Honoring the Lion of Lincoln

As he enters the twilight of his reign as the Bishop of Lincoln, it is great to see His Excellency, Fabian Bruskewitz, honored with two nice articles of late. As the articles illustrate, the proof of his legacy (and his predecessors) is in the pudding: abundant vocations to the priesthood and religious life, flourishing parishes and schools, faithful schools with perhaps the lowest tuition rates in the nation, and a dedicated, orthodox laity. Lincoln priests and laity are fanning out across the country and as bishops, Focus missionaries and others in order to be a blessing to the Church elsewhere.

How Bishop Bruskeswitz Built Up the Church on the Plains (National Catholic Register)

Keeper of the Flame (Omaha World-Herald)

Favorite quotes from the NCR article:
"To be conservative means that you simply inquire why the fence was put up before you knock it down."

[on the '96 excommunications:]
"A great lawyer can know the law but still be a criminal. People can know what is right but do wrong. So, in regards to the excommunications, I believed I had to do something. Sometimes action must be taken."

[on plans for retirement:]
"I plan to keep a hand in things. My mind is still good, and I can still make a contribution. I also have a rocking chair and two hunting dogs waiting for me."

Will Syria Join the 'Arab Nightmare'?

Rorate has the link to this noteworthy story from the LA Times:

"But Assad still has support among many Syrians, especially Christians and other minorities who view his secular administration as a bulwark against Iraq-style sectarian warfare. Assad has blamed Islamic "terrorists" for his troubles."

Most Americans, Republicans included, parrot the mainstream media's idea of the triumph of last year's "Arab spring", failing to recognize that the governments bound to take over are not tolerant western democracies, but radicalized muslims who will make it their aim to run Christians out of the middle east, as happened in Iraq and is under way in Egypt. Of course, this is not to endorse or defend tyrants or dictators and their atrocities, nor to ignore that there were some good points of the "Arab spring."
Nevertheless, Christians in the West need to recognize the reality that the more moderate autocrats that have been running the states in the Middle East during recent decades were not fanatical muslims and for the most part protected the Christian minorities within their lands. While I do not recommend listening to Michael Savage as a healthy thing, I confess to catching him the other evening wherein I heard him express this very thing: "Arab spring?, more like Arab nightmare" (my paraphrase).
Russia is becoming an ever-more Orthodox state (now requiring religious education in schools, prayer in the military, trying to curb abortion, etc.) as is frequently reported in the Blue Army's excellent quarterly, Soul. I'm inclined to believe that Russia has a better understanding of this part of the world than we do and is rightly cautious in throwing their support behind those who would overthrow Assad.

Fwiw, Santorum is the only one of the GOP candidates who I have heard express reservation over the Arab Spring (specifically, Egypt).

Back to the Blog

I am going to fire back up the blog. Alas, too much to say and comment on during our brief stay in this land of our exile.