Must-see TV?
November 11, 2008, 2:29 pm
Posted by Grant Gallicho
Maybe not. But, if you’re interested, you can watch EWTN’s live stream of the USCCB meeting here. They’re discussing “Catholic Teaching in Political Life” right now. Start your air-poppers.
on November 11th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I came in late, just caught Card. George’s last words about emphasizing community over “rights” talk. As I don’t know what came before, I can’t say anything particulary informed. But the theme of an over-regard for “rights” was also struck by B16 at the UN in April, and didn’t get much coverage. It’s an interesting (and emerging?) concern, again a historic disconfort for the hierarchy, over the modern world’s conception of rights. Again, not sure if George was going there, but it would be an interesting discussion/development to move beyond the tropes of “right-to-life” and “reproductive rights,” which seem to cancel each other out in the public mind.
BTW, Jim Lackey at CNS is live-blogging it all here: http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/
My favorite entry:
3:15 p.m.: Bishops encouraging other bishops to not be afraid to stand up for life in whatever they do in their home dioceses, even if it means risking their own lives.
I suspect they may be at greater risk from each other in this room than back in the chancery!
on November 11th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Yes, I forget which bishop said that, but he remarked that bishops would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow if it would mean an end to abortion. While the session’s title suggested a range of issues would be on the table, abortion was the only item under discussion. Many bishops called for Card. George’s statement to be “prophetic.” Only Bishop Cupich of Rapid City, SD, raised the question of the nature of that prophecy. He argued that the “prophecy of solidarity” would be more helpful than the “prophecy of denunciation.”
Bishop Martino of Scranton, PA, had much to say, including his claim that Catholics United and “Catholics in Alliance for the so-called Common Good” were redefining the common good in line with the prosperity gospel.
on November 11th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I was half listening as I was grading papers but I was really struck by how confused the bishops sounded about the direction of American life. One bishop talked about how the letter should address not only Catholic but all people of good will. The next bishop countered that it was only Catholics over which they have authority. Another talked about using the letter as a teaching tool for his diocese. No wonder the bishops are confused. They are operating out of an old mode of the authority (say things loud and often), a mode that no longer works in American life. As a teacher I can say that a top-down method of authority does not work with today’s teens. It surely cannot work for the bishops with the adults of today.
on November 11th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Does any Bishop seriously think his life is in danger over this?
I guess Martino, et al are putting Cafardi, Kmiec etc. Catholics united for the Common Good, and maybe Mr. Steinfels for his column in their place.
Not to mention us Commonweal Catholics. And CTA, NCR readers, all those dissenters, etc.
Blech!
on November 11th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Also listening while working. Did pick up some good suggestions in terms of the context and how they need to win the hearts and minds of catholics and the public square.
Seems to be some agreement that the overly legalistic approach has failed; and they need to step back and regain how to be teachers.
But, like the comments above, you also have a number of fairly strange statements coming from left field.
on November 13th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Thanks for the link. I hadn’t realized it would be telecast. I got in late, A few of those in attendance seemed to be trying to make sense, but I have to agree with Bill De Haas. So many of the interventions seemed irrelevant, poorly thought out, and just plain odd. The final statement on the political issues that emerged from their efforts after all that work had all the marks of a hastily put together committee report — the sort that tries to include one bright idea from everyone. A recipe for disaster.
It was heartening to hear a few people who seemed to be thinking about what they were saying. Bishops Galeone, Troutman, and Mahoney come to mind. But there was a bit of snickering now and again and a shockingly perfunctory attitude toward the final prayer by one of the presiders, that one might only forgive in light of the late afternoon hour–when blood sugar levels would be low and evryone would be yearning for adjournment and a good dinner.