Mission
ARCHANGEL’S MISSION
For many years as a pastor, I enjoyed writing brief essays for the parish bulletin. Writing involves a discipline of the mind that helps one to know more precisely what one thinks and helps one to think more effectively. Secondly, readers may enjoy the commentaries of the writer and, where different emphases arise, enter into the dynamics of dialogue, a step to fuller understanding of issues. This is the goal of this “blog”, however horrid is the word itself.
Why “Archangel”? Because Archangel Michael is the website’s Guardian Angel! He is to guard against the danger of substantial error and the danger of seeing too many things as substantial error.
My pre-school years provided an atmosphere for growth in a direction set by faith-filled parents and an extended family. Public elementary school generated an enthusiasm for reading, creative writing, and speaking up. A Christian Brother High School developed consciousness of an horizon that was expanding from the world of nature to a wider and deeper world of faith and grace. Seminary years supplied theological and historical knowledge, designed to be a foundation for ministry. Graduate study in Canon Law was a preparation for tribunal and administrative work as well as pastoral ministry.
Many years in Archdiocesan Chancery work, then years in pastoral ministry, and extended involvement in civic affairs exposed one to the dynamics of meetings and public speaking. In civic affairs, working with men and women of other faith traditions conditioned one to an atmosphere quite different from one with an all-Catholic constituency.
In addition to these background elements, I add my belief that the Roman Catholic Church, which will figure heavily in this forum, is the true Church. Its traditional marks, being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, consist of its essential characteristics, however differently they have been perceived in various periods of history. An effort will be made to deter contrasting viewpoints from being always perceived as one right, the other wrong. Where essential matters of faith are not at issue, disagreement or dissent will not be characterized in terms of Church loyalty. There may well be competing institutional interests at issue. John Paul II chose solidarity with his bishops ahead of protecting the public reputation of the Church when he appointed Cardinal Bernard H. Law, driven from Boston by his priests and people, to a prestigious church and residence in Rome. Clerical solidarity versus acknowledgement of the people’s judgment were each of concern for the Church’s institutional interest.
This is the framework for this website. Comments on its content is most welcome.
.
For many years as a pastor, I enjoyed writing brief essays for the parish bulletin. Writing involves a discipline of the mind that helps one to know more precisely what one thinks and helps one to think more effectively. Secondly, readers may enjoy the commentaries of the writer and, where different emphases arise, enter into the dynamics of dialogue, a step to fuller understanding of issues. This is the goal of this “blog”, however horrid is the word itself.
Why “Archangel”? Because Archangel Michael is the website’s Guardian Angel! He is to guard against the danger of substantial error and the danger of seeing too many things as substantial error.
My pre-school years provided an atmosphere for growth in a direction set by faith-filled parents and an extended family. Public elementary school generated an enthusiasm for reading, creative writing, and speaking up. A Christian Brother High School developed consciousness of an horizon that was expanding from the world of nature to a wider and deeper world of faith and grace. Seminary years supplied theological and historical knowledge, designed to be a foundation for ministry. Graduate study in Canon Law was a preparation for tribunal and administrative work as well as pastoral ministry.
Many years in Archdiocesan Chancery work, then years in pastoral ministry, and extended involvement in civic affairs exposed one to the dynamics of meetings and public speaking. In civic affairs, working with men and women of other faith traditions conditioned one to an atmosphere quite different from one with an all-Catholic constituency.
In addition to these background elements, I add my belief that the Roman Catholic Church, which will figure heavily in this forum, is the true Church. Its traditional marks, being one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, consist of its essential characteristics, however differently they have been perceived in various periods of history. An effort will be made to deter contrasting viewpoints from being always perceived as one right, the other wrong. Where essential matters of faith are not at issue, disagreement or dissent will not be characterized in terms of Church loyalty. There may well be competing institutional interests at issue. John Paul II chose solidarity with his bishops ahead of protecting the public reputation of the Church when he appointed Cardinal Bernard H. Law, driven from Boston by his priests and people, to a prestigious church and residence in Rome. Clerical solidarity versus acknowledgement of the people’s judgment were each of concern for the Church’s institutional interest.
This is the framework for this website. Comments on its content is most welcome.
.
posted by Msgr. Harry J. Byrne | 3:40 PM
3 Comments:
The MISSION statement assures a helpful goal if followed. hjb
harry this is some great site. Ed B
This comment is in relation to your review of Bob Kaiser's book on the conclave. I know Kaiser and he's not that extreme. He's just seen enough Romanita, especially while he was in Rome covering Vatican II, that he takes what Rome screams is "dogma" with a few pounds of salt. I think he also is very wary of judging where others may stand in relation to God when they act in accordance with their consciences.
Just my two sous' worth.
Chris Roussel
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