The Seventh Age

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians is conducting a survey to determine what music "makes a difference" in the lives of American Catholics.

We are inviting NPM members and other American Catholics to tell us your selection for a liturgical song that makes a difference. We would like to know the texts and tunes that have done the most to help American Catholics to discover, explore, nourish, and deepen their faith.

We will continue to collect choices through September 30, 2005 and then publish a list of the most popular and important songs, according to the survey, later in the fall as well as some of the stories that we receive.

Do it now. Click here.

Failure to act may result in "Gather Us In" being named most influential song of the century.

With the start of the school year, both as student and teacher, I have been remiss in my self-appointed duty to whine about the current state of affairs in regard to politics, culture, faith, etc. I have had no time for analysis (or that thing I do sometimes that passes for analysis) but fortunately George Will has been busy.

This article states the obvious answer to the loony left’s claim that the federal government’s response to the debacle in New Orleans has been racist. Will is not right nearly as often as he thinks he is, but he’s never lacked the intestinal fortitude to offer his viewpoint. This is a must read (hat tip to NRO’s Corner).

Two separate federal court decisions reported today cast a stark light on the Roberts confirmation circus. Both the Pledge of Allegiance and a ban on the abomination of partial-birth abortion suffered the same inevitable fate yesterday when separate federal courts ruled each unconstitutional. This despite overwhelming public support, and in the case of the abortion restriction, overwhelming Congressional support.

Until the nation wakes up to the fact that our democracy is provisional only, subject to the whim of judges, all we can hope for is judges who value restraint. It is a faint hope. John Roberts will go to the Supreme Court with a safer philosophy, but he will still possess, with his new colleagues, an absolute and unchecked power. This realization among the Senate is obviously why Roberts has to suffer the indignity of sitting through such intense questioning.

But the Senate would better serve American by abandoning the quest to find a person worthy of such power. In the current environment, Conservatives want a Solomon who will never be swayed from first principles, and liberals want an idiot who can be. Idiots are to be avoided whenever possible, but there is no Solomon among us. We are left to govern by our wits alone, and the best mechanism for doing that arose 228 years ago tomorrow in Philadelphia. It involves holding those who wield political power accountable to the voting public at regular intervals and it has not been improved upon. Any moderately educated American can see that the power of the courts is antithetical to the Constitution we will be celebrating. That power rightfully belongs to Congress where it can be checked by the people, and it is Congress’ duty to reclaim it.

George Will is not the only one unwilling to attribute poverty among African Americans to racism. Star Parker hits home here.

With a tip of the mitre to Southern Appeal, here is a concise deconstuction of the manufactured right to privacy. For the faint of heart, do not read the excerpt at the top of the page (Sibyl, that means you).

Its little insights like these that reveal the Left's agenda as not merely a march of the ignorant, but a conspiracy of the damnable.

It says here that some senators and representatives are grumbling about the recent Kelo decision handed down from our Judicial Overlords. Of course, much grumbling is in order, considering the reckless extension of eminent domain jurisdiction. Recall that Kelo validated the seizing of an individual’s property for private development encouraged in the name of potential future tax revenues and other ephemeral gains.

However, the suggestions coming out of both the House and the Senate carry the unworthy tone of a legislative branch crouching in the shadow of the judiciary branch’s raised fist. Many suggestions deal with withholding federal money from projects that utilize land seized under Kelo. It’s a nice gesture, but why on earth would Congress not simply pass a statute limiting government seizures to only those that have a clear public purpose? Who’s in charge here?

But wait…why on earth would Washington have anything to say? The seizure in Kelo, like most such cases, was a state affair. Why have we seen not a single state statute in response to Kelo? Hmmm…could it be because a Supreme Court decision trumps state law and this is another preemptive strike against Federalism?

Judicial supremacy is not merely an undignified vexation for a free people. It is in fact an excruciating deliquesce with serious repercussions for the entire American enterprise. An unaccountable, unabashed judiciary provides the federal legislature with a ready accomplice when they feel compelled (as they often do) to abdicate their responsibility. An emasculated Congress leads to less participation in the federal legislative process. States decline in influence, and measures to keep the States on life support often come from executive officers. And so we circle the bowl, and will until drastic action is taken.

Pope Benedict’s service so far has been crowned with many beautiful remarks given to and for the faithful. His tone, more mellow than the one used in his previous office, is perfectly suited to his role as the heir to St. Peter. There has been, however, a faint lament that our German Shepard has not yet allowed his growl to be heard in those places where the flock has run amuck. Recently there have been signs that the Holy Father has begun to exert his authority directly on the Church leadership in a way that John Paul II chose not to.

First, Benedict signed off on a strong declaration forbidding seminaries to admit homosexuals, even if they are celibate. The formal instruction to seminaries appears to acknowledge homosexuality as a serious disorder that requires wariness, not unlike alcoholism or a gambling addiction. The remark was delivered in the context of announcing the agenda for Vatican visitations to American seminaries. For anyone who suffered through the sex scandals and the attendant MSM smear campaign, this news is welcome. The sex scandals were largely the result of open homosexual activities. Uttering that truth in the US will get a guy shot at dawn. To hear the truth so powerfully spoken from Rome in our interest is bracing.

Also, it was reported today that Benedict had some firm words for new bishops. He stressed the use of the Catechism in fulfilling the duties of teaching the faith. An obvious point, perhaps, but what percentage of local homilies call upon that document? More directly, Benedict reminded these new bishops that “the way the bishop celebrates the Mass nourishes the faith and devotion of his priests and faithful.” Also, he reminded them that they had a serious oblication to ensure “a worthy and decorous celebration of the Eucharist and for promoting eucharistic devotion.” Let’s hope the Holy Father can impress these and other important point on all bishops everywhere.