"But for Wales, Richard!"

Goodbye!

It seems clear to me that it is time to say goodbye - this blog has clearly outlived any usefulness it might have had. I post so infrequently that nobody can be blamed for not looking at the blessed thing. Blogs have always seemed slightly self-indulgent - unless a good number of people say that, for whatever it is worth, in some way, not for my own glory, but that it actually helps their Christian journey, I think that the Feast of St. Joseph will be the time for Funeral orations for the 'Owl of the Remove.' Ciao.

Wisdom from Chesterton

"The issue is now quite clear; it is between light and darkness and every one must choose his side."

G. K. Chesterton.

The New Anti-Semitism

Christopher Hitchens



The vile Christopher Hitchens who, if he was writing about Jews or Black people would never be published and, in fact, would probably be prosecuted, has written a vicious, demented and demonic attack on the Pope on Slate.com. It struck me that, even though some would think that I have finally lost my marbles, Catholics, at least in some parts of Europe, but also in some parts of the USA that resemble Europe in their aggressive secularism, are experiencing gradually but perceptibly, what Jewish people experienced in the years leading up to the Holocaust. Absurd, say the naive, well-meaning fools who cannot fathom evil until it gasses six million. Just look at the language of the Hitchens article (actually don't - take my word for it - it's horrible). He is far from unusual. Cashing a check at the bank recently, I noticed the bank clerk looking at the check, the Church name on the cheque (British English), my name (identifying me as priest) - there was a coldness that I can only put down to hostility to the Catholic Church. I may have been wrong, but as I left, I immediately thought of the experiences of Jews in Germany in the 1930's - how little acts of hostility gradually became open contempt and then, finally, legalized persecution. Insane - persecution complex? I don't know - but look at the language of the intelligentsia which hates everything the Church stands for with a passion which is, indeed, demonic.

Owl Hospitalized

Prayers requested for the Owl: he was recently hospitalized because watching Nancy Pelosi made his toes curl.

The Silence of the Lambs

Anyone with even a modicum of interest in the fate of the Catholic Church in England, even if in exile across the water, cannot fail to have been gravely concerned about the events of recent weeks. The blogosphere has been alive with some excellent pieces by, among others, Father Ray Blake and Father John Boyle. Without recounting what has happened with the legislation introduced by the Labour government to force Catholic schools to teach abortion, contraception and homosexuality, the real cause of scandal has been the deafening silence of the bishops. One writer on the web referred to this moment as the "crossing of the Rubicon." That is, I think, not too extreme. The Catholic population of England and Wales is facing its gravest crisis since another group of episcopal pygmies decided that, rather than defend the successor of St. Peter, they would prefer the "establishment" of an English national Church. Just one, as we know, demurred - St. John Fisher. Many speak of the bishops keeping silent because they are "working behind the scenes...... waiting until after the election...etc, etc." In this instance, silence, if not signalling consent, at least signifies a stultifying lack of leadership and intestinal fortitude, or what, here in the United States they call "guts!" When the sheep need shepherds, all they get is the silence of the lambs.

Welcome!

Been a bit quiet for a few weeks, part of the reason to be explained in the next post. I have been contacted by my friend, the great Pastor of St. Mary's Parish in Greenville, South Carolina, Father Jay Scott Newman, with the news that he has entered the blogosphere with a blog entitled Ecclesia Semper Reformanda. I still don't know how to do one of those link things, but go and say hello.