Maybe Bp. Lahey should have tried this excuse?

Man blames cat for child pornography found on his computer

USCCB Theme Song for Health Care Reform

Wanna Bet?

I bet this guy gets the biggest public Catholic funeral we've had in decades. And a bunch of bishops will be there praising his advocacy for the poor and downtrodden.

Basilica Block Party 2009!

Featured bands include:

• The Black Crowes
• Counting Crows
• The Jayhawks

Anybody else seeing a trend here?

Birds on the brain? Bird brains?

And just where is that new "conservative" Archbishop who was going to shut this thing down?

And for just $1500 you can get 4 tickets, 4 Basilica Block Party event T-shirts, free parking, free catered food, free beverages, and a free plenary indulgence. (just kidding about that last part). How about that fundamental option for the poor!

All hail the machine, liberator of women!

Vatican: The washing machine liberated women

Something Fishy III

Read these to get up to speed: Something Fishy I & Something Fishy II

Adding on to the above stories, now we have this hapless character; 25 year-old Kelvin Benjamin Smalls who has been framed with this theft. Apparently, according to the story, he was ID'd by DNA tests from blood left at the scene.

Charge filed at break-in of Archbishop's residence



So we are to believe that this fellow, (who has prior convictions for theft and aggravated robbery and auto theft), has graduated to keeping track of episcopal ceremonials to identify burglary prospects?

That this homeless man climbed up the outside of this building to break a window of the very room where the good were and then ambled down the street with a heavy safe all by himself?

Here's another little thing - (read the above stories to verify)- the safe miraculously keeps getting smaller. First it was 75 pounds, then 65. Now it is down to 50 pounds. Amazing. I wonder if is a contestant on "The Biggest Loser"?

What I really want to know is what was really in that safe, and who really took it?

Up until the break-in, the Abp was something of a hard charger, taking on vocally dissident parishes and actively reforming them. Since then, he has been much more behind the scenes. Go figure. It doesn't add up to me.

Mel or B16: will the real Mephistopholes please stand up?

Head of Youth Protection Harbored Accused Abuser in His Own Home

What does this say about Abp. Nienstedt? He demoted Fr. Kevin McDonough from Slicker General to Head of Youth Protection?

Fugitive priest accused of molestation is sued

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which brought the Ecuadoran priest to the Twin Cities, is also named in the lawsuit.

By HERÓN MÁRQUEZ ESTRADA, Star Tribune


A 41-year-old priest who fled to Ecuador while being investigated for criminal sexual conduct last year is being sued for allegedly molesting a 4-year-old girl, attorneys for the girl said this afternoon.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which brought the priest to the Twin Cities as part of an exchange program with an Ecuadoran diocese in 2001, is also named in the civil suit filed by attorney Jeff Anderson of St. Paul.

The suit does not seek any specific monetary relief, but does say it will be asking for more than $50,000.

Details about the suit were provided during a news conference this afternoon in Anderson's St. Paul office.

The suit contends that last February or March the priest, Father Francisco "Fredy" Montero, had sexual contact with the girl, who is listed in the suit simply as "Jane Doe 120."

Anderson also contends in his suit that the alleged abuse took place while Montero was working in the Twin Cities and living with Father Kevin McDonough, vicar general of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Also named as a defendant in the suit is the diocese of Guaranda in Ecuador, who Anderson said "sent an agent whom they knew or should have known was dangerous and unfit to Minnesota, where they knew he would work with vulnerable adults and youth."

Montero, who left the Twin Cities soon after police in Minneapolis questioned him about the abuse allegations in July 2007, worked for the Church of the Incarnation in Minneapolis, where by all accounts he was quite popular with the many Spanish-speaking members.

Bishop takes strong stand against Biden

Biden's Bishop Will not Permit Him, Even if Elected VP, to Speak at Catholic Schools

Ho boy! Strong stand. Not the schools! What a statement!

Well, O.K. I guess it is something. He's little more wishy-washy on the communion question, running for the easy cover of "dialogue":

Bishop Saltarelli does not rule out refusing communion to pro-abortion politicians but does say that he much prefers "active engagement and dialogue". He notes that he does not expect priests and others administering communion to withhold it from politicians. "That is ultimately my responsibility," he said.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention; Bp. Salty retires next week on Sept 8, 2008. Way to take a stand!

Swing!... and a miss...

Congratulations to Nancy Pelosi for helping the USCCB help pro-lifers chase their tails.

On "Meet the Depressed" last Sunday (when Ms. Pelosi should have been at Mass) she said this about abortion:

REP. PELOSI: I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator–St. Augustine said at three months. We don’t know. The point is, is that it shouldn’t have an impact on the woman’s right to choose. Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child–first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There’s very clear distinctions. This isn’t about abortion on demand, it’s about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and–to–that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god. And so I don’t think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins. As I say, the Catholic Church for centuries has been discussing this, and there are those who’ve decided…

So, our shepherds have taken up the gauntlet!

Oh, wait a minute, they aren't telling us that Nancy Pelosi couldn't possible qualify as an "ardent, practicing Catholic" because of her very publicly held positions and arguments in favor of abortion. Instead, they are going to argue the history of semantics about when life begins.

Chaput - all talk, no substance

Gentle readers, don't be duped by the George Weigel/Deal Hudson/Frank Pavone "conservative, pro-life" Catholic cabal.

These type of stories are bunk. They are nothing but propaganda designed to lull you into a pro-life reverie so you can fall asleep sucking your thumb thinking those higher ups are doing the right thing.

This story by Barb Kralis (one of my heroes) is the truth. Chaput is just "shoulding" on his diocese and the whole country for that matter. He tells them this politician "should" do this, and this one "shouldn't" do that. All he ends up with is a big stinking pile of "should".

Well, Chaput SHOULD stop acting like a politician and act like a man and issue an order to his priests to withhold communion from these manifest public sinners and stop "shoulding" to the press.

I'd like to see Chaput's pastoral methods employed in the rearing of children. I'm sure they'd be very effective. "Now Johnny, we know that hitting your sister with a bat is wrong, but I am not going to impose my will on you. You know what is right, please follow your conscience."

Jesus Take the Wheel

Is the new theme song for the Pope's latest message to the faithful:

Pope urges Christian drivers to examine consciences

By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI, lamenting the high number of traffic accidents over the summer holiday period, called on Christians to make "a personal examination of conscience" about the way they drive.

Driving is both a moral and civil responsibility, the pope said Aug. 17. Most accidents that cause fatalities or serious injuries can be avoided, he said.

"There needs to be a greater sense of responsibility, above all on the part of drivers, because the accidents are often caused by excessive speed and imprudent behavior," he said.

The pope's comments came as Europeans took to the roads in record numbers for the August holidays, prompting an annual spike in traffic-related deaths.

"We shouldn't grow accustomed to this sad reality," the pope said.

"As church, we feel directly called upon to respond on an ethical level: Christians should first of all make a personal examination of conscience about their own driving," he said.

In addition, the church should help people realize that driving is an area in which they should "defend life and exercise in a concrete way love of neighbor," he said.

It is sort of astounding that he has time to write about petty crap like this.

Holy Toledo!

Dottie Zimmerman teaches religion in the Toledo diocese.

She must be a heck of a teacher. She was named the outstanding teacher in the 19-county Toledo Catholic Diocese in 1981.

She also speaks to Padre Pio regularly. Of course, when she first started talking to him, she thought he was Merlin the Magician. I know, easy mistake.

Love, laugh, and breathe are the saint's three words, according to Dottie. Funny, I don't remember him saying that. Ever.

And well, actually, she doesn't just talk to the saint, she channels him. He speaks through her. She also channels her dead mother and her dead husband.

Recently, Padre Pio had this to say through Dottie:

"The priest abuse and some of the other things, that is not making the church a bad or a good place. The way it will work is how it is handled. And in those dioceses where it is being handled openly and with compassion and with care, and explanation and openness, I think those parishes and that church there will be very strong."

You know, he sounds like a Catholic Denny Green. Pretty non-committal if you ask me. For the uninitiated, Denny Green, former Vikings football coach was famous for saying things like - "Well, if the other team scores more points than us, it is likely they will win".

Read the whole article on Dottie here. If you're like me, you are left wondering why she hasn't been promoted to the head of religious education for the whole diocese.

Paraguay? WTF are you thinking?

A boy, holding a toy gun and wearing feathers, takes part in a procession honoring San Francisco Solano, patron of birds, in Emboscada, Paraguay, Thursday. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)
(July 24, 2008)

Too bizarre. I don't get it. Well, I never said they were on the ball down there. After all they have elected a nutty Roman Catholic Bishop as their Excelentisimo Señor Presidente.

Explain this...

1. The U.S. Anglicans ordain gay bishops.
2. The U.K. Anglicans ordain women bishops.
3. The traditionalist Anglicans threaten to leave.
4. The Roman Catholic Church prays that the Anglican Church stays together.
5. The Roman Catholic Church suggest that entire Anglican congregations converting to Catholicism could present "difficulties"

Am I the only one who sees something wrong here?

Are Kaspar and Ratzinger in favor of lesbian bishops?

Something Fishy, Part II

Sheesh - the people over at the Chancery apparently can't even find their ass with both hands.

Priceless church relics found — in the closet

Later search turns up crosses, rings believed stolen
By Tad Vezner
tvezner@pioneerpress.com
Article Last Updated: 07/02/2008 11:00:15 PM CDT

A set of historical crosses and rings believed to have been stolen last weekend from the home of Roman Catholic Archbishop John Nienstedt has been found — in his bedroom closet.

The church accoutrements were reported missing early Saturday after a predawn break-in at Nienstedt's home in St. Paul. At the time, police and officials of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis believed that six bejeweled and irreplaceable crosses, which had been handed down from archbishop to archbishop for some 150 years since being brought to the United States from Ireland, had been taken.

A 75-pound safe was stolen from the residence after thieves broke in through the window of a second-story closet connected to Nienstedt's bedroom.

Church spokesman Dennis McGrath said church officials still are not sure what the safe contained.

The priceless crosses and rings were stored in a separate cardboard box, which a church official found Wednesday, McGrath said.

The Rev. Lee Piche, vicar general of the archdiocese, "had a hunch" while trying to figure out how the thieves could have carried both the safe and the box out of the house in what was likely a hurried burglary.

"He's thinking to himself, 'Wait a minute; how did they carry another box?' " said McGrath.

Even though the room had been searched, "(Piche) went back to that room and started digging around and found it," said police spokesman Pete Panos.

The box was found "way, way in the back of the closet, kind of hidden," Panos added.

"I suspect in the future, they'll be kept a little safer," McGrath added.

Still missing were four crosses and several rings that personally belonged to Nienstedt. He brought them with him from his previous assignment as bishop of the New Ulm Diocese.

"They're gone. They're not in that box," McGrath said.

At the time of the burglary, Nienstedt was on a trip to Rome to receive his pallium, a Roman Catholic Church garment signifying his office, from Pope Benedict XVI. He has since gone on to Germany and is expected to return next week.

I can't wait until dad gets home and the kids are no longer in charge.

By the way, this whole thing still smells rotten. Now I really want to know who's dirty laundry was hidden in that safe.

Hows that "conservative" Archbishop working out Part I follow-up

So what really happened at St. Joan's?

They were told they couldn't pray for gays in the Church building. So they prayed outside. Fr. Debruycker took a leave of absence - apparently he has not been removed or re-assigned and is going to return. Fr. Cassidy is in situ now and was gladly hamming it up for the news cameras, flitting about shrilling for inclusiveness.

And Katherine Kersten got a column out of it.

But, has anything really changed?



Methinks not.

Yes, yes, I should wait and see. Well, that's what I'm doing... still waiting....

By the way: I'm also still waiting for that carpet to levitate off the floor and Fr. Jim to sit down cross-legged like Aladdin and fly around the room. Wanna bet he is saying "Sim Salla Bim!" in that picture?

Hows that "conservative" Archbishop working out Part II

Last year the rumors were ripe: "This will be the last block party the Basilica ever has because Fr. O'Connell is leaving and a new Bishop will never allow it to continue."

Well?

These sound like fine, young representatives of Catholicism to me:
OneRepublic
Ziggy Marley
Wannabe Hasbeens
White Light Riot
Landon Pigg

I guess I'll need to look into some of their uplifting artistry further.

Something fishy

Diogenes beat me to it. I was going to post about this yesterday, but life got in the way.

When burglars broke into the residence of Archbishop John Nienstedt and stole irreplaceable ecclesiastical treasures, police first commented on how well the crime had been planned. The burglars seemed to know just where to go, police observed, and how to break through extra-thick window glass without attracting attention.

But after consulting with archdiocesan officials, police spokesmen changed their story. There is no indication that this was the work of professionals, let alone an inside job, police now maintain. "It's more than likely our regular, run-of-the-mill thief."

Sure. You bet. The sort of "run-of-the-mill" thief who consults ecclesiastical calendars, and knows when the archbishop and his staff will be traveling to Rome. The sort of "run-of-the-mill" thief who takes an interest in pectoral crosses and pallium pins-- and, what's more, knows where they are kept.

He didn't know... really... honest

So, after our little jab at St. Joan's parish still having GLBT (or is it LGBT? Who knows? I want a BLT.) junk on their website last week after having both bishops Campbell and Pates visit and admonish them months and months ago about it; lo and behold, down it comes and with a cherry on top: Archdiocese Forbids Gay Service During Pride Fest. Of course, this is construed as some sort of act of violence by the homos. But here's the kicker:

McGrath said the services weren't canceled in previous years because the archdiocese was not aware of them. "It was not something that happened because there's a new regime," McGrath said. "If (previous Archbishop Harry Flynn) had known of it, the same thing would have happened."

He didn't know... he just didn't know. That's a great defense. I hope that works out for ya'. What else ya' got?