Today, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fatih released a document entitled Placuit Deo, On Certain Aspects of Christian Salvation. The focus is on the gift of Salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. Likewise, the document draws attention to some of the errors in today’s concept of the human person as well as certain concepts of Christian Salvation that can be difficult for people to properly understand. The document seeks to correct two modern ways of thinking, which are called a ‘neo-pelagianism’ which is an extreme individualism which believes each person is capable […]
In recent months, I’ve been prayerfully asking: “What kind of Church is God calling us to be today?” I believe that much of the answer lies in the papacy of Pope Francis. As St. Francis himself was called to ‘Renew my Church” I believe we are being called to a renewal in our time by this Pope. I’m all in! As a new year begins, I wish to share with you some basic components of where we will be directing our energies in the foreseeable future. Already planning is underway to schedule a series of […]
I have written numerous times in this blog that one of the primary (If not THE Primary) solutions to many of our social ills today is a proper understanding – in fact recognition – of the human person. In today’s Gospel, (Luke 13:10-17) there is a woman present in the Synagogue where Jesus is teaching. She for eighteen years ‘had been crippled by a spirit; she was bent over, completely incapable of standing erect.’ She made no demand or request of Jesus. She was simply ‘present’ before Jesus, in the midst of the assembly in […]
After ten months in office, there was a distinct sense during last night’s celebration of the Imposition of the Pallium by Apostolic Nuncio, +Christophe Pierre, that this date was chosen by our Blessed Mother. On the Nativity of Mary, I received the gift of the Pallium in the presence of the bishops, priests and a church full of the faithful representing the Province of Alaska. Archbishop Pierre graciously accepted the invitation to give the homily during Mass, and gave a beautiful reflection on the importance of symbol in our faith, and in this case, the […]
During the June Pilgrimage to Rome, I was aware of many graces, not the least of which is the unity that we share as one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. This truth was represented in a small way by the group that travelled with me, from the various places of my life and ministry – Indiana, Wyoming, and Alaska; and in its fullness as the new Archbishops from around the world celebrated Mass with Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. The universality of the Church is a beautiful mystery and reality, one that calls us […]
In these recent days, I have been taking time for rest and relaxation. For months, people have been encouraging me to take advantage of all that Alaska has to offer, and that is what I am doing in these days. As you hopefully know, one of the great wonders of Alaska is the salmon. Last week, at the generosity of several good folks, I flew to Illiamna for a few days of fishing for Red Salmon on the New Halen River. While the veterans among us generally caught their limits, I on the other hand […]
Pope Francis continues to inspire. As I walked across St. Peter’s Square today, I was stopped by some people. In a conversation with a gentleman who told me he is not Catholic, he said that it is his impression that Pope Francis is getting the attention of many more people than those who call themselves Catholic, and I would agree. During yesterday’s homily, the Holy Father continued to repeat a consistent message – we each must manifest Christ in our lives – in our actions – in our care for one another. Those who claim […]
Each day of this pilgrimage has been packed from early till late, leaving only precious sleeping hours for blogging – thus the site has been quiet since our arrival on Sunday, other than a brief word of gratitude Tuesday for 25 years of priestly life and ministry. I continue to be impressed with the tenacity and good disposition of all our pilgrims (Team Pallium. We have had 90+ degree heat each day we have been here, and we have done a great deal of walking. Today’s Mass was outside also, but we were blessed with […]
Any bishop will tell you, days of ordaining new priests are about as good as it gets! I’m very grateful for the opportunity to ordain a new priest for the Archdiocese of Anchorage today. Congratulations, Rev. Robert Whitney! As if that were not good enough, in a few hours I depart Anchorage for Rome. Mission Pallium. You may ask, “What is a Pallium?” It is a liturgical ‘collar’, a narrow band of wool, marked with black crosses, worn only by the Pope and Metropolitan Archbishops. It is a highly significant piece of vesture symbolizing the […]
The Easter Season is drawing near its completion with the celebration of Pentecost just two weeks away (Sunday, June 4). Pentecost Sunday is typically dedicated as World Communication Day, thus linking it to the great commission of Jesus to the Apostles: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Good News.” (Mark 16:15). There is no greater message to communicate than the Good News of Jesus Christ! Every year, the Holy Father issues a message to mark the occasion of the World Day of Communication. Here is what Pope Francis said in this year’s Message: […]