Sal -It really is a night to say what the heck! [He's referencing my post below] If any of you were unlucky enough to watch the Bishop's Conference Mass this evening at the National Shrine you're probably thinking the same thing. The bishops were commemorating the 25th anniversary of their pastoral letter on racism, Brothers and Sisters to Us, in which they declared "racism is a sin." Let me tell you, that Mass was a sin.I tuned in towards the beginning right before the proclamation of the Gospel in time to see the camera pan a shot of the front row of bishops which was the entire black episcopate in the United States. So what? It's Bishop Gregory's last Mass as Conference President; they honor the black bishops and promote the black cause. Nice enough. Then as if transported to the deep South the Gospel choir begins their rendition of the Alleluia in rounds. But wait, you think it can't get more interesting? Oh, my friends, it does. I flipped back in time to see the recessional out and was amazed to see the "crowds" in the Basilica. They must have been at least 200 strong! In a Basilica that can seat thousands, at one of the most important Masses of the year, and at a time when our bishops need some kind of support where is the flock? I am reminded of the quote from Scripture, Matthew's Gospel I believe, "like sheep without a shepherd." Hmmmm, seems like the shepherds are missing their sheep. What do you think?
Sincerely
M. Ball
Mr. Ball,
I think your views don't reflect those of the happy bloggers here at CL. But thanks for writing anyhow.
It was pretty pathetic to hear "We are marching in the light of God", a "South African freedom song", in that rather dignified basilica.
Besides the fact that the song apparently started as a tune for anti-apartheid demonstrations, it just sounds childish. In fact, when I searched for it on the net, it appeared listed in several books of songs for children!
Isn't that patronizing to black Catholics?