JUST DON'T DO ANY POPE STUFF

Gay chef Tom Logan

In what his friends claim is a softening of his stance on Popes, 38-year-old gay chef Tom Logan claimed he was fine with them as long as they didn’t do any Pope stuff.

My friend Alison on Facebook made my day with the link above.

Pope Francis

Speaking to reporters on a flight back from Brazil, he [Pope Francis] reaffirmed the Roman Catholic Church's position that homosexual acts were sinful, but homosexual orientation was not.

He was responding to questions about whether there was a "gay lobby" in the Vatican.

"If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge them?"
....

But Pope Francis said gay clergymen should be forgiven and their sins forgotten.

"The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains this very well," Pope Francis said in a wide-ranging 80-minute long interview with Vatican journalists.

I confess I am puzzled by the glee over Pope Francis' latest statement on gays, as I don't see the pope offering hope for any change in practice.  The pope's tone is more pastoral than previous popes, but that's about it.

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church:

Chastity and homosexuality
2357 Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures. Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered." They are contrary to the natural law. They close the sexual act to the gift of life. They do not proceed from a genuine affective and sexual complementarity. Under no circumstances can they be approved.

2358 The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.

2359 Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection. (My emphases)

Pope Francis states that the Catechism explains the RCC's stance on same-sexuality very well.  What then has changed?  When I see a RC bishop or priest come out as gay and remain is his position, I'll believe the church has changed its position.   When a candidate for ordination openly declares same-sex orientation and is allowed to continue the process to ordination, I will believe in change.  We shall see. 

Since I am no longer a member of the RCC, what the pope says doesn't matter very much to me one way or another. Still, I wonder because a good many gay friends of mine are pleased by the pope's words, and I do not understand the reasons for rejoicing.   

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby

Why don't the leaders of the churches, and I don't refer only to the pope (I'm looking at you, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby), stand up for what is just and right for a change and not focus so on holding institutions together?  I'm too old and jaded to be fooled by mere soothing words that, in the end, only serve to prolong the agony of the wait for true acceptance. As My Fair Lady said, "Show me!"

UPDATE: Speaking of the Archbishop of Canterbury:

Speaking to more than 6,000 people at a conference, Archbishop Welby said the passing of the Same Sex Marriage Act had been “crushing” for the church, but was something it needed to listen and respond to.

"I spoke against it and voted against it but I listened and I heard the roar of revolution,” said the Archbishop, as he described listening to the debate on The Same Sex Marriage Act.

"It came not merely from those one would expect but from every side of the house, Conservatives, Liberals and Labour, of every age and sex.

"Those of us against the act were utterly crushed in the voting again, and again, and again.

 "There were more people who turned out to vote than the House of Lords than experienced in World War Two.

"But popular opinion is not a case for changing obedience to God...."

I'm tempted to despair.  Crushing for which church?  Certainly not for the Church of England.  With the opposition Justin saw in the House of Lords, how can he think he speaks for the church?  Does he speak for all bishops, priests, and laity in the church?  As my English Facebook friend said, "YOU are NOT God Archbishop! Surrender your arrogant ignorance now?"  I didn't say that.  I'm merely quoting my English friend. 

ORDINATION OF THE PHILADELPHIA 11 - 39 YEARS AGO TODAY

Pearls

You are pearls.

You began

as irritants.

                                                                    The ocean pushed

                                                                     your small, nearly

                                                                              invisible

                                                                           rough body

                                                                 through an undetected

                                                                      crack in the shell. 

                                                                        You got inside. (Cont.)

                                                          by Alla Renée Bozarth

Read Alla"s post on the occasion of the ordinations.

From Deacon Leilani Nelson at The Daily Office:

Beloveds,

I can tell you where I was 39 years ago today, when 11 women were ordained as Episcopal priests in Philadelphia. It was that kind of historic, cataclysmic event. I’d just turned 23 and was attending the National Institute for Lay Training at the General Theological Seminary in New York.

Read all of Deacon Leilani's eye-witness account at the link above.

The names of the Philadelphia 11:

Merrill Bittner
Alison Cheek
Alla Bozarth (Campell)
Emily C Hewitt
Carter Heyward
Suzanne R. Hiatt (deceased 2002)
Marie Moorefield
Jeanette Piccard (deceased 1981)
Betty Bone Schiess
Katrina Welles Swanson (deceased 2006)
Nancy Hatch Witting


Ordaining Bishops:

Daniel Corrigan
Robert L DeWitt
Edward R Welles
Assisting: Antonio Ramos

H/T to The Lead for the names.

REMEMBERING GÖRAN KOCH-SWAHNE

 

Today is the second anniversary of the death of my friend Göran Koch-Swahne.  I first 'met' Göran online, and then we met face to face at our bloggers meeting in Leeds in England. The story of our gathering is here.  He flew in from Sweden to be with us.

Göran embodied the essence of the word 'gentleman'.  He was courteous, gentle, humble, and a man of great dignity. His knowledge of theology and Scripture was wide and deep, and his brilliance in demolishing the foolish arguments of those with far less knowledge was unmatched.

Thanks to John for the reminder of the anniversary and for honoring Göran by laying flowers at his grave and praying for him.  I still miss Göran.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BEATRIX POTTER

 

"Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest."

Beatrix Potter

H/T to The Writer's Almanac.

THE CIVIL WARS - "I WANT YOU BACK"

The Civil Wars have been performing together for a few years, but I only discovered them a couple of months ago, when my favorite economist posted a video of the pair performing.  Their marvelous voices, harmonies, and chemistry are amazing.  The chemistry is so great that I thought the two were a couple in real life, but both Joy and John Paul are married to other people.  Joy says the chemistry is all about the music.

As soon as possible, I ordered their album titled "Barton Hollow", which I love.  Then, a few weeks ago, I read that the two ended a European tour prematurely and are on indefinite hiatus due to irreconcilable differences.  I'm so sorry, because Joy and John Paul make beautiful music together.  Despite their differences, they completed a new album titled "The Civil Wars", which I have pre-ordered. The picture on the new album sleeve bespeaks trouble, but I hope the two can make up their differences, and this collection will not be their last.  As the song says, "I Want You Back."

In 2011, The Civil Wars performed in New Orleans at One Eyed Jacks in the French Quarter.  How I wish I'd known of them of them at the time so I could have attended a live performance.  The concert was filmed, so, if you like their music, you can watch and listen to an hour-long performance by John Paul and Joy on YouTube.

REST IN PEACE, LINDY BOGGS

Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs, usually known as Lindy Boggs (March 13, 1916 – July 27, 2013), was a United States political figure who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and later as United States Ambassador to the Holy See. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Louisiana. She was also a permanent chairwoman of the 1976 Democratic National Convention, which made her the first female to preside over a major party convention.

She is the widow of former House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, and the mother of three children: Cokie Roberts (a television news commentator), Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr., (a prominent lobbyist), and the late Barbara Boggs Sigmund, a mayor of Princeton, New Jersey, and a candidate in the 1982 New Jersey Democratic senatorial primary election. No female representative from Louisiana has served in the House since Boggs left office.

Lindy and Hale were ahead of their time in Louisiana in support of civil rights. Though Lindy's life was not without deep sadness, as both her husband and daughter died untimely deaths, she courageously carried on after being elected to Congress and in her retirement, for she never retired from doing good.

From WWLTV:

In a 2000 interview recounting the tragedy which thrust her into a political career, Mrs. Boggs displayed the grace and charm for which she was known.

“I’ve been very privileged. I’ve had some heartaches, but I’ve also had some wonderful privileges,” she said.
....

[Cokie] Roberts called her mother "a trailblazer for women and the disadvantaged." 

When Boggs announced her retirement in 1990, she was the only white representing a black-majority district in Congress. "I am proud to have played a small role in opening doors for blacks and women," she said at the time.

Read the rest of the lovely tribute to Lindy, the steel magnolia, icon to many women, especially southern women, who had such "grace and charm", and who was never challenged by an opponent in the 19 years she served in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Lindy was born on a plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish, where Grandpère spent his childhood and youth on a small farm. She was cousin to Mayor deLesseps "Chep" Morrison, who is thought by many to be one of the best mayors New Orleans ever had.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our
prayers on behalf of your servant Lindy, and grant her an
entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of
your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and
reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen. 

(Book of Common Prayer)  

GETTING OLDER

NOW THAT I'M OLDER, HERE'S WHAT I'VE DISCOVERED:

1. My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with prunes and all-bran.

2. I finally got my head together, and now my body is falling apart.

3. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

4. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

5. If all is not lost, then where the heck is it ?

6. It was a whole lot easier to get older than to get wiser.

7. Some days, you're the top dog, some days you're the hydrant.

8. I wish the buck really did stop here, I sure could use a few of them.

9. Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

10. Accidents in the back seat cause kids.

11. The world only beats a path to your door when you're in the bathroom.

12. When I'm finally holding all the right cards, everyone wants to play chess.

13. It's not hard to meet expenses. . .they're everywhere.

14. These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about the hereafter. . .go somewhere to get something, and then wonder what I'm "here after".

15. Funny, I don't remember being absent-minded.

16. HAVE I POSTED THESE BEFORE?…or did I?

STORY OF THE DAY - WORDS OF COMFORT

There are days I drop words of comfort on myself like 
falling rain & remember it is enough to be taken care 
of by myself.

From StoryPeople.

JANE AUSTEN ON A BANK NOTE

 

Jane Austen's portrait will replace Charles Darwin's on the Bank of England's 10-pound bank note. The bank note concept, as shown in the photo is nicely done, but I and others want to know why a quote from "the insipid Miss Bingley," a character in Pride and Prejudice, is featured: "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!"  In truth, Miss Bingley is bored by books, and she only pretends to read to impress Mr Darcy.

Does Jane approve? I'm always pleased when she is honored, though Jane, her sister Cassandra, and her mother were dependent upon the generosity of family members after the death of her father. How sad that she earned very little from her books during her short life, when today she is considered by a good many admirers to be one of the finest writers of English fiction ever. Although I'm pleased that Jane receives the attention now that she never attracted in her lifetime, her portrait on a bank note seem highly ironic to me. Perhaps Jane, a master of irony, is having a laugh. I hope so.

The Prince of Wales, the future King George IV, admired Jane's novels, and he let it be known that he wouldn't mind a dedication in her next book.  Jane did not admire the Prince of Wales, but when royalty sent out the word, she thought it best to comply, which she did, reluctantly, when her next novel, Emma, was published.

In October, I hope to visit England again, so I will be spending Jane.

It's not Jesus on toast, but it's something.

PRESIDENT OBAMA HONORS LOUISIANA'S OWN

Ernest Gaines

President Barack Obama on Wednesday bestowed prestigious National Medal of Arts to famed New Orleans musician Allen Toussaint, Louisiana author Ernest J. Gaines, and Lake Charles-raised playwright and “Lincoln” screenwriter Tony Kushner.
....

Obama called it a special treat to honor all the musicians, writers, directors, artists and others who have inspired him and the rest of the nation.

“Frankly, this is just fun for me, because I feel like I know you all because I’ve enjoyed your performances,” Obama said. “Your writings have fundamentally changed me — I think for the better.”

Obama singled out Gaines, 80, who is best known for his novels “A Lesson Before Dying” and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” along with singer and pianist Toussaint, 75, for their inspirations.

On three occasions, I met Ernest Gaines and his lovely wife, Dianne, once when he received an award from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, another time when he was honored at a reception in New Roads, Louisiana, and at another gathering in Baton Rouge.  As a young African-American boy, Gaines' life in rural Pointe Coupee Parish was hard.   In his fiction, which is set in Bayonne, a fictionalized Pointe Coupee Parish, Gaines does not gloss over the reality of life in rural Louisiana, but what amazes me about his writing and my conversations with him is the absence of bitterness.  Dianne is originally from New Orleans, so we shared stories about growing up in the city.  Gaines and his wife now live in Oscar, Louisiana, on land that was part of River Lake Plantation, where he lived until the age of 15, when he moved to Vallejo, California, to live with his mother.  The Gaines' present home is near the small farm where Grandpère grew up and which he inherited when his parents died.

What I miss today more than anything else - I don't go to church as much anymore - but that old-time religion, that old singing, that old praying which I love so much. That is the great strength of my being, of my writing.
....

When I'm sitting in the church alone, I can hear singing of the old people. I can hear their singing and I can hear their praying, and sometimes I hum one of their songs. 

(Ernest Gaines) from BrainyQuote.

Allen Toussaint

Allen Toussaint is one of the best of many excellent New Orleans musicians, one who came home after Katrina and the federal flood to help his city recover and to help and encourage local musicians.  As an ambassador for New Orleans music, Toussaint traveled with the local musicians to show off their talents around the world.

Afterward, Toussaint called the day historic and said that getting the Medal of Arts from the president was the greatest award he could receive.

“I’m so glad that America treats its own in such fine fashion,” Toussaint said. “It’s absolutely wonderful. And the president and the first lady as hosts, they are impeccable.”

“Me being from Louisiana, I feel all of where I’m from wherever I am,” he added. “As I was there receiving my award, I was thinking of New Orleans and Louisiana, etcetera.”

 Below is a video of Toussaint performing "There's a Party Goin' On".



The third honoree, Tony Kushner, spent his formative years in southwestern Louisiana.

Kushner also spoke fondly of growing up in Lake Charles.

“It was a great blessing to grow up in Louisiana, and I think it heightened my awareness of the beauty of the world because it’s such a beautiful place,” he said. “I love the people I grew up with. I think being a Southern writer had an enormous impact on the way that I speak and the kind of lyricism that I aspire to.”

If I ever knew Kushner spent his childhood and youth in Lake Charles, I had forgotten.

Frank Rich’s original review of the 1993 Broadway run of Millennium Approaches, published May 5, 1993

This play has already been talked about so much that you may feel you have already seen it, but believe me, you haven’t, even if you actually have. The new New York production is the third I’ve seen of “Millennium Approaches,” as the first, self-contained, three-and-a-half- hour part of “Angels in America” is titled. (Part 2, “Perestroika,” is to join it in repertory in the fall.) As directed with crystalline lucidity by George C. Wolfe and ignited by blood-churning performances by Ron Leibman and Stephen Spinella, this staging only adds to the impression that Mr. Kushner has written the most thrilling American play in years. 

Tony Kushner

“Angels in America” is a work that never loses its wicked sense of humor or its wrenching grasp on such timeless dramatic matters as life, death and faith even as it ranges through territory as far-flung as the complex, plague-ridden nation Mr. Kushner wishes both to survey and to address.

Three honorees from Louisiana out of a total of twenty-three makes me proud.  Despite the politicians' low regard for funding education and the arts, the gifted excel anyway.

The names of the other recipients of the National Medal of Arts are here.