I've watched segments of the USCCB Fall meeting airing on the Catholic Faith Network over the past few days. I was impressed with the good initiatives and plans the bishops of the United States discuss, vote on and try to put into place.
Their work seemed thoughtful, intelligent and timely. Yet as some bishops mentioned, how do they reach the families and "nones" who don't come into Church. They will have to make better use of social media and advertising of all types, because the Catholic Church does have something very good to offer society, when it is lived out to its fullest and in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ. And the uncertain world we live in and its people, need Jesus and His holistic, compassionate and meaningful teachings now more than ever.
Late last night I received a blast email from the Diocese of Brooklyn stating the startling accusation made against Bishop DiMarzio from 40 years ago. Just like that, even though Bishop DiMarzio is in Rome with other bishops as part of meetings with the Pope, his life has been thrown into chaos, having to come home to the Brooklyn Diocese to deny (which he has already done) and fight these allegations that he abused an altar boy, 40 years ago.
Bishop DiMarzio was near retirement and now this. Having worked in the DOB for many years I know Bishop DiMarzio as a hard worker, faithful to the mission of the Church and there was never any talk of any inappropriate behavior. I was totally shocked at the news as I'm sure all past and present employees and parishioners from the Diocese were.
Bishop DiMarzio believes he will be fully exonerated. The man Mark Matzek, now 56, claims he was molested by the bishop and another priest (who has since died) when he was a student at St. Nicholas School and Church in Jersey City, NJ. He has hired a high powered and famous lawyer to represent him, Mitchell Garabedian. He is suing for over 20 million dollars.
And so the saga of child sex abuse, destroyed lives and the fallout from it, continues. The lives ruined are so sad to read about.
Please God end this horrific chapter in the life of the Church. And may the Holy Spirit make holy the Church which does so much good and yet is so flawed as well.
NJA
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Sunday, October 27, 2019
What Will Pope Francis Decide on Married Priests in the Amazon? What Will the Holy Spirit Decide?
As reported in the New York Times (front page on Sunday) and other news outlets as well, at the conclusion of the Amazonian Synod in Rome, bishops from the Amazon region have advised Pope Francis to allow the ordination of married men (of proven virtue) as Roman Catholic priests in this vast and challenging region of the world.
Sadly right now, people of the Amazon region, who are dealing with an array of problems, do not have a sufficient amount of priests to minister to them. I was disturbed to learn recently that many can only receive Eucharist three times a year due to the lack of priests. That is unacceptable to God and all others of good conscience. Besides the sacraments being deprived, they also lack pastoral care. It's simply unjust.
What would the Holy Spirit recommend? I hope and pray that Pope Francis prays and fasts during the coming months, before making a recommendation.
Mandatory celibacy is a Church law, not a doctrine and church laws can be changed.
In my humble opinion, this law is hurting the church and it's evangelizing efforts.
For some, the discipline works and helps foster spiritual growth, but for others it's too restricting. Not all can live without companionship, love, nurturing touch, and the comforting presence of another in one's life. Why can't there be an Order of Married Priests, so you can have both celibate priests (if that is their call) and married priests. Not one or the other but both options.
So let's see what Pope Francis decides. According to what I've read, "the pope is expected to respond to the proposals by the end of this year."
If he decides to keep the status quo, then he can just assume that Protestant evangelicals will continue to evangelize (along with their wives), in the Amazon region and Catholicism will continue to lose Catholics to Protestantism. That's the reality and that is what the bishops from the Amazon region have spoken of to the Pope and others.
This is not about a liberal or conservative point of view or the purity and theology of the priesthood. This is about people who deserve better from the Church. They deserve Eucharist, Reconciliation, they deserve to have caring, thoughtful priests in their midst to perform baptisms, marriages and celebrate Mass. Whether they are married or not, does not matter to the people of the Amazon. They only want and need and deserve spiritual and religious fulfillment and communion with God through frequent Holy Communion.
NJA
Sadly right now, people of the Amazon region, who are dealing with an array of problems, do not have a sufficient amount of priests to minister to them. I was disturbed to learn recently that many can only receive Eucharist three times a year due to the lack of priests. That is unacceptable to God and all others of good conscience. Besides the sacraments being deprived, they also lack pastoral care. It's simply unjust.
What would the Holy Spirit recommend? I hope and pray that Pope Francis prays and fasts during the coming months, before making a recommendation.
Mandatory celibacy is a Church law, not a doctrine and church laws can be changed.
In my humble opinion, this law is hurting the church and it's evangelizing efforts.
For some, the discipline works and helps foster spiritual growth, but for others it's too restricting. Not all can live without companionship, love, nurturing touch, and the comforting presence of another in one's life. Why can't there be an Order of Married Priests, so you can have both celibate priests (if that is their call) and married priests. Not one or the other but both options.
So let's see what Pope Francis decides. According to what I've read, "the pope is expected to respond to the proposals by the end of this year."
If he decides to keep the status quo, then he can just assume that Protestant evangelicals will continue to evangelize (along with their wives), in the Amazon region and Catholicism will continue to lose Catholics to Protestantism. That's the reality and that is what the bishops from the Amazon region have spoken of to the Pope and others.
This is not about a liberal or conservative point of view or the purity and theology of the priesthood. This is about people who deserve better from the Church. They deserve Eucharist, Reconciliation, they deserve to have caring, thoughtful priests in their midst to perform baptisms, marriages and celebrate Mass. Whether they are married or not, does not matter to the people of the Amazon. They only want and need and deserve spiritual and religious fulfillment and communion with God through frequent Holy Communion.
NJA
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Amazon Synod-Moving Forward in the Church With The Spirit
The news coming out of the Amazon Synod is quite dramatic and forward thinking. "Most bishops who lead dioceses in the Amazon support the ordination of married men of proven virtue, as a way of addressing the lack of priests in the region, said the retired Bishop Krautler of Xingu, Brazil, speaking to journalists after a Vatican press briefing on October 9th." (America Magazine)
How sad to read that there are thousands of indigenous communities in the Amazon who only celebrate Eucharist a few times a year. That's terrible. No Catholic should be deprived of the great gift and grace of Holy Communion. No wonder so many bishops from the Amazon are in support of married priests. They have a crisis on their hands. Sadly, there is degradation in parts of the Amazon rain forests, due to wildfires and exploitation and other pressures on indigenous people, at least they should have local priests celebrating Mass, the sacraments and available for pastoral care. It's as clear as day to me, it makes so much sense, that the crisis could be lessened by adapting and changing the church law of celibacy to meet the needs of the people of that region, who have spiritual and religious needs which are not being met.
What would Jesus do? Come Holy Spirit Come!
NJA
How sad to read that there are thousands of indigenous communities in the Amazon who only celebrate Eucharist a few times a year. That's terrible. No Catholic should be deprived of the great gift and grace of Holy Communion. No wonder so many bishops from the Amazon are in support of married priests. They have a crisis on their hands. Sadly, there is degradation in parts of the Amazon rain forests, due to wildfires and exploitation and other pressures on indigenous people, at least they should have local priests celebrating Mass, the sacraments and available for pastoral care. It's as clear as day to me, it makes so much sense, that the crisis could be lessened by adapting and changing the church law of celibacy to meet the needs of the people of that region, who have spiritual and religious needs which are not being met.
What would Jesus do? Come Holy Spirit Come!
NJA
Friday, September 20, 2019
High School Students on Long Island Film Stabbing Instead of Helping Victim
A young teenager was bleeding to death, right before their eyes, in a strip mall in Nassau County, Long Island, NY and none of the teenagers surrounding him, tried to help. Most were video taping his death from stab wounds, with their cell phones to later post on social media.
In a suburban setting, where teens attend a well rated neighborhood high school, an after school fight broke out over a girl. Khaseen Morris would end up dead. With no one to help him, until the police arrived and then it was too late.
What is so abhorrent about this story is the callousness of those who watched and filmed instead of offering help. Maybe they could have saved him, but it was more important for most of them to film his suffering instead. (Though according to reports, some at least called 911 for help.)
An 18-year-old has been charged in his death. UPDATE: And most recently seven others have been charged in the senseless death of this young man.
According to Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Department, "Kids stood there and didn't help Khassen. They videod his death instead of helping him." Sickening.
And so you have to wonder, if you take all conversation and discussion of God and religion and religious values out of public schools and not replace it with some kind of character building education/lessons, then what you get is some teens who lack common decency and compassion for their fellow human being.
There is no reason why religious/spiritual truths from the major world religions cannot be taught in public schools, without proselytizing. Or give lessons on character building which I know exist.
Whether its gun violence, bullying, stabbing or fights there has to be a way to teach good morality into the classroom setting. This craziness has to stop. There must be an intentional effort on the part of educators to teach kindness, compassion, decency and positive moral teachings to young children and teens. The Golden Rule should be taught and memorized.
If not, children like Khaseen, and other innocents will continue to die through violence or be bullied to death.
NJA
In a suburban setting, where teens attend a well rated neighborhood high school, an after school fight broke out over a girl. Khaseen Morris would end up dead. With no one to help him, until the police arrived and then it was too late.
What is so abhorrent about this story is the callousness of those who watched and filmed instead of offering help. Maybe they could have saved him, but it was more important for most of them to film his suffering instead. (Though according to reports, some at least called 911 for help.)
An 18-year-old has been charged in his death. UPDATE: And most recently seven others have been charged in the senseless death of this young man.
According to Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Department, "Kids stood there and didn't help Khassen. They videod his death instead of helping him." Sickening.
And so you have to wonder, if you take all conversation and discussion of God and religion and religious values out of public schools and not replace it with some kind of character building education/lessons, then what you get is some teens who lack common decency and compassion for their fellow human being.
There is no reason why religious/spiritual truths from the major world religions cannot be taught in public schools, without proselytizing. Or give lessons on character building which I know exist.
Whether its gun violence, bullying, stabbing or fights there has to be a way to teach good morality into the classroom setting. This craziness has to stop. There must be an intentional effort on the part of educators to teach kindness, compassion, decency and positive moral teachings to young children and teens. The Golden Rule should be taught and memorized.
If not, children like Khaseen, and other innocents will continue to die through violence or be bullied to death.
NJA
Monday, September 2, 2019
Pope Names 13 New Cardinals-No American On The List
Pope Francis appointed 13 new Cardinals and when I read the list I was surprised that none of them were American. The American Church is important, especially at this crucial time in modern Church history and yet none of the great bishops who would have qualified for the important role of Cardinal in the Church were named from America. A missed opportunity in my humble opinion.
I'm disappointed as an American. And more crucial is that a younger American voice and presence is needed more than ever. I don't say that flippantly. American culture influences the rest of the world, and only a media-savvy, younger American Cardinal can bring that perspective and understanding to the College of Cardinals.
The American Church is crucial for the world Church for many reasons. And now is a very important time in Church history, but not sure the hierarchy realizes that.
NJA
I'm disappointed as an American. And more crucial is that a younger American voice and presence is needed more than ever. I don't say that flippantly. American culture influences the rest of the world, and only a media-savvy, younger American Cardinal can bring that perspective and understanding to the College of Cardinals.
The American Church is crucial for the world Church for many reasons. And now is a very important time in Church history, but not sure the hierarchy realizes that.
NJA
Monday, August 12, 2019
Women Need To Be Included At Every Level of Decision-Making In The Church
Sadly the Church in New York State is bracing for a slew of new lawsuits because of the enactment of the Child Victims Act (CVA). It was signed into law last February. This law will now allow new lawsuits as it suspends for one year any statue of limitations associated with alleged sexual abuse of minors. The Church continues to suffer because of grave sin, crimes against children and others, cover-ups and bad decision making.
The child abuse crisis is sickening. So far from what Jesus wanted for God's holy Church. But the Church needs cleansing and so let the cleansing begin and perhaps afterwards the Church can move forward with greater holiness. And let the healing begin for the victims, many of whom were treated unjustly in the past, but the Church has tried to correct that.
This would never have happened to the degree that it did, if more women were in leadership positions in the Church and were involved in high level decision making. I firmly believe that. Women are intuitive, have great wisdom and common sense and by their nature are protective of children. Excluding women (and I don't mean from the priesthood) has had grave consequences for the Church and will continue unless women are given the respect, responsibilities and leadership positions they deserve. They would be an asset to the Church at all levels.
So changes are needed. Yet the Church is slow to change, but in this modern age of technological advancement and young people who won't put up with all the nonsense and disfunction, the Church for its own good and survival must make changes, that build up the body of Christ.
I love the Church and for all of us who find fulfillment in our Catholic faith and the teachings of Jesus we want to see positive change, so that the new evangelization can take hold, grow and bear great fruit.
NJA
The child abuse crisis is sickening. So far from what Jesus wanted for God's holy Church. But the Church needs cleansing and so let the cleansing begin and perhaps afterwards the Church can move forward with greater holiness. And let the healing begin for the victims, many of whom were treated unjustly in the past, but the Church has tried to correct that.
This would never have happened to the degree that it did, if more women were in leadership positions in the Church and were involved in high level decision making. I firmly believe that. Women are intuitive, have great wisdom and common sense and by their nature are protective of children. Excluding women (and I don't mean from the priesthood) has had grave consequences for the Church and will continue unless women are given the respect, responsibilities and leadership positions they deserve. They would be an asset to the Church at all levels.
So changes are needed. Yet the Church is slow to change, but in this modern age of technological advancement and young people who won't put up with all the nonsense and disfunction, the Church for its own good and survival must make changes, that build up the body of Christ.
I love the Church and for all of us who find fulfillment in our Catholic faith and the teachings of Jesus we want to see positive change, so that the new evangelization can take hold, grow and bear great fruit.
NJA
Sunday, August 4, 2019
When Will The Madness Stop?-Two U.S. Mass Shootings In Less Than 24 Hours
Our elected officials are elected to protect the citizens of our country. They are not doing a good job of it. It appears that no one is safe anywhere anymore and little is being done to stop the insanity. Action is needed to stop this craziness. A 24-year-old filled with hate drove to El Paso, Texas to kill people shopping in Walmart- an act of domestic terrorism. Twenty dead and 26 injured. A baby is in a hospital with broken bones and without a mother, because his mother who died in the shooting, threw herself over the baby's stroller to protect the baby from being shot. This is madness.
In Downtown Dayton, Ohio a man in his 20s killed his sister and 8 others last night.
What are the elected officials in our country doing to stop this? I believe in the power of prayer and I pray everyday, but more than prayer is needed.
Sometime ago I read that college guidance counselors were overwhelmed and shocked with the amount of problems that college freshmen were entering college with. They were working overtime and it seemed many young people entering college were exhibiting troubling behaviors and anxiety.
The two mass shooters in the last 24 hours in our country were in their 20s. They've grown up on violent TV shows, violent movies and violent video games and having the internet and cell phones at their disposal. Computers and the internet are necessary, but sites that promote hate should be better monitored and taken down for public safety reasons.
I love the USA. I'm very grateful for all the opportunity that my family has been given because we live in this great country. But we are better than this. This is an embarrassment. There's a feeling of lawlessness, when you watch the news.
I pray elected officials do more, that positive change comes and this horrific weekend of mass shootings never happens again.
NJA
In Downtown Dayton, Ohio a man in his 20s killed his sister and 8 others last night.
What are the elected officials in our country doing to stop this? I believe in the power of prayer and I pray everyday, but more than prayer is needed.
Sometime ago I read that college guidance counselors were overwhelmed and shocked with the amount of problems that college freshmen were entering college with. They were working overtime and it seemed many young people entering college were exhibiting troubling behaviors and anxiety.
The two mass shooters in the last 24 hours in our country were in their 20s. They've grown up on violent TV shows, violent movies and violent video games and having the internet and cell phones at their disposal. Computers and the internet are necessary, but sites that promote hate should be better monitored and taken down for public safety reasons.
I love the USA. I'm very grateful for all the opportunity that my family has been given because we live in this great country. But we are better than this. This is an embarrassment. There's a feeling of lawlessness, when you watch the news.
I pray elected officials do more, that positive change comes and this horrific weekend of mass shootings never happens again.
NJA
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