Author: Jeff Cassman
The Ash Wednesday Selfie
One of the phenomenons of modern Catholicism is the Ash Wednesday selfie. It’s objectively contrary to the gospel reading from today’s liturgy (a rare agreement between the old liturgy and the new). It’s also contrary to the traditional practice (for men) of receiving ashes on the crown of the head. Only women received ashes on the forehead (because they were veiled). Men, ask your priest for ashes “As Benedict would have them”.
The Last Republican President
Throwing a Jackal to the Wolves
Some Catholics are celebrating the unprecedented laicization of Cardinal Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. Apparently they missed that McCarrick’s top proteges have ALL been elevated by Pope Francis to the most prominent positions: Blase Cupich as Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago and Francis’ favorite in the US, Donald Wuerl as Apostolic Administrator of Washington, DC, and just this week, Kevin Ferrell as Carmelengo. It’s almost as if Francis is trying to make a point.
P.S. McCarrick is still a Priest and Bishop. Laicization doesn’t take that away (you can’t ‘undo’ sacraments). He simply has no more clerical rights and privileges.
