Pope Benedict XVI on Archbishop Oscar Romero

In addition to his grossly misinterpreted comments on abortion and excommunication, Pope Benedict had some wonderful news that he shared with reporters. When asked whether Archbishop Oscar Romero's canonization process would ever result in this martyr of the faith and for his people becoming a saint, the Holy Father replied:

"I have no doubt he will be beatified. I know that the cause is proceeding well at the Congregation for the Cause of Saints," but told the reporters he did not have exact information as to when this would occur. His Holiness continued by saying, "He was certainly a great witness for the faith, a man of great Christian virtue who was committed to peace and against dictatorship." Then, recalling that the archbishop of San Salvador was assassinated during the consecration of the host while saying Mass, the Holy Father said Romero's was "an incredible death."

Just days prior to his murder Romero said to a reporter, "You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never perish." For more on Archbishop Oscar Romero see the article Oscar Romero: Bishop of the Poor, by Renny Golden.

Abortion and excommunication

It is a busy blogging day, which means that I probably will not post again at least until Monday.

In a post earlier this week, His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, Departs for Brazil, I mentioned that when asked about the Mexican bishops' response to a law passed by the Mexico City legislature, allowing unrestricted access to abortion during the first tri-mester of pregnancy, Pope Benedict, in supporting the bishops, minced no words. Last night in RCIA we spent a good twenty minutes discussing the Holy Father's comments and the U.S. media's attempt to apply what he said about one specific situation (i.e., Mexico City) more broadly (i.e., the United States). Dr. Edward Peters, JD, JCD, professor of Canon Law at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the seminary of the Archdiocese of Detroit, seeks to clarify the Pope's comments in light of the ruckus these comments, made aboard the airplane during his flight to Brazil, have (predictably) caused.

Dr. Peters is the author of several books, the most recent of which is a book on excommunication - Excommunication and the Catholic Church: Straight Answers to Tough Questions. On his blog In Light of the Law, in a post named Legislating in mid-air? First thoughts: possible, but not likely , he clarifies what has become an entangled mess.

(Photograph: REUTERS/Paulo Whitaker)

More on Limbo

Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, editor-in-chief of the journal First Things, offers his always cogent commentary on this Friday in a post over on Observations & Contentions, entitled Stirring the Potpourri. Among the issues he tackles at the end of this week is the International Theological Commission's recently released document The Hope of Salvation for Infants Who Die Without Being Baptized, section 3 of which begins: "The idea of limbo, which the church has used for many centuries to designate the destiny of infants who die without baptism, has no clear foundation in revelation even though it has long been used in traditional theological teaching. Moreover, the notion that infants who die without baptism are deprived of the beatific vision, which has for so long been regarded as the common doctrine of the church, gives rise to numerous pastoral problems, so much so that many pastors of souls have asked for a deeper reflection on the ways of salvation."

Fr. Neuhaus sums up the commission's findings concisely:

"Limbo was not a doctrine of the Church but a theological opinion that emerged from wrestlings with the question of what happens to babies who have been deprived of the 'ordinary' means of salvation in baptismal regeneration. The idea was that they dwelt in a state of eternal felicity, called Limbo, that is short of the Beatific Vision. The ITC report, to put it too simply, suggests that the idea of Limbo should be retired in favor of a permissible hope that all will be saved in ways known only to God." He also addresses an interesting footnote, number 72 to be exact, that resonates a bit with my post earlier this week The forthcoming of the this-worldly "new humanity".

His Own Words- Our Bishop Speaks to us, regularly!

It was great to learn yesterday that The Intermountain Catholic , our diocesan newspaper, has a new feature on their website, a podcast by Bishop Wester, His Own Words. This is an exciting development. So, join the party and go check it out! If the first podcast is anything to judge by, and I am quite certain that it is, we are in for a regular treat from Bishop Wester!

Kudos Barbara Lee and producer Christopher Gray, and, of course, to Bishop Wester for providing this timely feature!

Organ Donation

I had the privilege of being interviewed recently on organ donation for a wonderful article written The Intermountain Catholic's Christine Young, entitled Religious leaders share views on organ donation. Here is my excerpt:

"'The Catholic church views organ donation in a favorable light,' said Deacon Scott Dodge of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, who serves as a chaplain at LDS Hospital. 'According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, "Organ donation is a noble and meritorious act and is to be encouraged as an expression of generous solidarity" (2296).

"'Through organ donation, we foster life,' said Dodge. 'For it to be morally acceptable, the organ donor must personally give explicit consent by signing up as a donor. Individuals are encouraged to express their consent to family members before their death, because in the end the family of the deceased must also consent to organ and tissue donations.'"

(Some) of you just have to see this!

This is really only for those who know me. For those of you who do not, please keep your sense of humor. Meanwhile, I will be compiling documentation for Deacon Payne's canonization process (laugh, breath): Deacon Payne goes to Mundelein

Take away line in preparation for a penitential Friday:
"My spiritual director always says that asceticism is at the heart of the spiritual life. I ask you, What can be more ascetical than a savage beatdown?"

(Diaconal bow to Fr. Erik)

Another 10 May milestone

Happy 47th Birthday to Paul David Hewson (a.k.a. Bono Vox)