Story Of The Day - Ulterior Motive

What would it take to fly? he said & I
said I wasn't sure, but I knew he'd have
to move faster than he did now & he
thought about that for a minute & then
he looked at me & said you're trying to
teach me something, aren't you?


This one fits for Grandpère and me with only a bit of editing of the pronouns. Only he may not quite so subtle. Otherwise it's perfect.


From StoryPeople

Sign The Petition Against the Ugandan Anti-Homosexuality Bill

From Ekklesia:

The petition

We call on Christians around the world, and particularly Christian leaders, to oppose the extreme and violent “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” proposed in Uganda. We call on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, to end his silence on the matter, to condemn the bill in public and to urge Ugandan Christians to oppose it.

In addition to life imprisonment for consensual sexual activity between people of the same sex, the bill would introduce the death penalty for anyone whose same-sex partner is disabled. It would introduce imprisonment for anyone in authority – such as a priest or minister - who knew of homosexual activity but failed to report it.

Most Christians, who hold a range of views on sexual ethics, will be horrified by these measures. By speaking out, Christian leaders can expose the hollowness of the religious rhetoric used by the bill’s supporters. Given the place of Anglicanism in Uganda, it is important that Rowan Williams adds his voice to the opposition to the bill.

Sign the petition.

A Pastoral Question

From Fr James Martin, SJ at his America Magazine blog:

Here's a real pastoral question to consider: What place is there for the gay person in the Catholic church?
....

Imagine you are a devout Catholic who is also gay. Here is a list of the things that you are not to do, according to the teaching of the church.

1.) Enjoy romantic love.

2.) Marry.

3.) Adopt a child.

4.) Enter a seminary.

5.) Work for the church and be open.

At the same time, if you are a devout Catholic who is attentive both to church teachings and the public pronouncements of church leaders, you will be reminded that you are "objectively disordered," and your sexuality is "a deviation, an irregularity a wound."
....

What kind of life remains for these brothers and sisters in Christ, those who wish to follow the teachings of the church? Officially at least, the gay Catholic seems set up to lead a lonely, loveless, secretive life. Is this what God desires for the gay person? (My emphasis)

And later I read in another post at Fr Martin's blog:

The leader of the Catholic hierarchy in the United States on Monday launched a new effort to rein in Catholic debates and dissidents and to remind the flock that the bishops will be the arbiters of what it means to be a Catholic.

In remarks at the opening of the hierarchy's annual meeting in Baltimore, Chicago Cardinal Francis George made it clear that after years of repeated questions about the bishops' credibility, it was time for the bishops to clarify just who can and cannot speak for the church. He also confirmed that he had set up three committees of bishops to develop guidelines for determining what will be considered legitimate Catholic entities. (My emphasis)

...

Church insiders said the divisions and open dissents, and the criticisms that often bombarded the bishops from right and left, increasingly frustrated George and others in the church leadership, and led George to quietly form several committees that will try to find a way to certify which universities, media, and other organizations can claim to be Catholic.

It seems to me that Fr Martin answers his own questions about pastoral care and ministry to LGTB folks (not in so many words, but by implication simply by his manner of asking the questions) in the Roman Catholic Church and perhaps puts himself in the position of being a critic of the official policy of his church. If Fr Martin and others at the magazine continue to write in this fashion, will America Magazine pass muster with the committees set up to define "legitimate Catholic entities".

Fr Martin adds, "But several bishops and church officials I spoke with doubted whether George's desire to implement the certifying committees would gain any traction among the bishops."

I don't know whether Cardinal Goerge's suggestions for setting up the investigating committees will be implemented. I've admired America over a period of time for its often well-written, thought-provoking, and sometimes edgy writing, and I wonder about its fate if the committees come into being. How will the church distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate "Catholic entities"? Will there be a list like the old Roman Catholic Index of Forbidden Books (which, by the way, moved quite a few books to best-sellerdom once their titles were placed on the list) to guard the faithful Roman Catholics from confusion?

As some wise person, whose name I've forgotten said of the Anglican Communion in the midst of its internal controversies, what the Archbishop of Canterbury and the churches in the Communion need to be doing now is loosening the reins, rather than attempting to tighten them. It seems to me that the very same suggestion would work quite well at the present time for the Roman Catholic Church.

Thanks to my friend Fran for calling my attention to Fr Martin's blog post on ministry to LGTB persons. Fr Martin is associate editor of America Magazine.

Why The Fuss Over Sarah Palin?

Why do you media folks give Sarah Palin air time? I thought she was done, over, finished. I'm talking to you, so-called liberal media. Stuff is happening out there. Why waste your limited time between the many long commercials on Sarah? Is it her new book? The book is selling at half price already, and it's just out.

Another Word With Roseann - From Sue

Dear June,

I was able to chat with Roseann this afternoon, I was on my way to a meeting and decided to give her a call while on the way.

She told me she hadn't slept very well last night so she was quite tired. She was waiting for her priest, Teri, and a former Bishop (May?), whom she was quite fond of. So I figure she is tuckered out this afternoon.

Her God Daughter has been with her and Roseann has enjoyed that a great deal.

She is an amazing soul and I continue to feel the blessed by merely knowing her. I am so grateful I stuck my neck out, and reached out to her.

I hope you are having a good afternoon,

Fondly,

Sue

Bishop Epting On The Apostolic Constitution

November 16, 2009
Bishop Christopher Epting comments on the Vatican’s Apostolic Constitution

Bishop Christopher Epting, Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations of The Episcopal Church, has issued the following:

Now that the full text of the Vatican's "Apostolic Constitution" dealing with certain former Anglicans who wish to become Roman Catholics has been released, it is clear that what is being touted by some as an 'ecumenical gesture' may be understood as 'pastoral' but is not necessarily very ecumenical. Even though Cardinal Walter Kasper has now given one newspaper interview, there has otherwise been a noticeable silence on the part of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity on this matter. This appears to be a unilateral action on the part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which flies in the face of the slow, but steady progress made in the real ecumenical dialogue of over forty years.

This is "come home to Rome" with absolute clarity. Any former Anglican who has been ordained will not only have to be re-ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, not only re-ordained as a transitional deacon, but even re-confirmed as an adult member of the Body of Christ! Any one who does make this move is not an Anglican, nor an Anglo-Catholic, but a Roman Catholic convert.

As we have said on numerous occasions, we commend with our blessing any Anglican who in good conscience wishes to become a Roman Catholic just as we welcome any Roman Catholic who in good conscience wishes to enter into full communion with the Anglican Communion. But these decisions are to be made as individuals not as communities of persons. The Vatican may rest assured that we will never create "Roman Catholic Ordinariates" within the Anglican Communion for former, disaffected Roman Catholic converts. We will continue to welcome individuals, from the Roman Catholic Church or any other Christian communion, who desire to be in full communion with the See of Canterbury, and therefore with the Anglican Communion.

For our part, The Episcopal Church remains committed to genuine, ecumenical dialogue both on the national (Anglican - Roman Catholic Consultation in the USA) and international (Anglican - Roman Catholic International Commission) levels. We are encouraged by Cardinal Walter Kasper's comment in Osservatore Romano on November 15 that these will, of course, continue. The recent "Apostolic Constitution" is a distraction, but likely only a minor one, from the real goal of ecumenical conversation between the largest (Roman Catholic) and third largest (Anglican) Christian communion in the world.

Bishop Christopher Epting
Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
The Episcopal Church

November 16, 2009

From Episcope.

H/T to The Lead.

Uganda World Prayer Day

The Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill is a nasty piece of work which would make the death penalty the sentence for some homosexual acts.

See Fr Jake's blog to read more and for details about what you can do.

Thanks to David@Montreal for the reminder.

Story Of The Day - Spontaneous Makeup

I'm at my best when I'm 15 minutes late,
she said. Even my makeup looks more
spontaneous.


From StoryPeople.

This one has my name on it, doesn't it? I'm going in to New Orleans for a check-up on my eye with the new lens. Last time I saw this doctor, I was a whole hour early. About today, we shall see. And I know what some of you (and Grandpère!) are thinking, "If she'd just leave the damn computer and get ready!"

From Kathy Jensen - "A Few Words"

I hesitate to add any words here, as I would like to freeze time and not go forward, leaving Jim's photo up top, his sermons below, and forever be silent here. Soon I must take his clothing and vestments to the funeral home so he can be dressed and prayed over. I don't want to go ahead, but I must, and am so very thankful for all who have been with me, near and far, to help me....

Please read the rest of Kathy's beautiful words at her site, Lady of Silences.

A reminder:

My husband, the Very Rev. James M. Jensen, rector of Grace Church Utica, NY died unexpectedly late this afternoon. We were at an ordination and he had chest pains and we went to the hospital and he did not make it. His aorta ruptured and it was all over. Nothing more I can say now. We are in shock.
....

Requiem eucharist will be Thursday at 7 p.m. - preceded by in church visitation from 3 - 6 p.m. Grace Church, Utica, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Church Music Fund or the Society of St. Margaret – Haiti.

Fr Morris Thompson For Bishop!

A friend writes:

June -

It's the middle of the night, but just caught up with your blog, not perused for several months. Happy to see that you like Morris for bishop !!
He was an assistant at our church in Ashland, loved by all, and now rectors a large church in Lexington KY, where he is highly thought of. Good friends of ours there have watched, loved and benefited from his pastoral gifts thru the years. They would hate to lose him, but feel he may best serve in wider pastures & offer his gifts as bishop in a diocese that has been through the tribulations that La. has.

As I said after the Meet and Greet for the candidates for bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana:

My favorite of all and the one I would vote for if I had a vote is Fr Morris Thompson. He looked good on paper, and I liked him face to face.