I am aware that in saying this, I stand against many of you: people whom I respect, people whose work on behalf of the Church is laudable. But the vitriol directed against Cardinal Bernard Law must stop! With the news that the Cardinal has quietly resigned from his post as Archpriest of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, the Ethernet is again filling with criticisms and outcries over his reported shielding of abuse perpetrators in the Archdiocese of Boston. The... Read more
My inbox has been full since I reported on the sale of the Crystal Cathedral to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange. Critics and supporters alike have contacted me following yesterday’s blog post. One of my favorite comments was from a good-hearted reader who said, “Praise God! The Schullers’ legacy will be respected and built upon in the spirit of ecumenism and mutual love of Christ.” If you liked the story—if your imagination was piqued by the thought of the... Read more
Since 1980 the Crystal Cathedral—that prismatic glass tower that slices Garden Grove’s cerulean skies—has refracted the seven colors of the spectrum in the California sun. Soon, though, the familiar landmark will shine with the light of the Catholic faith and the seven sacraments. “I don’t think it’ll happen,” said Tim Busch on Monday, November 14, referring to the Diocese of Orange’s bid to acquire the iconic Crystal Cathedral, home to famed televangelist Robert H. Schuller’s “Hour of Power” broadcast. “It would... Read more
There were many reporters tweeting from the scene of the U.S.Bishops’ Fall General Assembly: Bishop Alexander Sample (Marquette) offering updates from the floor; journalists from the Associated Press and the Catholic media, posting quick notes that would later expand into national press articles; staff at the USCCB Media Desk, tweeting clear and well-designed updates as the action items were settled through the day. I posted, too—sometimes struggling to keep up with the many questions raised by bishops about implementation of the complex Anglican Ordinariate. But Bishop Christopher... Read more
Here, ladies and gentlemen, is Baltimore’s historic Seven Foot Knoll, the oldest surviving screwpile lighthouse in the United States, and the only one of this type. A screw-pile lighthouse is one which stands on piles that are screwed into sandy or muddy sea or river bottoms. The Seven Foot Knoll lighthouse was built in1856, and has been inactive since 1987. It consists of a round, dark red single-story keeper’s cottage crowned by a black cylindrical lantern and gallery. The architectural... Read more
On Wednesday, November 9, Pope Benedict XVI received a new honor: He was named an honorary citizen of Natz-Schabs (Naz-Siaves), the scenic town in northern Italy’s Bolzano region where his grandmother and great-grandmother were born. Vatican Radio carried the address live as Benedict, accepting a certificate of citizenship from the Natz-Schabs delegation during the General Audience, spoke without a script—drawing from memory to talk about his mother’s love of the town and of his own explorations when, at the age of... Read more
In China, according to the English-language China Daily, more than 65 percent of organs harvested for transplantation are taken from executed criminals. Americans have viewed with contempt the news reports of mass death row executions in China, purportedly to obtain organs which can be sold for huge profits on the black market. But is China really alone in its disregard for human life? Wesley J. Smith, writing in First Things, exposes Canadian scientists’ efforts to do away with what is... Read more
Oh, gag me. ABC has just announced that on Thanksgiving Day, as Americans sit back to digest the turkey and stuffing, the network will air a 90-minute prime-time special “A Very Gaga Thanksgiving.” Call me a cynic, but I’m thinking this won’t be your typical “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” kind of show. Hopefully, the pop star won’t be wearing a dress of turkey cutlets; but other than that, my expectations are pretty low. She’ll sing eight songs, including some from her... Read more
Almighty God, you have generously made known to human beings the mysteries of your life through Jesus Christ your son, in the Holy Spirit. Enlighten my mind to know these mysteries which your Church treasures and teaches. Move my heart to love them and my will to live in accord with them. Give me the ability to teach this faith to others without pride, without ostentation, and without personal gain. Let me realize that I am simply your instrument for... Read more
In our house, getting the right sleep temperature is a challenge. We have baseboard heating, and the master bedroom is warmer than the rest of the house. Adjusting for comfortable sleep requires at least an associate’s degree: If sleeping alone, slide under sheet, down comforter, and quilted spread. If toasty-warm husband is in room, turn down quilted spread. If company is in the house and door is closed, turn down quilted spread and down comforter, sleep under top sheet only,... Read more
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