Artist and Subject

Pope Benedict’s official portrait and Natalia Tsarkova, the artist who painted it.

Artist and Subject

Pope Benedict’s official portrait and Natalia Tsarkova, the artist who painted it.

It’s All in the Presentation

The St. Louis Review covered the recently released book by Abp. Piero Marini, the longtime Papal Master of Ceremonies who was lately removed and replaced by Msgr. Guido Marini (no relation). The change of scene for the Archbishop has been widely viewed as a repudiation by the Holy Father of the modernist-style liturgies that had marked the former Marini’s tenure. Though Msgr. Marini has not held the position for very long, there have been some immediately noticeable developments.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, the altar crucifix and is back at front and center.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, Papal vestments have once again become more traditional and dignified– for example:

Old Marini (left); New Marini (right)

Now, some see the photo at left as a manifestation of “progress” and “renewal”. Some suppress a gag reflex. Some see the photo at right as a manifestation of “a return to a preconciliar mindset”. Some rejoice. It all depends on your point of view.

So, back to the Review‘s story. Here is an excerpt. I will leave it to the reader to infer the opinion of the writer.

New book describes liturgical battles

by John Thavis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a new book, a Vatican archbishop has chronicled the birth pangs of the liturgical reform generated by the Second Vatican Council and warned of a Roman Curia tendency to return to a “preconciliar mindset.”

The book, “A Challenging Reform,” was written by Archbishop Piero Marini, who recently ended a 20-year tenure as papal liturgist. His Vatican career began in 1965 in the office responsible for implementing liturgical renewal.

Archbishop Marini recounted the rise of a decentralized and dynamic reform movement in the 1960s and its “curialization” in the 1970s by Vatican officials afraid of losing control…

It’s All in the Presentation

The St. Louis Review covered the recently released book by Abp. Piero Marini, the longtime Papal Master of Ceremonies who was lately removed and replaced by Msgr. Guido Marini (no relation). The change of scene for the Archbishop has been widely viewed as a repudiation by the Holy Father of the modernist-style liturgies that had marked the former Marini’s tenure. Though Msgr. Marini has not held the position for very long, there have been some immediately noticeable developments.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, the altar crucifix and is back at front and center.

Under the new Master of Ceremonies, Papal vestments have once again become more traditional and dignified– for example:

Old Marini (left); New Marini (right)

Now, some see the photo at left as a manifestation of “progress” and “renewal”. Some suppress a gag reflex. Some see the photo at right as a manifestation of “a return to a preconciliar mindset”. Some rejoice. It all depends on your point of view.

So, back to the Review‘s story. Here is an excerpt. I will leave it to the reader to infer the opinion of the writer.

New book describes liturgical battles

by John Thavis

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In a new book, a Vatican archbishop has chronicled the birth pangs of the liturgical reform generated by the Second Vatican Council and warned of a Roman Curia tendency to return to a “preconciliar mindset.”

The book, “A Challenging Reform,” was written by Archbishop Piero Marini, who recently ended a 20-year tenure as papal liturgist. His Vatican career began in 1965 in the office responsible for implementing liturgical renewal.

Archbishop Marini recounted the rise of a decentralized and dynamic reform movement in the 1960s and its “curialization” in the 1970s by Vatican officials afraid of losing control…

Archbishop Burke on Pastoral Direction in a Relativistic Society

Including a warning about The Golden Compass. From the Archbishop’s column in the St. Louis Review:

…Respect and obedience toward our pastors in the Church is a particular challenge in today’s society, which views everything in relation to what each individual thinks and wants. Pastors who have the solemn responsibility to teach and uphold the truths of the faith, that is, the objective reality of our relationship with God, with one another and with our world, become very unpopular and are openly rejected when they fulfill their responsibilities toward the flock in their care.

The secular media, which reflect very much the relativism rampant in our society, view the pastoral authority of the Church as extremism. When the Holy Father, the bishops and parish priests enunciate the Church’s teaching on the inviolable dignity of innocent human life, for example, they are labeled “the religious right.” Easily enough, secular thinking enters the Church, remaking pastoral authority according to its own image while, at the same time, ridiculing and even resisting any firm teaching or discipline given by the Church’s pastors.

Recently, the pastors in our nation have cautioned the faithful, especially parents, regarding the film “The Golden Compass.” Through George Henry, superintendent of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, parents and teachers were warned that the author of the books (“His Dark Materials,” by Philip Pullman) from which the movie is drawn is an avowed atheist who has a particular hatred of the Catholic Church.

As archbishop, I caution all Catholics regarding the atheistic and anti-Catholic nature of Pullman’s writings, upon which “The Golden Compass” is based. If you wish further and more in-depth information, I recommend the publication of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked,” which can be obtained through the League’s website, http://www.catholicleague.org. I also commend the book by Peter Vere and Sandra Miesel, “Pied Piper of Atheism: Philip Pullman and Children’s Fantasy,” published by Ignatius Press (www.ignatius.com).

Before concluding, I wish also to correct an erroneous statement made in a commentary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, titled “After ruckus over its roots, ‘Compass’ film mollifies some” (Dec. 8, 2007, p. A23). The commentary claims that the Catholic bishops of our nation viewed the film and praised it. The statement is false. A most defective review of the film was published by Catholic News Service. The review has by now been removed from the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The review was not based on a viewing of the film by bishops and was not endorsed by the bishops.

Conclusion

The Season of Advent inspires in us a new devotion to what is most sacred to us, our Catholic faith, prayer and the sacraments, and the discipline of living in Christ. The strong grace of the season fortifies us to promote the understanding of the Catholic Church, in which Christ, our Good Shepherd, is alive and at work for our eternal salvation. It also inspires us to safeguard and defend our Catholic faith and practice from those who would ridicule, desecrate or attack what is most sacred to us. In our society, we as Catholics need to pray especially for the courage to stand up for what we believe, to give an account of our Catholic faith to others, and to resist those who ridicule or misrepresent our faith.

Please pray, too, for us who are your pastors that we will remain strong in teaching the Catholic faith and in giving sound guidance in living the Catholic faith, especially amid the confusion of a society blinded by materialism and relativism. Finally, we trust that Christ, Who continues to shepherd His flock daily in the Church, acts in priests, bishops and the Holy Father, to promote and safeguard the faith in its integrity. May our observance of Advent strengthen us in welcoming Christ with obedience and docility.

Timely remarks in light of the St. Cronan’s situation and the recent press coverage of the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Burke on Pastoral Direction in a Relativistic Society

Including a warning about The Golden Compass. From the Archbishop’s column in the St. Louis Review:

…Respect and obedience toward our pastors in the Church is a particular challenge in today’s society, which views everything in relation to what each individual thinks and wants. Pastors who have the solemn responsibility to teach and uphold the truths of the faith, that is, the objective reality of our relationship with God, with one another and with our world, become very unpopular and are openly rejected when they fulfill their responsibilities toward the flock in their care.

The secular media, which reflect very much the relativism rampant in our society, view the pastoral authority of the Church as extremism. When the Holy Father, the bishops and parish priests enunciate the Church’s teaching on the inviolable dignity of innocent human life, for example, they are labeled “the religious right.” Easily enough, secular thinking enters the Church, remaking pastoral authority according to its own image while, at the same time, ridiculing and even resisting any firm teaching or discipline given by the Church’s pastors.

Recently, the pastors in our nation have cautioned the faithful, especially parents, regarding the film “The Golden Compass.” Through George Henry, superintendent of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, parents and teachers were warned that the author of the books (“His Dark Materials,” by Philip Pullman) from which the movie is drawn is an avowed atheist who has a particular hatred of the Catholic Church.

As archbishop, I caution all Catholics regarding the atheistic and anti-Catholic nature of Pullman’s writings, upon which “The Golden Compass” is based. If you wish further and more in-depth information, I recommend the publication of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked,” which can be obtained through the League’s website, http://www.catholicleague.org. I also commend the book by Peter Vere and Sandra Miesel, “Pied Piper of Atheism: Philip Pullman and Children’s Fantasy,” published by Ignatius Press (www.ignatius.com).

Before concluding, I wish also to correct an erroneous statement made in a commentary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, titled “After ruckus over its roots, ‘Compass’ film mollifies some” (Dec. 8, 2007, p. A23). The commentary claims that the Catholic bishops of our nation viewed the film and praised it. The statement is false. A most defective review of the film was published by Catholic News Service. The review has by now been removed from the website of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The review was not based on a viewing of the film by bishops and was not endorsed by the bishops.

Conclusion

The Season of Advent inspires in us a new devotion to what is most sacred to us, our Catholic faith, prayer and the sacraments, and the discipline of living in Christ. The strong grace of the season fortifies us to promote the understanding of the Catholic Church, in which Christ, our Good Shepherd, is alive and at work for our eternal salvation. It also inspires us to safeguard and defend our Catholic faith and practice from those who would ridicule, desecrate or attack what is most sacred to us. In our society, we as Catholics need to pray especially for the courage to stand up for what we believe, to give an account of our Catholic faith to others, and to resist those who ridicule or misrepresent our faith.

Please pray, too, for us who are your pastors that we will remain strong in teaching the Catholic faith and in giving sound guidance in living the Catholic faith, especially amid the confusion of a society blinded by materialism and relativism. Finally, we trust that Christ, Who continues to shepherd His flock daily in the Church, acts in priests, bishops and the Holy Father, to promote and safeguard the faith in its integrity. May our observance of Advent strengthen us in welcoming Christ with obedience and docility.

Timely remarks in light of the St. Cronan’s situation and the recent press coverage of the Archdiocese.

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary to Expand

There are reliable indications that the Archbishop will soon announce a major expansion of the facilities of the Archdiocesan Seminary.

The seminary’s enrollment increased this year by 50%, with all signs pointing to another increase in enrollment next year. The seminary has simply run out of room.

Architectural plans have been submitted to His Grace for approval. A new residence hall is certainly needed, and perhaps a new library and other facilities are in the works.

This is great news, of course. But another reason to be grateful is the faithful, orthodox and pastoral care of the Archbishop that has led to the increase in the number of young men entering Kenrick–Glennon. As has been proven all over the world, when the Diocesan Ordinary teaches and defends the Catholic faith, Diocesan vocations increase. Dissent and ambiguity lead to dwindling numbers of priests. Where the fullness of faith is held, vocations to the priesthood and religious life flourish.

The seminary is out of room. As is the case with the ICRSS and the FSSP seminaries, St. Louis now has the best kind of vocation crisis.

Kenrick-Glennon Seminary to Expand

There are reliable indications that the Archbishop will soon announce a major expansion of the facilities of the Archdiocesan Seminary.

The seminary’s enrollment increased this year by 50%, with all signs pointing to another increase in enrollment next year. The seminary has simply run out of room.

Architectural plans have been submitted to His Grace for approval. A new residence hall is certainly needed, and perhaps a new library and other facilities are in the works.

This is great news, of course. But another reason to be grateful is the faithful, orthodox and pastoral care of the Archbishop that has led to the increase in the number of young men entering Kenrick–Glennon. As has been proven all over the world, when the Diocesan Ordinary teaches and defends the Catholic faith, Diocesan vocations increase. Dissent and ambiguity lead to dwindling numbers of priests. Where the fullness of faith is held, vocations to the priesthood and religious life flourish.

The seminary is out of room. As is the case with the ICRSS and the FSSP seminaries, St. Louis now has the best kind of vocation crisis.

Published Today

DOCTRINAL NOTE ON SOME ASPECTS OF EVANGELIZATION
SUMMARY POINTS

I. Introduction

1. The Doctrinal Note is devoted principally to an exposition of the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Christian mission of evangelization, which is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the word “Gospel” translates “evangelion” in the Greek New Testament. “Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to proclaim the Gospel, calling all people to conversion and faith. ‘Go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature’ (Mk 16,15).” [n. 1]

2. The Doctrinal Note cites Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter “The Mission of the Redeemer” in recalling that “‘Every person has the right to hear the Good News [Gospel] of the God who reveals and gives himself in Christ, so that each one can live out in its fullness his or her proper calling.’ This right implies the corresponding duty to evangelize.” [n. 2]

3. Today there is “a growing confusion” about the Church’s missionary mandate. Some think “that any attempt to convince others on religious matters is a limitation of their freedom,” suggesting that it is enough to invite people “to act according to their consciences”, or to “become more human or more faithful to their own religion”, or “to build communities which strive for justice, freedom, peace and solidarity”, without aiming at their conversion to Christ and to the Catholic faith.

Others have argued that conversion to Christ should not be promoted because it is possible for people to be saved without explicit faith in Christ or formal incorporation in the Church. Because “of these problems, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged it necessary to public the present Note.” [n. 3]

Full text here.

Published Today

DOCTRINAL NOTE ON SOME ASPECTS OF EVANGELIZATION
SUMMARY POINTS

I. Introduction

1. The Doctrinal Note is devoted principally to an exposition of the Catholic Church’s understanding of the Christian mission of evangelization, which is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the word “Gospel” translates “evangelion” in the Greek New Testament. “Jesus Christ was sent by the Father to proclaim the Gospel, calling all people to conversion and faith. ‘Go out into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature’ (Mk 16,15).” [n. 1]

2. The Doctrinal Note cites Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter “The Mission of the Redeemer” in recalling that “‘Every person has the right to hear the Good News [Gospel] of the God who reveals and gives himself in Christ, so that each one can live out in its fullness his or her proper calling.’ This right implies the corresponding duty to evangelize.” [n. 2]

3. Today there is “a growing confusion” about the Church’s missionary mandate. Some think “that any attempt to convince others on religious matters is a limitation of their freedom,” suggesting that it is enough to invite people “to act according to their consciences”, or to “become more human or more faithful to their own religion”, or “to build communities which strive for justice, freedom, peace and solidarity”, without aiming at their conversion to Christ and to the Catholic faith.

Others have argued that conversion to Christ should not be promoted because it is possible for people to be saved without explicit faith in Christ or formal incorporation in the Church. Because “of these problems, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has judged it necessary to public the present Note.” [n. 3]

Full text here.