Someone Who Is Needy

Homeless Jesus is inappropriate, clearly: DAVIDSON, N.C. — A sculpture of Jesus as a homeless man installed outside a church in Davidson has neighbors and church leaders debating its message and appropriateness. According to articles on sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz’s website, the same “Homeless Jesus” now at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church was rejected by cathedrals in New York and Canada. Schmalz’s site also includes articles claiming Pope Francis blessed and accepted “Homeless Jesus” into Vatican City. From a distance, especially at dusk, you would swear the sculpture is a real-life homeless man sleeping on a bench in front of the … Continue reading Someone Who Is Needy

You’re In My Prayers

I know it’s becoming the Pope Frank fanblog around here, but this is actually genuis: Krajewski gets his marching orders each morning: A Vatican gendarme goes from the Vatican hotel where Francis lives to Krajewski’s office across the Vatican gardens, bringing a bundle of letters that the pope has received from the faithful asking for help. On the top of each letter, Francis might write “You know what to do” or “Go find them” or “Go talk to them.” And so Don Corrado, as he likes to be called, hits the streets of Rome and beyond. He visits homes for … Continue reading You’re In My Prayers

On The Road With Cardinal Scola

It’s conclave Tuesday, y’all. The gathering of what Charlie Pierce loves to call the “cult of the red beanie.” I have no red-hatted dog in this fight but I’ve gotten a kick out some of the pre-conclave spin. My favorite was this item about Cardinal Angelo Scola of Milano: To illustrate that life is a journey, one of the Italian cardinals touted as a favorite to be the next pope doesn’t just turn to the Scriptures – but also to Jack Kerouac and Cormac McCarthy. Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan, is seen as Italy’s best chance at reclaiming the … Continue reading On The Road With Cardinal Scola

Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

I haven’t ventured over into the Breitbart Memorial Museum for Fuckwittery in a long time, because a) why and b) no, but last week Pope Frank decided to point out that hoarding money isn’t cool, and that any system that doesn’t serve the needs of everybody needs to be amscrayed, just as his Employer once commanded. Not a radical statement, unless you’re following on the heels of Pope Prada of the Hitler Youth during a time of epic income inequality reinforced by every major mainstream media outlet in the entire world. So most people were quite pleased to hear a … Continue reading Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

Infamous Idaho Potatoheads

One of the many things I loved about the Toy Story movies was the voice casting of one of my comedic heroes, Don Rickles, as the voice of Mr. Potatohead. When I heard about the latest dumbshit gun nut story, I heard the voice of Mr. Warmth calling everyone involved hockey pucks. I’d use stronger language but Rickles “works clean” as they say in the Borscht Belt. Anyway, here’s the story that’s shocked even me with its egregious malakatude and hockey puckery: An Idaho lawmaker who had his concealed weapon permit revoked for lying about a long-ago guilty plea to … Continue reading Infamous Idaho Potatoheads

Infamous Idaho Potatoheads

One of the many things I loved about the Toy Story movies was the voice casting of one of my comedic heroes, Don Rickles, as the voice of Mr. Potatohead. When I heard about the latest dumbshit gun nut story, I heard the voice of Mr. Warmth calling everyone involved hockey pucks. I’d use stronger language but Rickles “works clean” as they say in the Borscht Belt. Anyway, here’s the story that’s shocked even me with its egregious malakatude and hockey puckery: An Idaho lawmaker who had his concealed weapon permit revoked for lying about a long-ago guilty plea to … Continue reading Infamous Idaho Potatoheads

Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

After having their legs humped by Benedict for a decade, bigot Catholics are angry because Pope Frank is paying attention to poor people: “It seems he’s focusing on bringing back the left that’s fallen away, but what about the conservatives?” said Ms. Kurt, a hospice community educator. “Even when it was discouraging working in pro-life, you always felt like Mother Teresa was on your side and the popes were encouraging you. Now I feel kind of thrown under the bus.” Yes. Having someone not mention your American political concerns explicitly for a while, as he focuses on THE STARVING, is … Continue reading Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

After having their legs humped by Benedict for a decade, bigot Catholics are angry because Pope Frank is paying attention to poor people: “It seems he’s focusing on bringing back the left that’s fallen away, but what about the conservatives?” said Ms. Kurt, a hospice community educator. “Even when it was discouraging working in pro-life, you always felt like Mother Teresa was on your side and the popes were encouraging you. Now I feel kind of thrown under the bus.” Yes. Having someone not mention your American political concerns explicitly for a while, as he focuses on THE STARVING, is … Continue reading Bigots, Pope Francis is Just Not That Into You

Chill and Let My Father Do His Job

This interview with Pope Francis burned the Internet up today, mostly for these things: A person once asked me, in a provocative manner, if I approved of homosexuality. I replied with another question: ‘Tell me: when God looks at a gay person, does he endorse the existence of this person with love, or reject and condemn this person?’ We must always consider the person. Here we enter into the mystery of the human being. [snip] We cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods. This is not possible. I have not spoken … Continue reading Chill and Let My Father Do His Job

Malaka Of The Week: Lu Ann Ballew

I’d never heard of Tennessee Magistrate Lu Ann Ballew until yesterday. Then she committed an act that was both malakatudinous and unconstitutional, which is a tricky feat to accomplish. That’s why Ms. Ballew is malaka of the week. What manner of malakakatude caused me to notice her? A judge in Tennessee ordered that a 7-month-old baby’s name be changed from “Messiah,” prompting the mother to challenge the ruling. Jaleesa Martin and the father of the baby were attending a child support hearing Thursday in Cocke County, Tenn. to settle a dispute over Messiah’s last name. It was there that Child … Continue reading Malaka Of The Week: Lu Ann Ballew

Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

For serious: Mahony, who has been criticized for moving predator priests from posting to posting, told Corriere della Sera that “after 20 years, people are talking about abuse as if we had not done anything. However, since 2002, we have had our program Protecting the Children, in which we illustrate procedures and the guidelines of our zero-tolerance policy that allows no possibility, for example, of anyone found guilty of abuse of minors working for the diocese.” Well, since 2002! That’s like 11 whole years of not protecting molesters, hiding them from cops, and inflicting them on unsuspecting and vulnerable children … Continue reading Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

‘Hipper Worship Bands’

THIS. This with this sauce and this sprinkles and toasted this: I point to research that shows young evangelicals often feel they have to choose between their intellectual integrity and their faith, between science and Christianity, between compassion and holiness. I talk about how the evangelical obsession with sex can make Christian living seem like little more than sticking to a list of rules, and how millennials long for faith communities in which they are safe asking tough questions and wrestling with doubt. Invariably, after I’ve finished my presentation and opened the floor to questions, a pastor raises his hand … Continue reading ‘Hipper Worship Bands’

‘Access to Paradise’

So the Pope said something this week: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics.Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do … Continue reading ‘Access to Paradise’

‘Access to Paradise’

So the Pope said something this week: “The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics.Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good. And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do … Continue reading ‘Access to Paradise’

God’s Plans

“Even our savior on the cross believed that the Lord had forsaken Him.” “You don’t want to try that with me. It was all over for Jesus in three days.” — Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow I often wonder why nobody has politely suggested to Him that He let somebody else plan the damn parties from now on, because when He does, we always run out of beer early and somebody winds up having to drag a goat out of the swimming pool: Abed, the truck driver, said that God, not he, had caused the crash (adding that he had … Continue reading God’s Plans

God’s Plans

“Even our savior on the cross believed that the Lord had forsaken Him.” “You don’t want to try that with me. It was all over for Jesus in three days.” — Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow I often wonder why nobody has politely suggested to Him that He let somebody else plan the damn parties from now on, becausewhen He does, we always run out of beer early and somebody winds up having to drag a goat out of the swimming pool: Abed, the truck driver, said that God, not he, had caused the crash (adding that he had lived … Continue reading God’s Plans

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

If only it had a champion, such as the Tribune’s John Kass: I’m not opposed to same-sex unions. Americans have the right to equal protection under the law, and same-sex couples should be able to expect the same tax benefits and other considerations allowed to those of us who are now being called, in some quarters, “opposite-sex couples.” As far as I’m concerned, Americans have the right to do as they please as long as they don’t infringe upon the rights of others. America is all about liberty and freedom. But this all comes now during the season of Lent, … Continue reading Who Will Speak Up for Christianity in an Age of Rampant Girl-on-Girl?

You’re In My Prayers

I know it’s becoming the Pope Frank fanblog around here, but this is actually genuis: Krajewski gets his marching orders each morning: A Vatican gendarme goes from the Vatican hotel where Francis lives to Krajewski’s office across the Vatican gardens, bringing a bundle of letters that the pope has received from the faithful asking for help. On the top of each letter, Francis might write “You know what to do” or “Go find them” or “Go talk to them.” And so Don Corrado, as he likes to be called, hits the streets of Rome and beyond. He visits homes for … Continue reading You’re In My Prayers

Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

I haven’t ventured over into the Breitbart Memorial Museum for Fuckwittery in a long time, because a) why and b) no, but last week Pope Frank decided to point out that hoarding money isn’t cool, and that any system that doesn’t serve the needs of everybody needs to be amscrayed, just as his Employer once commanded. Not a radical statement, unless you’re following on the heels of Pope Prada of the Hitler Youth during a time of epic income inequality reinforced by every major mainstream media outlet in the entire world. So most people were quite pleased to hear a … Continue reading Pope Francis is Wrong Because Fuck Obama

Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

For serious: Mahony, who has been criticized for moving predator priests from posting to posting, told Corriere della Sera that “after 20 years, people are talking about abuse as if we had not done anything. However, since 2002, we have had our program Protecting the Children, in which we illustrate procedures and the guidelines of our zero-tolerance policy that allows no possibility, for example, of anyone found guilty of abuse of minors working for the diocese.” Well, since 2002! That’s like 11 whole years of not protecting molesters, hiding them from cops, and inflicting them on unsuspecting and vulnerable children … Continue reading Oh Bite My Rosy Red Ass, Mahony

Does He See the RICO Case Coming?

I mean, it’s basically Boardwalk Empire up in there anyway: The abuse scandals dominated his seven years as leader of the world’s Catholics. Before his accession, there had been scandals in the United States and Ireland. But in 2010, evidence of clerical sex abuse was made public in a succession of countries in continental Europe, notably Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Benedict’s native Germany. The pope was himself affected by one of these scandals. It emerged that, while he was archbishop of Munich, a known molester was quietly re-assigned to duties that, in time, allowed him to return to … Continue reading Does He See the RICO Case Coming?

Does He See the RICO Case Coming?

I mean, it’s basically Boardwalk Empire up in there anyway: The abuse scandals dominated his seven years as leader of the world’s Catholics. Before his accession, there had been scandals in the United States and Ireland. But in 2010, evidence of clerical sex abuse was made public in a succession of countries in continental Europe, notably Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Benedict’s native Germany. The pope was himself affected by one of these scandals. It emerged that, while he was archbishop of Munich, a known molester was quietly re-assigned to duties that, in time, allowed him to return to … Continue reading Does He See the RICO Case Coming?

If Jesus Says He Loves You, Check It Out: Manti Te’o, Faith, and Journalism

From Deadspin’s continuing coverage of the Manti Te’o sitch, something that actually interests me about it: suitwearer 5 days ago Colin Cowherd (or however the fuck he spells it) this morning said that the fact Te’o is “a man of faith” means it was reasonable for the press to not pursue this story, despite the inconsistencies. What does that mean and why does it make me so annoyed? Drew Magary @suitwearer 5 days ago Because he’s a fucking moron. The idea that having an open faith makes you a more reliable person is stupid. And with Cowherd still employed, it’s … Continue reading If Jesus Says He Loves You, Check It Out: Manti Te’o, Faith, and Journalism

If Jesus Says He Loves You, Check It Out: Manti Te’o, Faith, and Journalism

From Deadspin’s continuing coverage of the Manti Te’o sitch, something that actually interests me about it: suitwearer 5 days ago Colin Cowherd (or however the fuck he spells it) this morning said that the fact Te’o is “a man of faith” means it was reasonable for the press to not pursue this story, despite the inconsistencies. What does that mean and why does it make me so annoyed? Drew Magary @suitwearer 5 days ago Because he’s a fucking moron. The idea that having an open faith makes you a more reliable person is stupid. And with Cowherd still employed, it’s … Continue reading If Jesus Says He Loves You, Check It Out: Manti Te’o, Faith, and Journalism

Come Inside

I watch this every year, because I’ve always loved this story: This time of year, I’ve written before, is about grace from unlikely beginnings and light in dark times. The older I get, the less interested I am in the war on Christmas, the war over Christmas, the endless back and forth. It’s exhausting, and it isn’t the point. I’ve never understood why science is a threat to belief, why the earth has to be a certain age, why it matters that Jesus was born in summer, how long it really took the wise men to reach him. I’ve never … Continue reading Come Inside

Come Inside

I watch this every year, because I’ve always loved this story: This time of year, I’ve written before, is about grace from unlikely beginnings and light in dark times. The older I get, the less interested I am in the war on Christmas, the war over Christmas, the endless back and forth. It’s exhausting, and it isn’t the point. I’ve never understood why science is a threat to belief, why the earth has to be a certain age, why it matters that Jesus was born in summer, how long it really took the wise men to reach him. I’ve never … Continue reading Come Inside

Puny God

I’ve spent approximately six minutes on Facebook in the last 72 hours. Treacly remembrances of things make me crazy, appropriation of other people’s pain to make oneself feel important makes me crazier, and in the history of everything there has never been an intelligent discussion of anything on Facebook. It’s the butthole of the Internet. I like mine because I like memes and pictures of my friends, but Christ almighty, sometimes I want to set two thirds of it on fire. In those six minutes I managed to see this about nine times: Forget arguing the actual point, because there … Continue reading Puny God

Puny God

I’ve spent approximately six minutes on Facebook in the last 72 hours. Treacly remembrances of things make me crazy, appropriation of other people’s pain to make oneself feel important makes me crazier, and in the history of everything there has never been an intelligent discussion of anything on Facebook. It’s the butthole of the Internet. I like mine because I like memes and pictures of my friends, but Christ almighty, sometimes I want to set two thirds of it on fire. In those six minutes I managed to see this about nine times: Forget arguing the actual point, because there … Continue reading Puny God

Witness for the Persecution

Requiring insurance plans to cover contraception is just like dissolving the Catholic Church in England so Henry VII can marry a harlot: Making the connection to the Fortnight crystal-clear, the archbishop emphasized: “St. Thomas More could be said to represent that conscientious private employer or employee who seeks to avoid doing or facilitating moral evil in course of daily work while striving to live and work in accord with the demands of social justice. He stands for those who go about their daily work in accord with their faith . . . and those who understand how dangerous it is … Continue reading Witness for the Persecution