When Cardinal Burke was here ...

Archbishop Hebda and Bishop Cozzens assisted Cardinal Burke

I was pleased to see that our Archbishop and Bishop attended and assisted Cardinal Burke.  I also noted in some of the photos on the All Saints site that there was room in the church and I even saw a couple of guys in jeans - there was even room to park the car.  I could have attended after all.

Having said that, I still don't get the cappa stuff and vesting at the altar.  Yes, I know what it symbolizes but why?  So that seems like a lot of theater - but who am I to judge?  

Last evening I watched a documentary from the reign of Pius XII which showed the splendor, pomp and circumstance surrounding just about every ceremony involving the Pope, as well as the consistories for new cardinals.  I recall a similar documentary which aired on television when Pius XII died in 1958, and I was thrilled by how grand everything was.  The world has changed dramatically since then, and I understand completely why it was necessary to simplify the papacy and do away with the monarchical extravagances.  

Archbishop Nienstedt relieved to have his name cleared.

Turns out the Papal Nuncio squashed the investigation into allegations of impropriety ...

Placing Nienstedt's good name in jeopardy.

Former Twin Cities Archbishop John Nienstedt said Thursday he is “relieved” that the public now is aware of the fate of an investigation into alleged sexual improprieties by him.

A day after a 2014 memo from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was made public stating that a Vatican emissary quashed the investigation, Nienstedt repeated that he has done nothing improper, despite allegations of misconduct revealed in documents released Wednesday by the Ramsey County attorney’s office.

“I am a heterosexual man who has been celibate my entire life,” Nienstedt wrote in an e-mail to the Star Tribune Thursday. “I am relieved that the public now knows the extent of the allegations and can hear my response.”

The fate of the Nienstedt investigation has been a question confronting Twin Cities Catholics for two years. The memo made public this week indicated that the Vatican emissary in Washington, D.C., put the brakes on the probe, which had been looking into allegations of sexual misconduct by Nienstedt in Michigan, Minnesota and Rome. - StarTribune

“I am a heterosexual man who has been celibate my entire life,” said Nienstedt.

I have no problem with that statement - except to point out this is another example of how and why Catholics, and many others, can be confused by how Catholic teaching is expressed.  The Pope and other bishops and priests refer to homosexual persons as 'gay' - others say 'ssa'.  But everyone is discouraged, and even rebuked for using the term 'gay' - especially 'gay-Catholics'.  Yet Nienstedt just made it clear he is a 'heterosexual man'.  Even though Catholic teaching insists:

The Church “refuses to consider the person as a ‘heterosexual’ or a ‘homosexual’ and insists that every person has a fundamental identity: the creature of God and, by grace, his child and heir to eternal life.” - CDF

Just saying.

Nienstedt is gone now.  I'm happy for him that his good name has been upheld.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda appointed Archbishop of St. Paul-Minneapolis

After nine months as the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Archbishop Bernard Hebda was named the archdiocese’s archbishop March 24. The Holy See announced the appointment at noon in Rome, 6 a.m. Central Time.

The Holy Thursday appointment highlights the connection between his new role and the Eucharist, priesthood and service, Archbishop Hebda told The Catholic Spirit.

“It’s the Eucharist that brings us together,” he said. “The bishop is called to be that source of unity in his local Church and where that takes place is at the table of the Lord.” - Catholic Spirit

He seems like an excellent choice.  I haven't been following much and so I know very little about him, but it is good to have an Archbishop again.  Things should settle down now.  He's still 'young' at 56 so he should be around for quite awhile.

Thanks be to God.

h/t Nan and Ray.  

Archbishop Nienstedt resigns.

We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful...

Devastating news.

The announcement came today.  I expected it would one day - but not so soon.  I never expected Bishop Piche's resignation along with the Archbishop's.  This is devastating news - the resignation of a prelate, a father, the chief shepherd of an unsteady flock.  Like him or not - he has been the leader of the flock in Minneapolis-St. Paul.  A casualty now of scandals and lies and misdemeanors and abuse and weakness and sin and not knowing how to handle scandals and lies and misdemeanors and abuse and weakness and ...

The Headline:

Nienstedt, deputy resign after abuse coverup charges against archdiocese.

Archbishop John Nienstedt said he leaves ‘with a clear conscience.’ - Read more here.

The readings from today's Mass...

Behold, now is a very acceptable time;
behold, now is the day of salvation.
We cause no one to stumble in anything,
in order that no fault may be found with our ministry;
on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves
as ministers of God, through much endurance,
in afflictions, hardships, constraints,
beatings, imprisonments, riots,
labors, vigils, fasts;
by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness,
in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech,
in the power of God;
with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;
through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.
We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful;
as unrecognized and yet acknowledged;
as dying and behold we live;
as chastised and yet not put to death;
as sorrowful yet always rejoicing;
as poor yet enriching many;
as having nothing and yet possessing all things. - 2 Cor. 6:1-10

+ + +

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.
When someone strikes you on your right cheek,
turn the other one to him as well.
If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic,
hand him your cloak as well.
Should anyone press you into service for one mile,
go with him for two miles.
Give to the one who asks of you,
and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.” - Mt. 5: 38-42


But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil.


The fact remains it is devastating news. The Archdiocese has filed bankruptcy, properties are up for sale, venerable parish churches have been closed - one from my childhood became a mosque.  This is devastating news ...

By the rivers of Babylon
there we sat and wept,
remembering Zion;
on the poplars that grew there
we hung up our harps.

For it was there that they asked us,
our captors, for songs,
our oppressors, for joy.
"Sing to us," they said,
"one of Zion's songs."

O how could we sing
the song of the Lord
on alien soil?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
let my right hand wither!

O let my tongue
cleave to my mouth
if I remember you not,
if I prize not Jerusalem
above all my joys!

Remember, O Lord,
against the sons of Edom
the day of Jerusalem;
when they said: "Tear it down!
Tear it down to its foundations!"

O Babylon, destroyer,
he is happy who repays you
the ills you brought on us.
He shall seize and shall dash
your children on the rock!

Brother Paul O’Donnell, Franciscan Brothers of Peace, RIP

I was just informed Franciscan Br. Paul O'Donnell died suddenly today.  Br. Paul was the Guardian of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, a diocesan community of friars in St. Paul, Minnesota.

I found this tribute at National Right to Life:

One of the sweetest, kindest men I have ever known passed away today. I can’t imagine that it was his time but God knows these things, not me. Brother Paul was only 55 years old. He was the Superior at the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, a stalwart advocate for life throughout its spectrum, and he was my friend – for well over 25 years. He was also one of my heroes. 

Brother Paul was a founder of the Pro-Life Action Ministries and served with them still. He was a board member of the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network, and a valiant spokesperson for life. - Jacki Ragan, NRLNews

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Is there something wrong with priestly formation in St. Paul/Minneapolis?

I thought it was almost perfect.

Seriously, I did.  Then I came across this from Fr. James Martin, S.J. - with caveats that this is one former seminarian's experience and not all formation programs are like this, so on and so on.  Fr. Martin's post led me to the Commonweal article by the former seminarian, Paul Blaschko.  To be sure, there is no scandal involved, but perhaps an odd response to all the scandals has made for an unusual approach in formation?

I don't know - I assumed, along with many others in the archdiocese that we had the best seminary in the country.  I know what my own reactions have been in leaving novitiate for religious life, as well as some jobs: I sometimes focused upon the negative culture of the place I was quitting in order to justify my decision to move on.  An unconscious attempt for self-affirmation can incline one to view everything as negative and even creepy, and to judge problems as being far worse than they were.  Oftentimes that attitude describes 'disgruntled'.  If that is the case with Blaschko's account, that's too bad.  But I wonder?

What he writes about sounds believable enough - and it doesn't come off as having been written by a disgruntled former seminarian.  As Fr. Martin wrote on his Facebook page:

But I also want to say that I have heard stories from several seminarians around the country who describe their own formation around sexuality in the way that the author describes--closed, fearful, and, frankly, unhealthy. Yes, celibacy is not the cause of sexual abuse. (More abuse happens in families.) But poor and even twisted education and formation around sexuality will inevitably lead to serious problems for the priest or religious, for his community and for those with whom he ministers. So even if this kind of formation is happening in one seminary, it is a big problem. - Fr. Martin

After recent scandals in the archdiocese, things are still far from normal.  At least everything 'feels' fairly dysfunctional at the moment, albeit under autocratic leadership.  I've never heard concerns voiced over formation at the seminary.

Inside the Seminary: Is there reason to be worried about formation? 

From 2008 through 2010, I was a seminarian in St. Paul, Minneapolis, an archdiocese now entrenched in its own abuse scandal. My experience there led me to believe that the problem of priestly sexual abuse is due, at least in part, to the failure of seminaries to provide adequate human and sexual formation to men studying for the priesthood. More specifically, my seminary formation failed to confront the questions surrounding sexual abuse in a candid and psychologically sophisticated way. I realize that my experience is limited, and that it would be unwise to generalize about seminary education from the the operations and culture of one institution. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to tell my story in the hope of calling attention to what might very well be more widespread problems.

[...]

But just a few weeks into my time at the seminary, my confidence began to waver. I recall the day when the first-year seminarians, or “new men” as we were called, gathered in the seminary’s spacious basement to attend a workshop on sexual ethics titled “Freedom and Victory.” The workshop was run by a psychologist from something called the Theology of the Body Training and Healing Center, together with a blind priest who, we were told during his introduction, had witnessed at least one Eucharistic miracle and had had extensive experience with exorcisms. The breakout sessions had titles like “Masturbation: Is it Healthy? Is it Holy?” (you can guess the answer to both questions); and at various points throughout the workshop we were invited to approach the microphone and share stories of sexual pain and healing—“if you feel called by the spirit to do so”—with the sixty or so priests and other seminarians in the room.

The whole thing felt more than a little strange to me, and for the most part I kept my head down, pretending to take notes in the workbook that had been provided. The strangeness culminated with a workshop session devoted to reenacting the “spiritual warfare” that goes on when a young man watches pornography. Each of us was given a nametag with the name of a demon on it. These demons, we were told, were the principalities most closely associated with sexual temptation. We were then gathered around the chosen man and told to hiss and curse at him, trying to entice him to “watch pornography” and “masturbate.” Afterwards, the priest came around with a coffee tin, collecting the nametags—he had to burn them, he told us, while reciting prayers of exorcism. Demonic influence wasn’t something to take lightly.

After the session, I caught up with one of the priests on staff and hesitantly expressed my doubts about the workshop. He reassured me that the formation staff knew exactly what they were doing, and encouraged me to defer to the authority of the workshop leader. - Finish reading at Commonweal

It sounds weird, doesn't it?  But maybe it's because we weren't there or don't know the program used, or ...  as one commenter asked:

I wonder how much the overworked directors of the seminary were drawn in by the credentials of the experts from the Theology of the Body Training and Healing Center, who offered to solve their problem even though their methods and agenda undermined the mission of the seminary. 

As a related question, I wonder how much overworked pastors are being drawn into pre packaged programs for youth, for couples, for men… that may not fit the parish's mission. - Steve McCluskey February 19, 2015 - 10:30pm

Discernment is a difficult process for all concerned - I doubt there is such a thing as a perfect system. 

Do the right thing. The Catholic music director, Jamie Moore did.

I'm really impressed with this story.

Jamie Moore married his boyfriend, was asked by Archbishop Nienstedt to resign, and he did.

Evidently an attorney offered to represent him in a lawsuit against Nienstedt.  Jamie said no.

The pastor of his church, Fr. Bob White, explained to the parishioners what happened.

Weekend masses at St. Victoria included comments from the Rev. Bob White about Moore’s departure, which the pastor said was like losing a loved one. “It’s a deep loss,” he told the Carver County congregation at a 10:45 a.m. mass. White called Moore his friend and the “voice of the church.”

White explained the process that led to Moore’s resignation and expressed his hope that the congregation would come together. He received a standing ovation as he left the podium to begin the mass.

“How he came to this decision is consistent with the man I’m proud to call my friend for the last 18 years,” White said. “He did it in a way that was an expression of who he is and how he lives.” - StarTribune

Rejecting a lawsuit, and quietly resigning in obedience to the Archbishop's request is a faithful response from Jamie Moore.  Fr. White's comments to the congregation is a wonderful testimony as well.

I wish them well.

From Crux: More propaganda against Archbishop Nienstedt...

Archbishop Nienstedt (foreground) 

Theology professors from the University of St. Thomas join the critics of Archbishop Nienstedt.

Warning of a 'pastoral breakdown' in the Archdiocese, the professors add fuel to the contention that the Archbishop should resign, because of the sex abuse scandals and how these have been handled by the archdiocese.  Perhaps there's a personnel problems which acerbates the situation?  In other words, maybe Nienstedt is not the problem?  After all, he is working to restore confidence - maybe his critics don't want it restored?

Right from there were people in this archdiocese who were not happy with the appointment of Archbishop Nienstedt.  Local pastors who call for his resignation included - and now the theologians have joined in.  Is it a conspiracy?  I'm not sure.  Although I'm very much reminded of the anti-clericalism leading up to the French Revolution when I read stories such as this - which resonate with the complaints made by certain pastors within the archdiocese who have already called for the Archbishop's resignation:

A group of theology professors from the largest Catholic university in Minnesota penned an open letter to the archbishop of Minneapolis and St. Paul, lamenting ongoing revelations of clergy sex abuse and “also to the manner in which these scandals have been handled.” 

Addressed to Archbishop John Nienstedt, under fire for allegedly mishandling reports of clergy sex abuse, twelve tenured faculty members of St. Thomas University wrote, “Recent events have shown how badly the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese has failed” to respond to the pastoral needs of Catholics there. 

The group stopped short of calling for Nienstedt’s resignation, writing that they “remain committed to working and praying for the good of the whole archdiocese, including its pastoral leadership.”

“The harsh light now being shone on the inner governance of the Archdiocese makes clear that the problems are not merely personal,” the authors wrote. “They are systemic, the product of a long-standing and deeply entrenched clericalism that does not have to be the corollary of the ordained priestly ministry.” - Finish reading here.

The suggestions for 'recovery' in the archdiocese proposed by the theologians are not at all unreasonable however:

The theologians suggest ways for Nienstedt and his team to “proposals that may open a path toward recovery from the pastoral breakdown we are witnessing,” such as a series of town hall-style meetings at parishes, stepping away from direct involvement in legal proceedings, and engaging more lay people in church governance.

 The Archbishop has started that, employing Timothy O’Malley, the former head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, to fill a leadership position created by the archdiocese in response to the wave of clergy abuse allegations in the past year.  This is a signal the Archbishop is working to restore confidence - perhaps he's not moving fast enough for his critics?  Give him a chance and support him in his efforts.

That said, I'm not sure "engaging more lay people in church governance" holds great promise.  It seems to me there are plenty of laity involved as it is.  I think we need more priests and religious, but who will be attracted to religious life when they witness such division and lack of support among church people?  And what priest would ever consent to being a bishop in such a negative culture?

Pray.  Pray for the Church and the Archbishop.  Pray for vocations.

H/T Ray and Maria.

The Deposition of Archbishop Nienstedt and Fr. Kevin McDonough

Is someone lying?

The lawyers and media seem to think so.  I can't bring myself to believe that an Archbishop and a former Vicar General would lie under oath.  So what's the deal?

Bad management, imperious culture, lack of communication and dysfunction - made worse by legal representation telling them what to say and how to answer questions - even demonstrating “a consistent pattern of deny, minimize and blame.”

I don't trust any of them.

Archbishop Nienstedt is out of town, in Rome for the Canonization.  He should be here.  He was gone for months while he was himself was investigated for inappropriate conduct.  Found innocent, he returned to work - yet now he is in Rome while local media has a field day with the depositions.  I don't get it.  A pastor should be with his sheep - who are confused and bewildered.

In his deposition, it appears Fr. Kevin McDonough, former Vicar General contradicts some of the things Nienstedt stated when he was deposed.  Interestingly, McDonough indicates something about the Archbishop's management style which may explain why he's not especially well liked by several of his priests.  He mentioned he had little contact with the Archbishop because "Nienstedt managed largely by memo..."

McDonough denied this week’s assertion by Nienstedt that he had advised the archbishop not to record or keep records of certain conversations about child abusers. 

“First of all, he [Nienstedt] and I would never have been in a position for much casual conversation,” McDonough said. “Archbishop Nienstedt managed largely by memo … but I don’t recall the question ever being asked about recording conversations with — between the archbishop and myself.” - StarTribune

Nienstedt is in Rome for the Canonizations.

Futility or ineffectiveness do not dispense one from speaking the truth, declaring what is wrong, and standing for what is right and just. [...] Whoever considers success, or makes his decisions or attitudes dependent upon whether something is futile or certain of success, is already corrupt. Then authenticity no longer means his personal encounter with what is real; it is rather his personal dependence upon success, upon being heard, on popularity and applause, and on the roar of great throngs. He is already corrupt. And woe if the prophets are mute out of fear that their word might not be heeded. - Alfred Delp, S.J.

Archbishop Nienstedt cleared and back on the job!

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis appreciates today’s announcement by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office that they have declined to file charges against Archbishop Nienstedt. As a result of today’s announcement, the archbishop will now resume all of his public ministry duties.

“I am thankful to the Saint Paul Police for their thorough investigation, as well as to the Ramsey County Attorney’s office for their professional work regarding this matter. I look forward to returning to public ministry during this Lenten season, especially during Holy Week and the great feast of Easter,” Archbishop Nienstedt said. “While I look forward to my return to public ministry, I remain committed to the ongoing work needed to provide safe environments for all children and youth. I continue to offer my prayers for all victims, their families and their communities, as well as to all who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse. I once again offer my apology to all who have been affected by these terrible offenses.” - Archdiocese St. Paul/Minneapolis

Thanks be to God!

I'm so glad he is back.

Te Deum laudamus!

Secular report here.

H/T Judy

Minneapolis Archdiocese has a problem with sex-addict priests?

Dominican Father Reginald Whitt

Set up a new Task Force.

The archbishop has appointed a new vicar for ministerial standards, Dominican Father Reginald Whitt, a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He will assume full responsibility for all issues related to clergy sexual misconduct, the archdiocese said.

Start a new committee.

Father Whitt will appoint the members of the all-layperson task force, which is expected to convene this week. It will consist of at least six people from a variety of backgrounds — none of whom are employed by the archdiocese or any of its parishes.

Once again - it appears this is all about protecting 'children' - not that anything is wrong with that.  But I thought they already had some sort of program for all of that?  Evidently it didn't work?

Archbishop Nienstedt said there is “no room for misconduct among our clergy and our standard must be zero tolerance for abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. We hold a sacred trust. Our very vocation requires the highest standard of conduct so that all may be drawn to the person of Jesus Christ through our witness.” 

While the archbishop retains his authority in the archdiocese, he has committed that he will not interfere in the work of the vicar or the task force. - Catholic Spirit

 

Dr. William Hudson resigned as President of Totino-Grace High School.

"In and Out" - kind of.

Dr. Hudson resigned because he has a family: 2 children in a committed same sex relationship - which conflicts with Catholic Church teaching.  Hudson acknowledged that saying: "For over 20 years, I have placed service of the Catholic Church ahead of my family. I am excited to now be able focus on my two children and my partner of 18 years as my first priority."

The president of Totino-Grace High School resigned from his job last week - a voluntary decision he made because he's in a committed same-sex relationship.

William Hudson's last day as president at Totino-Grace in Fridley was Friday, June 28, according to a statement from the school Tuesday, July 2.

"I love the Totino-Grace community, however I need to be truthful about my life," said Hudson in a statement. "I am in a committed same-sex relationship, and I felt the best course of action was to inform the school. I value my time at Totino-Grace as one of the most enriching experiences of my career." - Source

Perhaps he intends to enter into a civil marriage with his partner, which would have made his private life public and created problems with the Archdiocese?  Perhaps some one was going to 'out' him?  So he decided to resign on his own terms, without controversy? 

Dr. Hudson appears to have been respected and well liked, one student remarked: "I recognize that I do go to a Catholic school and it does go against Catholic teachings, but I mean it had absolutely no effect as far as I could see on his job performance so that is a little saddening."

It is sad. 

Though it all seems so normal, doesn't it?  Hudson is obviously highly qualified, a respected educator, probably a devoted, loving dad, a faithful and loving partner, an upstanding citizen, a normal guy - no would ever guess he was gay. 

"That said, leading a Catholic school while living in a committed same-sex relationship is not consistent with the teachings of the Catholic Church." - Totino-Grace Letter

 

Fr. JJ Day in St. Paul

A wonderful civic honor for a wonderful priest.

Fr. Johnson is leaving the Cathedral after a short term as Rector - only six years.  Yet he accomplished much in a very short time.  He will definitely be missed by many - including the Mayor of St. Paul, Chris Coleman, who honored Fr. Johnson with a special day today.

From the Catholic Spirit...

Sunday, June 24, will be declared “Very Rev. Joseph R. Johnson Day” in the City of St. Paul.

Mayor Chris Coleman will make the proclamation at a reception for the departing Cathedral of St. Paul rector in Hayden Hall following the 10 a.m. Mass June 24 at the cathedral.

During Father Johnson’s six years as rector, the cathedral has been designated a national shrine, the parish’s debt has been reduced, and efforts have been made to preserve the historic church through the Cathedral Heritage Foundation.

“[Father Johnson] has been just a wonderful curator of the building,” Coleman said in a June 15 phone interview.

“I’ve had a number of occasions to actually take a tour of the cathedral with other guests with Father Joe in the lead, and he just always amazed me with his depth of knowledge — not just of the building itself, but really of art history and the architectural history and how all the iconography relates to the history of the church,” Coleman said. “He’s very impressive that way.”

Father Johnson announced to Ca­thedral parishioners in April that he would be leaving in July to serve as the new pastor of Holy Family in St. Louis Park. - Read more.

Father Johnson also raised the cathedral’s visibility

 by hosting public events like the 

Red Bull Crashed Ice skating

competition in January,

Congratulation Fr. Johnson!

The Case of the Consecrated Host and...

What appeared to be a miracle at the Church of St. Augustine.

The jury is in and the verdict is: "The result of natural biological causes."

H. Corby Kistler, a mycologist and adjunct professor at the University of Minnesota, said Wednesday that Fusarium fungus might have caused a red pigment on the St. Augustine host. "Fusarium species are common environmental contaminants and often infest wheat and wheat products," Kistler said.

What we are discussing here is what happened to a consecrated host, which was found on the floor at the Church of St. Augustine in South St. Paul, Minnesota after Mass on June 19, 2011.  The host was placed in an ablution cup (a small bowl of water) to dissolve, and then to be discarded into the sacrarium in the sacristy.  That was when a substance resembling blood appeared on the remaining particles, suggesting a miracle.

Catholics should not be disappointed in the results of the test since we already know by faith that our Lord Jesus Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity in the consecrated host - the Eucharist: The Most Blessed Sacrament is our living sign of Christ's presence; the Real Presence is the real miracle.

I can't remember where, and I may be wrong in interpreting it, but John of the Cross writes somewhere that God is not often pleased to have to send miracles.*  And in this case, perhaps especially so, since it could have added fuel to the argument some people make that the EF Mass is somehow better and holier and more pleasing to God than the OF Mass.  Just personal speculation of course.

Photo credit and story here.

*"It is not God's desire that miracles be performed; when he works them he does so out of necessity.  He consequently reprimanded the pharisees because they were unwilling to believe without signs; 'if you do not see signs and wonders you do not believe.' [Jn. 4:48]" - Ascent, Bk III, Chapter 31: 9.  Please note:   I am no authority and it is possible that I could have misappropriated the passage from St. John to the type of circumstance discussed here.

Sounds like restricting religious freedom to me: The Fr. JP Echert slapdown.

Support our priests.
.
I would caution anyone against tangling with Fr. John Paul Echert, one of the 'best of the best' Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.  Fr. Echert is a military chaplain and pastor of St. Augustine parish and Holy Trinity parish in South St. Paul, Minnesota.  He is a solid Roman Catholic priest, a biblical scholar, and a man without guile - a straight talker.  He is one of the few priests in the world I trust implicitly.
.
That said, a local politician Fr. Echert obviously admires, insulted the priest in response to Father's respectful request for the state representative to reconsider giving his support to the efforts to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota.  Fr. Echert's email reprinted below:  Full text at parish website
.
Dear Representative Kriesel:



Greetings from Father John Echert, Pastor of the Parishes of Holy


Trinity and St. Augustine in South St. Paul. I am writing to you


specifically in regards to the proposed Marriage Amendment under


consideration here in Minnesota in light of an email exchange which


you recently had with my Associate Pastor, Father Robert Grabner.


Within your response you wrote, “Unfortunately I do not support the


Marriage Amendment and will not be voting for it.” I am very


saddened to learn this, especially since I had encouraged one of our


parishioners, one of your campaign advocates, to have you come to


our parish Fall Festival last October so that parishioners could meet


you in the days leading up to the elections. Also, as a military


Chaplain here in the Minnesota Air National Guard I have been using


you as a heroic example of resiliency in our monthly Yellow Ribbon


Program for recently returned deployers.    
.
. 
I ask you to please reconsider your position on this critical matter.



While we can legitimately debate issues related to finances and


politics, those that are grounded upon basic moral principles and


family values are rooted in the laws of God. I am commencing this


week with a parish campaign to promote support for a Marriage


Amendment in Minnesota; I hope that you will be among those elected


officials upon whom we can count for your efforts at the leadership


level to protect traditional marriage in our state.


Sincerely,


Father John Echert
.
The threat against religious freedom.
.
Kriesel's response was not only insulting, but threatening in tone - typical of the intimidation associated with the efforts by politicians to restrict religious freedom and coerce religious leaders into silence regarding moral issues.
.
Mr. Echert,



I would like to respectfully remind you that the Internal Revenue


Service frowns upon churches and religious organizations devoting


time to influencing legislation. Your admission of the commencement


of a politically involved "campaign" will probably violate several state


and federal tax provisions.


Tyler
.
How to respond.
.
I agree with Fr. Echert that it is a good idea to respectfully voice your concerns and objections to Rep. Kriesel:
.
Representative John Kriesel know your views on the issue of



the protection of marriage and also let him know your opinion


of his attitude towards Church activism on moral issues, you


can email him at rep.john.kriesel@house.mn, call him at


651-297-9010, or send mail to 451 State Office Bldg, 100


Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
.
Photo:  Lieutenant Colonel Echert - I believe this photo is Fr. Echert during Desert Storm.  Source

.
 
H/T Eponymous Flower blog
I've just been made aware that American Papist has posted on the issue as well.

It's in the mail - Archbishop Nienstedt's campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota.

It isn't any 'last ditch effort' either.
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The Archbishop, together with the Bishops of Minnesota have launched a campaign to educate Catholic Minnesotans on the longstanding misinformation-propaganda campaign by pro-same-sex-marriage advocates.  As the local ordinary, the Archbishop is the primary teacher on faith and morals for Minnesota's Roman Catholics, and therefore it is his pastoral duty to respond to this controversy with clear moral teaching.  No one is as decisive and clear on Church teaching as Archbishop Nienstedt, and we are fortunate and blessed to have him as our Archbishop.
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From CBN:
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Archbishop John Nienstedt announced Monday that every Catholic in the state would be mailed a DVD defending marriage as between one man and one woman. Nienstedt appears at the beginning of the eight-minute video presentation that was produced by the Knights of Columbus.
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The archbishop told Minneapolis/St. Paul television station KTSP that 800,000 DVDs would be mailed to all Catholics in the state on Wednesday.
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"Our target is basically our Catholic people," Nienstedt said during the interview. "To remind them of what we believe and why we believe it and why it's so important that they believe it."
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The diocese is asking voters to watch the DVD and contact their state representatives. The DVD is scheduled to arrive in Minnesota homes six weeks before the November 2 elections.
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Nienstedt said he hoped the DVD would be a "teaching tool" to parishioners in the diocese's 217 parishes.
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"It's not partisan politics in any way. But you know, it's kind of rallying the troops around this issue and pointing out to Catholics that this is an important issue in every election year," the archbishop said.
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"We're not a political force," Nienstedt added. "But we are a religious force. So we think we should be part of the conversation."  - CBN News
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Link:
KSTP News coverage.

Look at what they did...

Cleveland Church closings.
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First they stripped the churches bare, and now they are closing them.  Vatican II hardly closed before they removed every sign of devotion, every indication of Roman Catholicism - accomplishing in a relatively short time what took generations for the Protestant revolt to accomplish centuries ago.  Catholics forget that some of the hatchet men involved in these closings were parish priests who helped implement key aspects of the iconoclasm which swept the Church after the Council.  And some of these guys are now bishops.  We are told Catholics left the Church in droves?  But who, what drove them away?
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Churchspeak on church closings.
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The Bishop of Cleveland had these words of encouragement regarding the recent closure of the 50th church in Cleveland:

"The Church is about people and their faith, not about buildings, and we will always be here to serve the people,” said Bishop Lennon in a March 2009 statement announcing the closures. “The task for the Church is to be faithful to what God asks of us, which is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to all people, to reach out and serve the poor and marginalized among us, and to become holy and bring people closer to God.” - CNA

Sacrifice and hard work.
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The people who built these churches were mostly working class immigrants, sacrificing for the glory of God and the propagation of the faith.  I was once part of the old St. Ambrose in St. Paul - not the old, old one that was sold to the 7-Up company, but the new one, built by Italians on the lower east side of St. Paul.  Families donated the marble altars and communion rails - which were later ripped out to update a still new church which had been built in 1960.  To add insult to injury - the church was later sold and the name transferred to a mega-church in the suburbs.  The good priest never understood the parishioners sense of betrayal and anger over the easy squandering of funds their donations represented.  Wreck-o-vators and iconoclasts were not always men in business suits - some wore cassocks and capes and beanies.
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Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
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This fall we will be facing the results of a new strategic plan for our Archdiocese as well - probably not much different than Cleveland's.  I think our Archbishop guided similar changes in Detroit - a thankless job I'm sure.  There aren't as many beautiful churches here as there were in older cities such as Detroit and Cleveland, but there are still a few 'shells' left - although the glorious interiors have long been destroyed.
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Once again it is the laity sacrificed. 
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Laity in this archdiocese have been asked repeatedly to keep the Big Picture in mind... using much of the same churchspeak echoing Bishop Lennon's appeal.  Here are some classic quotes from our Archdiocesan plan:
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"Parish leaders are also asked to see “the bigger picture” — what’s good for the whole of the archdiocese, not just what’s good for their parish."
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“We can’t expect everybody to agree with everything or even to like everything, but what we want people to know is that we respected enough to ask them.”
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“We need to tell people that we expect the best of them, and we have to keep reminding people of that,”
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Changing parish configurations entails pain and loss, but Catholics need to have courage and offer self-sacrifice.

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“When you give up yourself to Christ . . . you’re going to be doing these big, big things.  We may think, ‘We’re losing everything. We’re losing our little church.’  Wait a moment. If you’re in Christ, what makes you think there won’t be greater things to come?”
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Church structures are living, and therefore changing, he said. When parishes are asked to combine, members must keep this understanding at the forefront.
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“It means that something is alive, it’s dynamic, it’s growing, it’s going onward, it’s going upward."

Up yours.*
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Obviously it's a "they" and "we" thing. 
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Photo credit: Closing Catholic Churches in Cleveland  First they stripped the altars and the sanctuary and protestantized the church - and now the churches are sold off to the highest bidder.
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Link:
Strategic Planning articles on Stella Borealis
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*no disrespect intended.