The bishop is a shepherd

From St. Thomas of Villanova's sermon on the Birth of Christ:

"Today's shepherds watch carefully over income and tithes, and the flock is the least of their concerns. One shepherd spends his time in the court of princes, another is entangled in secular business, another devotes himself to games and the hunt, another goes off to Rome to acquire a higher rank. Meanwhile the flock of Christ is left to mercenaries to despoil and ravage and scatter; care of the sheep is left to wolves. What else will a hungry wolf do but tear and destroy and kill? This is why nowadays knowledge of divine secrets and the light of spiritual revelations has passed from prelates to the least little lambs of the flock.

Where shall we find today a bishop who is famous for miracles, conspicuous for holiness, fervent in spirit, an explorer of the scriptures, outstanding for doctrine, a searcher of things heavenly, and a despiser of the things of time? Where is the bishop who from unbounded intimacy with God is both aware of God's secrets and able, like a new Moses, to stand like a wall between an angry God and the house of Israel, and who by his extraordinary holiness and outstanding doctrine has become an example to the Lord's flock and a model of virtue?"

AngelQueen featured a post of an exhortation from the Archbishop of Smyrna in Turkey in which a Muslim auhority said during an interreiligious dialogue that such events are not organised by Muslims because "You [Christians] have nothing to teach us and we have nothing to learn."

Now CNS reports the mayor of Rome has organised yet another interreligious meeting between Christians, Jews and Muslims. When will they learn that such meetings achieve bare anything on the social front and absolutely nothing on the religious front, except to advocate religious pluralism over against objective truth.

Reports are that Katie Holmes is hestitant about marrying Tom Cruise because she fears been unable to commit to Cruise (and all that he brings with him, notably Scientology). Mind you that didn't stop her committing fornication and conceiving a child, which will no doubt become the property of Cruise. Another concern for Ms. Holmes is that her fledgling career will be pushed into the background or at least stifled, as is evident from scripts she has been offered being screened and scrutinised by a member of the Church of Scientology.

Despite being a firm believer in the sanctity of marriage, I do hope Ms. Holmes pulls out of the marriage because it will not benefit her either in mind, body and particularly soul.

When is a church a concert hall?

This week's liturgical question on Zenit is from a reader in Bunbury who asks: In what circumstances can a cathedral be used for a non-liturgical purpose such as a concert of secular operatic arias?

Now before I provide Fr. McNamara's answer, it appears that today the line between the liturgical and non-liturgical, the sacred and profane, has become blurred when you consider the antics that often take place in the sanctuary and among the pews. While it is more often parish churches that are subject to sacrilege and scandal, there are occasions when even the cathedral is not immune. A classic example of the latter would be the dedication of the new table (it is definitely not an altar given its size and almost square shape) in Los Angeles as depicted on the cover of Michael Davies Liturgical Time Bombs in Vatican II.

That said, here is the answer from Fr. McNamara taken from a declaration of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments on 'Concerts in Churches' (it may be noted the title of the document refers to all churches):

III. Practical Directives

8. The regulation of the use of churches is stipulated by canon 1210 of the Code of Canon Law:

In a sacred place only those things are to be permitted which serve to exercise or promote worship, piety and religion. Anything out of harmony with the holiness of the place is forbidden. The Ordinary may, however, for individual cases, permit other uses, provided they are not contrary to the sacred character of the place.

The principle that the use of the church must not offend the sacredness of the place determines the criteria by which the doors of a church may be opened to a concert of sacred or religious music, as also the concomitant exclusion of every other type of music. The most beautiful symphonic music, for example, is not in itself of religious character. The definition of sacred or religious music depends explicitly on the original intended use of the musical pieces or songs, and likewise on their content. It is not legitimate to provide for the execution in the church of music which is not of religious inspiration and which was composed with a view to performance in a certain precise secular context, irrespective of whether the music would be judged classical or contemporary, of high quality or of a popular nature. On the one hand, such performances would not respect the sacred character of the church, and on the other, would result in the music being performed in an unfitting context ….

9. Sacred music, that is to say music which was composed for the Liturgy, but which for various reasons can no longer be performed during a liturgical celebration, and religious music, that is to say music inspired by the text of sacred scripture or the Liturgy and which has reference to God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the saints or to the Church, may both find a place in the church building, but outside liturgical celebration. The playing of the organ or other musical performance, whether vocal or instrumental, may: 'serve to promote piety or religion.' In particular they may:

a. prepare for the major liturgical feasts, or lend to these a more festive character beyond the moment of actual celebration;
b. bring out the particular character of the different liturgical seasons;
c. create in churches a setting of beauty conducive to meditation, so as to arouse even in those who are distant from the Church an openness to spiritual values;
d. create a context which favors and makes accessible the proclamation of God's word, as for example, a sustained reading of the Gospel;
e. keep alive the treasures of Church music which must not be lost; musical pieces and songs composed for the Liturgy but which cannot in any way be
conveniently incorporated into liturgical celebrations in modern times;
spiritual music, such as oratorios and religious cantatas which can still serve
as vehicles for spiritual communication;
f. assist visitors and tourists to grasp more fully the sacred character of a church, by means of organ concerts at prearranged times.

10. When the proposal is made that there should be a concert in a church, the Ordinary is to grant the permission 'per modum actus.' These concerts should be occasional events. This excludes permission for a series of concerts, for example in the case of a festival or a cycle of concerts.

When the Ordinary considers it to be necessary, he can, in the conditions foreseen in the Code of Canon Law (can. 1222, para. 2) designate a church that is no longer used for divine service, to be an 'auditorium' for the performance of sacred or religious music, and also of music not specifically religious but in keeping with the character of the place.

In this task the bishop should be assisted by the diocesan commission for Liturgy and sacred music.

In order that the sacred character of a church be conserved in the matter of concerts, the Ordinary can specify that:

a. Requests are to be made in writing, in good time, indicating the date and time of the proposed concert, the program, giving the works and the names of the composers.
b. After having received the authorization of the Ordinary, the rectors and parish priests of the churches should arrange details with the choir and orchestra so that the requisite norms are observed.
c. Entrance to the church must be without payment and open to all.
d. The performers and the audience must be dressed in a manner which is fitting to the sacred character of the place.
e. The musicians and the singers should not be placed in the sanctuary. The greatest respect is to be shown to the altar, the president's chair and the ambo.
f. The Blessed Sacrament should be, as far as possible, reserved in a side chapel or in another safe and suitably adorned place (Cf. C.I.C., can 928, par. 4). g. The concert should be presented or introduced not only with historical or technical details, but also in a way that fosters a deeper understanding and an interior participation on the part of the listeners. h. The organizer of the concert will declare in writing that he accepts legal responsibilities for expenses involved, for leaving the church in order and for any possible damage incurred.

11. The above practical directives should be of assistance to the bishops and rectors of churches in their pastoral responsibility to maintain the sacred character of their churches, designed for sacred celebrations, prayer and silence.

Rupert Murdoch Serves God ... and Mammon

The LA Times reports the Fox Home Entertainment Network has decided to target millions of 'conservative' evangelicals by launching FoxFaith, which will produce and televise up to a dozen films each year based on Christian bestsellers, at a cost of US$5 million each. At least half will also be screened in local cinemas. According to Fox's GM for US Home Entertainment, "A segment of the market is starving for this type of content ... We want to push the production value not videotape sermons or proselytize."

Quotabel Quote 30

I'm only mentioning this quote from Marge Simpson in the episode All Fair in Oven War because it happened to be screened this evening and I hadn't seen before, so apologies if this is a little 'old hat' :

"Even the Pope couldn't forgive this pizza and he's letting a lot of things slide these days."

What's the world coming to when a young boy, no more than about 13 and sporting a yellow mohawk, talks with his friends openly on the tram about:

• a new name for their band which contains novel spelling of expletives
• a mutual acquaintance with whom he stayed who gets pretty scary and violent when he is drunk yet is 'cool'
• another acquaintance who is trying to get young children to commit acts of violence, even killing people
• finding a new location for them to drink away from prying eyes
• committing sadistic acts against a 'friend'

Whoever says that 'Goth' and 'punk' culture is harmless should see what it is sporning among the youngest of this generation. It is truly leading many down a sure path to damnation and perdition.

As the feast of St. Michael approaches, I would ask that his intercession be invoked on behalf the thousands who are consciously or not becoming slaves to Satan. May the Prince of Angels truly thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wonder through the world seeking the ruin of souls.

The Age reports that Federal Minister for Finance, Nick Minchin, has come out saying that if he was afflicted with a degenerative disease he would refuse treatment with drugs which have been developed using unethical means such as therapeutic cloning.

Mr. Minchin's comments add yet another dimension to the current debate over the use of embryonic stem cells by raising the important issue of whether patient's have a right to refuse treatment using drugs developed from embryonic stem cells.

I though this was rather amsuing.

Singer Britney Spears' new child has been named Sutton Pierce in order to having matching intials with his older brother, Sean Preston, and in honour of her favourite wine cellar, Sutton Wines, which she and husband Kevin Federline frequent every week.

Now there is perhaps nothing wrong with this choice of name although one astute commentator noted, "So, basically, the baby reminds them of being blotto. Nice."

A question: Does it seem like the contemporary Catholic Church is appealing too much to sensation, sentiment and sensuality (in the proper sense of the word) rather than tradition, transcendence and truth?

AAP reports on a couple from Maine who kidnapped their own pregnant daughter in an attempt to procure for her an abortion because they feared the father was a man now in jail. They were arrested by police and arraigned before the district court on charges of kidnapping, which carry a sentence of 7-15 years in prison. Such was the couple's desperation, police found inside their car duct tape, rope, a knife and rifle. Apparently they had been informed given the term of their daughter's pregnancy it would not be possible to have a legal abortion in their own state and were intending to take her across the state line to New York.

In other news, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, has weighed into the 'controversy' over Pope Benedict's 'inflammatory' address saying "The Pope has already issued an apology and I think his views on this need to be judged against his entire record, where he has spoken very positively about dialogue."

Changes in the US Priesthood

Catholic News Service reports on the findings of a study into recently ordained priests conducted by sociologist Dean Hoge from CUA. A comparison of results with a similar study by Hoge in 1990 revealed the following:

1. The average age of priests ordained five to nine years has increased by 8.5 years for diocesan priests and 7.5 years for religious.
2. 54% of diocesan priests surveyed were already parish priests, of which 75% had been assigned within five years of being ordained and 33% were responsible for more than one parish.
3. More than 50% of diocesan and 66% of religious priests could speak another language.
4. In the 15 years between the studies, there had been a decline in priests who entered a college seminary and increase in those who attended a post-college, pre-theology program.
5. In 1990 the five most influential magazines on young priests were America, National Catholic Reporter, The Priest, Origins and Church. In 2005 the top five were America, The Priest, National Catholic Register, First Things and Origins.
6. In 1990 Karl Rahner had the greatest influence on those surveyed but in 2005 it was Pope John Paul II.
7. A revealing finding was that 89% (up from 63%) of diocesan priests today identify with a cultic model of priesthood, the priest as a man set apart to administer the sacraments, teaching doctrine and set a religious example, as opposed to the servant-leader model of priesthood, the priest as a collaborator with the community, serving their needs and fostering their gifts. Amongst religious the situation was the reverse but there had been little change in numbers between the surveys.
8. Another revealing finding is that 90% of priests surveyed were happy with their vocation and would enter again if given the choice.

The "controversial" part of Pope Benedict XVI's address to scientists at the University of Regensburg:

I was reminded of all this recently, when I read the edition by professor Theodore Khoury (Muenster) of part of the dialogue carried on -- perhaps in 1391 in the winter barracks near Ankara -- by the erudite Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus and an educated Persian on the subject of Christianity and Islam, and the truth of both.

It was probably the emperor himself who set down this dialogue, during the siege of Constantinople between 1394 and 1402; and this would explain why his arguments are given in greater detail than the responses of the learned Persian. The dialogue ranges widely over the structures of faith contained in the Bible and in the Koran, and deals especially with the image of God and of man, while necessarily returning repeatedly to the relationship of the "three Laws": the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Koran.

In this lecture I would like to discuss only one point -- itself rather marginal to the dialogue itself -- which, in the context of the issue of "faith and reason," I found interesting and which can serve as the starting point for my reflections on this issue.

In the seventh conversation ("diálesis" -- controversy) edited by professor Khoury, the emperor touches on the theme of the jihad (holy war). The emperor must have known that sura 2:256 reads: "There is no compulsion in religion." It is one of the suras of the early period, when Mohammed was still powerless and under [threat]. But naturally the emperor also knew the instructions, developed later and recorded in the Koran, concerning holy war.

Without descending to details, such as the difference in treatment accorded to those who have the "Book" and the "infidels," he turns to his interlocutor somewhat brusquely with the central question on the relationship between religion and violence in general, in these words: "Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

The emperor goes on to explain in detail the reasons why spreading the faith through violence is something unreasonable. Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul. "God is not pleased by blood, and not acting reasonably ("syn logo") is contrary to God's nature. Faith is born of the soul, not the body. Whoever would lead someone to faith needs the ability to speak well and to reason properly, without violence and threats.... To convince a teasonable soul, one does not need a strong arm, or weapons of any kind, or any other means of threatening a person with death...."

The decisive statement in this argument against violent conversion is this: Not to act in accordance with reason is contrary to God's nature. The editor, Theodore Khoury, observes: For the emperor, as a Byzantine shaped by Greek philosophy, this statement is self-evident. But for Muslim teaching, God is absolutely transcendent. His will is not bound up with any of our categories, even that of rationality. Here Khoury quotes a work of the noted French Islamist R. Arnaldez, who points out that Ibn Hazn went so far as to state that God is not bound even by his own word, and that nothing would oblige him to reveal the truth to us. Were it God's will, we would even have to practice idolatry.

A few years back during the pontificate of John Paul II, the Vatican isssued a statement acknowledging and apologising for past evils committed by and in the name of the Catholic Church. To date I am not aware of such a statement from any Islamic authority, Shiitite or Sunni.

While Australian terror suspect David Hicks remains in Guantanamo Bay, former detainee Mamdouh Habib has become the subject of a new drama-cum-documentary, The Habib Show, which is being staged at the Theatreworks in St Kilda.

According to a review, the performance is meant to examine how in contemporary society we are complicit in the mistreatment of those accused of being involved with terrorists. However it fails to deliver on this, instead becoming an outlet for the writer's contempt of politicians. Of course the irony is that the writer has fallen into the same hole as politicians who cannot see the forest for the trees.

I just saw a video report on the Zulu Reed Dance which is an annual event to promote purity among and respect for young women. During the dance, virgins bearing reeds from the river process to the king's palace before reaffirming their commitment to remain pure. In the past the king would choose his future bride from among those gathered and according to Zulu mythology, if a reed should break it was a sign its bearer was no longer a virgin. Today the custom is seen as an important way of preventing contraction of AIDS and other STDs, as well as giving a spiritual dimension to marriage and sexuality, but it does have its critics, notably the South African government.

I began the previous post with a reference to the absence of the art of engaging people in conversation and some might think it a little harsh. Yet when you look at today's journalists it is a sad and sorrowful picture, particularly when they persist in asking the most idiotic and insensitive questions. Take for instance the reporter who asked Steve Irwin's father how will he cope with his son's death, when the poor man was trying hard to fight back the tears and field the questions from the Australian media. Seriously, did the reporter think the majority of viewers had no experience of bereavement and grief, so that they needed to be informed of its effects? I suppose in this age of sentimentality, sensuality and sensitivity this is to be expected, but I cannot help but think that sometimes people are merely scraping the bottom of the barrel.

Former US Vice-President, Al Gore, was interviewed this evening by one of the few people in Australia who actually know the art of engaging someone in conversation, Andrew Denton. At the end of the interview Mr. Gore made an interesting observation that if nations would stop or at least significantly reduce their dependence on petroleum, it would have a drastic effect on the Middle Eastern economy and deplete funding for terrorists. At the same time those nations would be averting future environmental catastrophes by lowering global carbon dioxide levels.

Another observation of Mr. Gore was the need for individuals and communities to reclaim the medium of television from multinational corporations. For example, Mr. Gore himself has established a television station in which a third of the programs are produced by individuals and communities using their own video cameras and editing equipment. They are submitted to the station and the viewers themselves vote on what programs they would like broadcast. Thus viewers are given the opportunity to express their own ideas and interests without having to endure those of a handful of people seated in a boardroom, who are in the pockets of yet more people in boardrooms. Mr. Gore also noted how the internet has not lived up to its promise of being a medium for change and exchange.

I have been looking at an illustrated guide to the Traditional Mass on Ebay and received an email notifying me the auction will be ending soon. Now there isn't anything interesting about that unless you are a Traditional Mass attendee but what is of interest is the list of 'similar' items, which includes:

A Complete Guide to Palmistry
Illustrated Guide to Wicca
Tarot Cards- Major and Minor Arcana

It appears Ebay hasn't quite learnt to distinguish between authentic religion, paganism and superstition. Not that you could blame them when vast numbers of Catholics get caught up in the same thing in the mistaken belief that it is all quite harmless. Mind you if you consult any good Catholic book on the workings of the Devil, you will find these practices - I refer to ouija boards, palmistry, tarot, wicca, etc - listed as among his more subtle methods of drawing souls away from the faith. I just wonder how many Ebay users who go looking for Catholic books or articles of devotion end up delving into the dark and sinister.

Latest news from Hollywood is that Brad Pitt is refusing to marry Angelina Jolie unless laws are changed to give everyone (think gays and lesbians) the opportunity of marriage. Mind you that didn't stop him in the past when he married Jennifer Aniston. So I wonder what, or rather who, has caused him to hold out on Ms. Jolie, leaving their daughter Shiloh remaining out of wedlock.

Proponents of the 'reform of the reform' claim that by eliminating abuses and enforcing the directives of Sacrosanctum Concilium the modern liturgy will be improved and Catholics will no longer leave churches in droves. Yet these are merely external considerations. What really should be addressed is the fact the modern liturgy is simply a Catholic version of the Service of the Lord's Supper as commemorated by Protestants with the addition of a few anaphoras (think Eucharistic prayers) reconstructed from Eastern liturgies, not the Sacrifice of the Mass and Sacrament of Holy Communion as offered by Catholics from the time of the apostles.

On another matter, next time you intend receiving communion in the hand just pause for a moment and realise that you are self-communicating, that is administering the body of Christ to yourself. Never mind that you have been given the host by a priest or deacon (or extraordinary minister) because they are merely dispensers of this divine handout, if I could borrow a phrase from a book I recently read. Sure people use to receive as such in the age of the apostles and fathers but remember they did so with the greatest of ceremony and reverence to avoid manhandling the body of our Lord.