Sunday, August 30, 2009

Scranton Bishop Martino to Resign?

I posted my thoughts over on Deacon Greg's site...

see post and comments


Your thoughts?


Joe



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Camden Diocese - Where did the haters come from?

I have been contemplating this post for a while. In the Camden NJ catholic diocese ( where I live) , Bishop Joseph Galante announced 16 months ago ago a sweeping reorganization of parishes that understandably has brought great consternation. Closing and merging parishes is traumatic and people will feel hurt and angry. This is understandable.


The Bishop and the chancery officials are not perfect and with such a large change they certainly made some missteps-- and to their credit made some adjustments when faced with additional data. In the end they face the same hard facts of many dioceses in the nation-- far less priests and far fewer active parishioners to support the current number of parishes. And it resulted in hard choices to consolidate many parishes.


What is disturbing however is the reaction of a small but vocal group of people who object to these parish consolidations and closings and have responded with regular on line attacks on the bishop, chancery officials and even local priests. The attacks have a few common characteristics:


**They are inevitably personal and accuse the priests and others of chancery with willful and intentional desires to destroy the local church


** The ignore all data and the experience of the rest of the Church in the US with pie in the sky statements that there really are plenty of priests, no need to close any church etc


**They, without any sense of irony, proclaim with all certitude their world view to be the true authentic Catholic church and the local Bishop ( appointed by the Vicar of Rome) and his officials to not be truly Catholic or legitimate and


**they hide their hateful venom on websites that are closed to respectful disagreement and only present their narrow view. Apparently as sure as they claim to be holders of the truth, they fear any post that would point out any weakness in their arguments.


More recently one hater has decided to slander a parish priest I know and respect, Father Ed Friel. At some point someone needs to take on this garbage.


Here is the post



I don't know who Byrnes is but I do know Father Ed to be a hardworking and down to earth priest who is trying to do his best in a difficult situation. Her rants are a disgrace and deserve a strong response. Alas, the website is only open to people who have drunken the kool-aid and agree with Byrnes and her fellow 'authentic Catholics'.


Joe




Sunday, August 2, 2009

Liberty Bell, Independence Hall...Comcast Center Lobby???

The Philadelphia Inquirer today highlights the latest tourist attraction in Philadelphia - the lobby of the Comcast Center.

These photos do not do full justice to the 'wow!' of walking into what appears to be "just another office lobby" and suddenly being overwhelmed by a wall of video.

If your in Philadlephia - No matter your opinion of mother Comcast-- its worth the visit. And the price is right- free!


here is a link to a youtube -

Joe

Welcome

Hello everyone.

Welcome to my blog. The title is a nod to my profession ( accounting) but my hope is to stimulate more balanced conversation on a wide variety of topics beyond business and accounting. So we will link in discussions on politics ( I am from NJ - so we will start by searching for an honest politician -- please ,please someone name one!) religion, sports, books, popular culture....

So I look forward to hearing from you

Joe