Neal Obstat Theological Opining

A week of fascinating and electric events; though I only name a few.

New York's Archbishop Timothy Dolan has been elected president of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. Following on the steady, erudite and simply Catholic Francis Cardinal George, Dolan bears what John Allen calls an "affirmative orthodoxy" - that is, the capacity to wed thinking-with-the-Church and bridge-building skills. Ironically, the choice of a bridge builder meant breaking with the time-honored tradition among the bishops of elevating the vice-prez of the Conference to presidential status. Dolan was chosen over former-VP, Gerald F. Kicanas of Tucson, AZ.

A victory for la derecha?

Predictable use of the right-left paradigms for interpreting this choice - "Dolan: a move to the right" - not only import categories alien to the Church's life, but they also seem to miss the deeper significance of the choice of Dolan the bridge-builder: addressing the fractious condition of the Church in America. We need healing that leads to a new, deeper and more dynamic unity rooted in the Church's living faith in Christ; a unity that demonstrates that Catholic Truth can be a joyful common ground of communion within the Church, and a leaven of unity outside the Church in our culturally anemic society. Watch a bit of Dolan to catch this sense.

Something like that.

Then Fr. John Riccardo came to Des Moines this week to offer a reflection on the nature of diabolical temptation. Essentially, he said, the trademark of Evil is to divide, to create separations of mistrust and suspicion and fear between God and humanity, and among human beings. The only path to healing is, he said, the reconciling work of Christ in the Spirit, which heals the wounds of sin and division; and restores childlike trust in the merciful love of God the Father.

It was delivered with great skill and conviction - he is a natural teacher. ~1300 people attended. Extraordinary. What draws such large numbers of people? No doubt, we could list a profusion of cogent reasons. But let me suggest the one that stood out most to me. Fr. John exudes joy and serene confidence in what he proclaims. This is, I would argue, what people hunger for in their Church: leaders who exude joy and confidence in their Faith. Maybe one could say that these two qualities stand out in a culture increasingly dominated by skepticism and a joyless addiction to quick-fix pleasure.

God bless your day.