ET CETERA
Some updates on subjects taken up recently on this blog.
The Holy See press officer acknowledged this week that its handling of the lifting of the excommunication of the four Society of St. Pius X bishops did not serve the Church well and that Pope Benedict had taken the action without the knowledge of the comments of Bishop Williamson on the Shoah. The Holy Father himself engaged the issue at a Wednesday audience and the Holy See has made it clear that the England born now in Argentina Williamson must totally recant before any other action, at least in his case, can be taken. The other three bishops have either distanced themselves or disavowed Williamson’s preposterous statements. In the end, we look foolish, nonetheless.
Contacts between senior curial personnel in Moscow for the enthronement of His Holiness, Kiril, as patriarch of Moscow were warm and cordial and Pope Benedict gave a chalice to the new head of Russian Orthodoxy.
There is still no Freedom of Choice Act introduced in this Congress but in all likelihood there will be. The giant postcard campaign in Catholic Churches against FOCA has now been refocused by the USCCB Pro-Life Committee and directed to all legislative initiatives which would broaden abortion access or challenge conscience clause protection currently in place.
Beautiful Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago where I once took Pope John Paul II (in October 1979) suffered significant fire and water damage on Wednesday from an early morning roof fire. It will be closed for repairs for an indeterminate time.
+RNL
Tags: Blessed John Paul II, Current Events, Ecumenical Dialog, Et Alia, Inter-Religious Dialogue, Pope Benedict XVI, Pro-Life