A good example of why bishops should wear cassocks.

Discordant Bigotry

The Second Vatican Council decreed (giving voice to what is usually described by Mr Brian Coyne of Acatholic as "the ideals discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council") that, with regard to music, Bishops' Conferences should set up Liturgical Commissions assisted by "experts" in sacred music. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 44).

The National Liturgical Music Board, against which Mr Coyne rants, is the group of experts assisting the Australian Bishops, in accordance with "the ideals discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council."

Mr Coyne seems troubled by the fact that the Australian bishops support the idea that music at Mass should be judged according to the criteria "discerned by the majority of the world's bishops at the Second Vatican Council", i.e. sacred music is to be considered the more holy in proportion as it is more closely connected with the liturgical action, whether it adds delight to prayer, fosters unity of minds, or confers greater solemnity upon the sacred rites. But the Church approves of all forms of true art having the needed qualities, and admits them into divine worship. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 112), in contrast to the criteria discerned by Brian Coyne and Milly McKenna, whatever they may be.

OK, so we were already aware that Brian Coyne neither knows nor understands what Vatican II "discerned". He has made up his own version of Vatican II based on his own dreams.

What is most objectionable, however, in Coyne's recent diatribe (and it is a theme that recurs repulsively often in comments made by others on the Acatholic website's "Forum") is his dislike of "converts" to the Catholic faith. Coyne seems to think that, for instance, David Schutz and Fr. Peter Williams are not entitled to make any contribution to the life of the Catholic Church because they don't share Brian Coyne's experience of having been Catholic before and during and after Vatican II. This anti-convert bigotry is vile, as well as stupid.

Maybe it should be no surprise that the pre-conversion faith-life of, Mr Schutz or Fr Williams is accounted as irrelevent by Coyne, because Coyne is obviously ignorant of what the majority of the world's bishops discerend at the Second Vatican Council, namely:

The Church recognizes that in many ways she is linked with those who, being baptized, are honored with the name of Christian, though they do not profess the faith in its entirety or do not preserve unity of communion with the successor of Peter. (14*) For there are many who honor Sacred Scripture, taking it as a norm of belief and a pattern of life, and who show a sincere zeal. They lovingly believe in God the Father Almighty and in Christ, the Son of God and Saviour. They are consecrated by baptism, in which they are united with Christ. They also recognize and accept other sacraments within their own Churches or ecclesiastical communities. Many of them rejoice in the episcopate, celebrate the Holy Eucharist and cultivate devotion toward the Virgin Mother of God.They also share with us in prayer and other spiritual benefits. Likewise we can say that in some real way they are joined with us in the Holy Spirit, for to them too He gives His gifts and graces whereby He is operative among them with His sanctifying power. Some indeed He has strengthened to the extent of the shedding of their blood. In all of Christ's disciples the Spirit arouses the desire to be peacefully united, in the manner determined by Christ, as one flock under one shepherd, and He prompts them to pursue this end. Mother Church never ceases to pray, hope and work that this may come about. She exhorts her children to purification and renewal so that the sign of Christ may shine more brightly over the face of the earth. (Lumen Gentium 15)

Ignorance of the Council. Bigotry. Suspicion. Conspiracy theories. Inconsistency. Narrow-mindedness. Shallowness of thought. Jealousy.

Members of the Australian Pastoral Musician's Network must be recoiling in horror at the rantings of their self-appointed champion.

Deaf and Dumb...

Brian Coyne has been concerned for some time that our curious corridors have yielded little in the way of activity in recent months and frequently cites this as evidence of our decline. Far from decline Brian the Cloistered have just been busy in the vineyard getting things done while you and yours have reminisced and ranted.

That said, we couldn't help noticing that our brother Schütz seems to have sent the whirling dervish of the aCatholic Sect into a huge spin this weekend - congrats David! "Who actually holds the keys to the kingdom" asks Brian before encapsulating his rant thus:

The essential question we are placing on the agenda is one directed to the bishops of Australia collectively as to how much oversight is given to a matter of this importance in terms of the overall health of the liturgical and worship life of the Church across this continent? 

Isn't it odd gentle pilgrim. For all their claims of an inclusive church aCatholics like Brian appear incapable of discerning a truly inclusive response to a contemporary challenge aimed at intervening in the overall health of the liturgical and worship life of the Church across the continent. The return to promoting plain chant, and the move away from Hill Song like offerings to rediscover the rich tradition which is truly sacred and 'liturgical' is neither rubrical nor a reflection of the Tridentine influence.

Rather it is an act of inclusion. It is a recognition that the first instrument available to the talented and less talented is indeed the voice and that to ensure our musical choices empower all whom comprise the mystical body to participate in song and not just the performers is very Spirit of Vatican II! It is an attempt to remedy an error!

Brian in our experience your sense of things generally sucks, after all you have been sensing all sorts of things about these curious corridors for the past five years and are yet to come anywhere close to the reality. If you seriously sense or Heaven forbid believe the textually and theologically weak and musically banal noise parishes have been subjected to for the past forty years could in any lexicon be referred to as "taste"... might we suggest you clean your cursed ears out!!

Quite the Collection...

With Bishop Jarrett’s appointment as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Brisbane this brings the number of Australian dioceses under Apostolic Administration to three: Brisbane, Toowoomba, Wilcannia-Forbes.  If we consider too that Sandhurst has a Diocesan Administrator, this brings the number of vacant sees in Australia at this time to four, with a number more departures pending...

When we consider that three of these string of vacancies result from resignation (+Toohey), retirement (+Bathersby) and removal (Morris), the unfortunate passing of Bishop Grech (RIP) does seem to have provided the full range of reasons for vacancy. 

Don't Cry Wolf, Simply Seek and Ye Shall Find...

Returning from sabbatical it was difficult not to fire up the computer in response to Andrew Hamilton’s recent Eureka Street article - a fine example of those in the Church who dedicate themselves to crying wolf when indeed there are none.

Hamilton comments on the unusual but just appointment of Bishop Jarrett as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Brisbane, thus: “Any breach of normal process, particularly through the appointment of someone from outside the local church, heightens anxiety and arouses suspicion that the local church is not trusted.”

But let us be clear: the situation in Brisbane, dire as it may be for the next Archbishop, requires a bishop who can be available now during this time of vacancy. Bishop Finnegan is in Toowoomba on janitor’s duties, and Bishop Oudeman isn’t without responsibility himself. The Archdiocese can ill afford to be down another bishop for very long, and so Bishop Jarrett, geographically closest to Brisbane, has been brought in.

What is seemingly beyond Hamilton is that Brisbane needs bishops during this vacancy, not the pointing out of problems where there are none. It’s a guilty conscience your generation has on its hands, Andrew, don't attempt to represent it as a mistrust on the part of the Holy See. You do yourself and the Church a disservice.

"...around the crystal See"

News that the Diocese of Orange, California is going to swap from this:

to this:

has us in the Cloister wondering what could be done along similar lines here in Australia.

The See in most obvious need of a new cathedral would be Broken Bay, which, has already gone from bad:

to worse:

Perhaps there is a building somewhere within the Broken Bay boundaries that has become redundant, or whose owners are bankrupt, for which an offer could be made.

Any suggestions?

Toowoomba, Brisbane, Hobart, Armidale, Perth

On an ecumenical note

It seems that the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, seen here in his residence, is a bit of a DIY buff, as seen in the quality of tiling behind him.

Farewell, Bishop Bill Morris

"One picture tells more than one thousand words." - old Coo-ees proverb