Damian Thompson reports,
“The Liturgical Press, The Tablet and Columba Bookservice are inviting people to a reception honouring Archbishop Piero Marini upon the publication of his book, A Challenging Reform, in the presence of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor at the Throne Room of Archbishop’s House on Friday, December 14.”
It does seem that His Eminence is identifying himself with a particular party and cause, it is very easy, and would be unfortunate, for Cormac be seen as being part of the opposition to the Holy Father, which is what Damian Thompson, and many others seem to assume. It does a disservice to priests and people, and the unity of the Church to have to choose between Pope and Cardinal. His slip of the tongue after the the conclave "They elected...", have caused many to scrutinise his responses to the Holy Father and to the documents issued by him, weighed in the balance, he seems to be found wanting.
Obviously wherever this event is staged in London the Cardinal would be bound to attend it ...but the Throne Room? ...in Archbishop's House? I wonder if the Nunciature was considered, or another slightly more neutral venue. Good form or good manners on the part of the Archbishop might well have dictated he left the publication of his book for a while after retiring from his office as Papal Master of Ceremonies, it smacks of Cherie Blair cashing in on having been the Prime Ministers wife.
9 comments:
The plot thickens!
I have only recently discovered (through trawling the blogosphere at half-term) how deep lie the apparent divisions between Pope Benedict and a significant chunk of the England and Wales hierarchy. I must admit to being rather shocked by it all, but also rather puzzled by recent appointments, ie. the new Bishop of Middlesborough who would seem to be a Cormac man in outlook. Surely the Vatican would want Bishops in place who would be more likely to carry through Benedict's programme of initiatives/reform. Maybe the whole motu proprio affair will serve to expose to Benedict and his advisors just how much the church here is in need of strong, reinvigorating leadership (if they didn't know already). I would be very surprised if it didn't influence the choice of Cormac's successor. Certainly Vin Nichols' sensible, open attitude to Summorum Pontificum will not have gone unnoticed.
How much of this book launch is a show of defiance on Cormac's part and how much is just blind ignorance as to how it would be interpreted I do not know. Both possibilities are frightening... the latter because it makes him seem all the more dense.
I have been saddened to read so much criticism of our Cardinal archbishop over the past months. This latest piece of news would seem to be yet another contraversial decision by him - it is almost as if he is making sure we know which 'side he is on.'
I notice Fr. Ray has been charitable by using the word 'retirement' in respect of the first Marini whereas Damian Thompson has been more forthright!
It does a disservice to priests and people, and the unity of the Church to have to choose between Pope and Cardinal.
Pope Benedict or Cormac? Hmmmmm. Bit of a no-brainer that one, on so many levels.
I agree with you Brother James hayes, why doesnt the Pope Benedict just appoint some decent Bishops who are on his level of thinking???
The problem with the Church in the UK, is that we have suffered from years of liberal or middle of the road bishops.
Pope Benedict please appoint some decent bishops that the people of the UK can be proud of..I hope Fr.Julian Large the young guy from Brompton Oratory is made Bishop soon!
I am living in hope..despite the Middlesborough appt. Surely with all that has happened here since the MP the Holy Father has been given a clearer picture of the UK.
Keep praying I guess
Forty years ago, the changes in the Church were so "challenging" they drove many people away.
And, rightly or wrongly, they stayed away.
Look at the official figures for Mass attendance nowadays.
The same applies to many modern buildings and "works of art".
When you see them you are expected to feel "challenged" by them.
I see the new book by Archbishop Piero Marini is somewhat ominously titled "A Challenging Reform".
I have been looking forward to a reform of the reform, not more challenges.
I hope the forthcoming book is not going to challenge Liturgiam Authenticam and Summorum Pontificum.
Brother James,
Mgr Vincent Nichols is part of the "magic circle" of liberal bishops. Of course his public pronouncements will not have gone unnoticed in Rome, a cynic might say that's why they were made in the first place, like his notorious 'Humanae Vitae' sermon at Liverpool cathedral (before he was made a bishop) which made front page news in the Catholic press.
I hope Rome also takes note of how he dealt with the so-called "gay adoption" issue. The word "hypocrite" comes to mind. Please see link:
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/mar/07032304.html
Perhaps Cormac didn't realise Archbishop Marini was on the way out when the invitation was offerred!
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