Last week National Catholic Reporter criticized the new translations of the Missal as "revisionists ... attacking the reform,... that a secretly appointed committee of 11 men -- no women included -- met quietly at the Vatican to overturn decades of work on translation, work that had been done under the approving mandate of Pope Paul VI."
Ah yes, the Vox Clara committee is sending us all back to the Dark Ages by applying the principles and directives of "Liturgiam Authenticum" to English translations. Since several others have already adequately responded to this NCR whining (see this and this), I will let it pass and instead focus on an editorial for this week which questions Archbishop Raymond Burke's recent notification to pro-death, pro-abortion politicians.
Who is one of the people interviewed for this editorial piece? Why, none other than the famous pro-death 'Catholic' governor of New York, Mario Cuomo - a lawyer chosen to speak about fundamentals of the Faith. And, of course, NCR relates Cuomo's famous speech at Notre Dame at the request of - who else ? - the Reverend Richard McBrien - a stalwart of heterdoxy.
And one again, a lame attempt is made to equate abortion, the deliberate taking of innocent life, to capital punishment - as if the two acts were morally equivalent. NCR reports, a seemingly exasperated Cuomo said, "It's more of an issue for the theologians than for the politicians."
Actually that is not the case. Since the bishop of a diocese is charged with the welfare of the souls of his people and to properly catechize them, he is obligated to do all he can to lead those souls toward Christ.
At least NCR understands that there is no issure regarding the question of church-state separation. It simply does not exist.
The do question whether he acted properly canonically by asking: "...did Burke, a canon lawyer, act properly under church law? Hard to tell." This, I believe has been answered appropriately, first by Abp. Burke, and subsequently confirmed by Dr. Edward Peters, here.
Lastly, NCR asks, "Was Burke's action theologically sound?" Ignoring the fact that the editor fails to address the Archbishop by the title appropriate to his office, they do quote Robert George, who, with Gerard Bradley, defended Archbishop Burke's actions in Nation Review Online.
But no sooner than they quote Robert George, they appeal to Loyola Marymount theologian, Michael Horan, who counters that "Burke's way off base." Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems that nearly every time one refuses to use the title "Bishop" or "Archbishop", we can rest assured that the person speaking harbors either some disdain for the Archbishop or dissents from the position the Archbishop has taken.
Horan goes on to say, "The bishop's point of view presumes that the Eucharist is a reward for good behavior. Interestingly, the only transgressions for which the early church communities practiced excommunication were adultery, apostasy and murder (of human beings already born). Abortion was not one of the transgressions that merited excommunication."
Any bets that Michael Horan does not have a mandatum to teach theology? It amazes me that that these so-called 'theologians' have such a defective understanding of theology. Just another reason not to send your children to Loyola Marymount, that bastion of authentic Catholic theology.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of your most beloved Son and upon the praises and satisfaction which he offers you in the name of sinners; and to those who implore your mercy, in your great goodness, grant forgiveness in the name of the same Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you forever and ever. Amen.
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