tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post1948581220459793903..comments2023-12-16T16:17:43.886+00:00Comments on Fr Ray Blake's Blog: Archbishop Backs EqualityFr Ray Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05584140126211527252noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-17104217966785447692011-12-11T21:07:26.561+00:002011-12-11T21:07:26.561+00:00The "authorised persons" in a Catholic p...The "authorised persons" in a Catholic parish will not be authorised by the Church to have such ceremonies. They are civil only and are in conflict with Divine Law and therefore Church teaching. Such relationships may not be recognised by the Church - they can only be condemned, as harmful to the souls concerned. Of course, the UK state cannot compel the Catholic Church to perform the ceremony for what are solely statutory, state-created, "partnerships". There is no right to enter such unions, outside of the CPA 2004.Lyndanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-63610976285310643702011-12-11T16:45:29.899+00:002011-12-11T16:45:29.899+00:00Fr Ray. (sorry this is long)
The Equality Act 201...Fr Ray. (sorry this is long)<br /><br />The Equality Act 2010 introduced a power to amend the Civil Partnership Act 2004. This allows for civil partnership (CP) registrations to take place in religious buildings.<br /><br />Earlier this year the Government did seek views from interested parties via a published consultation document. This consultation included faith groups.<br /><br />Results are available http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/equalities/lgbt/<br /><br />The Government (it seems) intends to have the resulting legislative changes in place by the end of the year.<br /><br />The power in the Equality Act is permissive. Therefore, any religious organisations who do not wish to 'host' CP - WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DO SO.<br /><br />Those who wish to 'host' the cermonies will apply to local registration authorities for their building to be approved for the registration of civil partnerships.<br /><br />I do not know what the detailed processes are, as yet, for requirements of concent etc. <br /><br />THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE IS INTENDED TO BE BROADLY SIMILAR TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT HOTELS OR STATELY HOMES CURRENTLY FOLLOW TO HAVE THEIR PREMISES APPROVED FOR CIVIL MARRIAGE AND CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS.<br /><br />Clergy/ Ministers and Authorised Persons will be able to be designated as civil partnership registrars. This will be subject to local authority agreement.<br /><br />These changes are supposed to allow that secular event to take place in a religious setting.<br /><br />My personal point of view is: that as a Catholic Barrister, we need to be very aware of what is happening with the issues of civil partnerships.<br /><br />I agree with FrBT who has made his feelings known about the subject. He has my support because I understand and know where he stands.<br /><br />The Catholic Clergy needs to decide what the Priest or Deacon is going to say if you are approached with such a request for a CP cermony.<br /><br />Be careful with your words. I suggest that you can always say that your religious building does not have local authorisation to perform or assist in CP cermonies.<br /><br />But do take care that your AP has not submitted an application for such registration! The AP has powers to do so. <br />Lawyeratwork.comLawyeratwork.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-64383931596806375752011-12-11T12:55:45.179+00:002011-12-11T12:55:45.179+00:00Get well quick Father!
The news that JM relays is...Get well quick Father!<br /><br />The news that JM relays is appalling and leaves me almost speechless. But we must speak out!<br /><br />But if we are to understand that when +VN says he "recognises" civil partnership as being some sort of commitment then how can we successfully argue to a secular audience that such unions should not be blessed?<br /><br />I fear that being where you are you may be a target for such sacrilegious activity.Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-35021744183268636532011-12-10T23:35:57.812+00:002011-12-10T23:35:57.812+00:00Fr Ray, I hope you recover quickly and get some he...Fr Ray, I hope you recover quickly and get some help from your good parishioners during Christmas and the New Year.<br /><br />Fr BT: <br /><br /> I am not for croquet(and I see croquet in a different light now) nor will our parish Church be accepting same sex couples for blessings. Like you, our priest is absolutely against civil partnership unions - that are being entered into by same sex couples.<br /><br />Fr Ray, I think you will find that if one have faculties from the local Superindendant Registrar to enter and produce marriage certificates, on the basis of being the Approved Person in the church, a letter or document will soon appear informing the AP that the church may be registered for same sex cermonies.<br /><br /> This is supposed to occur very soon - in a matter of weeks. <br /><br />Therefore, legislation is being provided by the government to enable same sex unions to apply to participating churches for church cermonies. <br /><br />Participation of churches is not manditory AS YET but the writing is on the wall.<br /><br />Parish Priests must be aware that the AP in your church will get this invitation in letter form.<br />I advise you to see the letter/document and make yourselves familiar with extending powers that are being granted under legislation.<br />JM Barrister at LawJMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-90011892825102309982011-12-09T20:05:35.568+00:002011-12-09T20:05:35.568+00:00Fr Ray. Thank you to Jack.
After listening to tha...Fr Ray. Thank you to Jack.<br /><br />After listening to that speech of VN, all I can say is 'its time for the gin'. <br />Is this what we will now expect from our Shepherd?<br /><br />Obviously after saying this, our so politically correct Shepherd can have no objection to us celibate Priests entering these beautiful and meaningful civil partnerships.<br /><br />Anyone for croquet, darlings? <br />FrBTFrBTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-18741924536617643232011-12-09T04:53:55.177+00:002011-12-09T04:53:55.177+00:00The recent press conference remarks on civil partn...The recent press conference remarks on civil partnerships are on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR8zwIrMNmE" rel="nofollow">here</a>.jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-54471446620510977222011-12-08T18:12:38.432+00:002011-12-08T18:12:38.432+00:00Mea Culpa:
The audio is still there viz:
http://...Mea Culpa:<br /><br />The audio is still there viz:<br /><br />http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/Bishops-Resolutions-from-November-2011<br /><br />You have to go to News and then Bishops Resolutions from November 2011.<br /><br />You can also hear his lecture:<br /><br />http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/Inaugural-Thomas-More-LectureNicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-39025151269443455432011-12-08T11:28:38.501+00:002011-12-08T11:28:38.501+00:00@Nicholas and Fr C
Are you referring to the audio...@Nicholas and Fr C<br /><br />Are you referring to the audio podcast of the Bishops Conference Resolutions and the following Q&A? If so, here's the link:<br /> http://www.catholicnews.org.uk/Home/News-Releases/Bishops-Resolutions-from-November-2011<br /><br />SoniaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-33821674577846824242011-12-08T11:16:59.075+00:002011-12-08T11:16:59.075+00:00subject - not "aubject"subject - not "aubject"Fr Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-22600723138396620852011-12-08T10:05:23.296+00:002011-12-08T10:05:23.296+00:00Well I duly attended His Grace's talk at Nethe...Well I duly attended His Grace's talk at Netherall House on "Religion is not a problem for legislators to solve but a vital contributor to the national conversation". The theme seemed to be that we should engage with Society in various ways.<br /><br />However afterwards there was a Question and Answer session with questions submitted in writing. Mine was as follows:<br /><br /><i>The Tablet has reported “The Bishops of England and Wales believe civil partnerships successfully provide a legal protection for those in same-sex relationships. … His comments mark the clearest support that a Catholic bishop has given to same-sex unions”. <br /><br /><br />The CDFs instruction of 2003 says: In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty.<br /><br />There seems to be a clear contradiction with the teaching of the Church. Can you please comment.</i><br /><br />The Chairman had a number of questions on the same theme so he endeavoured to amalgamate them. From mine he read out the quote from the CDF document. Anyway the question was fairly put.<br /><br />His Grace deftly avoided answering the question by repeating some of what he said after the recent Bishops Conference but then saying that the issue now was as to whether Civil Partnerships should be redefined as marriage. He went on about this saying how important an issue this is (which it is!) and that we should concentrate on that and, by implication, forget about the issue of civil partnerships which did demonstrate commitment which was a good thing.<br /><br />The problem as I see it is that there are two separate issues - firstly whether civil partnerships, which are essentially defined for same-sex couples in active homosexual relationships, are to be praised despite the teaching of the Church. Secondly there is the problem of whether civil partnerships should be redefined as marriage.<br /><br />His Grace wants us to ignore the first problem and concentrate on the second. He said the bloggers who had brought up the first problem were "mischievous". I do not find that particularly helpful when there are people who are genuinely and sincerely concerned about that issue. Okay some comments may have been harsh but I do not think the bloggers themselves - William Oddie and others - were trying to create mischief.<br /><br />The problem with His Grace's line of thinking is political. An eminent Professor of Law at Oxford has been quoted as saying that all that needs to happen for civil partnerships to be redefined as marriage is just a change of definition. It could almost be a one line Act of Parliament to achieve that.<br /><br />The Government are going to say "Well the Catholic Church in England & Wales was first of all very iffy about Civil Partnerships but they have now come round to accepting, indeed praising them. Okay they object to the marriage proposal, and probably have a problem with Rome, but we may as well pass the Act and they will come round to our way of thinking in the long run or as His Grace has hinted somewhere down the road".Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-13215597287017074232011-12-08T01:28:25.298+00:002011-12-08T01:28:25.298+00:00Nicolas, I can't find a copy of the Press Rele...Nicolas, I can't find a copy of the Press Release for the Bishops' November 2011 Meeting on their website either.<br /><br />It will be interesting to see the Press Release in full. <br /><br />I am sure that the Bishops wish to exercise wise and fatherly leadership for all the faithful members of the church in England and Wales.<br /><br />However clearly different interpretations have been given to both the Press Release (see The Tablet's article of 26 November, inter alia) and to a number of videos and audios posted on Youtube and other websites.<br /><br />It would be very helpful if the Bishops gave an authoritative clarification by issuing an Explanatory Note on this matter and posting it on their website. This would also provide clarity on other related controversial issues.<br /><br />This happened with regard to another rather important church document on 16 November 1964! <br /><br />Naturally all authentic Catholic teaching needs to be based on charity and truth - caritas et veritas.<br /><br />The issue of homosexuality is expounded in the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs 2357, 2358 and 2359. <br /><br />Charity and truth requires that these three paragraphs should always be read as one. <br /><br />Quoted selectively, the teaching can sound either homophobic ("grave depravity" - as if homosexuals should be aubject to persecution and rejection) or homophilic ("they must be accepted" - as if serious sinful actions should no longer be considered sinful) .<br /><br />The full teaching is neither homophobic nor homophilic.Fr Cnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-49794552515387466252011-12-07T22:46:01.605+00:002011-12-07T22:46:01.605+00:00From THE TABLET 26 November 2011 page 32.
"A...From THE TABLET 26 November 2011 page 32.<br /><br />"Archbishop praises civil partnerships<br /><br />THE BISHOPS of England and<br />Wales believe civil partnerships<br />successfully provide a legal protection<br />for those in same-sex<br />relationships, according to the<br />Archbishop of Westminster,<br />writes Christopher Lamb.<br /><br />“We would want to emphasise<br />that civil partnerships actually<br />provide a structure in which<br />people of the same sex who want<br />a lifelong relationship [and] a<br />lifelong partnership can find their<br />place and protection and legal<br />provision,” Archbishop Vincent<br />Nichols said at a press conference<br />after the Bishops’ Conference of<br />England and Wales’ meeting last<br />week.<br /><br />His comments mark the clearest<br />support that a Catholic bishop<br />has given in favour of civil unions......."<br /><br />To read the full article see The Tablet website link in Fr Ray's original blob on this topic.Credonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-54023198765873551982011-12-07T11:46:46.393+00:002011-12-07T11:46:46.393+00:00A few days ago I thought I ought to check the sour...A few days ago I thought I ought to check the sources for this story. I think I got on to the website for the Bishops' Conference and found a report of their November 2011 meeting. There was an audio of the Archbishop saying the words attributed to him by Father Blake and others.<br /><br />To-day I went back to the same Bishops' Conference website to recheck but could find no reference to their November 2011 meeting. Perhaps I or my computer have got it all wrong but perhaps something is happening? Can anybody else find that audio of VN speaking?Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-40703574406241309802011-12-06T14:09:53.584+00:002011-12-06T14:09:53.584+00:00Fr Ray.
I would expect that the ancestors of Mr F...Fr Ray.<br /><br />I would expect that the ancestors of Mr Filochowski are on their knees before the Throne of God and Our Lady Queen of Poland, praying for God's Mercy for Julian.<br /><br />Turn back to God and leave sin behind. Approach the Fount Of God's Mercy in the Sacrament of Confession.<br />You can only go so far to test God's patience.<br />FrBTFrBTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-63176168953025025232011-12-05T23:55:28.475+00:002011-12-05T23:55:28.475+00:00Nicolas, the gentleman interviewed who was attendi...Nicolas, the gentleman interviewed who was attending a Soho Mass (9.57am 5/12/11) is Martin Pendergast.<br /><br />He is/was the leader of the Catholic Caucus of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement.<br /><br />He is in a civil partnership with Julian Filochowski.Credonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-4659744262528917372011-12-05T09:57:50.687+00:002011-12-05T09:57:50.687+00:00Semantic confusion again!
I and probably others h...Semantic confusion again!<br /><br />I and probably others have talked about "chaste relationships" in respect of same-sex civil partnerships. <br /><br />However if you watch:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne5ELk9WYlE&feature=channel_video_title<br /><br /><br />which is an interview with a man attending the Soho Masses you will find that "chaste" in his view is being faithful to the other partner in the partnership. The idea being that this is better than promiscuous unnatural activities. So I am not sure what word one can use in order to ensure that one is not misunderstood. "Celibate" means that you are unmarried which of course can therefore be applied to any civil union. So perhaps one has to spell it out at length that one is referring to same-sex unions where unnatural sexual activities take place within the union.Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-32700101513777418872011-12-03T16:26:34.043+00:002011-12-03T16:26:34.043+00:00Fr Ray. I endorse what CREDO has said. It is true....Fr Ray. I endorse what CREDO has said. It is true. <br />Sorry Mr Bellord. 'Lead and Leave'.<br /><br />The whole point is that we need to be more vigilant what is going on in the Curia of our own diocese. <br /><br />There was a time where the Bishop could do and (almost) say anything he wanted. Those days are gone.<br /><br />The internet is in one way liberating communication. Emails fly around the world in seconds. Blogs like we have here by the Good Fr Ray Blake give us the opportunity to make an opinion, share information,share interests etc.<br /><br />Commentators of any person in Office can release information, gather a discussion on the topic etc. This is acceptable as long as it is done fairly.<br /><br />The Catholic Leaders of England and Wales are now open to internet questioning and comments on their actions. The Laity have got a stronger voice and the Bishops have now lost their safety nets or comfort zones.<br /><br />Not all Bishops have meandered from the Teachings of The Holy Father and Rome. Not all Bishops should be pummelled harshly. Some are doing a fantastic job under very difficult conditions.<br /><br />I have thought long and hard on this topic of same sex partnerships. I wait for words of wisdom from my Bishop. Everybody is waiting for someone to say something which will put the confidence back into Catholisism in England and Wales.<br /><br />Well here is your opportunity-Your Graces and Your Lordships.<br /><br />Do it carefully and heal and comfort the Catholics who are waiting to hear from You. <br />Correct what is wrong and encourage what is right.<br /><br />And I still maintain - no blessings in my church for same sex couples.<br />FrBTFrBTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-44690828507594946612011-12-03T12:44:06.599+00:002011-12-03T12:44:06.599+00:00Unfortunately some bishops and priests (I write as...Unfortunately some bishops and priests (I write as one of the latter) appear either to have failed to read or to have forgotten one of the key passages of Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (aka Lumen Gentium).<br /><br />Paragraph 25 states that a "loyal submission of the will and intellect must be given, in a special way, to the authentic teaching authority of the Roman Pontiff, even when he does not speak ex cathedra". <br /><br />In a letter of 25 July 1986 (personally approved by Pope John Paul II) the then Cardinal Ratzinger of the CDF revoked Fr Charles Curran's license to teach Catholic Theology because he "did not believe to be true what the Catholic Church did, and he was not teaching what the Catholic Church taught about sexual morality". <br /><br />Details of this are given in "Witness to Hope" by George Weigel(pp. 523-525 and pp. 913-914 - footnote 109).<br /><br />There is a well known Catholic Moral Theologian in the North of England who freely admits that he is a disciple of Fr Curran. And yet he has been used as a theological adviser both by some Bishops of England and Wales and by some Religious Congregations.Credonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-28125165767530807882011-12-03T11:35:45.503+00:002011-12-03T11:35:45.503+00:00Fr BT: I said LEAD not LEAVE! As a member of the ...Fr BT: I said LEAD not LEAVE! As a member of the flock I expect to be led (and fed as per one of Christ's last admonitions). Do I just dutifully follow the Archbishop's lead or what are the alternatives? Certainly I have no intention of leaving (although I expect it will result in leaving by some confused souls). But do I just sit back, say my prayers and do nothing?<br /><br />Incidentally where are the clerics telling me that my reasoning is all wrong and kindly explaining how I should see things? Perhaps they think that queeringthechurch.com and The Tablet are sufficient to put me right?<br /><br />Where are the clerics other than yourself and Father Blake protesting about what has happened? Why is there nothing in this week's Catholic Herald? Instead we are treated to some reflections on the economic situation from His Grace which the editorial suggests might be classified as platitudes.<br /><br />I wake up in the night with black thoughts about the leadership of the Church in this country and how they have let us down. Are we just a few nutters?Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-2347912230062433492011-12-02T16:12:56.806+00:002011-12-02T16:12:56.806+00:00Not even the Rev. Charles Dodgson or Jonathan Swif...Not even the Rev. Charles Dodgson or Jonathan Swift could have improved on some of these comments.nickbrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18412418782531527758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-42068951938333780642011-12-02T14:21:21.630+00:002011-12-02T14:21:21.630+00:00Fr Ray
May I suggest this answer to Mr Bellord...Fr Ray<br /> May I suggest this answer to Mr Bellord's final paragraph and question - we are all wondering the same - (the state of the Catholic Church in England and Wales) 'where does it leave me?' <br /><br />It is clear that we need to make changes and return to being united to The Holy Father and Rome.<br /><br />'Reap as you shall sow' comes to mind.<br /><br />FrBTFrBTnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-60044746197209100962011-12-02T13:36:58.873+00:002011-12-02T13:36:58.873+00:00What I love about the English and I am one is that...What I love about the English and I am one is that everything is done and discussed in a very downtoned way almost as if evil can be reasoned around or just put up with. "Oh look there is a bird in the garden lets have a cup of tea!" and "did you hear Hilter is gasing Jews?" are not the same.The A sense of outrage and anger should be expressed in the later case not blithe comment You do not need "civil unions" to respect property rights. If you recall two old spinters cannot apply for a "civil union". It is a parody of matrimony and the government really should keep out of marriage altogether as it did before the 1850's. Our good Archbishop has had someone in his ear. "Homosexuals are only promiscuous because they cannot marry!" Just garbage. Anyone with a same sex attraction knows it is not about fidelity and in any event homosexuals acts parody and subvert the instinctual sex drive. It is about desire and emotional and physical gratification. It is abot narcissm and use of others..."gay abandon".John Fisherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705606458418222924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-44280486705652729392011-12-02T10:22:09.433+00:002011-12-02T10:22:09.433+00:00First I must apologise for using a word which is t...First I must apologise for using a word which is the technical legal term for a certain unnatural behaviour but obviously in common parlance the word is offensive. In future I will use the term "unnatural activities" and trust that it is understood correctly.<br /><br />There has obviously been a lot of upset about the Archbishop's statement. I am not clear whether his statement is his personal view or whether it represents the official view of the Bishop's conference. I think the latter which makes it even more worrying.<br /><br />The argument seems to be that the Archbishop is saying that there are people out there - couples - who are unfairly treated as compared with married people. Presumably one such unfairness might be over inheritance tax where there is nothing equivalent to the spouse exemption.<br /><br />Now if that is the concern then it seems to me that the concern should be with any couples - a same-sex couple, a brother and sister who live together, a child who spends his or her life looking after an aged parent - one could probably think of other long-term relationships.<br /><br />However as Lynda has pointed out the Civil Partnership legislation is quite obviously only targetted to benefit same-sex couples and excludes the brother and sister or the child and parent. In my view it is naive to believe otherwise and frankly I do not see how anyone could honestly hold a differing view.<br /><br />The second aspect of the Archbishop's statement is that "The Church holds great store by the value of commitment in relationships and undertakings that people give. Stability in society depends upon the reliability of commitments that people give."<br /><br />Now if you accept that the Civil Partnership Act is virtually exclusively for the benefit of same-sex couples then it is those relationships which the Archbishop is commending as good.<br /><br />Does he then believe that these are chaste relationships? Or does he believe that they are people who whilst endeavouring to be chaste do fail to be chaste? If the latter has he not heard of occasions of sin? It would be like saying that it is perfectly okay for a heterosexual couple to live together, unmarried, and quite understandably to sin every now and again.<br /><br />But does he really believe that the average same-sex couple in a Civil Partnership has any intention of remaining chaste? No doubt we will be told not to judge.<br /><br />But surely the occasion of sin argument must trump that argument.<br /><br />My conclusion is that the Archbishop's statement actively encourages people to believe that homosexually active Civil Partnerships are a good thing.<br /><br />Lastly Father Blake says 'It appears that the 2003 CDF document Legal Recognition of Homosexual Unions only applies to Marriage, itself not "civil partnerships. I had obviously misunderstood as the bishops once did.'<br /><br />Perhaps you were being ironic Father? The CDF document says: <b>In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty. One must refrain from any kind of formal cooperation in the enactment or application of such gravely unjust laws and, as far as possible, from material cooperation on the level of their application. In this area, everyone can exercise the right to conscientious objection.</b><br /><br />It is clear that the document refers to any legal recognition not just marriage.<br /><br />Finally I do wonder whether the Archbishop considers the scandal that is being caused to the average lay Catholic in the pew. I find it increasingly difficult to have any respect for him or some of his fellow Bishops. Where does that lead me?Nicolas Bellordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08063019108964247676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-9548828380205654322011-12-01T21:56:17.284+00:002011-12-01T21:56:17.284+00:00Lynda, the answer to your question is because they...Lynda, the answer to your question is because they are afraid. We are not an "Easter people" as the ludicrous pastoral congress called us back in 1980 but we are very much stuck in the 'upper room'. It's as simple as that.Sadie Vacantisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04823532366874114366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31069882.post-55671915097400215912011-12-01T19:20:06.941+00:002011-12-01T19:20:06.941+00:00The Archbishop should be knighted. "I dub the...The Archbishop should be knighted. "I dub thee Si.....whoops,my sword slipped a little there...so sorry"Catenoreply@blogger.com