The dramatic next chapter in the story of Evangelical megachurch Willow Creek's efforts to address allegations of sexual misconduct by its founding pastor, Bill Hybels, was written yesterday when Lead Pastor Heather Larson and the entire Board of Elders announced their resignations.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
And then there's Kansas
From Sabato's Crystal Ball
"As of Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Jeff Colyer (R-KS) trailed Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) 40.6%-40.5% in Kansas’ gubernatorial primary. If Colyer’s deficit holds, it would mark the first primary loss for an incumbent governor in 2018.
"If the final outcome is similar to the current vote, Colyer’s defeat would make history: His present margin of defeat stands as the narrowest ever for an incumbent governor in a primary. Conversely, if Colyer wins based on the counting of outstanding votes and/or a recount, he could claim the record for narrowest primary win among incumbent governors."
I don't think I've ever read a good thing about Kobach. Even some younger friends who went to college with him have never said a good thing; in fact, some pretty critical things.
He headed Trump's "Illegal Voting Commission"; which it blew up in his face.
Question: How come he [Kobach] did so well? Even if he's not the winner?
"As of Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Jeff Colyer (R-KS) trailed Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach (R) 40.6%-40.5% in Kansas’ gubernatorial primary. If Colyer’s deficit holds, it would mark the first primary loss for an incumbent governor in 2018.
"If the final outcome is similar to the current vote, Colyer’s defeat would make history: His present margin of defeat stands as the narrowest ever for an incumbent governor in a primary. Conversely, if Colyer wins based on the counting of outstanding votes and/or a recount, he could claim the record for narrowest primary win among incumbent governors."
I don't think I've ever read a good thing about Kobach. Even some younger friends who went to college with him have never said a good thing; in fact, some pretty critical things.
He headed Trump's "Illegal Voting Commission"; which it blew up in his face.
Question: How come he [Kobach] did so well? Even if he's not the winner?
Wednesday, August 8, 2018
Close to Home
We have felt fortunate that there hasn't seemed to be a lot of abuse cases in Nebraska; aside from some instances a number of years ago involving clergy who are no longer in ministry. I suppose it was only a matter of time until some more problems came to light.
I'm sure by now most of you have seen this developing story. And this article by Rod Dreher features an essay by a former priest of the Lincoln Diocese, Peter Mitchell. Both of these links discuss allegations of abuse and misconduct by longtime vocations director and University of Nebraska/Lincoln Newman chaplain, Msgr. Leonard Kalin, who died in 2008. The Lincoln Diocese has been known for its conservative stance, and for the number of vocations to the priesthood it has produced. Kalin was in this position for over 20 years, from the early 1970's to the 1990's.
I'm sure by now most of you have seen this developing story. And this article by Rod Dreher features an essay by a former priest of the Lincoln Diocese, Peter Mitchell. Both of these links discuss allegations of abuse and misconduct by longtime vocations director and University of Nebraska/Lincoln Newman chaplain, Msgr. Leonard Kalin, who died in 2008. The Lincoln Diocese has been known for its conservative stance, and for the number of vocations to the priesthood it has produced. Kalin was in this position for over 20 years, from the early 1970's to the 1990's.
Investigating Bishops
As Jim noted in his recent post, A Pledge of Commitment-Updated, Cardinal DiNardo, the president of the conference of bishops has started a process to strengthen the "Pledge of Commitment" likely by specifying more exactly what should happen when a bishop is accused. Part of the decision making process should include finding out just what happened (or failed to happen) in the McCarrick case.
For any decisions to be binding upon the bishops, they must pass by a 2/3rds vote and also receive the approval (recognition) of the Holy See. The debate is well underway among the bishops, and at least some of it in public.
Cardinal Wuerl promptly proposed a bishops only review panel in an interview with the National Catholic Reporter. This idea promptly met with objections. The proposal was not helped by the Wuerl saying that the report would go to either to the CDF or the Congregation of Bishops. Wuerl has a seat on both!
Bishop Scharfenberger of Albany promptly said that laity are essential bishops investigating bishops is not the solution. Rather laity must provide the leadership
What might seem a simple question of who belongs on at review group is likely to be complicated by the question of what really happened, not only in McCarrick's case by also in the case of Bishop Nienstedt (read on):
For any decisions to be binding upon the bishops, they must pass by a 2/3rds vote and also receive the approval (recognition) of the Holy See. The debate is well underway among the bishops, and at least some of it in public.
Cardinal Wuerl promptly proposed a bishops only review panel in an interview with the National Catholic Reporter. This idea promptly met with objections. The proposal was not helped by the Wuerl saying that the report would go to either to the CDF or the Congregation of Bishops. Wuerl has a seat on both!
Bishop Scharfenberger of Albany promptly said that laity are essential bishops investigating bishops is not the solution. Rather laity must provide the leadership
What is needed now is an independent commission led by well-respected, faithful lay leaders who are beyond reproach, people whose role on such a panel will not serve to benefit them financially, politically, or personally. These will be people with a deep understanding of the Catholic faith, but without an axe to grind or an agenda to push. It will not be easy, but it will be worth every ounce of effort, energy, and candor we can muster.
Anchorage Archbishop Etienne has proposed a mixed group:
- The USCCB should immediately convene an ad hoc committee of the most respected leaders of our Conference – no more than seven (7) – to write a protocol to be placed before the body of bishops for review and approval as soon as possible.
- Part of this protocol would require the development of a National Review Board for accusations of sexual misconduct against bishops. The membership of this body would include the seven bishop members of the ad hoc committee, the Papal Representative to the United States as an ex officio member, and an equal number of lay representatives.
- This Review Board would examine all accusations against bishops and make their decisions and recommendations to the Holy See.
- As a means of clear transparency, this Review Board would make its recommendations public within 60 days of submission to the Holy See if no public action or response has been taken by the competent authority.
What might seem a simple question of who belongs on at review group is likely to be complicated by the question of what really happened, not only in McCarrick's case by also in the case of Bishop Nienstedt (read on):
Tuesday, August 7, 2018
Martyrs and the death penalty
Sixtus II, Pope and Martyr, whose martyrdom is celebrated on August 7th
A few days ago, Katherine pointed us to a Commonweal article by B.D. McClay which suggested that Maria Goretti's death, originally presented to the faithful as a sort of heroic sacrifice in defense of virginal purity, has the potential to take on new and unexpected meaning in the wake of the scandals of the sexual abuse of children. Could the communion of martyrs do the same regarding the death penalty?
Monday, August 6, 2018
How is Michigan responding to this news?
Progressives want Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign for Michigan governor to be their next big victory
"Sanders won Michigan in the 2016 primaries. Trump won the state in the
presidential race. Tuesday’s primary in the 2018 governor’s race
symbolizes the Democratic Party’s growing pains, pitting
a progressive push for Medicare-for-all against the Obama legacies of
the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion. It’s highlighted issues
of race and identity — if El-Sayed wins the primary and the general, he could be the first Muslim governor in America...."
WIllow Creek - the reverberations continue
The New York Times has published new and more serious allegations of sexual misconduct against retired pastor Bill Hybels, which has spurred his co-successor to resign.
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