Musings of a Catholic Convert

Let me tell you something, brother.  I am so very very proud of Archbishop Raymond Burke of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Missouri.  The Holy Father has appointed him as prefect of the supreme tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura.  It's almost as if he's been made the chief justice of the supreme court, except this is the Church's court and it won't try to legislate abortion and invalid marriages.  Archbishop Burke is an expert on canon law, but more than that he is an OUTSTANDING man of God.  Not once has he backed down from the high standards of orthodoxy and virtue that our bishops are called to uphold.  His committment to the truth of the Gospel and its continuing relevance made him the target of controversy, yet he handled each situation with humility and charity.  I am a big fan of Archbishop Burke and I wish him well in his new endeavor.  

I wonder now who will be appointed to the Archdiocese of St. Louis.  Has anyone been named yet?   

In case you wanted to know what the Apostolic Signatura is, I copied this information from the Vatican website.

SUPREMO TRIBUNALE DELLA SEGNATURA APOSTOLICA  
 

Nel sec. XIII i Sommi Pontefici si servirono di officiali relatori (referendarii) per preparare la firma (signatura) delle suppliche e delle commissioni di cause di iustitia o di gratia agli uditori (cardinales auditores e cappellani auditores). Esiste un ufficio stabile della Segnatura da quando Eugenio IV (1471-84) demandò ai referendari stessi la firma di certe suppliche. La divisione di questa Segnatura, chiamata gratiae et commissionum sotto Sisto IV (1471-84), in due dicasteri era cominciata sotto Alessandro VI (4 magg. 1493) e fu compiuta da Giulio II (1503-13). Dalla fine del sec. XV ci sono dei Cardinali prefetti alle due Segnature, delle quali la Signatura iustitiae si trasformò in un vero tribunale. Il numero crescente dei referendari utriusque signaturae condusse in prassi alla formazione del gremio ristretto dei votantes, costituito da Alessandro VII (13 lu. 1659) in un collegio proprio da integrare sempre con i referendari semplici, i quali avevano soltanto voto consultivo. Con la creazione delle Congregazioni e con la crescente competenza della Rota e della Camera - le quali non avevano bisogno di commissioni speciali del Pontefice - le funzioni della Segnatura diminuirono, e diventò un tribunale anzitutto di cassazione (anche per le cause civili dello Stato pontificio: Regolamento del 10 nov. 1834 di Gregorio XVI). La Signatura gratiae, trasformata da Sisto V (22 genn. 1588) in una Congregazione, perdeva la sua importanza con lo sviluppo della Dataria, alla quale dai tempi di Clemente IX (1667-69) e nel sec. XVII passarono quasi tutte le concessioni di grazie.

San Pio X ricostituì (Cost. Sapienti Consilio e Lex propria S. R. Rotae et Signaturae Ap., 29 giu. 1909) una unica Segnatura Apostolica come Supremo Tribunale, trasformandola in un consesso di 6 Cardinali, dei quali uno fungeva da Prefetto. Ma col C.I.C. del 1917 il numero degli E.mi Membri della Segnatura è stato reso illimitato. Benedetto XV ricostituì il collegio dei votanti e quello dei referendari come organi consultivi del Tribunale (Chirogr. 28 giu. 1915).

Le competenze attuali del Supremo Tribunale della Segnatura Apostolica sono stabilite nella Costituzione Apostolica Pastor Bonus, del 28 giu. 1988, art. 121-125.

Per quanto riguarda la potestà strettamente giudiziaria la Segnatura Apostolica giudica: le querele di nullità, le richieste di restitutio in integrum contro le sentenze rotali; i ricorsi nelle cause sullo stato delle persone, che la Rota Romana rifiutò di ammettere a nuovo esame; le cause contro gli Uditori della Rota Romana per atti posti durante l’esercizio delle loro funzioni; i conflitti di competenza di cui al can. 1416. Quale Tribunale contenzioso-amministrativo dirime: le contese sorte per un atto di potestà amministrativa ecclesiastica, ad esso legittimamente deferite; in questi casi, oltre al giudizio di illegittimità, esso può anche giudicare, qualora il ricorrente lo chieda, circa la riparazione dei danni recati con l’atto illegittimo; le altre controversie amministrative ad esso deferite dal Romano Pontefice o dai dicasteri della Cura Romana; e il conflitto di competenza tra gli stessi dicasteri. In virtù della potestà amministrativa riguardante il foro giudiziario ad essa spetta: vigilare sulla retta amministrazione della giustizia; prorogare la competenza dei tribunali; promuovere ed approvare l’erezione dei tribunali di cui ai cann. 1423 e 1439. Altre attribuzioni le derivano dall’ordinamento giuridico dello Stato della Città del Vaticano e da taluni concordati (vedi ad es. Concordato con l’Italia art. 34, Concordato con il Portogallo art. 25, Concordato con la Repubblica Dominicana art. 16).

Il Supremo Tribunale della Segnatura Apostolica consta di E.mi Cardinali ed Ecc.mi Arcivescovi e Vescovi nominati dal Santo Padre. Uno dei Cardinali funge da Prefetto, e si giova dell’aiuto del Segretario.

Essa procede secondo la Legge Propria.

La funzione dei consultori è svolta dai votanti e referendari, le cui facoltà e privilegi furono determinati dalla Cost. Ap. Ad incrementum del 15 ag. 1934, poi modificata dalle Normae speciales Signaturae Apostolicae approvate da Paolo VI il 23 mar. 1968.

Did I mention they only had an Italian explanation online?  According to Catholic-Hierarchy.org, it functions as the supreme tribunal and also ensures that justice in the Church is correctly administered.  But if you know Italian, you can read the full description above.  Go ahead, Khira.

Huge congratulations, Archbishop Burke!  We're sad to see you go, but we are happy to see a good man such as yourself being appointed to such a excellent post of leadership.  I know you will do well and bring even greater honor to our Lord in your service there.

Here's hoping for a short week.  Normally, Mondays are the days in which most of my work get's piled on, or when I sort through the pile of work given to me on Friday.  Needless to say, I hate Mondays.  

Had a great time this weekend, spending good time with friends.  The kids and I even had a decent Saturday while the wife was out on business.  Father Parham had a TOTALLY AWESOME homily on Sunday, which made Sunday's Mass that much more amazing.  Small group was excellent, and I'm not just saying that because we grilled burgers.  Things are really clicking along there and I'm glad for it.

But today is not small group.  Today is Monday.  The good news is that it's also payday.  Maybe I'll buy a CD today?  There are a couple that I have my eye on.  One is new and the other is not.  How's that for a vague hint.  Ha!  

Almost time to start work for the day.  Hope you all have a great week, and I hope you all get Friday off!

I wish I knew more about Archbishop Sheen's personal life.  No doubt, there are numerous biographical books I can get my hands on.  For now, however, I am absorbed in the man's sermons and books.  He has been such a tremendous help to me in my own continuing conversion and relationship with Christ.  And I ask for the continuous intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen, as I know from my reading that he was a tremendous prayer warrior as a pilgrim on this earth.  His prayer strength has certainly not diminished now that he is before the very throne of the One who saves us. He can only have become even more effective in his prayers to God.

Why this man?  Why not some other already canonized saint?  Listen, I've got loads of saints as examples, mentors, and teachers.  They show me it is possible to live for Christ amid difficulty and selfishness.  Archbishop Fulton Sheen stands out, however.  From the first time I saw him on television, it has been as though he was talking directly to me, as if he could read my very soul.  I found myself listening to his sermons more and more.  Now, I'm reading books, and it is here that I am beginning to see major transformation.

And it's not that Archbishop Sheen is telling me something I haven't heard before.  In fact, I've taught the very things I'm reading.  How is it that now, in 2008, these words are piercing my heart?  Perhaps now my heart is ready to receive.  The timing of God is impeccable, though I am grossly late in my spiritual time table.  Far too many years have been spent "coasting" and exchanging intellectual stimulation for spiritual growth.  The heart was never meant to be separated from the intellect.  Faith and reason must work hand in hand.

As I read though my latest Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen book, The Way to Happiness, I am struck dumb by the wisdom of God.  Why is it that such simple principles can be so difficult to put into practice?  The reality of sin and a humanity weakened by its own concupiscence.  Many are ready to die a martyr's death, but very few are willing to live a life of quiet, attentionless, self-sacrifice.  Yet that is what we are called to do.  I would prefer to be recognized in my struggles, or sacrifices.  I would prefer to be noticed.  I would prefer to have my ego boosted.  This is not right.  The real conversion takes place when nobody knows, sees, or cares about your sacrifice.  Only God sees.  No human reward.  No human empathy.  No attention.  Just sacrifice, given out of a pure love, because love does what it does not for show but for love's sake.  

May we all swallow the bitter pill of our pride and give ourselves totally to God by loving our neighbor.  And may God transform our hard hearts to be like His own. 

Everyone shoudl check out this video of Fr. Euteneuer publicly confronting Sean Hannity on his open support of contraception.

 

 Fr. Euteneuer Is Awesome!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Note how Hannity immediately attempts to steer the argument AWAY from the issue at hand via an ad hominem attack.  He might as well have said, "well, you're argument is false because I'm calling you a stupidhead."  It would have held just as much weight.  The argument against contraception DOES NOT HOLD WATER.  People choose to sin through contraception because something is more important than self control, more important than total self-giving love, and more important than openness to God and complete trust in Him.  What's more important?  Self, that's who.

Thank God for priests who are not afraid to call sin what it is.  God, raise up more men like Father Euteneuer who will stand firm on principles of right and wrong, who will not back down in the face of public ridicule, and who will do so with charity.  I've met good priests like this.  They are out there.  Let's ask God for more, and let's ask God to strengthen those men who just need the push to regain that fire and passion for truth.  God, revive your people.  Continue to renew your Church.  Grant that we will be bold for the faith.

Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, pray for us.  Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. 

Bishop Johnston is the newly installed Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  Guess what, folks, he's from Knoxville.  Hooray!  Not only that, but (then) Father Johnston was the first priest I spoke to about becoming Catholic.  Needless to say, I'm a big fan.  He's a good priest and I know he's going to be terrific as a Bishop.  

Now check this out.

I was watching the Holy Father address the US Bishops last night, and who do I see sporting a nice aisle seat?  Bishop Johnston!  I paused the TV to show Kimberly.  "Hey, that's Father Johnston - I mean BISHOP Johnston!" Camera hit him every time it shot the main aisle.  Then came another treat.

5 Questions from the US Bishops to the Holy Father, asked after his address to the Bishops.  Who gets to ask the first question?  Hmmmm, let's see.  Bishop James Vann Johnston!!!  I'm loving this.  Newest installed Bishop gets to address the Holy Father on behalf of his brother Bishops.  How cool is that?

Listening to the Holy Father speak to the Bishops, I could sense his love for these men, even though we all know some Bishops are less than admirable in their actions and even sometimes lack of unity with the Holy Father and the deposit of faith in their teaching.  He was very pastoral with them, bringing up the key issues that must be addressed without "yelling" at them.  Pope Benedict has a lot more wisdom and patience than I do.  No question about that.  I know he has a plan in motion to help bring about the renewal the Church so desperately needs.  We see bits and pieces of it, and it is encouraging to see.  Of course, I remember that the Church is always reforming and always seeking renewal and improvement of its constituent leaders.  After  all, every one of us is called to be a canonizable saint.  

Holy Father, I'm really glad you're here in the United States.  I hope that everyone listens to what God has placed on your heart to share with us all.  We love you, and we thank God for your ministry as our pastor. 

I am super excited about the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, coming to America.  It's not every day that you get a visit from the Church's senior pastor.  I was reading in USA Today this morning about the preparations for the visit.  Last night, every major news channel was talking about His Holiness.  This is a big deal.  I'd be willing to bet that in the pulpits of thousands of Protestant churches, the Pope was the topic of discussion as well; although, I'd also bet it wasn't always a positive discussion.  Either way, the fact that the Holy Father is coming to the United States does bring attention to the Church and, most importantly, to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  People who don't even know Christ are going to at least be curious about this visit.  The Pope coming to the States may be the "foot in the door" that allows their heart to be further opened to the Gospel and ultimately their salvation. 

For Christians such as myself, this is bigger than any celebrity appearance I can imagine.  It would be my honor to meet the man who has been such a great teacher and leader, even before being chosen as our Pontiff.  If he ever needed another envoy to our Protestant brothers and sisters, or anybody else for that matter, I would be more than happy to oblige.  I'm so glad God has given us Pope Benedict XVI after the passing of His faithful servant, Pope John Paul II (John Paul the Great, if you ask me).  What champions for the Gospel!

God be praised!

Honestly, I have no idea what that song means, but isn't the beat catchy?  Yup.  Now you have the tune in your head for the rest of the day.

You're welcome.

So what is going on in my neck of the woods?  Work, that's what.  Taking a week's vacation has a heavy price tag.  It's Wednesday and I'm only now beginning to see things clear up a bit.  Whew!

Know what I'm reading now?  Little booklet from Archbishop Fulton Sheen called Way to Happiness.  I started reading it yesterday, and I do not expect that I'll be disappointed.  Archbishop Sheen is such a good preacher.  I need to look into the cause for canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  Hang on a second.

Here's what the official cause site says:

Status of the Cause
Posted on March 20, 2008

Last February 3rd, 2008, a very special Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois, celebrating the end of the diocesan phase of the inquiry into the life and works of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

During the public ceremony known by the Latin name of Postrema Sessio or “next stage”, all documents, books and personal testimonies that had been collected for the cause were certified and forwarded to Rome, where they are now being examined by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The documents that were certified included all reviews of Archbishop Sheen’s books done by the cause’s Theological Commission, all materials gathered by the Historical Commission, and the personal testimonies about the sanctity of the Archbishop given by more than 100 witnesses.

Wanna know about the canonization process?  Got that too:

The Canonization Process

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 1997 (VIS) - Today the Holy See Press Office made public the following note on canonical procedure for causes of beatification and canonization:

1. Canon norms regarding the procedure to be followed for causes of saints are contained in the Apostolic Constitution 'Divinus Perfectionis Magister, promulgated by John Paul II on January 25, 1983.

2. To begin a cause it is necessary for at least 5 years to have passed since the death of the candidate. This is to allow greater balance and objectivity in evaluating the case and to let the emotions of the moment dissipate.

3. The bishop of the diocese in which the person whose beatification is being requested is responsible for beginning the investigation. The promoter group (Actor Causae): diocese, parish, religious congregation, association, asks the bishop through the postulator for the opening of the investigation. The bishop, once the nulla osta of the Holy See is obtained, forms a diocesan tribunal for this purpose. Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount concrete facts on the exercise of Christian virtues considered heroic, that is, the theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, and the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude, and others specific to his state in life. In addition, all documents regarding the candidate must be gathered. At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.

4. Once the diocesan investigation is finished, the acts and documentation are passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The public copy used for further work is put together here. The postulator, resident in Rome, follows the preparation of the Positio, or summary of the documentation that proves the heroic exercise of virtue, under the direction of a relator of the Congregation. The Positio undergoes an examination (theological) by nine theologians who give their vote. If the majority of the theologians are in favour, the cause is passed on for examination by cardinals and bishops who are members of the congregation. They hold meetings twice a month. If their judgment is favourable, the prefect of the congregation presents the results of the entire course of the cause to the Holy Father, who gives his approval and authorizes the congregation to draft the relative decree. The public reading and promulgation of the decree follows.

5. For the beatification of a confessor, a miracle attributed to the Servant of God, verified after his death, is necessary. The required miracle must be proven through the appropriate canonical investigation, following a procedure analogous to that for heroic virtues. This one too is concluded with the relative decree. Once the two decrees are promulgated (regarding the heroic virtues and the miracle) the Holy Father decides on beatification, which is the concession of public worship, limited to a particular sphere. With beatification the candidate receives the title of Blessed.

6. For canonization another miracle is needed, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed and having occurred after his beatification. The methods for ascertainment of the affirmed miracle are the same as those followed for beatification. Canonization is understood as the concession of public worship in the Universal Church. Pontifical infallibility is involved. With canonization, the Blessed acquires the title of Saint.

Vatican Information Service. Canonization Process. Catholic-Pages.com. 1997. 19 Apr.
2007.

So now you know….

Oh, c'mon! 

You're supposed to say "…and knowing is half the battle."   Then. . . .

Wait for it . . . .

I’m posting an article from the February 10, 2008 East Tennessee Catholic about Bishop-Designate James Vann Johnston because I am excited he is coming closer to my neck of the woods.  Then Father Vann Johnson was one of two priests in Knoxville who took time out of their super hectic schedules to speak with me regarding the Catholic Faith.  Bishop-designate Johnston and his ministry are special to me.  He’s a good man and I know the people of his new diocese are going to love him. 

Future bishop’s new diocese ‘in many ways’ like his native one

Bishop-designate James Vann Johnston’s new diocese in Missouri is larger than his native one of Knoxville by some 10,000 square miles, although the number of Catholics—as in East Tennessee—represents a small percentage of the population.

The Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau was founded in 1956, and its 25,719 square miles include the 39 counties of southern Missouri. Sixty-six parishes and 19 missions serve 66,000 Catholics in an area that has about 1 million people overall. The diocese has 22 elementary and three high schools. Retiring Bishop John J. Leibrecht, 77, is the diocese’s longest-serving ordinary.

More than 40 active diocesan priests serve with fellow clergy from several religious communities.

“I think I’ll fit in pretty well,” said Bishop-designate Johnston. “In many ways it’s a lot like the Diocese of Knoxville. The Catholic Church there is strong and has been there a while, but it’s still a distinct minority.

“Many of the parishes are small- to medium-sized and in areas where they may be the only Catholic church for miles. Many of the priests there have to serve several parishes or missions, so I’m familiar with what the priests’ situation is because it sounds very similar to the church I’ve grown up in.”

The diocese’s seven seminarians include two transitional deacons. “That’ll be one of my happier tasks this summer: ordaining two priests,” said Bishop-designate Johnston.

The Springfield–Cape Girardeau Diocese includes most of the Mark Twain National Forest. “It’s a beautiful area, and I’m glad it’s pretty,” said Bishop-designate Johnston. “I’ll be going back and forth through there a lot.”

Much of the Catholic population in Springfield–Cape Girardeau is in the two see cities. Entertainment mecca Branson lies just south of Springfield. The city of Springfield, with about 150,000 residents, is the third largest in Missouri and by far the biggest in the diocese. Joplin, on the Kansas border near Oklahoma, is another principal city.

Diocesan offices are at the Catholic Center in Springfield, next to St. Agnes Cathedral. The bishop’s residence is an older home, “a beautiful two-story house” in Springfield, said its future occupant.

The diocese has a second cathedral, St. Mary, in Cape Girardeau, a Mississippi River town about three counties above Tennessee’s northwest corner and some 270 miles from Springfield. The cathedral rectory includes an apartment for the bishop.

The Catholic Center was the former home of Springfield Catholic High School before it moved.

“The bishop told me not to be surprised if in the middle of the day I hear somebody shooting baskets down the hall in the gym,” said Bishop-designate Johnston.

The bishop-designate met with Catholic Center staffers following a press conference announcing his appointment Jan. 24.

“I was very impressed with the priests,” said Bishop-designate Johnston, “but also I had a chance to meet our Chancery staff, and they look to be a wonderful group of people. I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Two future cardinals first became bishops for Springfield–Cape Girardeau: Cardinal Bernard F. Law and Cardinal William W. Baum.

Bishop-designate Johnston said one of his only two previous trips to Missouri involved Cardinals—a stop in St. Louis to see the baseball team of that name. He also was present for Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis.

Here’s another article about his appointment.  Hooray for awesome Priests and Bishops!