Category Archives: Politics

We Are Off and Running… Or Are We?

Posted on January 3, 2012 by Deacon Bob

In a few minutes, the citizens of Iowa will be gathering for their caucuses in which they will be selecting a candidate from their respective parties for president as well as building planks for their parties platforms this coming fall. … Continue reading →

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The Church Thrives Where Persecution Reigns

Posted on November 19, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com) reports this morning on an official with the Vietnamese bishop’s conference, who foresees a confident future for the Church in Vietnam. He cites “flourishing” priestly vocations as one reason for this hope. They have over … Continue reading →

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“Essence” Is It A Noun or a Verb?

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I am attending a day long seminar today on Narrative Therapy which is a form of psychotherapy in which the patient/client defines the problem which afflicts them in terms meaningful to them and separates themselves from the problem, thus making the … Continue reading →

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Gadhaffi’s Death and War

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I found myself aghast and sick to the stomach yesterday and the day before after learning of Gadhaffi’s death in Libya. I find no joy in his death and most especially the manner in which it seems he was killed. … Continue reading →

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New Nuncio for the United States

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father recently named Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Vigano, age 70, replaces Archbishop Pietro Sambi who recently died from complications from surgery. The nuncio is a Vatican representative to the American bishops and … Continue reading →

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Rome in Flames

Posted on October 16, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I don’t know if you kept abreast as to the demonstrations occurring in many parts of the world yesterday. It is all part of what we in the US are calling “Occupy Wall Street”. Yesterday, in Rome, there was bedlam to … Continue reading →

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The Normalcy of War In Our Times

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I was thinking about how when I was growing up, at least from the time I became conscious of world events, my country has been at war more often than it has not. My socio-political views were shaped by the … Continue reading →

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Rancor, Moral Relativism, and Political Despair

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The political process seems at times to be unmoored from anything solid on which it can function effectively. I know… we have the Constitution and 50 state costitutions that provide some grounding, but I sometimes wonder whether those we send … Continue reading →

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If You Want to Fix the Economy, Support the Family

Posted on July 24, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I read a delightful post over at The Crescat entitled “comparing the costs of families….” which she wrote last Friday. She argues that we need to recognize our mutual responsibilities within our families, especially our aging members, and as family … Continue reading →

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Hints of Things to Come?

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The National Catholic Register is reporting that in Ireland some lawmakers are trying to pass legislation that would require priests to break the seal of the confessional if a pedophile confesses. Please note that this law has not passed, but … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“If in my life I fail completely to heed others, solely out of a desire to be ‘devout’ and to perform my ‘religious duties,’ then my relationship with God will also grow arid. It becomes merely ‘proper,’ but loveless. Only … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” — Plato

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Gratitude for Independence Day

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today is Independence Day, of course. Looking out of my room here there is nothing but sunshine, a breeze and much greenery. A German family was traveling down the River Road recently (i.e., U.S. Highway 61 along the Mississippi River … Continue reading →

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New York’s Deconstruction of Marriage

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Deacon Bob

As you have probably read by now, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law a bill handed to him by the New York legislature yesterday that legalizes same-sex marriage. I was interested in seeing how the New York bishops would respond. … Continue reading →

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Blasted and Blessed

Posted on June 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“When we bishops propose moral principles…. we get both blessed and cursed. One side usually blesses us when we preach the virtue of fiscal responsibility, the civil rights of the unborn, the danger of government-tampering with the definition of marriage, … Continue reading →

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