journal, the official journal of the Diocese of Wenchoster, have moved up in the virtual world. They are now operating from their own domain. The editors had a little trouble getting the site up and running, with all the links working, but with such a rich variety of resources to display, that's perfectly understandable.
In the current issue, the editors have outdone themselves in pictures and captions, and I encourage you to follow the entire processional. You won't be sorry.
We'll begin with TheBishop's Column:
Hello! I have spint the wicks since Lembeth in retreat, farst in a delateful senitor-i-um in the Wilsh Minetins (completely unpronounceable end not a name to vice while eating scrimbled iggs!), then in the company of the Sisters of the Heavenly Piece in Shaston Farthing. The wicks of physical healing after the incident et Compline – a laying on of hends bay an Efrican bishop – have left me with a slate limp, but nevertheless wristed.
I rate this on the ancient feast of Harvest Home, or Mabon. The autumnal iquinox when the lingth of the nates are abite the same es those of the days. What a great opportunity for perish ministry, end what fun! The energy we use in the day cen be belanced with what we use in the nate, end I will be sending a pastoral litter to this effect to awl the clergy of the Darsis.
Es we sittle into autumn, with its rosy epples, brate pumpkins end gnarly root vigetables, end the winds begin, let us give thenks to Gawd for the tarning of the seasons, end for awl the tradit-i-oins thet we enjoy, despate the bruising.
May the Lawd of the harvest bliss you et this tame of gethering end gleaning!
+ Roderick Codpiecium
At first, I was puzzled by the word "wristed" in the column. I thought that the bishop was injured or afflicted in some manner. I wondered if he was not only left with a limp, but limp-wristed, too, after the prayers of the African bishop. But I finally "got it". He meant "rested", as I would say it. The bishop has a rather strong accent, and it's so very different from mine, that I was lost there for a bit.
This very special issue includes a message from Cantuar tltled "Post-Lambeth Thoughts". I'll give you a brief quote, but off you go to the the journal to read the rest.
Good evening. Many of you have written in from all parts of the Anglican Communion to express your appreciative support for what was a quite remarkable Lambeth Conference, and to ask of me and my Office what the future holds for all of us who share that great heritage and tradition that we choose to entitle ‘Anglicanism.’
Surely that whets your appetite for more.
The Church of England and the Episcopal Church are different, but in perusing the Pharisaios Journal, I see that we have much in common. For instance, the Guidelines For Servers could well prove useful to Episcopal churches here in the US. Here's one example:
No talking in the Sanctuary unless absolutely necessary, eg: when Father sets his chasuble alight with the altar candle, or if one of the priests dies during a sermon.
Here's a link, if you'd like to know something of the history of the Pharisaios Journal.
Don't stop with the journal. Go poke around at the website. You can virtually visit around in the transepts, the Mandylion Chapel, the sacristy, the chained library, and other areas of the cathedral from the website. Even I have not made my way around to explore all the links.
There's no word from Mr. Grindle, the head verger, in the latest issue. I hope he's in good health.
Clergy readers, please take a pictorial lesson in caution from Fr Jeff.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Speaking Of Relics....
I haven't spoken of relics, but others have recently. The cross pictured above hangs in the Roman Catholic church to which the school that my grandchildren attend is attached. At the Grandparents Day mass there a couple of weeks ago, the pastor of the church pointed out the cross, which dates to the mid-19th century, I believe, and said that inside the spot where the two pieces of wood intersect is a relic of the True Cross, the cross on which Jesus died.
St. Helena, the mother of Constantine, is said to have been present at excavations in Jerusalem in the 4th century, when three crosses were allegedly discovered at Calvary. Through a miracle, the cross of Jesus was distinguished from the crosses of the two thieves crucified with him.
In the Catholic Encyclopedia is long account of the history of the veneration of the cross and the discovery of the True Cross. Wiki has a shorter, but similar account.
I report. You decide.
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