Plato on Beer

He was a wise man who invented beer. - Plato

Does anyone know the reference for this, or is it apocryphal?

God the Father in Religious Art

A great little post by Arturo Vasquez on depictions of the God the Father in religious art, especially at Mount Athos in Greece.

Here's an excerpt:

As for the depiction of God the Father, such images appear even in the monasteries of Mount Athos, the sanctum sanctorum of Orthodoxy itself. There is one where God the Father is sitting in paradise with God the Son (a small child) on His lap, done in a very Byzantine style. And the Holy Spirit is always portrayed as a dove in the Theophany icon, and He is not God the Son. I think while the principle that the Word of God is the true revelation of God is something to always be kept in mind, it is not a reason to disparage other forms of art that are done devoutly. Nowhere have such rules been applied with universal rigor, and so a depiction of God the Father is not at all blasphemous. Maybe less correct, but not blasphemous.

Obama doesn't need enemies with friends like this...

[DISCLAIMER: Be warned that the rap video below entitled "Obama is Here!" promoting Barack Obama is objectionable. Women dancing scandalously and other gangsta rap motifs. You can pretty much skip all that by starting a third into the video.]

The rapper says that he's one of Obama's favorite rappers and will therefore receive presidential pardon for crimes. He also slurs Hilary Clinton and President Bush. Also, be ready to "paint the White House black". Oh, and McCain needs to be in a "wheel chair".


I'm disgusted. With friends like this, who needs enemies.

By the way, Obama has publicly stated that he listens to this rapper (Ludacris) on his iPod. Here is Obama with the rapper above, Ludacris:

Ex-Bishop becomes President of Paraguay

On August 15 (the Solemnity of the Assumption), Paraguay will receive a new president: Fernando Lugo Mendez. From 1994 till 2005, Mendez was a Catholic bishop. According to the law of Paraguay, clerics cannot hold public office. Thus, Mendez has asked for laicization, and Pope Benedict XVI has granted it.

Laicization means that a deacon or priest (rarely a bishop) is dispensed of his faculty and may function as a laymen. However, the laicized cleric is still a cleric and bears the indelible mark of Holy Orders. Thus, Mendez is ontologically a bishop, though he can no longer function in this way.

The laicization of a bishop is extremely rare, so this is worth noting.

Obama's Summer Flip-Flops

McCain is creeping up on Obama. It's looking like a close tie as of this week with Obama ahead by two points.

Why is Obama losing his lead? Dick Morris points out that America is starting to perceive that Obama operates for political expediency. He is now adopting new positions, contrary to ones he held months ago...because he's trying to get votes. However it working against Obama because people (Obama is losing women in the polls) are starting to see through it all.

Check out these examples of Obama's flip-flopping:

• After vowing to eschew private fundraising and take public financing, he has now refused public money.

• Once he threatened to filibuster a bill to protect telephone companies from liability for their cooperation with national security wiretaps; now he has voted for the legislation.

• Turning his back on a lifetime of support for gun control, he now recognizes a Second Amendment right to bear arms in the wake of the Supreme Court decision.

• Formerly, he told the Israeli lobby that he favored an undivided Jerusalem. Now he says he didn't mean it.

• From a 100 percent pro-choice position, he now has migrated to expressing doubts about allowing partial-birth abortions.

• For the first time, he now speaks highly of using church-based institutions to deliver public services to the poor.

• Having based his entire campaign on withdrawal from Iraq, he now pledges to consult with the military first.

• During the primary, he backed merit pay for teachers -- but before the union a few weeks ago, he opposed it.

• After specifically saying in the primaries that he disagreed with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) proposal to impose Social Security taxes on income over $200,000 and wanted to tax all income, he has now adopted the Clinton position.

Obama's breathtaking flips and flops are materially different from McCain's. While McCain had opposed offshore oil drilling and now supports it, the facts have obviously changed. Obama's shifts have nothing to do with altered circumstances, just a change in the political calendar.

Check out Dick Morris' whole article on the subject over at Real Clear Politics.

[Please keep the comments tame.]

Pope Paul VI vs. the Pill

John Allen has written an op-ed piece in the New York Times (or 'New York Slimes') for the 40th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae - the Papal Encyclical condemning artificial birth control. Let me say that John Allen did a great job.

Allen points out that no European nation has a birthrate above 2.1, i.e. replacement level. This means economic and cultural suicide. Who will pick up the reigns? Here's a hint: They wear turbans and often name their sons "Mohammad".

Allen's point about the "success" of Pope John Paul II's 'Theology of the Body' is also helpful:

That’s a claim many Catholics might dispute, but the reading groups and seminars devoted to contemplating John Paul’s “theology of the body” mean that Catholics disposed to defend the church’s teaching now have a more formidable set of resources than they did when Paul VI wrote “Humanae Vitae.”

Take a look:

The Pope vs. the Pill in the New York Times.

May Deacons Bless People and Things?

The answer is yes, but the deacon is limited on what he may bless.

According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law:

"A deacon can impart only those blessings expressly permitted by law" (CIC 1169 §3).

Which blessings are permitted to deacons?

We find that the deacon may perform the nuptial blessing in Holy Matrimony, and may bless holy water in baptism. He may also perform blessings in the funeral rites. The Book of Blessings (published by Congregation for Divine Worship) decrees that deacons may bless certain sacramentals. The Congregation for the Divine Worship lists out those sacramentals that a deacon may bless:

"medals, small crucifixes statues or pictures that will be displayed elsewhere than in a church or chapel, scapulars, rosaries, or other articles used in religious devotions" (BOB §1442).

Elsewhere it particularly states that deacons may bless rosaries (BOB §1465). Deacons may also bless holy water, but only outside the context of Holy Mass (BOB §1390).

Deacons may also bless the private home of a Christian (BOB §661). However, deacons are prohibited from blessing large images of Christ, the Blessed Virgin, or those of the saints (BOB §1261) that shall be displayed in churches or chapels. Further, only priests or bishops may bless things like confessionals (BOB §1205) and pipe organs (BOB §1326). Bishops reserve the proper right to bless cathedrals and sacred chrism.

Feel the Power of the Botafumeiro!

Yesterday was the feast of St James the Greater, first martyr of the Apostles.

Last year's feast was incredible simply on account of our guest priest's homily. I don't know who he was, but the priest preached a homily about Saint James the "Moor Slayer". It was the most un-politically correct thing that I have ever heard in a homily and thoroughly refreshing.

Not only is Saint James the patron of "moor slaying" but his shrine in Spain contains...silence please...the Botafumeiro.

As I said last year, one of the best things about being Catholic is being in communion not only with the Holy Father, but also with the Botafumeiro itself. Catholic brothers and sisters, if you ever become discouraged, just know that there is a incense thurible over six feet tall swinging around in a Saint James Compestella in Spain. No other religion would dare to have something so awesome.

The Botafumeiro or "Smoke Boat" is the world's largest thurible and it resides in the shrine of St James in Compestella. They literally load it up with shovels of incense. It's simply amazing. If more churches were equipped with botafumeiros, there would likely not be a vocations shortage.

As an Eastern Catholic once told me, "More incense, less nonsense."

This post is dedicated to the Reverend Lee Nelson and the Very Reverend Christopher Stainbrook - men with a fondness for smoky liturgies.

New Translation of Holy Mass in English

When I was at the Catholic Information Center in Washington, DC, my office was across the street from the ICEL office. I was able to go over and spend time with Msgr. Harbert several times and learn about the new translation of the Holy Mass. Msgr. Harbert is the head of the new ICEL (not the old one - don't throw stones!). I think he and his team did a great job. We all ought to raise a toast to them when these changes are implemented.

Text below from Mark Adams. My comments in red.

Some of the things I have found most irritating about the English
translation of the Catholic Mass have been fixed in a newly approved
translation (though it won't go into effect for several years). My
personal favorites:

-- Whenever the priest says, "The Lord be with you," the people will
respond, "And with your spirit." The current response is "And also
with you." [This is true to the Latin which reflects the Hebrew idiom.]

-- In the first form of the penitential rite, the people will confess
that "I have greatly sinned ... through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault." In the current version, that part is
much shorter: "I have sinned through my own fault." [If God is "Holy, Holy, Holy," certainly our sins are threefold as well!]

-- The new response at the "Ecce Agnus Dei" ("Behold the Lamb of God")
is: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but
only say the word and my soul shall be healed." [This Latin idiom follows the Greek words of the Gospel account. It works well in the English because we call the top of our mouths the "roof" of our mouth. Thus, entering under our roof has anatomical connections in English.]

----------------------------------------------

Other notable changes:

-- The Gloria has been translated differently and the structure of the
prayer will have changes from the current text. [The Gloria was so beautifully translated in the Anglican Book of Common Prayer - I hope this translation captures the same and actually includes all the content. The current Gloria omits material found in the Latin.]

-- The opening of the Nicene Creed changes from "We believe ... " to
"I believe ... "; other changes in the prayer also have been made.

-- Before the preface, when the priest says, "Let us give thanks to
the Lord our God," instead of saying, "It is right to give him thanks
and praise," the people will respond, "It is right and just." [Good old Roman simplicity.]

-- The Sanctus will start "Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts." The
current versions says "Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might." [This is how we said it as Anglicans. I would prefer if they left Sabaoth untranslated. I think that all Hebrew words left untranslated in Greek and Hebrew should remain untranslated in English - e.g. Hosanna, Amen, Alleluia.]

-- At the Consecration, the priest will refer to Christ's blood which
is "poured out for you and for many"-- an accurate translation of pro
multis-- rather than "for all" in the current translation. [It's about time! Not only is this the correct translation, it will calm the traditionalists.]

-- In the Eucharistic prayer, references to the Church will use the
pronouns "she" and "her" rather than "it." [Beautiful!]

-- In the Agnus Dei, the text cites the "Lamb of God, who takes away
the sins of the world," rather than using the singular word "sin."

-- Throughout the translation of the Offertory and Eucharistic Prayer,
the traditional phrases of supplication are restored, and the Church
is identified as "holy"-- in each case, matching the Latin original of
the Roman Missal.

Did Adam and Eve eat an apple? - Yes!

We customarily think of Adam and Eve eating an "apple" in the Garden of Eden from the forbidden tree. This is because the Latin word for "apple" is malus, which is similar the word that means "evil".

Jewish tradition identifies the fruit with the fig:

R. Yose said: They were figs, as may be inferred from the context.

A parable of a king's son who disgraced himself with one of the maidservants. When the king heard of it, he deprived his son of high rank and expelled him from the palace. The son then went about to the doorways of the other maidservants, and none would take him in. But she who disgraced herself with him opened the door of her house and received him.

So, too, when Adam ate of that tree, the Holy One deprived him of lofty status and expelled him from the Garden of Eden. Adam then went about among all the trees, but none would receive him [ie. take even one leaf ].

But the fig tree whose fruit Adam had eaten opened its doors [so to speak] and received him, as is said, "They sewed fig leaves together." (Bereishit 3:7) Gen. Rabbah 15:7.

Whether it was a fig or not, the English word "apple" is an appropriate translation, because etymologically, the English word "apple" is a generic term including all fruits, berries, and nuts. For example, the Old English word for cucumbers is eorþæppla - literally, "earth-apples" or "earth fruit". Thus, the forbidden fruit could have been an apple, fig, etrog fruit, banana, or even a cucumber - all of these kinds of fruit would be encompassed by the generic English word "apple" in its traditional sense.

Cardinal Levada's letter to the Traditional Anglican Communion

Cardinal Levada has recently written Archbishop John Hepworth, the Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion (not be confused with the Anglican Communion proper). I've known about this for some time, but it is interesting to see the actual letter (below). The words that jump out are those stating that the corporate reunion model proposed by the TAC will be given "serious attention" by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Do any of you have thoughts about this?

What does 'Lorem Ipsum' mean?

Often you will see the weird Latin words "Lorum ipsum" as filler in computer documents. Usually, this is used to fill artificial space or perhaps to demo a font's features. But what the heck does lorum ipsum mean? We must turn to Cicero.

Lorum ispsum is from a mangled fragment from Cicero's book De Finibus Bonorum et Malorum ('On the Limits of Good and Evil'). The fragment actually belongs to the phrase: dolorum ipsum quia, which means "sorrow because of itself," or "sorrow for its own sake".

So technically, Lorum ipsum doesn't real mean anything by itself. Bring this up with some computer geeks at a cocktail party and you'll the be toast of town.

Cicero and South Carolina: Dum Spiro Spero

In June I finished a Cicero translation course at the University of Dallas in which we translated portions of Cicero's De officiis ('On Duties') - no small task given Cicero's style. I then went with my family to South Carolina for a beautiful and wonderful vacation on the beach. It was fantastic. And so, you might ask, what does Cicero have to do with South Carolina? A strange question isn't it. Yet there is a strong connection.

The state motto of South Carolina is a quote from Cicero: Dum spiro spero, which means "While I breathe, I hope". It's a pun since "I breathe" in Latin sounds like "I hope" - spiro and spero.

The Carolinas must love Cicero because the state motto of North Carolina is also a Cicero quote from his De amicitia ('On Friendship'): Esse quam videri, which means "To be rather than to seem." In other words, "Be genuine."

Great Picture of the Pope

I thought this picture was touching. Pope Benedict XVI looking into the eyes of a native Australian during the Holy Father's visit to Australia.

Cardinal Dias warns Anglicans at Lambeth

Ivan Cardinal Dias of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples is either a brilliant orator or has an excellent team of speech writers working for him. His orator skills are revealed by the fact that he speaks at least twelve languages (!) and he was one of the cardinals considered papabile at the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI. His warning to the world's Anglican bishops at Lambeth is simply amazing. It contains some very hard word and places the situation in the context of human salvation. I particularly appreciated this part of the text that hits hard:

Much is spoken today of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By analogy, their symptoms can, at times, be found even in our own Christian communities. For example, when we live myopically in the fleeting present, oblivious of our past heritage and apostolic traditions, we could well be suffering from spiritual Alzheimer’s. And when we behave in a disorderly manner, going whimsically our own way without any co-ordination with the head or the other members of our community, it could be ecclesial Parkinson’s.

Wow! His comment about "going whimsically our own way without any co-ordination with the head" is an obvious allusion Anglicanism's rejection of the Pope. As a result, Anglicanism could suffer from "ecclesial Parkinson’s". Finally no fluff. Just shooting it straight.

His Eminence's conclusion is perfectly pastoral and encouraging (and Marian!):

In communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Angels and Saints, I commend this Lambeth Conference to God Almighty, and I pray that, through it, He may shower countless blessings on the Anglican Communion all over the world. With Cardinal John Henry Newman, an important figure for Anglicans and Catholics alike, I join you in praying the Holy Spirit:

Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom
Lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home:
Lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet: I do not ask to see the distant scene:
One step enough for me.

Read the whole text of Cardinal Dias' address over at Stand Firm.

The Pope's Ring of the Fisherman

The earliest mention of the "Ring of the Fisherman" worn by the popes is in a letter of Clement IV written in 1265 to his nephew, Peter Grossi. The writer states that popes were then accustomed to seal their private letters with "the seal of the Fisherman", whereas public documents, he adds, were distinguished by the leaden "bulls" attached. From the fifteenth century, however, the Fisherman's ring has been used to seal the class of papal official documents known as Briefs. The Fisherman's ring is placed, by the cardinal camerlengo on the finger of a newly elected pope. It is made of gold, with a representation of St. Peter in a boat, fishing, and the name of the reigning pope around it.

"The Ring of the Fisherman." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912.

Meaning of the Word 'Penance'

The sacrament of reconciliation involves contrition for sin, confession of sin, and penance. The English word “penance” comes from the Latin word pænitentia, meaning “feeling regret” or “repentance”. A penance is a penitential act to demonstrate our personal remorse. The Apostle Paul promoted these penitential acts:

“I declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their repentance (Acts 26:20).

Here Paul explains that he preaches not only that people should repent, but also that they should “perform deeds worthy of their repentance”. This is the very definition of the word “penance”. However, all Christians should be careful that their performance of “deeds worthy of their repentance” actually corresponds to an inward conversion of heart. Otherwise, such penances become sterile and false (CCC §1430).

Papal Dalmatic Alert!

I hope that I don't sound like a precious Catholic obsessed with liturgical garb, but I can't help but pointing out that the Holy Father is wearing a pontifical dalmatic under his chasuble. Old school...

This symbolizes that the Pope as a bishop possesses the fullness of Holy Orders. He is a deacon, symbolized by the dalmatic. He is a priest, symbolized by the chasuble. He is a bishop, symbolized by the mitre.

Caption Contest

"She ascended into the Popemobile and was seated at the right hand of the Holy Father."

Kill the Sin

You've all heard "hate the sin, love the sinner."

I prefer Saint Augustine's version: Interfice errorem, diligere errantem.

That is, "Kill the sin, love the sinner." That possesses a little more gusto, doesn't it?

Reading Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy

Lady Philosophy instructing Boethius
about the so-called "Wheal of Fortune"
I just recently finished a course at the University of Dallas translating portions of Cicero's De officiis. The subject led me to think more about how the Catholic Church had appropriated pre-Christian philosophy. So I started reading Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy, which often references Cicero's works. This text is interesting because although Boethius was a Catholic and wrote numerous treatises in defense of the doctrine of Trinity and other such things, his Consolation of Philosophy contains no mention of Christ, despite it being his last words before being executed for trumped up charges of political treason. However, it does seem to echo Jewish wisdom literature in which the personified Lady Wisdom instructs man about avoiding vice and seeking virtue.

When I first began reading the Consolation, I was a bit put off. It begins with Boethius lamenting his poor estate in prison, when suddenly a beautiful woman appears to him -- Lady Philosophy. She begins a Socratic dialogs with him, demonstrating that "fate" cannot be governed by man. Lady Fate raises men to riches, power, and health only then to take these blessings away. Thus, a man cannot depend on fate to find happiness. Happiness cannot be found in any such thing that can be taken away. Otherwise, happiness is imperfect.

The tone changes in Book III. Lady Philosophy proves that happiness cannot be found in riches, power, honors, offices, etc. Instead, happiness can only be found in that which is perfect and self-sufficient, that is to say, God Himself. Then Lady Philosophy explains that one must pray and launches into a beautiful prayer about the creation of the Universe. This creation motif is contrary to Aristotle and similar to Plato's Timaeus. Most of all it, it is a Judeo-Christian account of creation ex nihilo. Scholars have found that some of the prayer is taken from Proclus' commentary on Plato's Timaeus, but there are some Scriptural echoes in it, even a phrase from 1 Corinthians that the editors missed.

I find this interesting because Dionysius the Areopagite also depends on Proclus in his own theology. Dionysius and Boethius are roughly contemporaries and both attempt to yoke the Philosophical tradition (via Proclus) to the Christian tradition. Dionysius does it through mystical/liturgical theology. Boethius does it through discursive philosophical dialog. In their era, the Church had become resistant to the venom of Gnosticism, so that Greek philosophy could then be appreciated -- so long that it did not compromise the revealed truths of Christ. In other words, we have the budding of scholasticism. This is why Boethius is called "last of the Romans, first of the Scholastics".

Speaking of Boethius' The Consolation of Philosophy, C.S. Lewis wrote:

"To acquire a taste for it is almost to become naturalised in the Middle Ages."

— C. S. Lewis, The Discarded Image : An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature (1964) 75.

More on Boethius later.

Anglicans and Demons

An interesting little piece by "Diogenes" concerning how an ECUSA bishop has labeled the behavior of conservatives as "demonic".

Blessed...John Henry Newman

That Holy See has asked that the body of John Henry Newman be exhumed from a cemetery and ensrhined in a marble sarcophagus in the Birmingham Oratory. This can only mean one thing. Newman shall be beatified any time now.

More news from CWN.

On the road again

I'll be on the road again till July 18th. Blogging will be light or non-existent depending on whether I can find some wi-fi access. Till then...

Godspeed,
Taylor Marshall

Franciscan Friars of Renewal Photos

This is me with Father Solanus (left) and Father Joseph Mary (right).

This picture is awesome. Father Joseph Mary and Father Patrick (yes, he's from Ireland) keep it real in the back with freestyle bike tricks and some crazy Honduras soccer maneuvers. Our youngest looks on in awe.

My darling wife and unborn son. And one of our daughters. Father Solanus tells us about his studies in Rome.

As you can see, the Friars of the Renewal are amazing. I'd be grateful if any one of my children received a vocation to this beautiful order.

Saint Francis, pray for us.

No Blogging: I'll be at the Anglican Use Conference

I'll be away for the next three days at the Catholic Anglican Use Conference in San Antonio Texas.

I'll give a full report when I return.

- Taylor Marshall

The Death of Diogenes

When asked how he wished to be buried, Diogenes left instructions to be thrown over the city wall so wild animals could feast on his body.

When asked if he minded this, he said, "Not at all, as long as you provide me with a stick to chase the creatures away!"

When asked how he could use the stick since he would lack awareness, he replied "If I lack awareness, then why should I care what happens to me when I am dead?"

- Cicero, Tusculanae Quaestiones, 1, 42.

We had the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for Dinner over at our house for dinner

The other night, my wife and I hosted the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for dinner at our house. We welcomed Father Solanus, CFR from Rome and Father Joseph Mary, CFR and Brother Patrich CFR both from the friary Fort Worth, Texas. The are amazing. Their presence filled our home with the fire of Christ's love. I am convinced that the CFRs will bring about much spiritual fruit in the century to come. A true gift from Christ.

I'll post some pictures and comments when I get back from San Antonio.

- Taylor Marshall

Papa Bens Liturgy - It's Good For Your

I like the how it says "some traditionalists may still be allergic".

Hat tip: Rev. Jim Fraser.

Pope Benedict receives a guest at Saint Peter's

This is a picture of Pope Benedict XVI of Rome and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople praying together in the confessio of Saint Peter's Basilica.

Look at the picture. Feel the power.

Church of England votes in favor of women "bishops"

This article recently appeared in the GUARDIAN, that most "liberal" of English Newspapaers. A special hat tip to the Very Reverend Christopher Stainbrook in Fort Worth.

For my own part, I am bitterly disappointed in N.T. Wright who swung in favor of women bishops and stated: "There might be some things that we might eventually have to split over. This should not be one of them."

Who is he kidding? Here's the whole story:

Church vote opens door to female bishops
Ruling General Synod throws out compromises that would have appeased opponents

The Church of England was thrown into turmoil last night over the issue of women bishops, as it rejected proposals that would have accommodated clergy strongly opposed to the historic change.

In an emotional, sometimes bitter debate lasting more than seven hours, the General Synod voted against introducing separate structures and "superbishops", to oversee parishes opposed to women bishops, because they were seen as amounting to institutionalised discrimination.

Instead, the 468 members narrowly agreed to the idea of introducing a national statutory code of practice, throwing out all compromises that would have appeased opponents of women bishops.

A code of practice has yet to be fully explored, but will not satisfy the demands of traditionalists and conservative evangelicals, who had formed an alliance to block consideration of any such code.

The Bishop of Winchester, Michael Scott-Joynt, condemned the final vote, taken after amendments had been tabled and rejected, as "mean-spirited and short-sighted". "The manifest majority was profoundly short-sighted. At every point it could have offered reassurances, and it did not do that," he said.

In the debate, one churchman, Gerald O'Brien, told the synod there were possibilities of receiving episcopal oversight from overseas archbishops. His comments drew boos and hisses from the assembly.

Scott-Joynt criticised such threats. "We've got people talking about defection - they were clearly talking about the Global Anglican Future conference [held last month in Jerusalem, which ended with the threat of an Anglican breakaway]. We've got a lot of soul-searching to do."

He echoed the sentiments of the Bishop of Dover, the Right Rev Stephen Venner, who was in tears after he made a speech, imploring the pro-women lobby to show some generosity.

"I feel ashamed. We have talked about wanting to give an honourable place for those who disagree, and we have turned down almost every realistic opportunity. We have not even been prepared to explore the possibility of fresh expressions of dioceses or bishops. And still we talk the talk of being inclusive."

Venner was referring to the superbishops plan, which failed to win a two-thirds majority across the three houses (bishops, clergy and laity) even though more backed it than opposed it. Synod's decision infuriated the influential Anglo-Catholic wing, which wants protection from women bishops. One senior churchman, the Rev Prebendary David Houlding, said: "It's getting worse, it's going downhill very badly. It's quite clear there's a pincer movement and we're being squeezed out. There is only one way forward: a code of practice." He added: "There will be no walkout - yet."

The archbishops of Canterbury and York appeared pensive during the debate, holding their heads in their hands. There were frequent pauses for silent prayer and reflection. The synod ignored their pleas. Rowan Williams and John Sentamu wanted legislative protection rather than a voluntary code of practice. Sentamu supported plans for superbishops, while Williams wanted "more rather than less robust" legislation.

The Bishop of Durham said such a vital and sensitive debate should not have taken place a week before Lambeth, the once-a-decade gathering of the world's Anglican bishops. He called for unity amid the mood of unhappiness and disunity.

The Right Rev Tom Wright said: "There might be some things that we might eventually have to split over. This should not be one of them."

The prospect of rebellion has loomed large over the meeting in York, which ends today. Yesterday's vote means the church moves toward ordaining women bishops with a code of practice, to be drawn up for consideration by the synod in February. The code will need a two-thirds majority in each of the houses when it reaches the final vote in several years' time.

This article appeared in the Guardian on Tuesday July 08 2008 on p2 of the Top stories section. It was last updated at 11:13 on July 08 2008.

Secret summit for Anglican bishops in Rome

According to the Telegraph, Anglican bishops met senior advisers of the Pope in an attempt to build closer ties with the Catholic Church.

Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was not told of the talks and the disclosure will be a fresh blow to his efforts to prevent a major split in the Church of England.

Hat tip to David Cassidy.

Pope Benedict might make changes to Mass

The weekly Panorama reports that the Holy Father has asked the Congregation for Divine Worship to study the possibility of changes that would include using Latin in the Eucharistic Prayer and moving the Sign of Peace to the Offertory.
Read story here.

Traditionalist Redemptorists Reconciled to Rome

Great news! The acumen of Pope Benedict XVI has reconciled yet another tradtionalists society. The Transalpine Redemptorists are a religious order based in Papa Stronsay in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. They had previously been affiliated with the schismat Society of Saint Pius X. They have announced on their blog that they are now in full communion with the Holy Father and the See of Rome.

The order has also initiated a new monastery in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The website of the Transalpine Redemptorists.

Should I change the name Canterbury Tales?

Pictured above is the readership of this blog, Canterbury Tales. It has become not only international, but intercontinental. As you can see, it is quite broad.

I'm considering an overhaul of the blog format, perhaps a switch over to Wordpress.

I'm also considering a name change. Canterbury Tales was the name of this blog back when I was an Anglican priest. Now that I'm Catholic, perhaps it's finally time for a change. However, I still am rather attached to the name "Canterbury Tales". It evokes pilgrimage. Canterbury was afterall the first diocese established by Rome in England. It was know for the relics of Thomas Becket - an ardent defender of papal prerogatives. On the other hand, I hate being associated with Rowan Williams.

So do you like the name or should I cook up something new?