AmericanPapist Comments
I want a t-shirt that says,
"ORTHOPHOBIA: the irrational fear of Catholic orthodoxy"
That's something interesting to ponder. From tidbits that I've read in various places, the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is a matter of discussion within Vatican walls. Now I would grant you there's a huge difference between talking about it quietly with your peers and publicly advocating it as acceptable when the Vatican has yet to say otherwise. Cardinal Martini has spoken openly on the subject, and Rocco and John Allen have each written on how he remains in the good graces of Benedict. Thus, I would tend to doubt that this was the reason for the early retirement. I'm trying to think of any examples of early retirement for reasons other than health, and I've got nothing so far.
Is Neiderauer next? Tom
The only way to be certain to contain the spread of HIV/AIDS is to profess and act out what Christ and the Church has always taught: avoid fornication. The Vatican cannot say that using condoms is recommended under any circumstance, because that is not the truth. Maybe someone who is wrestling with the truth ought to take some time to retreat and examine their own heart, lose their fear of the truth, and let God's grace win them back.
How recent was the writting of Rocco and John Allen about how the Bishop remains in the good graces of Pope Benedict? Was it before he told Catholics to pray to Allah? Thanks for the news, AP.
It was back in February when the cardinal turned 80.
"Is Neiderauer next?"
I was always under the impression that Cardinal Mahony was the one most Catholics love to hate. It seems that Archbishops Neiderauer and Wuerl--both Benedict appointees--have supplanted him in that role.
Accurately, Bp Niederauer was a "transfer," having been ordained Bishop for (IIRC) Salt Lake City during the reign of JPII.
However, Niederauer is a California product, closely associated with Cd. Mahoney, Bp Brom, (et al.)
That's a fig tree which should be chopped down.
Yep, there are many trees out there producing foul fruit. what I don't understand is how someone who has received the sacrament of Holy Orders and vowed to live a celibate life can be seduced by the lies of the contraceptive mentality. Maybe the same way a married person can. We all need correction when we err....
Indeed, Benedict transferred Niederauer (my mistake for saying he was appointed), but I would say that in doing so, the Pope promoted him (the same goes for Archbishop Wuerl). And I'm not so certain the San Francisco prelate is as much associated with Cardinal Mahony, whom he worked under for just one year, as he is with his classmate and friend of many decades, the current Prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
As for the archbishop of D.C., he certainly has the confidence of his peers in the hierarchy, including Cardinal George. So apparently they see something in him that many in the laity do not. He seems fine by me, but maybe I'm not paying close enough attention.
Whoah, I made a mistake in saying that Niederauer served under Mahony for only a year. I was reading Levada's Wikipedia page and it was he only served under Mahony for a year prior to heading to Portland. Niederauer was in LA until 1994, so maybe the Mahony's influence is greater than I would suspect. Still, though, given their history together, I would imagine he's tighter with Levada than with Mahony.
Levada likely suggested Niederauer. You can't expect Benedict to know all the bishops personally. I do think there is hope for him. He has removed Fr Merriweather from the post of vice chancellor. There are steps forward there.
I am not sure why Wuerl gets such a hard time. He seems to be better than the guy he replaced. The movement seems in the right direction. Maybe not as fast as some would like but there are always critics.
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