Seriously folks, if you want good second-hand and more up-to-date info on the on-going saga of Fr. Roy Bourgeois, you'd do well to check more frequently the website for the National Catholic Reporter. I thank Fr. Dave LaBuda for forwarding me the following link:
http://ncronline.org/news/people/canon-lawyer-questions-maryknolls-move-against-bourgeois
Meanwhile, I once again direct the attention of Maryknoll Society members to the Bulletin Board on our maryknoll.net in-house website. There you will read things that are REALLY going on here!
Here, some Maryknoll eagles have already begun gathering for what promises to be a memorable gathering of current and former Maryknollers this weekend.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Bourgeois a no-show?
According to an anonymous source (who bears an uncanny resembence to Fr. Dave La Buda), Fr. Roy Bourgeois will NOT be at the Maryknoll Centennial Alumni Weekend here starting tomorrow, despite his name being on the participants list.
Dave directed my attention to the women's ordination website where, he said (I'm too lazy to look it up myself), Roy is scheduled to be in Chicago this weekend to accept an award from an impressive array of religious groups for his work on behalf of justice. He is also scheduled to be at yet another screening of "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" in the Windy City.
So unless Roy has learned the fine art of bi-location, I don't think he'll be here tomorrow. Of course, he could put in a cameo appearance and then wing his way westward in time for the other festivities. Will he or won't he? A blogger's dream to keep people intrigued and interested enough to check in frequently.
I just hope Roy doesn't inadvertently demonstrate the philosophy of the ultimate Chicken Hawk, former V.P. Dick Cheney who, when asked why he didn't go to Vietnam as a young man, replied, "I had other priorities."
**************
On this Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, Ms. Teresa Rodriguez, our sacristan, Fr. Ed Szendrey and I schlepped the HUMONGOUS reliquary containing the documented relic of the True Cross, from its implausible place smack in the middle of our sacristy, to a more fitting and proper (albeit temporary) place of honor in the Lady Chapel, to the right of the Pietà . A vigil light honors this day.
Where we eventually put it depends on what we think it is. If we wish to venerate it as the relic it purports to be, then it should be enshrined in a place of worship. If we deem it a
mere curious artifact, than it can go back out into the Spellman Room among other objects d'art.
**************
It's an understandable mistake. For several months now, our Sodexo staff, at the behest of the All-Important Food Committee, has offered a specialty coffee each breakfast and lunch time along with the standard brews. French Roast is one popular choice. Another is labeled "Columbian" (sic). It's not as if we are a foreign mission Society with global interests and international sensitivities with a high concentration of guys who come from or worked in Latin America. I mean, who understands Spanish around here anyway?
Hey, for all I know, the spelling might be correct. Who wants to drink coffee from Harvard?
Dave directed my attention to the women's ordination website where, he said (I'm too lazy to look it up myself), Roy is scheduled to be in Chicago this weekend to accept an award from an impressive array of religious groups for his work on behalf of justice. He is also scheduled to be at yet another screening of "Pink Smoke Over the Vatican" in the Windy City.
So unless Roy has learned the fine art of bi-location, I don't think he'll be here tomorrow. Of course, he could put in a cameo appearance and then wing his way westward in time for the other festivities. Will he or won't he? A blogger's dream to keep people intrigued and interested enough to check in frequently.
I just hope Roy doesn't inadvertently demonstrate the philosophy of the ultimate Chicken Hawk, former V.P. Dick Cheney who, when asked why he didn't go to Vietnam as a young man, replied, "I had other priorities."
**************
On this Feast of the Triumph of the Cross, Ms. Teresa Rodriguez, our sacristan, Fr. Ed Szendrey and I schlepped the HUMONGOUS reliquary containing the documented relic of the True Cross, from its implausible place smack in the middle of our sacristy, to a more fitting and proper (albeit temporary) place of honor in the Lady Chapel, to the right of the Pietà . A vigil light honors this day.
Where we eventually put it depends on what we think it is. If we wish to venerate it as the relic it purports to be, then it should be enshrined in a place of worship. If we deem it a
mere curious artifact, than it can go back out into the Spellman Room among other objects d'art.
**************
It's an understandable mistake. For several months now, our Sodexo staff, at the behest of the All-Important Food Committee, has offered a specialty coffee each breakfast and lunch time along with the standard brews. French Roast is one popular choice. Another is labeled "Columbian" (sic). It's not as if we are a foreign mission Society with global interests and international sensitivities with a high concentration of guys who come from or worked in Latin America. I mean, who understands Spanish around here anyway?
Hey, for all I know, the spelling might be correct. Who wants to drink coffee from Harvard?
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Letter from Limbo
I and several others received a copy of a handwritten letter from Fr. Roy Bourgeois, M.M., to our Superior General Fr. Ed Dougherty, M.M., dated August 25, 2011.
In it Roy expresses hope that a solution may be worked out. He mentions trying to phone Doc without success. Apparently Doc was/is away. (In Rome, I hear.) In any event, who didn't accept the latest call from whom remains unresolved.
The more interesting point is that in the interest of transparency, Roy suggests all future communications be done in person, with his lawyer, Thomas Doyle, present. In language that, to this blogger at least, seems to mirror the stern tone of the canonical warnings, Roy says he hopes meeting in person will underscore the serious nature of the current situation.
Roy is on the list of the 420 people registered for the up-coming Alumni Weekend starting this Thursday. Formers and current member are attending, so Roy can hobnob with both groups with equal ease and authority.
Following is the schedule of events for Alumni Weekend:
On Thursday Sept. 15, at 7:00 pm Welcoming remarks by Fr. Paul Masson and Centennial Planning Committee Chairman David Brown will be streamed live from the Asia Room on the in-house Channel 15 to rooms here in the Center as well as to St. Teresa's Residence.
On Friday Sept. 16th, the first major speaker, Eugene Kennedy, Ph.D. will air live on Channel 15 at 9:00am. Dr. Kennedy is a Professor Emeritus at Loyola University of Chicago. Dr. Kennedy has written over 50 books on psychology, the Catholic Church, and the psychology of religion
At 11:00 am, also on Friday the United States Ambassador to the Vatican, Miguel Diaz, Ph.D. will air live on Channel 15. Dr. Diaz is a Professor of Trinitarian Theology at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville Minnesota.
At 4:00 pm on Friday an Ecumenical / Interfaith Vespers service honoring deceased Society Members and Alumni will be aired live from the Quadrangle.
On Saturday Sept. 17th, at 11:00am Philip Jenkins, Ph.D. will air live and speak on "The Keys of the Kingdom, The Global Church 1911 - 2011 and Beyond." Dr. Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of History and Religious Studies at Penn State University and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University.
At 4:00 pm on Saturday, the Centennial Celebration Mass will be aired live
At 6:00 pm on Saturday a Banquet honoring Society Educators / Formators will be aired live from the Quadrangle, with remarks by Peter Spain and Dudley Conneely.
At 8:00 pm on Saturday a presentation of Special Honors will air live from the Quadrangle. Remarks by Fr. Dick Callahan, Bill Murphy, and Mary Darcy
In it Roy expresses hope that a solution may be worked out. He mentions trying to phone Doc without success. Apparently Doc was/is away. (In Rome, I hear.) In any event, who didn't accept the latest call from whom remains unresolved.
The more interesting point is that in the interest of transparency, Roy suggests all future communications be done in person, with his lawyer, Thomas Doyle, present. In language that, to this blogger at least, seems to mirror the stern tone of the canonical warnings, Roy says he hopes meeting in person will underscore the serious nature of the current situation.
Roy is on the list of the 420 people registered for the up-coming Alumni Weekend starting this Thursday. Formers and current member are attending, so Roy can hobnob with both groups with equal ease and authority.
Following is the schedule of events for Alumni Weekend:
On Thursday Sept. 15, at 7:00 pm Welcoming remarks by Fr. Paul Masson and Centennial Planning Committee Chairman David Brown will be streamed live from the Asia Room on the in-house Channel 15 to rooms here in the Center as well as to St. Teresa's Residence.
On Friday Sept. 16th, the first major speaker, Eugene Kennedy, Ph.D. will air live on Channel 15 at 9:00am. Dr. Kennedy is a Professor Emeritus at Loyola University of Chicago. Dr. Kennedy has written over 50 books on psychology, the Catholic Church, and the psychology of religion
At 11:00 am, also on Friday the United States Ambassador to the Vatican, Miguel Diaz, Ph.D. will air live on Channel 15. Dr. Diaz is a Professor of Trinitarian Theology at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict in Collegeville Minnesota.
At 4:00 pm on Friday an Ecumenical / Interfaith Vespers service honoring deceased Society Members and Alumni will be aired live from the Quadrangle.
On Saturday Sept. 17th, at 11:00am Philip Jenkins, Ph.D. will air live and speak on "The Keys of the Kingdom, The Global Church 1911 - 2011 and Beyond." Dr. Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of History and Religious Studies at Penn State University and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Studies of Religion at Baylor University.
At 4:00 pm on Saturday, the Centennial Celebration Mass will be aired live
At 6:00 pm on Saturday a Banquet honoring Society Educators / Formators will be aired live from the Quadrangle, with remarks by Peter Spain and Dudley Conneely.
At 8:00 pm on Saturday a presentation of Special Honors will air live from the Quadrangle. Remarks by Fr. Dick Callahan, Bill Murphy, and Mary Darcy
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tears for Br. Jude
The wake for Br. Jude tonight was exceptional only in that it is so rare we Maryknollers shed tears for our brothers. Besides coming so quickly and unexpectedly, Jude's death left a void in our community. There are few who can match his gentleness, optimism, hospitality, humor, and love for Maryknoll. When Fr. Frank McGourn got up to share some personal reflections, the several times he choked up and held back tears spoke as eloquently of the effect Jude had on his life than any wonderful words of tribute. The funeral is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
Yesterday was the communal memorial for 9/11. Although I wasn't there and heard it was great, it's heard to imagine it more moving than the one last Friday. About 60 people attended on Friday (roughly half Maryknollers and half employees) but everything (miraculously) came all together at literally the last moment.
We tolled the bells at 11:10 a.m. for four minutes and the Mass began at 11:15. Fr. Mike Duggan's homily struck just the right note of hope and remembrance. "This is my Song" (to the tune of Finlandia) is a favorite, as it blends authentic love of country with a prayer for God to bless all nations, whose people love them as much as we love ours.
After communion, as Ms.Lucille Naughton played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" softly in the background, I read my reflection from the September 2011 MARYKNOLL magazine: The legacy of 9/11. At the end we all joined in the chorus: "Glory, glory, halleluia. His truth is marching on."
The long silence afterwards was both unintentional and totally appropriate. Given we had to throw this together in less than 24 hours, maybe this is a sign we need FEWER meetings and less planning.
Yesterday was the communal memorial for 9/11. Although I wasn't there and heard it was great, it's heard to imagine it more moving than the one last Friday. About 60 people attended on Friday (roughly half Maryknollers and half employees) but everything (miraculously) came all together at literally the last moment.
We tolled the bells at 11:10 a.m. for four minutes and the Mass began at 11:15. Fr. Mike Duggan's homily struck just the right note of hope and remembrance. "This is my Song" (to the tune of Finlandia) is a favorite, as it blends authentic love of country with a prayer for God to bless all nations, whose people love them as much as we love ours.
After communion, as Ms.Lucille Naughton played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" softly in the background, I read my reflection from the September 2011 MARYKNOLL magazine: The legacy of 9/11. At the end we all joined in the chorus: "Glory, glory, halleluia. His truth is marching on."
The long silence afterwards was both unintentional and totally appropriate. Given we had to throw this together in less than 24 hours, maybe this is a sign we need FEWER meetings and less planning.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Pre-emptive 9-11 Memorial Service
"Who's responsible for this?"
"Where did this come from?"
"What's going to happen next?"
No, these are not recollected utterances from 10 years ago as the Twin Towers fell. These questions flew fast and furious yesterday and today in the chapel and sacristy since it was announced that, in addition to a community 9-11 memorial on the actual date this Sunday, there would be a rather impromptu service at the Mass today.
Gotta say, this breakdown in communication, confusion and panic certainly recaptured what we did in 2001 as Fr. Ray Finch, the superior general, agreed to my suggestion to toll our bells and gather Maryknollers and employees for prayer. We had about 20 minutes to throw something together.
That being said, Ms. Lucille Naughton as music director, Fr. Mike Duggan as celebrant and Fr. Ed Szendrey as cantor certainly rose to the occasion and today's service, scheduled to begin at 11:15 in the main chapel, promises indeed to be memorable.
"Where did this come from?"
"What's going to happen next?"
No, these are not recollected utterances from 10 years ago as the Twin Towers fell. These questions flew fast and furious yesterday and today in the chapel and sacristy since it was announced that, in addition to a community 9-11 memorial on the actual date this Sunday, there would be a rather impromptu service at the Mass today.
Gotta say, this breakdown in communication, confusion and panic certainly recaptured what we did in 2001 as Fr. Ray Finch, the superior general, agreed to my suggestion to toll our bells and gather Maryknollers and employees for prayer. We had about 20 minutes to throw something together.
That being said, Ms. Lucille Naughton as music director, Fr. Mike Duggan as celebrant and Fr. Ed Szendrey as cantor certainly rose to the occasion and today's service, scheduled to begin at 11:15 in the main chapel, promises indeed to be memorable.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Cultivating a culture of vocations in a spirit of renewal of the spirit of VaticanII
Two meetings in the last days neatly captures what's the buzz in the dining room. A meeting of about six men with Fr. Jim Madden (Happy Belated Birthday, btw!) brought us up-to-date (if not up-to-speed) on recent developments in the vocation department.
Of note: after three years with the "Explore My Mission" video contest that sent first-place winners to Brazil, Tanzania and Hong Kong/Korea respectively, the vocation team has decided to discontinue this effort. Whether we will follow through on a recommendation by Mr. Sam Alzheimer, president of Vianney Vocations, to facilitate sending young people overseas on mission, who return to help other young people raise their own mission funds, remains to be seen.
Similarly we have seen our last Mission Encounter here at the end of July, when men and women interested in the three Maryknoll entities come together for discussion and prayer. In it's place, there will be various gatherings around the country to make it easier for people in the South, Midwest, and west coast to attend. Thus, there will still be something here, but it probably won't draw 40+ people, or if it does, they will be coming from local states.
We all admitted to a bit of techno-whiplash as we learned that for many young people today, even websites as being sooo last millennium. Forget email. They Tweet. And they're on Facebook. And Tumblr. Of course, these are just modern developments of media. For our part, we have to make sure we have a compelling message.
And to that end, the fourth meeting of Common Table brought together 18 members to discuss our vision for mission today and in the future. I found the energy level continues to be high and similar themes arose from the smaller groups: a need for on-going personal renewal through prayer and spirituality; a recognition that "retired" is almost as meaningless as "former" since mission is a state of heart as well as mind, and that the spirit of Vatican II must begin in us if it is to continue in our church. Perhaps our mission may be to span the generational, cultural or theological divide separating us from our fellow Maryknollers.
The sudden death of Br. Jude Conniff earlier today certainly took us all by surprise. He was a gentle, optimistic, hospitable and kind missioner. His wake will be held here next Monday night, and funeral on Tuesday morning. Would that he can from his place among the saints, stir up many young men like him to join our mission efforts and our Society!
Of note: after three years with the "Explore My Mission" video contest that sent first-place winners to Brazil, Tanzania and Hong Kong/Korea respectively, the vocation team has decided to discontinue this effort. Whether we will follow through on a recommendation by Mr. Sam Alzheimer, president of Vianney Vocations, to facilitate sending young people overseas on mission, who return to help other young people raise their own mission funds, remains to be seen.
Similarly we have seen our last Mission Encounter here at the end of July, when men and women interested in the three Maryknoll entities come together for discussion and prayer. In it's place, there will be various gatherings around the country to make it easier for people in the South, Midwest, and west coast to attend. Thus, there will still be something here, but it probably won't draw 40+ people, or if it does, they will be coming from local states.
We all admitted to a bit of techno-whiplash as we learned that for many young people today, even websites as being sooo last millennium. Forget email. They Tweet. And they're on Facebook. And Tumblr. Of course, these are just modern developments of media. For our part, we have to make sure we have a compelling message.
And to that end, the fourth meeting of Common Table brought together 18 members to discuss our vision for mission today and in the future. I found the energy level continues to be high and similar themes arose from the smaller groups: a need for on-going personal renewal through prayer and spirituality; a recognition that "retired" is almost as meaningless as "former" since mission is a state of heart as well as mind, and that the spirit of Vatican II must begin in us if it is to continue in our church. Perhaps our mission may be to span the generational, cultural or theological divide separating us from our fellow Maryknollers.
The sudden death of Br. Jude Conniff earlier today certainly took us all by surprise. He was a gentle, optimistic, hospitable and kind missioner. His wake will be held here next Monday night, and funeral on Tuesday morning. Would that he can from his place among the saints, stir up many young men like him to join our mission efforts and our Society!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
The nature of priesthood (A far more serious question)
An interesting undercurrent began emerging in recent months, and especially these past days, of an underlying issue far more important than what happens to Fr. Roy Bourgeois, or even the radical and verboten topic of women's ordination (which we Maryknollers, being loyal sons of the church, would not even dare think of discussing, but which Maryknollers might, out of curiosity, just want to check out Knollnews 2.0 on the MK Bulletin Board in a few hours!)
The topic of greater import, and one which as of September 3, 2011 we are still allowed to consider, is the very nature of the Roman Catholic priesthood as it is presently construed.
Needless to say, over the millennia the priesthood has picked up a lot of superfluous baggage. (Although, I suppose, if one did it right, your curate or deacon would carry the baggage for you.)
From the militaristic trappings of the Roman imperial court to the Byzantine (in both senses of the would) accoutrements, today's priests are a far cry from the earliest presbyters of the NT, resembling more the Levitical priesthood ministering in the Temple.
But beyond that, many of us dining al fresco at the Knoll yesterday admitted that our seminary training gave us absolutely no preparation for the things we actually encountered as priests and pastors: preparing and balancing the budgets, dealing with leaking pipes and roofs and obstinate contractors, exercising leadership in an egalitarian rather than authoritarian manner.
Yes, we were well schooled in the art of priestcraft (I thank Fr. Richard Rohr for that phrase!), but unless we quickly learned the prudent practice of delegating to far-more qualified lay people, we bumbled through as best we could. Those who entered the seminary later in life after having successful business careers fared far better.
It seems to me that today's priesthood is comprised of the sacramental ministries, spiritual counseling, preaching, decision-making authority, clericalism and ecclesial power (or the lack thereof, depending on how badly one harbors the illusion of becoming bishop.)
In all this (officially non-existent) talk about ordaining women to the priesthood in the Catholic Church, shouldn't we first stop to ask want kind of priesthood we are ordaining them to?
Case-in-point, back in the day when we still had a School of Theology here at Maryknoll, among our students was a woman Anglican priest. She was refused permission to offer Mass with her classmates in either our main or Lady Chapel (topic for another blog!) but could have an outdoor Mass on our patio behind the Founder's Room.
Things went liturgically well until Communion time when she would allow only consecrated hands to minister the chalice.
See? Gender does not protect against clericalism and a Roman collar alone does not a true priest of Jesus Christ make.
The gospels are quite clear. Jesus wants his apostles to be SERVANTS; and not to lord it over one another, and to be the least if we want to be the greatest, and be willing to wash one another's feet all the time, not just once a liturgical year.
IMHO, Jesus called men and not women precisely because women already were servants. He asked men to do what women were already doing.
Unless we recapture the spirit of service as essential to priesthood, things will only get worse, as first we embrace married male clergy in a vain attempt to hold onto male dominance and then (although highly unlikely), women clerics in order to simply hold onto power.
The topic of greater import, and one which as of September 3, 2011 we are still allowed to consider, is the very nature of the Roman Catholic priesthood as it is presently construed.
Needless to say, over the millennia the priesthood has picked up a lot of superfluous baggage. (Although, I suppose, if one did it right, your curate or deacon would carry the baggage for you.)
From the militaristic trappings of the Roman imperial court to the Byzantine (in both senses of the would) accoutrements, today's priests are a far cry from the earliest presbyters of the NT, resembling more the Levitical priesthood ministering in the Temple.
But beyond that, many of us dining al fresco at the Knoll yesterday admitted that our seminary training gave us absolutely no preparation for the things we actually encountered as priests and pastors: preparing and balancing the budgets, dealing with leaking pipes and roofs and obstinate contractors, exercising leadership in an egalitarian rather than authoritarian manner.
Yes, we were well schooled in the art of priestcraft (I thank Fr. Richard Rohr for that phrase!), but unless we quickly learned the prudent practice of delegating to far-more qualified lay people, we bumbled through as best we could. Those who entered the seminary later in life after having successful business careers fared far better.
It seems to me that today's priesthood is comprised of the sacramental ministries, spiritual counseling, preaching, decision-making authority, clericalism and ecclesial power (or the lack thereof, depending on how badly one harbors the illusion of becoming bishop.)
In all this (officially non-existent) talk about ordaining women to the priesthood in the Catholic Church, shouldn't we first stop to ask want kind of priesthood we are ordaining them to?
Case-in-point, back in the day when we still had a School of Theology here at Maryknoll, among our students was a woman Anglican priest. She was refused permission to offer Mass with her classmates in either our main or Lady Chapel (topic for another blog!) but could have an outdoor Mass on our patio behind the Founder's Room.
Things went liturgically well until Communion time when she would allow only consecrated hands to minister the chalice.
See? Gender does not protect against clericalism and a Roman collar alone does not a true priest of Jesus Christ make.
The gospels are quite clear. Jesus wants his apostles to be SERVANTS; and not to lord it over one another, and to be the least if we want to be the greatest, and be willing to wash one another's feet all the time, not just once a liturgical year.
IMHO, Jesus called men and not women precisely because women already were servants. He asked men to do what women were already doing.
Unless we recapture the spirit of service as essential to priesthood, things will only get worse, as first we embrace married male clergy in a vain attempt to hold onto male dominance and then (although highly unlikely), women clerics in order to simply hold onto power.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Not yet a done deal
A NYT article dated Aug. 8, 2011 (and countless subsequent blogs and posts notwithstanding), the formal dismissal of Fr. Roy Bourgeois from Maryknoll is not a done deal, Superior General Father Ed Dougherty told a gathering of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers last Tuesday evening.
I watched a video of that meeting this morning. You get a different feel for the tenor of that gathering by seeing and hearing the questions that even my facility for twisting words and phrases beyond recognition can capture.
Although the Second Canonical Warning has indeed been delivered, the law requires a minimum of 15 days before the final letter requesting dismissal is sent to Rome for review and validation. And, of course, canon law allows Roy to formally challenge this.
In response to one question, Doc said the Society is not compelled to act within a given time frame. "We are a people of hope," he said at one point, and expressed his desire that some sort of accommodation may yet be worked out. He saw a small glimmer of hope the last time he spoke with Roy over the phone and Roy said he did not want to be dismissed.
Complicating the discussion considerably, however, has been the refusal by Roy in recent days to take any phone calls from the superior general, referring him instead to communicate through his canon lawyer. Roy also asked all future correspondence be in writing, something Doc said he felt uncomfortable doing, given Roy's penchant for maintaining an open hotline to the NCR and other publications.
At last Tuesday's meeting, other salient points that were raised which I did not report on in the previous post, dealt with the impression that Roy has somehow been denied due process.
Yet some years ago when other members were dismissed from the Society, the process was quite rapid, while in Roy's case it has gone on close to three years. Following his excommunication in 2009, "The Vatican wanted to give Roy time to reflect on his actions," Dougherty said, so they were willing to give Maryknoll time.
The case of an Augustinian priest was compared to that of Roy. The priest voluntarily stopped saying public Mass until such time (if ever) women are called to orders. The main difference is that the Augustinian acted privately and did not drag his order into the fray, whereas even to this day Roy continues to speak out openly with the MM firmly, albeit tentatively, affixed to his name.
So there you have it, folks. Less than five years after the Holy Father did away with Limbo, Maryknoll seems to be embracing it as our newest mission territory. (Is there a flag for that?) And therein we presently dwell.
*****************
Maryknoll Society Members who want to learn the INSIDE inside scoop on this meeting may log onto Maryknoll.net and read Knollnews 2.0 in the Missioners' Forum section on the Bulletin Board! (Hint: I name names!) Hey, this might entice more men to join, just to find out what Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers are really like!
I watched a video of that meeting this morning. You get a different feel for the tenor of that gathering by seeing and hearing the questions that even my facility for twisting words and phrases beyond recognition can capture.
Although the Second Canonical Warning has indeed been delivered, the law requires a minimum of 15 days before the final letter requesting dismissal is sent to Rome for review and validation. And, of course, canon law allows Roy to formally challenge this.
In response to one question, Doc said the Society is not compelled to act within a given time frame. "We are a people of hope," he said at one point, and expressed his desire that some sort of accommodation may yet be worked out. He saw a small glimmer of hope the last time he spoke with Roy over the phone and Roy said he did not want to be dismissed.
Complicating the discussion considerably, however, has been the refusal by Roy in recent days to take any phone calls from the superior general, referring him instead to communicate through his canon lawyer. Roy also asked all future correspondence be in writing, something Doc said he felt uncomfortable doing, given Roy's penchant for maintaining an open hotline to the NCR and other publications.
At last Tuesday's meeting, other salient points that were raised which I did not report on in the previous post, dealt with the impression that Roy has somehow been denied due process.
Yet some years ago when other members were dismissed from the Society, the process was quite rapid, while in Roy's case it has gone on close to three years. Following his excommunication in 2009, "The Vatican wanted to give Roy time to reflect on his actions," Dougherty said, so they were willing to give Maryknoll time.
The case of an Augustinian priest was compared to that of Roy. The priest voluntarily stopped saying public Mass until such time (if ever) women are called to orders. The main difference is that the Augustinian acted privately and did not drag his order into the fray, whereas even to this day Roy continues to speak out openly with the MM firmly, albeit tentatively, affixed to his name.
So there you have it, folks. Less than five years after the Holy Father did away with Limbo, Maryknoll seems to be embracing it as our newest mission territory. (Is there a flag for that?) And therein we presently dwell.
*****************
Maryknoll Society Members who want to learn the INSIDE inside scoop on this meeting may log onto Maryknoll.net and read Knollnews 2.0 in the Missioners' Forum section on the Bulletin Board! (Hint: I name names!) Hey, this might entice more men to join, just to find out what Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers are really like!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
BREAKING NEWS! This just in... [Updated 11:05 a.m. EDT]
Fr. Leo Shea, Chief Coordinator for All Centenary Celebrations Here at the Center or St. Patrick's Cathedral, has announced that the 30' Centenary banner, so rudely blown off our tower by Hurricane Irene, will, in fact, be rehung. Mother Nature can't rain on our parade.
Now, if we can just get the choir to sing "Nearer, My God, To Thee," the Titanic symbolism would be complete. Of course, with the impending departure of Ms. Lucille Naughton as our most excellent choir director after many years of very fine service (she actually was director when I was ordained in 1978!) and having as yet to hire a replacement, the choir might be at a loss to sing anything.
On a totally unrelated note (Get it? Note = music), I have heard third-hand that I may be able to view a video of last Tuesday's gathering, which I am wont to do although it may put me in the awkward and unfamiliar position of having to actually know what I'm talking about.
Overheard at the outdoor breakfast table where a Maryknoller was about to kill one of the annoying hornets that buzz our al fresco dining this time of year:
"Don't kill it! You must show compassion to all sentient beings!"
"Yeah? Well that eliminates most guys living here."
Speaking of which (my segues are not intended to make sense) Mr. Bob Short, former MLM currently working in MEPD on all things Centenary related, reports that after careful inquiry among the People of God, he found there is indeed a Time Capsule in our cornerstone and he has located a list of its contents. I will post these once I get a list from him. No word yet on whether we are actually planning on cracking open our cornerstone to retrieve those items, add more from this year, and rebury for another 50 years, at which time the owners of the Chinese Casino and Buffet who will occupy this place can decide what to do with it.
******
This was emailed to me by Bob Short:
Time Capsule (Corner Stone)
Ellen Pierce sent me the MARYKNOLL CENTER DIARY AND NEWS NOTES from October of 1953. Two paragraphs by Father Edward A. McGurkin within those Notes (I have not altered the text) say:
A Chi Rho is cut on one side of the stone. On front is inscribed “A.D. 1953.” All this went into the stone before it was sealed: the certificate of identification, a picture of Pope Pius XII, a photo of Bishop James Anthony Walsh and a photo of Father Price, various souvenirs submitted by Mother Mary Joseph, a copy of our Constitutions, a copy of “The Early Days of Maryknoll,” address list of the Priests and Brothers, our basic seniority list, the Maryknoll Sisters’ address list, the Cloister pamphlet “God So Loved the World,” copies of The Field Afar, plaque and medal of Our Lady of Maryknoll, copy of the Maryknoll Fathers Prayer Book, memorial cards of Fathers and Brothers, and that’s not all; just wait while we start a new paragraph here.
Did you hear about Father Joe Donovan’s wealthy friend who made a pile of dough while working in a Pittsburgh bakery? To let future generations know what we have endured, it was suggested that we toss into the cornerstone some of Father Donny’s cornballs. Another idea was to toss in Father Donny. Period. Now here’s the rest of the pile that went into the stone: Acts and Motions of the three General Chapters, a selection of Council Decrees, U.S.A. coins of 1953, a copy of the New York Times of Oct. 3, 1953, cancelled stamps, promotional folders, the Personnel and Statistical Report of 1946, scholastic catalogues of the Seminary, Glen Ellyn, Lakewood and the Venard, this year’s roster of all our training houses, the September Council Bulletin, the October Diary Digest and the Center News Notes for August 1953. It looks as if Father Dietz just about cleaned out the bottom drawer of his desk.
Also referenced in an early paragraph was the following:
The testimonial of blessing, which was sealed later in the cornerstone, concluded with these lines from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. “You are citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone in Whom the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord: in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the spirit.”
Bob
[Blogger's note: It's nice to see Bishop McGurkin also displayed a droll sense of humor. The tradition lives on!]
Now, if we can just get the choir to sing "Nearer, My God, To Thee," the Titanic symbolism would be complete. Of course, with the impending departure of Ms. Lucille Naughton as our most excellent choir director after many years of very fine service (she actually was director when I was ordained in 1978!) and having as yet to hire a replacement, the choir might be at a loss to sing anything.
On a totally unrelated note (Get it? Note = music), I have heard third-hand that I may be able to view a video of last Tuesday's gathering, which I am wont to do although it may put me in the awkward and unfamiliar position of having to actually know what I'm talking about.
Overheard at the outdoor breakfast table where a Maryknoller was about to kill one of the annoying hornets that buzz our al fresco dining this time of year:
"Don't kill it! You must show compassion to all sentient beings!"
"Yeah? Well that eliminates most guys living here."
Speaking of which (my segues are not intended to make sense) Mr. Bob Short, former MLM currently working in MEPD on all things Centenary related, reports that after careful inquiry among the People of God, he found there is indeed a Time Capsule in our cornerstone and he has located a list of its contents. I will post these once I get a list from him. No word yet on whether we are actually planning on cracking open our cornerstone to retrieve those items, add more from this year, and rebury for another 50 years, at which time the owners of the Chinese Casino and Buffet who will occupy this place can decide what to do with it.
******
This was emailed to me by Bob Short:
Time Capsule (Corner Stone)
Ellen Pierce sent me the MARYKNOLL CENTER DIARY AND NEWS NOTES from October of 1953. Two paragraphs by Father Edward A. McGurkin within those Notes (I have not altered the text) say:
A Chi Rho is cut on one side of the stone. On front is inscribed “A.D. 1953.” All this went into the stone before it was sealed: the certificate of identification, a picture of Pope Pius XII, a photo of Bishop James Anthony Walsh and a photo of Father Price, various souvenirs submitted by Mother Mary Joseph, a copy of our Constitutions, a copy of “The Early Days of Maryknoll,” address list of the Priests and Brothers, our basic seniority list, the Maryknoll Sisters’ address list, the Cloister pamphlet “God So Loved the World,” copies of The Field Afar, plaque and medal of Our Lady of Maryknoll, copy of the Maryknoll Fathers Prayer Book, memorial cards of Fathers and Brothers, and that’s not all; just wait while we start a new paragraph here.
Did you hear about Father Joe Donovan’s wealthy friend who made a pile of dough while working in a Pittsburgh bakery? To let future generations know what we have endured, it was suggested that we toss into the cornerstone some of Father Donny’s cornballs. Another idea was to toss in Father Donny. Period. Now here’s the rest of the pile that went into the stone: Acts and Motions of the three General Chapters, a selection of Council Decrees, U.S.A. coins of 1953, a copy of the New York Times of Oct. 3, 1953, cancelled stamps, promotional folders, the Personnel and Statistical Report of 1946, scholastic catalogues of the Seminary, Glen Ellyn, Lakewood and the Venard, this year’s roster of all our training houses, the September Council Bulletin, the October Diary Digest and the Center News Notes for August 1953. It looks as if Father Dietz just about cleaned out the bottom drawer of his desk.
Also referenced in an early paragraph was the following:
The testimonial of blessing, which was sealed later in the cornerstone, concluded with these lines from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. “You are citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone in Whom the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord: in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the spirit.”
Bob
[Blogger's note: It's nice to see Bishop McGurkin also displayed a droll sense of humor. The tradition lives on!]
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Huffington Post: RABBI FRED SCHERLINDER DOBB: Tar Sands and the Jewish Month of Change
Read more about the Tar Sands protest here:
Sent from my most excellent iPhone
Fr. Jim Noonan arrested
Maybe I should start attending the Happy Hour instead of relying on the salad bar for info. Fr. Joe La Mar reports that at the Happy Hour, Fr. Jim Noonan shared that he was arrested along with 64 others at a demonstration at the White House on August 21. Ms. Marie Dennis, head of Maryknoll Office of Global Concerns, was also arrested.
The group Tar Sands Action calls for protests and acts of civil disobedience over the coming days against the proposed Canada-Texas Keystone XL Pipeline project, slated to carry toxic "bitumen" (a low grade of oil extracted out of tarry earth) from the Tar Sands region of Alberta Canada, south across the great plains and the vital Ogallala aquifer, all the way to the Gulf Coast near Houston.
In a blog by Rose On, she states:
"Some highlights from Saturday: Jim Antal, former head of Fellowship of Reconciliation and now president of the Massachussetts Conference of the United Church of Christ was arrested. Kristy Powell, originator of the One Dress Protest, was arrested. Lt. Dan Choi, leader of the protest against the former military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, was arrested. Fr. Jim Noonan, Maryknoll Catholic priest, who spent years in Cambodia under Pol Pot serving AIDS patients was arrested."
A little fact-checking is in order. Pol Pot stepped down in 1979, a year before the HIV virus was identified. Noonan didn't go to Vietnam until much later, but did indeed minister to people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
It's nice to know that once we dismiss that pesky R.B, Maryknoll's newly acquired (and totally undeserved) reputation for passivity and obedience to the rule of law will be mercifully short-lived.
The group Tar Sands Action calls for protests and acts of civil disobedience over the coming days against the proposed Canada-Texas Keystone XL Pipeline project, slated to carry toxic "bitumen" (a low grade of oil extracted out of tarry earth) from the Tar Sands region of Alberta Canada, south across the great plains and the vital Ogallala aquifer, all the way to the Gulf Coast near Houston.
In a blog by Rose On, she states:
"Some highlights from Saturday: Jim Antal, former head of Fellowship of Reconciliation and now president of the Massachussetts Conference of the United Church of Christ was arrested. Kristy Powell, originator of the One Dress Protest, was arrested. Lt. Dan Choi, leader of the protest against the former military policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, was arrested. Fr. Jim Noonan, Maryknoll Catholic priest, who spent years in Cambodia under Pol Pot serving AIDS patients was arrested."
A little fact-checking is in order. Pol Pot stepped down in 1979, a year before the HIV virus was identified. Noonan didn't go to Vietnam until much later, but did indeed minister to people suffering from HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
It's nice to know that once we dismiss that pesky R.B, Maryknoll's newly acquired (and totally undeserved) reputation for passivity and obedience to the rule of law will be mercifully short-lived.
Doyle for the defense
I finally got around to my weekly emptying of my snail-mailbox, only to find I, too, have received TWO letters (of six and five pages respectively), the first dated August 16, 2011 and the second August 21, outlining the defense of Fr. Roy Bourgeois, prepared and proposed by Thomas P. Doyle, J.C.D., M.A., M.Ch.A., C.A.D.C.
Gotta tell you, if those initials don't give you pause, the content of the documents will.
That being said, I am faced with a dilemma. My copy came with a brief note from Roy that I am to share it with the community. I presume it's our Maryknoll community. Also, Roy disseminated it with the knowledge and consent of his procurator-advocate.
The document itself is addressed to the superior general and the members of the General Council, who are at a distinct disadvantage here because they are loathe to move the upcoming canonical proceedings into the open venue of trial by social networking and public opinion.
That being said, as I mentioned earlier, several Maryknollers have already received a copy of the defense, so this is hardly a breach of client privilege let alone confidentiality. (Transparency can be a real bite in the butt.)
Ergo, I am willing to email a copy of Roy's defense to any Society member who requests it.
Till then, allow me to give you a very brief summary of the summary.
1) The ban on women's ordination is not infallible;
2) The ban on women's ordination is not part of the Deposit of Faith to which all Catholics must give assent;
3) The ban is not essential to the core of Catholicism, nor does questioning it amount to a rejection of the teachings of Christ;
4) Tradition notwithstanding, Christ did not ordain anyone to anything at the Last Supper.
5) No one has been gravely harmed by Roy's action to the point of physical or emotional, let alone spiritual damage.
6) None of the clerics or hierarchs involved in THE scandal of the century has been so punished.
In addition, Doyle emphasizes an illegitimate demand that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made on Roy to betray his conscience, as well as several irregularities by the CDF in communicating its penalties.
Man, would I love to witness this trial, as I am sure there will be an equally spirited prosecution.
Ah, but Canon Law has no place for Judge Judy.
Besides, as with the case against Fr.Bob Nugent and Sr.Jeanine Gramick 15 years ago, there is something decidedly Down the Rabbit Hole in the way the Vatican operates.
From "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", Chapter Twelve:
"'Let the jury consider their verdict,' the King said, for about the twentieth time that day.
'No, no!' said the Queen. 'Sentence first - verdict afterwards.'
'Stuff and nonsense!' said Alice loudly. 'The idea of having the sentence first!'
'Hold your tongue!' said the Queen, turning purple.
'I won't!' said Alice.
'Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved."
Gotta tell you, if those initials don't give you pause, the content of the documents will.
That being said, I am faced with a dilemma. My copy came with a brief note from Roy that I am to share it with the community. I presume it's our Maryknoll community. Also, Roy disseminated it with the knowledge and consent of his procurator-advocate.
The document itself is addressed to the superior general and the members of the General Council, who are at a distinct disadvantage here because they are loathe to move the upcoming canonical proceedings into the open venue of trial by social networking and public opinion.
That being said, as I mentioned earlier, several Maryknollers have already received a copy of the defense, so this is hardly a breach of client privilege let alone confidentiality. (Transparency can be a real bite in the butt.)
Ergo, I am willing to email a copy of Roy's defense to any Society member who requests it.
Till then, allow me to give you a very brief summary of the summary.
1) The ban on women's ordination is not infallible;
2) The ban on women's ordination is not part of the Deposit of Faith to which all Catholics must give assent;
3) The ban is not essential to the core of Catholicism, nor does questioning it amount to a rejection of the teachings of Christ;
4) Tradition notwithstanding, Christ did not ordain anyone to anything at the Last Supper.
5) No one has been gravely harmed by Roy's action to the point of physical or emotional, let alone spiritual damage.
6) None of the clerics or hierarchs involved in THE scandal of the century has been so punished.
In addition, Doyle emphasizes an illegitimate demand that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith made on Roy to betray his conscience, as well as several irregularities by the CDF in communicating its penalties.
Man, would I love to witness this trial, as I am sure there will be an equally spirited prosecution.
Ah, but Canon Law has no place for Judge Judy.
Besides, as with the case against Fr.Bob Nugent and Sr.Jeanine Gramick 15 years ago, there is something decidedly Down the Rabbit Hole in the way the Vatican operates.
From "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", Chapter Twelve:
"'Let the jury consider their verdict,' the King said, for about the twentieth time that day.
'No, no!' said the Queen. 'Sentence first - verdict afterwards.'
'Stuff and nonsense!' said Alice loudly. 'The idea of having the sentence first!'
'Hold your tongue!' said the Queen, turning purple.
'I won't!' said Alice.
'Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved."
Shimmering shades of gray
(No, I'm not referring to hair color.)
The dining room was all abuzz this morning with animated discussions of yesterday's conversation with the superior general and his Council.
It was a first. Imagine! No less than 55 Society members discussed the events leading up to the process of dismissal from Maryknoll of Father Roy Bourgeois. No chairs were flung. No voices raised. No tables pounded. (Whether due to wisdom or battle fatigue, I have yet to determine)
But radically divergent views were openly expressed, and heard, and respected. And guys left smiling. (Are we talking about Maryknollers????)
Channel 15 streamed the meeting live to the guys at St. T's.
What emerged was the painful complexity of trying to separate personal opinions regarding Roy and his actions from the reaction of the Vatican and the impact all this has on Maryknoll. For many of us, its not just back and white. Some guys who support Roy's position nonetheless disagree with his tactics; others disagree with both and think Maryknoll has been overly indulgent with him and disciplinary action is long overdue; still others regard Roy as a prophet, however flawed, and strongly support him and his actions and think both Maryknoll and the Vatican are on the wrong side of history.
Some background to put this into perspective:
Back in the day (May, 1981) when Roy performed his now infamous disappearing act in El Salvador, at a time when such events usually ended in a shallow grave, Maryknoll's then superior general went out on a (what turned out to be very shaky) limb by publicly holding that country's military responsible should any harm befall the Maryknoller. We're talking NYT material.
After Roy ambled out of the jungle unscathed some days later and explained he had initiated this in order to commune with "los muchachos" (as the rebels were called), the super G had the proverbial egg on his face. Paradoxically, that same Maryknoller today remains one of Roy's staunchest supporters.
Conversely, a point was made that Roy never offered a single word of acknowledgement, let alone regret or apology for the anxiety and subsequent embarrassment his actions caused Maryknoll. Then as now, a pattern emerges.
Catholic deference to the primacy of a well-informed conscience came up in the conversation, with the emphasis on the "well-informed".
It goes without saying but merits repeating that this situation has soured our relationship with the U.S. Bishops, as well as with Rome, although it can equally be argued that it has also soured our relationship with many Catholics, both our supporters and our detractors. At this point, no matter what Maryknoll does or doesn't do, some people are going to be very displeased.
Funny thing, all this brouhaha comes down to a six-letter word: former.
Even if he is dismissed, Roy's monthly personal allowance from Maryknoll is assured as is his health care coverage. All that will change is that, in future public events, Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois will, instead, be referred to as former Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois. Will this placate Rome and the bishops? We'll find out.
Nothing was solved by yesterday's gathering, but that wasn't the intention. Men got to speak their minds in an atmosphere of fraternal respect. Issues and feelings simmering just below the surface finally came into the light of day. We now know where each other stands. And in the end, for all the tension and bad publicity and ambiguity (creative or otherwise), we are still proud to be members of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America.
The dining room was all abuzz this morning with animated discussions of yesterday's conversation with the superior general and his Council.
It was a first. Imagine! No less than 55 Society members discussed the events leading up to the process of dismissal from Maryknoll of Father Roy Bourgeois. No chairs were flung. No voices raised. No tables pounded. (Whether due to wisdom or battle fatigue, I have yet to determine)
But radically divergent views were openly expressed, and heard, and respected. And guys left smiling. (Are we talking about Maryknollers????)
Channel 15 streamed the meeting live to the guys at St. T's.
What emerged was the painful complexity of trying to separate personal opinions regarding Roy and his actions from the reaction of the Vatican and the impact all this has on Maryknoll. For many of us, its not just back and white. Some guys who support Roy's position nonetheless disagree with his tactics; others disagree with both and think Maryknoll has been overly indulgent with him and disciplinary action is long overdue; still others regard Roy as a prophet, however flawed, and strongly support him and his actions and think both Maryknoll and the Vatican are on the wrong side of history.
Some background to put this into perspective:
Back in the day (May, 1981) when Roy performed his now infamous disappearing act in El Salvador, at a time when such events usually ended in a shallow grave, Maryknoll's then superior general went out on a (what turned out to be very shaky) limb by publicly holding that country's military responsible should any harm befall the Maryknoller. We're talking NYT material.
After Roy ambled out of the jungle unscathed some days later and explained he had initiated this in order to commune with "los muchachos" (as the rebels were called), the super G had the proverbial egg on his face. Paradoxically, that same Maryknoller today remains one of Roy's staunchest supporters.
Conversely, a point was made that Roy never offered a single word of acknowledgement, let alone regret or apology for the anxiety and subsequent embarrassment his actions caused Maryknoll. Then as now, a pattern emerges.
Catholic deference to the primacy of a well-informed conscience came up in the conversation, with the emphasis on the "well-informed".
It goes without saying but merits repeating that this situation has soured our relationship with the U.S. Bishops, as well as with Rome, although it can equally be argued that it has also soured our relationship with many Catholics, both our supporters and our detractors. At this point, no matter what Maryknoll does or doesn't do, some people are going to be very displeased.
Funny thing, all this brouhaha comes down to a six-letter word: former.
Even if he is dismissed, Roy's monthly personal allowance from Maryknoll is assured as is his health care coverage. All that will change is that, in future public events, Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois will, instead, be referred to as former Maryknoll Father Roy Bourgeois. Will this placate Rome and the bishops? We'll find out.
Nothing was solved by yesterday's gathering, but that wasn't the intention. Men got to speak their minds in an atmosphere of fraternal respect. Issues and feelings simmering just below the surface finally came into the light of day. We now know where each other stands. And in the end, for all the tension and bad publicity and ambiguity (creative or otherwise), we are still proud to be members of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America.
Haitian Day, postponement 2b
The Haitian Day event that had been postponed last Saturday because of Hurricane Irene was to have taken place this Saturday, September 3. However, that being Labor Day weekend, busses are in short supply, so the date has been moved again to September 24.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Locking the barn door....
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the Asia Room there will be a conversation between the members and the entire General Council, including the superior general, to discuss developments in the Society and around the Maryknoll world (let the reader take note).
Because the discussion will be in a "Blog-Free" Zone, the precise content will not be divulged here on this website. This allows everyone to express his opinion openly without fear of reading about it on Knollnews or in the NCR. Or the New York Times. Or Ripley's Believe It Or Not.
That being said, the overarching theme that will be used to prime the conversational pump, as it were, is "How We Got Where We Now Are and Where Do We Go From Here?"
Alas, I have a previous commitment and will not be here this evening, so the temptation posed by my twitching fingers to blog will thus be avoided. I spoke to at least four other guys who also said they learned about this too late and will also not be able to attend. I trust that enough interested parties will be present for a frank and candid exchange of gun...er...I mean opinions.
The very fact that our superior and his Council are willing to sit and chat with us is a welcome development, as communication and transparency have been sorely missed nigh these past three years (or since the last Chapter declared that communication and transparency would be the desired goals in the coming years.)
Maryknollers being Maryknollers, I harbor no illusions we will even attain a "We must hang together or we shall most assuredly hang separately" (cf. Ben Franklin) moment.
That being said, let me offer my two cents in absentia. Is it too late to offer Roy a cease fire? To wit: The third canonical warning letter, which in effect dismisses him from Maryknoll, will be held in abeyance in exchange for him issuing a public disclaimer at EVERY future forum that his actions and words on behalf of women's ordination do not in any way reflect the position of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. Similarly, can he, in exchange for retaining the M.M. after his name, make an effort in every future interview with reporters and the media to instruct them to leave Maryknoll's name out of the discussion?
I fear this and other suggestions are moot at this point.
Two people have approached me with copies of Roy's legal defense in the upcoming trial. This is not mine to share. I heard from one source that Maryknoll has retained canonical counsel of equal stature as Rev. Thomas Doyle, J.C.D., who is defending Roy, so we are in for a battle royale and are no more able to influence impending events any more than we were able to stop Hurricane Irene from wreaking havoc all along the Eastern seaboard.
Because the discussion will be in a "Blog-Free" Zone, the precise content will not be divulged here on this website. This allows everyone to express his opinion openly without fear of reading about it on Knollnews or in the NCR. Or the New York Times. Or Ripley's Believe It Or Not.
That being said, the overarching theme that will be used to prime the conversational pump, as it were, is "How We Got Where We Now Are and Where Do We Go From Here?"
Alas, I have a previous commitment and will not be here this evening, so the temptation posed by my twitching fingers to blog will thus be avoided. I spoke to at least four other guys who also said they learned about this too late and will also not be able to attend. I trust that enough interested parties will be present for a frank and candid exchange of gun...er...I mean opinions.
The very fact that our superior and his Council are willing to sit and chat with us is a welcome development, as communication and transparency have been sorely missed nigh these past three years (or since the last Chapter declared that communication and transparency would be the desired goals in the coming years.)
Maryknollers being Maryknollers, I harbor no illusions we will even attain a "We must hang together or we shall most assuredly hang separately" (cf. Ben Franklin) moment.
That being said, let me offer my two cents in absentia. Is it too late to offer Roy a cease fire? To wit: The third canonical warning letter, which in effect dismisses him from Maryknoll, will be held in abeyance in exchange for him issuing a public disclaimer at EVERY future forum that his actions and words on behalf of women's ordination do not in any way reflect the position of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America. Similarly, can he, in exchange for retaining the M.M. after his name, make an effort in every future interview with reporters and the media to instruct them to leave Maryknoll's name out of the discussion?
I fear this and other suggestions are moot at this point.
Two people have approached me with copies of Roy's legal defense in the upcoming trial. This is not mine to share. I heard from one source that Maryknoll has retained canonical counsel of equal stature as Rev. Thomas Doyle, J.C.D., who is defending Roy, so we are in for a battle royale and are no more able to influence impending events any more than we were able to stop Hurricane Irene from wreaking havoc all along the Eastern seaboard.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Irene aftermath
Luckily the only damage Irene inflicted upon the Knoll as she punched us in the face on Saturday and Sunday was a few fallen trees, some leaky rooms---and the Centennial banner that had till now graced our tower. This latter blew up on our roof. Whether it will be re-hung to finish out 2011 remains to be seen.
Locally, traffic lights are still out in some parts of Ossining, notably where Camp Woods Road meets Route 133 on the way to Chilmark. That intersection has been bifurcated by traffic cones and tape to discourage through-traffic twixt Chilmark and here and forcing cars up or down Route 133.
The 9A South exit toward Briarcliff Manor is closed until the 2' deep x 20' wide trench caused by the ramp's collapse can be repaired.
Elmsford took the worst hit with massive flooding that has yet to subside.
As expected, all local highways with River or Brook in their names turned into them making Monday's commute a nightmare for many. Metro North had to literally dig out tracks from mudslides before it could resume limited Sunday scheduling today.
Fr. Stephen Taluja posted via Facebook that the electricity went out Saturday night where he is helping out at a parish in Garden City on the Island. As of Monday morning he was still without power and was able to re-charge his cell phone at a local Starbucks.
Haitian Day, cancelled because of the impending storm, has been rescheduled for this Saturday, sans tents. Pray that puffy clouds shelter the expected 550+ participants from the heat of the sun as they will still dine al fresco.
Kudos to all who heeded the warnings and prayers for those who suffered loss of loved ones and property.
Locally, traffic lights are still out in some parts of Ossining, notably where Camp Woods Road meets Route 133 on the way to Chilmark. That intersection has been bifurcated by traffic cones and tape to discourage through-traffic twixt Chilmark and here and forcing cars up or down Route 133.
The 9A South exit toward Briarcliff Manor is closed until the 2' deep x 20' wide trench caused by the ramp's collapse can be repaired.
Elmsford took the worst hit with massive flooding that has yet to subside.
As expected, all local highways with River or Brook in their names turned into them making Monday's commute a nightmare for many. Metro North had to literally dig out tracks from mudslides before it could resume limited Sunday scheduling today.
Fr. Stephen Taluja posted via Facebook that the electricity went out Saturday night where he is helping out at a parish in Garden City on the Island. As of Monday morning he was still without power and was able to re-charge his cell phone at a local Starbucks.
Haitian Day, cancelled because of the impending storm, has been rescheduled for this Saturday, sans tents. Pray that puffy clouds shelter the expected 550+ participants from the heat of the sun as they will still dine al fresco.
Kudos to all who heeded the warnings and prayers for those who suffered loss of loved ones and property.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Strike the set!
The St. Paul Cheong Ha-Sang Sunday school workshop has been cancelled at Maryknoll and will, instead, be a one-day workshop at the parish tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. or until rising waters force us to quit.
Gathering storm (Parts one & two)
A gathering of Maryknollers that calls itself "Common Table" met for the third time in two months to discuss ways to refan into flames the smoldering embers of Vatican II.
In addition to "The Situation", models of authority as presently exercised by leadership, communication and transparency (or the lack and need thereof) were also discussed. The meaning of our oath, and whether we consider ourselves primarily priests and Brothers, or Missioners, or Maryknollers were shared. Ways we might refound Maryknoll and mission in the 21st century were also briefly mentioned as topics for future deliberation.
A voluntary steering committee of four members will facilitate topics for the next gathering, to which all Society members are invited. Only attendees will get detailed minutes.
**************
Another topic discussed was our reaction to the gathering earlier Wednesday, when Monsignor Bill Brentwood, pastoral vicar from the New York archdiocese, gamely described the ways Holy Mother Church will strive to get the Eucharistic toothpaste back inside the liturgical tube.
Apparently the guiding rubric and answer to most questions about the New Roman Missal is "Because it's closer to the Latin", in fulfillment of the Lord's injunction: "By this shall all know you are my disciples, if your worship more closely reflects the Latin."
Never mind that Latin scholars pointed up THOUSANDS (OK, hundreds) of mistranslations among the 10,000+ changes that were made to the Mass AFTER the U.S. Bishops signed off on the "final" draft.
Never mind the contradiction that "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" will be dropped because "there is no Latin translation" when, in fact, in the Pre-Vatican II days there were NO Eucharistic acclamations and all were made AFTER the Council. Someone (Cardinal Wilton Gregory, I hear) didn't like it so out it goes.
Never mind that "Chalice" replaces "Cup" in the words of consecration, being "closer to the Latin" "Calix", although inexplicably "Cup" survives into Eucharistic Acclamation B "...and drink think this cup..." (Whoops! Now they might catch this before the books come out October 1)
The egalitarian accessibility to the liturgy once proffered by Mass in the vernacular will be thus sacrificed on the high altar of clerical Romanocentric conformity.
On the other hand, we delude ourselves if we think people will get their bloomers all in a twist over this. Hell, they stuck around during the days when the Mass was entirely in Latin and Greek. The Powers-That-Be are equally deluded if they think this will in any way stem, much less reverse, the hemoragghing of active Catholics from attendance at Mass.
The good Monsignor sought to assuage our misgivings by assuring us this, too, is a work in progress which will be reviewed, evaluated and changed as necessary, "in about 40 years."
Yeah, I'm assuaged.
In addition to "The Situation", models of authority as presently exercised by leadership, communication and transparency (or the lack and need thereof) were also discussed. The meaning of our oath, and whether we consider ourselves primarily priests and Brothers, or Missioners, or Maryknollers were shared. Ways we might refound Maryknoll and mission in the 21st century were also briefly mentioned as topics for future deliberation.
A voluntary steering committee of four members will facilitate topics for the next gathering, to which all Society members are invited. Only attendees will get detailed minutes.
**************
Another topic discussed was our reaction to the gathering earlier Wednesday, when Monsignor Bill Brentwood, pastoral vicar from the New York archdiocese, gamely described the ways Holy Mother Church will strive to get the Eucharistic toothpaste back inside the liturgical tube.
Apparently the guiding rubric and answer to most questions about the New Roman Missal is "Because it's closer to the Latin", in fulfillment of the Lord's injunction: "By this shall all know you are my disciples, if your worship more closely reflects the Latin."
Never mind that Latin scholars pointed up THOUSANDS (OK, hundreds) of mistranslations among the 10,000+ changes that were made to the Mass AFTER the U.S. Bishops signed off on the "final" draft.
Never mind the contradiction that "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again" will be dropped because "there is no Latin translation" when, in fact, in the Pre-Vatican II days there were NO Eucharistic acclamations and all were made AFTER the Council. Someone (Cardinal Wilton Gregory, I hear) didn't like it so out it goes.
Never mind that "Chalice" replaces "Cup" in the words of consecration, being "closer to the Latin" "Calix", although inexplicably "Cup" survives into Eucharistic Acclamation B "...and drink think this cup..." (Whoops! Now they might catch this before the books come out October 1)
The egalitarian accessibility to the liturgy once proffered by Mass in the vernacular will be thus sacrificed on the high altar of clerical Romanocentric conformity.
On the other hand, we delude ourselves if we think people will get their bloomers all in a twist over this. Hell, they stuck around during the days when the Mass was entirely in Latin and Greek. The Powers-That-Be are equally deluded if they think this will in any way stem, much less reverse, the hemoragghing of active Catholics from attendance at Mass.
The good Monsignor sought to assuage our misgivings by assuring us this, too, is a work in progress which will be reviewed, evaluated and changed as necessary, "in about 40 years."
Yeah, I'm assuaged.
Gathering storms (Part Three)
Where to begin? The sunny albeit humid weather belies the monster storm barreling down (or up) the east coast even as I blog. Scheduled to unleash nature's fury in the form of a Catagory 2 hurricane, Irene threatens to make this weekend memorable.
The Haitian Day will go on as planned starting tomorrow, but the question remains whether the scattered, preliminary thunderstorms scheduled for tomorrow morning will discourage any of the 550 people from leaving their homes to board buses Maryknoll-bound.
The full brunt of the storm will not be felt until Saturday night. So, Maryknoll Fr. Romane St. Vil, who hosts this annual event, has already curtailed their schedule, now ending at 2:30 rather than 5:00 p.m. to allow guests to get safely home. The tent company is sending out an emergency crew to dismantle the tents and take away the tables and chairs and thus deprive Irene of some potentially lethal projectiles.
I am also in communication with my Korean Sunday school teachers who are also intending to participate in a workshop here tomorrow into Sunday. Again, getting home with flooded roads and downed trees may cause them to scuttle their plans.
Gov. Cuomo just ordered the closing of all mass transit beginning 12:00 p.m. tomorrow. This effectively cancels plans for Fr. Ed Dougherty, superior general, to fill in for me at the 9:30 Mass at St. Paul's in Flushing in Sunday. He had planned to take the Number 7 And since I can't get there, they may be without an English-speaking priest. Then again, I doubt even Koreans, famous for their strong piety even in the midst of hardship, will brave the floods and tempest to attend Sunday Mass.
I will post Gathering Storms Parts Two and One anon.
The Haitian Day will go on as planned starting tomorrow, but the question remains whether the scattered, preliminary thunderstorms scheduled for tomorrow morning will discourage any of the 550 people from leaving their homes to board buses Maryknoll-bound.
The full brunt of the storm will not be felt until Saturday night. So, Maryknoll Fr. Romane St. Vil, who hosts this annual event, has already curtailed their schedule, now ending at 2:30 rather than 5:00 p.m. to allow guests to get safely home. The tent company is sending out an emergency crew to dismantle the tents and take away the tables and chairs and thus deprive Irene of some potentially lethal projectiles.
I am also in communication with my Korean Sunday school teachers who are also intending to participate in a workshop here tomorrow into Sunday. Again, getting home with flooded roads and downed trees may cause them to scuttle their plans.
Gov. Cuomo just ordered the closing of all mass transit beginning 12:00 p.m. tomorrow. This effectively cancels plans for Fr. Ed Dougherty, superior general, to fill in for me at the 9:30 Mass at St. Paul's in Flushing in Sunday. He had planned to take the Number 7 And since I can't get there, they may be without an English-speaking priest. Then again, I doubt even Koreans, famous for their strong piety even in the midst of hardship, will brave the floods and tempest to attend Sunday Mass.
I will post Gathering Storms Parts Two and One anon.
A sighting!
I, armed with only the camera function on my iPhone, have captured a picture of the equally elusive Father Ken Sleyman as proof he does indeed exist.
Rumored to frequent a medical college on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido where he purportedly teaches medical ethics, Ken appeared unannounced here at the Knoll with sisters and nephew in tow.
They harbored illusions of taking in the sights in Manhattan yesterday before the weather turned nasty, which it did by noon.
My favorite story about Ken took place back in the day when he and Barbara Pavelka, both nurses as well as Maryknoll lay missioners, worked on the southeastern Korean island of Sorokdo. This island for Hansen's disease patients was so small that Barb and Ken (yeah, I know) had phone numbers "3" and "4" respectively.
Nevertheless, Ken was so elusive even then that he and Barb only saw each other when they came up to Seoul for meetings!
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