Why Was Archbishop May Overlooked? Paul and His

£ olumnists Why was Archbishop May overlooked? By Father Richard P. McBrien Archbishop May's three immediate Archbishop May is a case in point. He Syndicated columnist predecessors in St. Louis were all elevated should have been named a cardinal by Two American archbishops were re to the College of Cardinals: John Glennon now. He has been archbishop of St. Louis cently installed as new members of the Col in 1946, Joseph Ritter in 1961, and John since 1980; each of his three immediate ESSAYS IN lege of Cardinals: Anthony Bevilacqua of Carberry in 1969 (only one year after his predecessors was named a cardinal; and Philadelphia and Roger Mahony of Los appointment as archbishop). there have been at least four opportunities THEOLOGY Angeles. John May became Archbishop of St. for die pope to have done so since the Nothing in this column is intended, even Louis in 1980. Since then, there have been archbishop first came to St. Louis over a Characteristically, his welcoming ad indirectly, as a criticism of these indivi at least four consistories at which Ameri decade ago. dress to me annual convention of die Cath duals. Given the size of their archdioceses cans have been admitted to the College of Has the archdiocese of St. Louis shrunk olic Theological Society of America, meet and die force of recent tradition, their ap Cardinals: in 1983 (Cardinal Joseph Ber- so much in ecclesiastical significance since ing in St. Louis in 1989, was filled with pointments were entirely expected. nardin of Chicago); in 1985 (Cardinal John Cardinal Carberry's elevation in 1969? Is appreciation for the contributions Camolic To be sure, both are ecclesiastically O'Connor of New York, and Cardinal Archbishop May personally unworthy? theologians have made to the church. "safe." They can be counted upon to pro Bernard Law of Boston); in 1988 (Cardinal Has he blotted his copybook somewhere "I Uiink the church in the United vide uncompromising support for Vatican Edmund Szoka of Detroit, and Cardinal along the line? States," he said, "suffers from too many documents, initiatives and policies, even James Hickey of Washington, D.C.); and As far as one can tell, St. Louis is still a anxious/warning voices mat would divide when there is considerable criticism of in '91 (Cardinals Bevilacqua and Mahony). fine archdiocese and Archbishop May has die bishops against theologians. There are same by other members of the National Except for the Bernardin appointment — an excellent reputation, not only among his too many sweeping accusations leveled at Conference of Catholic Bishops. which had a special rationale, given the own priests, religious, and lay people, but die dieological soundness and creedal fide No unusual inference, therefore, can be awkward situation created by his imme among his brother bishops as well. Indeed, lity of die dieologians. There are too many drawn from their elevation to the College diate predecessor — each of the nomina he was elected president of the National vague but insistent attacks, telling bishops of Cardinals. Both bishops clearly meet the tions followed the usual pattern of promo Conference of Catholic Bishops only a few me dieologians will supplant mem in tiieir pastoral norms which this pontificate has tions of conservative loyalists. years ago and served widi distinction. teaching office or ignore Uieir pastoral gui consistently followed in selecting bishops What is perhaps not generally recog Archbishop May is no liberal in the dance or lead die people of God into anta and in promoting mem to higher office in nized is diat, alongside this explicit effort media's sense of me word. Few U.S. gonism, division, and virtual schism. the church. to promote bishops of a particular type, bishops are liberal. He's more accurately If Archbishops Bevilacqua and Mahony What is telling about this latest list of there is an equally forceful determination described as a moderate, mat is, one who is deserved their red hats, so, too, does new cardinals is not that Archbishops Bevi to thwart the candidacies of otherwise qua unmistakably loyal to die Holy See but Archbishop John May and die Archdiocese lacqua and Mahony were on it, but that lified and deserving candidates simply be open at die same time to legitimate change of St. Louis. And my column, I should Archbishop John May of St. Louis, was cause they are perceived to be insufficien and to respectful dialogue with those who says, doesn't even appear in The St. Louis not. tly conservative and loyal. advocate change. Review, die diocesan newspaper. Paul and his followers encounter another false god By Cindy Bassett dirown into me fire. All of this had oc teriorated. If we stand idly by, we will all Courier columnist curred in die center square just across from be ruined!" Demetrius slammed his business records where Demetrius' shop stood. Before Demetrius even finished his dis shut and threw them across the room. The Demetrius hadn't even opened the shop course, some of his fellow craftsmen had steady downward spiral of sales mat had at all yesterday because of me great crowd risen to meir feet. One of them shouted, begun several months ago continued. It in the city square. He feared these people ' 'Great is Diana of Ephesus! Long may she was all die fault of tiiese broad-minded phi THE BIBLE would come and destroy everything he reign in honor here!'' losophers who had allowed diese followers owned. Instead, he had waited until tiiey The rest of die crowd took up die chant of die Way to preach in Ephesus in die first CORNER finally had dispersed. It was almost dark and they went out into die street and con place. when Demetrius had gone to gamer up the tinued yelling: "Great is Diana of Ephe These philosophers prided tiiemselves on had it mat her image had fallen to Ephesus charred remains of some of his c wn work. sus!" the intellectual exchange of ideas and other from heaven. A huge temple had been Demetrius turned from me window, his Soon many of the curious onlookers in world views. It had become more dian just erected in her honor and people from all face set firmly. Something had;to be done die street had taken up uieir cry and joined a mere exchange of ideas. 3 over me world flocked to Ephesus. Every immediately. He was the head of the local them too. The mob moved toward the am Before Demetrius bent to pick up me ros year, Demetrius sold diousands of silver silversmith's organization and he would phitheater in a great rush. ter, he paused by me window to survey the replicas of the temple and Diana to the arrange for a meeting of his fellow crafts When me mayor of Ephesus heard all of streets below. It was still early and me people who made die pilgrimage, here. His man today. the commotion, he went before the crowd streets were empty of the confusion mat shop employed many silver craftsmen to "Gentiemen, I have called you here to and called diem to order, saying, "Citizens had existed yesterday. meet this demand. discuss a serious threat to not only our own of Ephesus, if Demetrius and his craftsmen It had begun first with me burning of me Yesterday afternoon, an old woman had livelihood, but me future existence of our have a complaint against diese followers of books. These books, die people pro walked in full view of die crowd and city," Demetrius said. "For many years, die Way, dien go through proper channels claimed, contained witchcraft and sorcery shouted tiiat she no longer believed in die Ephesus has been a great tourist center be and file a formal complaint. These men and had no place in their lives anymore. goddess, Di^na. That said, this woman had cause of the goddess, Diana. Diana has have done nothing against you. If die They had become followers of Jesus Christ taken me silver statue of Diana and threw it favored us by allowing us to make a living Roman government hears about this riot, and would no longer worship me goddess, into me raging bonfire. selling our silver replicas.'' we will all be called to account for it.'' Diana. Her chant was soon picked up by scores He continued, "Ever since tiiose fol Paul had also heard the great disturbance The city of Ephesus had become a great of omers and before long, dozens of diese lowers of the Way and meir leader, Paul, and he came immediately to die amphith tourist center because of Diana. Legend statues and models of me temple had been have come to Ephesus, our business has de- eater. But his followers feared for his life and begged him not to speak. A few days later, Paul left Ephesus and FUNERAL DIRECTORS OF THE ROCHESTER DIOCESE went back to Jerusalem. He had been in the region for nearly diree years and he left behind a great following of Christians and The funeral Directors listed herein offer pre-need and at-need services and counseling in accordance with the Catholic faith new churches. GATES GREECE Scripture Reference: Acts, Chapter 19:23-41. Alvah Halloran & Son, Inc. DiPonzio Funeral Arndt Funeral Home Vay-Schleich and Meeson Funeral Home Home, Inc. 1218 Long Pond Rd. Funeral Home Inc Meditation: "Your money will perish H. Daniel Halloran (Across from St. (south of Maiden Lane) "Greece's Largest and M )st widi you for thinking mat God's gift can be 2125 Chili Avenue Theodore's Church) Barking for over 100 cars Complete Facilities" bought." (Acts, 8:20) 1 Rochester, N.Y.

Load more