There’s nothing to get me back into the habit of intense reading than long periods in the car. Which I had today. So…the New Yorker and at last the article in the Atlantic, by Adam Minter about Shanghai Bishop Jin Luxian – an interesting profile which I think is an important read, although certain questions are left open – perhaps because they were somewhat tangential – as in – what exactly has been the nature of the open Church’s compromise with the Chinese government – is appointing bishops all there is to it, or is there more, when it comes to, say, the Chinese government’s population policies?
(The other article on China – by James Fallows on the economic boom – was also fascinating. But Caitlin Flanagan’s experience as a MySpace stalker was creepy. Even if that was supposed to be the point. I guess she made it. The point, that is.)
Today, I also read much of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, about which I will have much to say if I ever get to a computer again. I say "much of" because we arrived at our destination when I had devoured all but 40 pages or so. So you know what I must go do now…
(And as for your MP commentary and links – well, we’ll have to stick with Fr. Z, New Liturgical Movement, Rorate Coeli and the Catholic news outlets – as well as many other great blogs. It’s frustrating, but probably good that internet seclusion is about to be imposed on me. Because two weeks of this would finally and ultimately send me ’round the bend.)
Just keep your sense of humor. This will help, immensely.
Rome — Pope Benedict, a former Hitler youth, will tell Roman Catholic priests in coming days that they can say mass in Latin— a dead language the no one knows anymore—as a concession to right wing extremists in the church, known as traditionalists.
The decree by the Pope, a former Hitler youth, is known as a Motu Proprio. This cryptic latin phrase can be loosely translated “I can do whatever I want because I am the Pope and you can’t stop me.”
The Latin Mass, also know as the Tridentine mass, is a product of the ‘dark ages’ and was understandably jettisoned by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The latin mass is said by the priest with his back to the congregation whispering secret prayers that only he can understand. In the Tridentine mass the laity does not participate at all , so they often turn to knitting, macramé, or checkers to pass the time.
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