Our Deacon Leo Flynn has alerted me to a situation in the Diocese of Madison. Wisconsin, right? My national geography seems to be getting worse the older I get.
The Bishop, Robert C. Morlino, had given instructions to his priests to address moral issues (life and family) in their homilies, specifically about voting issues on the ballots in the diocese which, most likely, covers several counties in the state. The Bishop received word that the directive was either ignored or contradicted in several parishes in the diocese.
Each pastor received a "personal and confidential" package from Bishop Morlino informing them that the recorded message of some 14 minutes was to be played at every Mass on the weekend that has just passed us. The "boss" made it quite clear that this was a direct order and that not to play the tape would be considered a violation of the priest's promise of obedience. "Serious consequences" would be considered if the directive was not followed.
Ballot issues are gay marriage, embryonic stem research and the death penalty. The Bishop stated very clearly his objection to the "baloney" being dished out to the faithful regarding the first two items. He showed his sharp mind by showing the reasoned approach to his opposition to the first two items and then demonstrated that the death penalty is not needed for the safety of the people in the USA today.
Bishop Morlino used the opposition to his directives as a teaching moment. Because his "personal and confidential" letter appeared in a local paper, he took the occasion to print his letter to the priests and the directives he had given them.
No doubt many will see the Bishop as the kind of Successor to the Apostles the Church needs today. No doubt he feels his role in living out the Magisterium (much explained in remarks about Chapter 3 of the new AC). For those who wonder about some our Jesuit friends and their teaching on many issues, you should know that Bishop Morlino was, not unlike yours truly, a Jesuit of the Maryland Province before he was incardinated in another diocese. He was and continues to be a no nonsense man. And he happens to be about a decade younger! Originally for the Scranton, PA area.
To read the "rest of the story," you might want to check in with http://www.lifesite.net/ where you can find a link to the Bishop's letter. The item is mid-page. As one journalist commented, with all the publicity in the newspapers prior to this past weekend, the pews would probably be full! Many pastors will be thanking Bishop Bob for the increased attendance ... and no doubt, a larger collection!!! Those who might choose to ignore the directive might consider studying how far Juneau is from Madison!!! The clergymen should heed the motto the Bishop chose for his coat of arms: Visus Non Mentietur. These Latin words are taken from the 2nd chapter of the Old Testament Book of Habbakuk (2:3) and translated would read "the vision will not disappoint." For Bishop Morlino this phrase expresses the solid foundation of all Christian doctrine: the revelation of Jesus Christ is the only sure anchor of our hope, the only vision that will never disappoint. Is the See of Milwaukee down the road when (and if) the current Archbishop is transferred to another archdiocese? Just a little musing about my friend.
