Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, Giotto
What a hoot! Huh?
They say he joked while being roasted alive and told the executioners they could turn him over because he was done on that side. Maybe.
That stuff works for religious people when they want to make light of otherwise serious situations. Cardinal Dolan likes a good joke - so does Fr. James Martin S.J. and Stephen Colbert. Oh hell, who doesn't? Dolan and Martin and Colbert have a show coming up, don't they? So cool! “This is just what the Catholic Church needs,” said Martin, who has been on “The Colbert Report” so many times that he is called the official chaplain of the Emmy-winning news parody program. “Being joyful does not mean that you overlook suffering or pain or even scandal.”
Oh man! I can't wait. And I think Dolan even invited Obama and the Mormon guy to a big dinner, or is it a roast? (Canned laughter!)
Back-slapping, rib-nudging, good humor - works for me too.
Bring back those nuns playing baseball in their habits, and cigar chomping, cocktail swilling prelates, 1950's Deborah Kerr Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison kind of American Catholicism any day!
Lighten up folks!
I'm trying Terry. I REALLY do try. I'm actually quite good at laughing at the absurdities and tragedies of life especially my own! I actually try to do it every day. I have less success laughing at the same foolishness in the Church. I normally react allergically when someone tells me to "lighten up" but in this case i'll take it as spiritual advice :)
ReplyDeleteBring back those nuns playing baseball in their habits, and cigar chomping, cocktail swilling prelates, 1950's Deborah Kerr Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison kind of American Catholicism any day!
ReplyDeleteYes, please!! LOL. But remember, the nuns were spread throughout the country in our schools, like soldiers in the US Army. I have this theory that they kept the priests and the church in line.
Anyway, maybe Dolan knows something we don't. Maybe he has some grand strategy but to this sinner in the pew it looks like this show just isn't worth the price. I have signed the petition to disinvite Obama. It will have no impact, though I must say, in short order it garnered up to 5000 signatures. This link will take you to site where you can sign.
https://www.change.org/.../cardinal-dolan-the-archdiocese-of-new-york-disinvite-president-obama-from-the-al-smith-fundraising-dinner
I suppose the hardest part is accepting that there is nothing in the divine permissive will of God that He does not allow and that there is a purpose to everything under Heaven...Awfully tough some days to accept....
I do think the nuns were like that and I do believe they kept the priests in line to some extent - remember the film Doubt.
DeleteI was thinking this morning that Dolan inviting Obama is what has always been done - sort of a protocol - and I supose if M. Teresa was alive, she's understand and approve it as well - We have to keep lines of communication open.
Interestingly enough, before the scandals hit the fan, I never paid attention to bishops or priests outside my 'territory' and then only as far what concerned matters of my conscience. Those are the days I wish would come back - for me at least.
I know what you mean about Mother Teresa. I guess the theory is that he doesn't want to lose money for the poor, doesn't want the poor to suffer etc. But, then again, maybe everyone needs to suffer, maybe we "the Church" keeps looking for the easy way out. Maybe we need to lose the donations. Maybe we as Catholics need to start doing the work instead of expecting easy charity from the govt. At what point does compromise lead to compromise of the Gospel? It just doesn't look right. How can the Church wield any moral authority? It looks like we don't believe what we say. I don't know. It just makes my head swim.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is my Irish grandfather Perk ran Smith's campaign. He would be appalled and he sure as hell would not go quietly into that good night. He would raise hell about this. Sowould my aunt Sister Serena, Sister of Charity, who was the director of Catholic Charities in New York, and first woman to run a Catholic Charities office. She too would raise big time hell. She is w/ our Lord. Glad she doesn't have to witness it all...
My Irish grandfather, Perc ;)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, we live in times of compromise. It's expected of everyone. There was a time (not in my lifetime) when Catholics by and large had a higher authority to which they answered. It was just understood even by atheists, progressives, liberals or what have you that Catholics were different. They believed differely, thought differently, acted differently, dressed differently in short they were in the world but not of the world. Now, save for a remnant of hardcore faithful who have kept the faith here and there, some large homeschool families etc by and large Catholics are just like everyone else. It's sad but true. For most Catholics Catholicism is just another choice in the spectrum of "faith communities."
ReplyDeleteIn a drinking contest, between Romney and Obama, Obama would win. I think that Dolan could out drink me. If Dolan were a little more Irish, I bet he could have a few and just beat the sh** out of both Romney and Obama for the fun of it. What?
ReplyDeleteI bet Dolan could too - Now that is something I'd like to watch.
DeleteIt wasn't that long ago when the Archdiocese of NY was led by a great cardinal, Cardinal O'Connor. The mayor wanted to force the Catholic hospitals to offer birth control or abortions and the Cardinal said he'd shut the hospitals down first. The mayor backed down. Now you may think that's fiction or the story was embellished...
ReplyDeleteWell, along came the Al Smith Dinner while Bill Clinton was president. Bill Clinton wasn't invited. I'm disgusted with Dolan.
Lynne - thanks for adding that - I seem to recall it now.
DeleteI'm really tired of the mixed messages some of our bishops are sending us these days. Cardinal O'Connor was a great man. Sometimes I doubt things are getting better, they seem to be getting worse. If we lose religious freedom, the bishops let it go.
I am now furious about it.
ReplyDelete