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Christian Witness, Perspective, Political

Fr. Frank Pavone misses the point

Through Christian Newswire: Fr. Pavone: Pulpit Under God’s Authority, Not Government’s

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented today on the “Pulpit Freedom Sunday” that a group of pastors observed this past weekend, in which they spoke about the moral qualifications of candidates for public office, with a freedom that they maintain the IRS is wrongly taking from pastors.

“This effort is not about bringing politics into the pulpit; it’s about getting government out of the pulpit,” Fr. Pavone explained. “It should be Church authority, not government authority that determines the criteria for how pastors should address politics.”

“When a preacher goes into a pulpit, he does so under the command and authority of God, to preach God’s word. Now God’s word cannot really be God’s if the government can limit or censor it. Moreover, if preachers didn’t historically have the freedom to challenge government authority, we would have neither Christianity nor the United States of America,” Fr. Pavone pointed out…

There was much hullabaloo a week or so ago over freedom in the pulpit. Pastors wanted the freedom to comment on politics, political parties, candidates, etc. (but not really – they really wanted to make endorsements).

For more on this see the NY Times: I’m Your Pastor, and I Approved This Ad and from the IHT: Protesting pastors back candidates from the pulpit.

Fr. Pavone and his cohort say it is about freedom.

Fr. Pavone and those like him are so embroiled in politics that they cannot see the forest for the trees. In their comprehension everything is about politics and using political means to achieve the ends they seek. I think Fr. Pavone and the other pastors who championed this cause have forgotten who and what they are. They are not a business nor a corporation. They are not politicians, nor are they dependent on the political establishment for anything. Further, you do not need the government’s permission to comment on or challenge governmental authority. We do it all the time when we comment on greed, unjust war, abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, or pretty much any biblical principal that is at odds with the government’s direction.

Of course Fr. Pavone could care less about his right to speak freely on these principals. This fight has nothing to do with freedom to teach. He, and those like him, would much rather toss their biretta into the political morass, cleaving onto candidates with endorsements from the pulpit.

I can just see Jesus doing that – come unto Me all who hunger and thirst, and vote Pharisee – they believe in the resurrection!

I suggest that Fr. Pavone go on a long retreat, best in a far away country, and that he break his addiction to politics. When he comes back he should teach the truth without fear. He doesn’t need to approve of any candidate (and none are a basketful of Christian principals anyway), he just needs to trust. Do not fear the government when at the ambon or in the pulpit. Fear God who will judge if you do not put faith and trust in Him. With Him all things are possible.

Christian Witness, Perspective, , , ,

Language and loss – my reflection

I have been following a series of posts by John Guzlowski on language and loss. His reflections were spurred on by the untimely death of novelist David Foster Wallace.

You can read his posts: At Everything’s Jake: re: David Foster Wallace and Suicide and The Deaths of Writers and at Lighting and Ashes: Language and Loss and Language and Loss: Some More Thoughts.

While reading his posts the verse from Romans 8:26 kept jumping out at me:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.

This verse is comforting in those moments when words, poetry, art, and even tears are too little. God is connected to us in our sorrows and our joys. He understands and speaks in a language we cannot comprehend, but a language that gives peace.

Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC, ,

Being a Confessor of the Faith in Mishawaka, Indiana

Wikipedia defines a Confessor as:

The title confessor is used in the Christian Church in several ways. Its oldest use is to indicate a saint who has suffered persecution and torture for the faith, but not to the point of death.

I recently blogged about Nan Gilbert, a member of the PNCC who has been discharged from her job simply for her membership and allegiance to the PNCC. You might think: isn’t that employer horrible, persecuting people for their faith in Jesus Christ and their allegiance to Him.

Funny thing, she worked for a Roman Catholic high school run by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Note that the school still lists her as a member of their staff on their website (as of the writing of this post).

I attempted to confirm the events with the Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese, the Rev. Robert C. Schulte and the school’s principal, Mr. Carl Loesch. Fr. Schulte responded but refused to comment on the status of Ms. Gilbert, citing confidentiality. Ms. Gilbert has personally confirmed these events with me.

Ms. Gilbert was told to renounce her affiliation with the PNCC and come back to full communion with the Roman Catholic Church. She was also asked to renounce any relationship with her fiancee, a former cleric of the Roman Catholic Church. Upon refusing she was told that she could either resign or be fired.

From my perspective, there is the potential for further repercussions aimed at Ms. Gilbert based on what she has reported to me. The whole episode is truly insidious, truly sinful.

In the end this is simple coercion and prejudice. While coercion is allowed for by Roman Catholic Canon Law, this would be an area outside Canon Law, because it affects the member of another Church — an area covered in joint agreements and by the Roman Church’s own prohibitions against coercion. So it comes down to bullying.

Here’s an excerpt from Marian’s Mission Statement:

…As a Catholic community, Marian values the sanctity and individuality of each student and strives to live the example of Jesus Christ as teacher and servant.

Is that saying that Jesus as teacher and servant treated His co-workers without sanctity or individuality? Don’t you just love mission statements. So many words, never reflected upon, never considered. Just a decoration on one’s website. If they cannot follow their Mission Statement how can they follow the Popes and the Gospel?

Grant this, O Christ, that we may never let ourselves be broken by threats, persecution and suffering, but always firmly and faithfully profess Thy holy faith. And when false human judgments pursue and wrong us, grant us the faith of the apostles and courage of the martyrs, that we may be capable to suffer and even die for Thee. Amen. — From the Prayer for the First Station. The Stations of the Cross, A Book of Devotions and Prayers According to the Use of the Polish National Catholic Church.

Here’s a better Mission statement:

“Fides suadenda est, non imponenda”
(Faith is a matter of persuasion, not of compulsion)

Christian Witness, Perspective, PNCC

Working together, as we are able

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: Mt. Pleasant church seeks another congregation to share costs

A Mt. Pleasant church is looking for another congregation to share its facility.

First United Church of Christ members are exploring ways to raise funds to cover normal operating costs and to replace the roof, at an estimated cost of $20,000. The church, at the corner of Hitchman and East Main streets, was established in 1864.

The church previously shared its facility with the congregation of Transfiguration of Our Lord Polish National Catholic Church. That worked out well, so they thought they’d try it again.

“We were discussing ways to try to raise some money,” said Lisa Grate, president of First United Church of Christ. “We thought we could put an ad in the paper that we’re an established church seeking a fledgling congregation to share our facility. It’s a big church. The bills are expensive. We have a small, elderly congregation. We’re basically keeping our head above water. We don’t have the funding.”

The partnership with Transfiguration brought in about $600 a month in rent, which included use of First United’s social hall and kitchen. Transfiguration Church was razed in 2002 by the Diocese of Greensburg because of structural damage.

While some Transfiguration parishioners joined other parishes, others wanted to keep their link to their Polish heritage and stay together as a parish. That chance came as First United Church of Christ offered its worship site.

“Our church was their church, basically,” Grate said. “We did our worship on Sundays, they did their worship on Saturdays. They brought all their statues, they had full use of it. It worked out really, really well.”

For that, the parishioners of Transfiguration were very appreciative.

“It worked out real well,” said Dan Levendusky, chairman of the church committee at Transfiguration, adding his parish used First United Church of Christ for about five years. “It was just Christian charity. They knew we were looking for a place to worship.”

A new Transfiguration parish complex opened last November on Bridgeport Street, the site of the former Rainbow Gardens…

This is a really positive example of Christian’s working together as they are able. I have always been a firm believer of supporting our own (2 Corinthians 6:14) when we are ableOf course the UCC and the PNCC do not have the same perspective on many issues. That does not stop others from recognizing us as Christians by our love.. This type of support keeps buildings open, neighborhoods stable and small congregations afloat. It respects the character of community. May God bless both communities.

Christian Witness, PNCC

Eternal rest Frank Jawor

I ask your prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr. Frank Jawor. His obituary from Wayne State University follows:

Former WSU Men’s Golf Coach Passes Away: Frank Jawor was the 1990 GLIAC Coach of the Year

Former Wayne State University men’s golf coach Frank Jawor, 87, passed away last Friday, September 26, 2008. He was the 1990 GLIAC Coach of the Year.

Beloved husband of the late Helen. Dearest father of Frank (Carol), John J., and Kathy Lynn. Loving grandfather of Frank Benjamin. Dear brother of Stan, Cass, Wanda, John, and the late Ted, Chet, Victoria, Helen, Joe and Stephanie. Family will receive friends Sunday 1-8 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m. at Stanley Turowski Funeral Home, 25509 W. Warren, Dearborn Hts. In state 9:30 a.m. Monday at Our Savior Polish National Catholic Church, 610 N. Beech Daly until 10 a.m. Mass. Long-time PGA Member, former President of Michigan PGA, master golf professional, and former Wayne State golf coach. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Our Savior Polish National Church or charity of choice.

Mr. Jawor, besides his accomplishments noted above, was an active member of the Polish National Union of America. He was Secretary of Branch 243 in Dearborn Heights and served on several national committees. He passed away three days before the celebration of the centennial of Polish National Union. May his valued service be treasured by all. Please pray:

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

Wieczne odpoczynek racz mu dać Panie, a światłość wiekuista niechaj mu świeci.
Niech odpoczywa w pokoju, Amen.

Christian Witness, Homilies, , ,

Propositions on Christian Theology: A Pilgrim Walks the Plank

Ben Myers of Faith & Theology has several postings on Propositions on Christian Theology, a new book by Kim Fabricius. See Propositions on Christian theology: a new book by Kim Fabricius! and Endorsements for Kim’s new book.

The book consists of Mr. Fabricius’ “10 propositions” series as well as poetry and hymns he has written. These propositions have informed many of my homilies. They are more than an exposition of thoughts, or rubrics on theology, they are an series of unveilings. Each word and phrase takes you deeper and deeper into our life in God, opening new doors, new expectations. Before you know it, you begin to imagine yourself as someone who can understand the deepest theology. You begin to think that you can comprehend God.

The following is from Mike Higton’s foreword:

You will find some propositions in this book on dull sermons and others on holy laughter, some on the Nicene Creed and others on the nature of heresy, some on human sexuality and others on all-too-human hypocrisy, some on the role of angels and others on the location of hell, and still others on fasting and feasting, peace and policing, grace and gratitude —“ but don’t be fooled into thinking that it is simply a scattershot miscellany. Proposition by proposition, aphorism by aphorism, this book provides a solid training in how to think theologically —“ how to break and remake your thought in the light of God’s grace.

I highly recommend Propositions on Christian Theology: A Pilgrim Walks the Plank (Carolina Academic Press, 2008), 228 pp. It is currently available from Amazon, or at a pre-publication discount from the publishers.

Christian Witness, Current Events, PNCC, ,

From IWJ – Immigration through the Lens of Faith

From IWJ:

I would like to invite you to participate in IWJ’s “Immigration Through the Lens of Faith” training, which will take place November 9-11 in Chicago. This training is designed for staff and leaders of IWJ affiliates, religious or community outreach staff of unions, community services representatives, and organizing staff of faith-based organizations.

In the training, participants will learn how to:

  • deepen outreach to the religious and labor communities
  • provide a closer look at the intersection of worker justice and immigrant worker rights
  • implement examples of best practices around issues that effect immigrant workers and how to implement them
  • tackle the problem of wage theft and join IWJ’s national campaign to prevent it

To register contact Renaye Manley at 773-728-8400 x15 or visit the registration website. There are a limited number of spaces available.

Christian Witness, Perspective, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Political

An officer of the court?

George Weigel posits a question in a column from The Pilot: CAMPAIGN 2008: Marriage, civility, persecution

Will the Catholic Church have to get out of the civil marriage business (i.e., priests no longer serving as officers of the court for purposes of validating a marriage)? Will Catholic marriages in the United States eventually resemble marriages in, say, communist-era Poland: a sad joke of a civil ceremony, followed by the liturgical ceremony?

At least in Poland people were honest enough to stop at the civil step if that was all they wanted.

Frankly I hope that such a turn of events does occur. Clergy should not be “officers of the court” for any purpose. We do not represent earthly government, nor should we align ourselves, or encumber ourselves, with the requirements governments put upon us. We should use great care in not equating the sacrament of marriage with a legal contract between two people (which is all a civil marriage is)Should we require that every civil contract between Catholics be blessed in a church. Can you imagine the fees from the lawyers and consultants… They’d be lined up for miles..

Such a move, getting the government out of the Church’s sacrament and the Church out of the government’s business of contract oversight, would only serve to bring a greater level of honesty to the whole process. The Church and couples should be free from the hypocrisy of it all — freedom from the notion that the Church is only a way point for marriage, later for the baby naming ceremony, later for the funeral.

I have seen faith filled couples come to church because that’s where they want to be. I have also seen people go through the motions, lying to themselves and to the Church for months, just for the pretty ceremony — the one grandma wants. Tens of thousands of dollars for lies and shame. Money that could be saved if only they had stopped by the local court, put down $10, and signed a contract. That was all they really wanted. If the word ‘sacrament’ passed through their minds for more than a millisecond I’d be surprised.

Let’s not make churches “officers of the court” as part of an elaborate faí§ade – filled with pretense and business opportunities for wedding consultants. Let’s not make the Church a party to corruption. Let those who come to Church come freely. When they come they will find the doors open to them, doors that open to a lifetime of faith.

As an aside, no Mr. Weigel, you don’t need a government ‘ceremony.’ It can be as simple as putting pen to paper, signing off on a legal agreement as it were. Why play make believe?

Frankly I think Mr. Weigel is full of beans. He cannot see beyond John Paul/Poland shrine he has built to the stuff John Paul really believed in. God’s Kingdom and His Church are greater than human folly.

Christian Witness, Current Events, Perspective,

Awaiting the immanent collapse

The word from the NY Times: Talks Implode During Day of Chaos; Fate of Bailout Plan Remains Unresolved

The meeting opened with Mr. Paulson, the chief architect of the bailout plan, —giving a status report on the condition of the market,— Tony Fratto, Mr. Bush’s deputy press secretary, said. Mr. Fratto said Mr. Paulson warned in particular of the tightening of credit markets overnight, adding, —that is something very much on his mind.—

Matched against today’s word from the Word:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. — Psalm 1:1-3 (RSV)

So let us meditate on and delight in the Lord – then shall we prosper.

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