As I read about the bet between Archbishops (and long-time friends), I couldn’t help but wonder when I might have that chance to show my “new colors.”  Though I’ve never attempted to hide my devotion to the hometown teams of my youth—as much a birthright as my Irish ancestry—I have come to follow the Orioles and Ravens over the course of my years in Baltimore.  And like many of the loyal fans here—especially those long-suffering ones who bleed black and orange– I can’t help but wonder when that time will come. (more)

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, announced today that 10 nuns, formerly members of an Episcopal religious community known as the Society of the All Saints’ Sisters of the Poor, and the group’s chaplain, Fr. Warren Tanghe, were received into full communion with the Roman Catholic Church at a Mass earlier today. 

The sisters, who contacted the Archdiocese last year to investigate the possibility of entering into full communion with the Catholic Church after a seven-year period of discernment, will continue to reside in their convent in Catonsville, where the Order has been located since 1917.  The nuns first arrived in Baltimore in 1872.    

The sisters have expressed to the Archbishop a desire for the community, which has served the poor in the Baltimore area for over 135 years, to continue, now as a Catholic religious institute. 

“The Catholic Church has been serving the needs of the people of the Archdiocese of Baltimore for over 200 years and our many communities of consecrated religious have been invaluable partners in this effort,” the Archbishop said.  “Our Archdiocese and our Church’s mission of caring for the poor are now greatly enriched for having the All Saints’ Sisters among us.”

Two nuns from the religious community have decided not to leave the Episcopal Church and will continue to reside with their now-Roman Catholic sisters. 

“The spiritual well-being of all of the All Saints’ Sisters is our priority and we will do everything we can to support those who have entered into full communion with the Catholic Church as well as the two sisters who remain Anglican,” Archbishop O’Brien said. 

More than 120 people attended the Mass celebrated by Archbishop O’Brien at the chapel of the Sisters’ Catonsville convent. 

“Time and again, apostles and saints have been led by God into unexpected paths; so too with us—the All Saints’ Sisters of the Poor,” Reverend Mother Christina, Mother Superior, said.  “As they responded with faith and trust, we also are responding to God’s call, and are looking forward to seeing His will for us unfold as we enter the Roman Catholic Church.” 

The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, the Rt. Rev. Eugene T. Sutton, said, “In meeting with the Sisters, I’ve been impressed with depth of their prayer and the pace of their discernment.  I wish them God’s blessings as their journey takes them into the Roman Catholic Church.  Despite the sadness we feel in having to say farewell, our mutual joy is that we remain as one spiritual family of faith, one body in Christ.”

Chaplain to the All Saints’ Sisters, Fr. Warren Tanghe also entered into full communion with the Catholic Church today and is discerning the possibility of future formation and ordination as a Roman Catholic priest.

One had to be deeply impressed by the farewell to Senator Ted Kennedy– Impressed, as well, by his life and accomplishments.

In his personal life, his role as head of the extensive Kennedy clan the long years following the assassination of his two brothers could have been burdensome but, rather, seemed to be a vocation, caring and inclusive to several generations of extended family especially in times of adversity.  Likewise, the respect and affection he won from members of his staff and Senate colleagues across the full ideological spectrum.  To political foe and friend alike, he was said to be thoughtful and generous with a sensitivity and compassion that seemed to know no bounds.

He will go down in history for his legislative accomplishments: the advancement of immigrants, the poor, the elderly and yes, virtually all those mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 28.  This seemed to emanate not singly, though surely, from a “liberal agenda” but from a genuine Christian conviction—if we are to believe those who knew him best—of the dignity of the human person made to God’s image.  He was unashamedly Catholic in his self-identity and heritage, a frequent attender of daily Mass.  He even wrote a letter to Pope Benedict XVI last month, personally delivered by President Obama while in the Vatican.  In the letter, excerpts of which were made public this past weekend, Senator Kennedy writes, “I have been blessed to be part of a wonderful family and both of my parents, particularly my mother, kept our Catholic faith at the center of our lives.”

Then there’s the elephant right smack center in the room.  Never mentioned in the eulogies during his funeral Mass (nor, probably should it have been brought up) and rarely alluded to in the millions of words of press commentary, Senator Kennedy’s decades-long support for abortion rights cannot be overlooked by the nation he served as we look back on his life as a public servant. Early in his career strongly and staunchly pro-life and anti-abortion, a mid-career reversal turned him into a pro-abortion poster boy, leading the ranks of so many Catholics in high-elective office in promoting a Planned Parenthood agenda, full chapter and verse.

This is not interpretation or attack, but fact.  Sad fact, indeed, for so many, including the countless lives impacted by the consequences of his political decisions on the issue of abortion.

And, it appears he may have been doing some soul-searching himself.  “I know that I have been an imperfect human being, but with the help of my faith I have tried to right my path,” he continued in his June/July letter to the Pope.  “I have always tried to be a faithful Catholic, Your Holiness, and though I have fallen short through human failings, I have never failed to believe and respect the fundamental teachings of my faith.”

What happened, what motivated him and seemingly justified his ability to reconcile his abortion stance with his Catholic Faith?  How truly comfortable was he with this “reconciliation”?  And how different would our culture and our country be today if this uniquely gifted leader extended his renowned witness to that of a consistent ethic of life?  Now it is not for us to judge, but for Another.  As members of Christ’s Body soon to face that same Judge, we must pray that Ted Kennedy be rewarded for the vast amount of good he accomplished, forgiven for his shortcomings and, if granted Paradise, that he intercede for an America even more just and inclusive than the one he hoped, worked and prayed for throughout his life and at his death.

Next week:

“Health care reform whose goal is to advance health coverage, not advance an agenda on abortion, will take care to be abortion neutral.  It will preserve current policies that bar use of taxpayer funds, respect conscience rights, and generally encourage childbirth over abortion; it will not mandate abortion as part of any “basic” or minimum benefit package.”

The individual alleges he was abused on a number of separate occasions in the mid-1970s when he was a student at the parish school. 

The allegation was immediately reported to civil authorities in Frederick County, who instructed the Archdiocese not to take any further action, including continuing its own investigation or making contact with Monsignor Bevan.  On August 18, the Archdiocese received permission from civil authorities in Frederick County to resume its investigation and representatives of the Archdiocese met with Msgr. Bevan the following day.  At the meeting on August 19, Msgr. Bevan denied the allegation.  The Archdiocese removed him from ministry and revoked his faculties to function as a priest that same day, pending the Archdiocese’s investigation. 

In 2005, the Archdiocese had received an allegation of child sexual abuse against Msgr. Bevan dating back to 1974, which he denied.  The Archdiocese reported the allegation at that time to the Frederick County State’s Attorney and conducted an investigation into the claim.  The Archdiocese determined that there was not sufficient evidence at the time to remove him.  The Archdiocese’s Independent Review Board, which reviews the Church’s handling of child sexual abuse allegations, affirmed the Archdiocese’s handling of the allegation and the civil authorities in Frederick County did not pursue the matter. 

In accordance with Archdiocesan policy, counseling assistance has been offered to all those affected.

Representatives of the Archdiocese met with parishioners and staff at St. Patrick earlier today to inform them of the allegations and to answer questions.  The Archdiocese is providing pastoral care to the parish.

Thomas Bevan was ordained a priest in 1963.  In addition to serving at St. John in Frederick from 1974-1979, he also served at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Middle River (Associate), 1963-1974; St. Mark, Fallston (Pastor), 1979-1991; St. Mary,  Cumberland (Temporary Administrator), 1991-92; St. Patrick, Mount Savage (Temporary Administrator), 1992; St. Patrick, Cumberland (Pastor), 1997-2009.

Msgr. Bevan served as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Priestly Life & Ministry for the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (now the USCCB) from 1992-97.  He also served in the Office of Clergy Education for the Archdiocese from 1976-91.  During his time as an Associate at Mount Carmel, he taught Religion and Church History at the parish high school.  While an Associate at St. John, he taught liturgy courses at Mount St. Mary’s.    

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to protecting children and helping to heal victims of abuse.  We urge anyone who has any knowledge of any child sexual abuse to come forward, and to report it immediately to civil authorities.  If clergy or other church personnel are suspected of committing the abuse, we ask that you also call the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection Hotline at 1-866-417-7469.  If you have any other information relevant to this matter, please contact the Archdiocese Office of Child and Youth Protection at 410-547-5599.
]]> http://archbalt.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/archdiocese-responds-to-allegation-of-abuse-against-cumberland-pastor/feed/ 0 Archdiocese of Baltimore http://archbalt.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/cardinal-keeler-moving-out-of-archbishop%e2%80%99s-residence/ http://archbalt.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/cardinal-keeler-moving-out-of-archbishop%e2%80%99s-residence/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:06:10 +0000 Archdiocese of Baltimore http://archbalt.wordpress.com/?p=9 ]]> Archbishop O’Brien to move into 180-year-old Rectory in 2010
 
08/18/2009
 
Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore, and Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus, have announced that later this year the Cardinal will move from the Archbishop’s residence located on N. Charles Street adjacent to the Basilica of the Assumption, and into a Catholic retirement community in Baltimore County.

The Cardinal turned 78 in March and served as 14th Archbishop of Baltimore from 1989-2007.

“I have been overwhelmed by the goodness of people who have reached out and offered assistance to me during this time of transition,” Cardinal Keeler said, adding, “I’m very happy to be moving.”

Archbishop O’Brien, who has lived the past two years in an apartment in North Baltimore owned by the Sulpicians, a community of Catholic priests that staffs St. Mary’s Seminary in Roland Park, will relocate to the residence which has served as the official home of the Archbishop of Baltimore since it was built in 1829.  

Believed to be the oldest Archbishop’s residence in the United States, the Greek revival building was constructed with privately-donated funds and also housed the administrative offices of the Archdiocese up until 1965.  The Residence also hosted the planning meetings for the Church’s early Provincial Councils, as well as regular meetings of the nation’s archbishops and diplomatic receptions.   Noteworthy guests range from President Andrew Johnson and Jefferson Davis in 1866, to Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II more recently.

“Like the Basilica, the Archbishop’s Residence is a spiritual treasure for our Church and our city,” Archbishop O’Brien said.  “The Cardinal has done much to preserve and advance that history and I look forward to following his example as visitors and guests will continue to be welcomed at the residence to share this living symbol of our Catholic heritage.”

In addition to serving as the residence of the Archbishop, the building serves as the rectory for and houses the offices of the Basilica Parish.

The Micah Experience Work Camp is co-sponsored by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Group Workcamps Foundation. Young people from all over the country will participate and Archbishop Spalding High School will serve as their temporary home. Working in groups of six, the youths will perform over 10,000 volunteer hours and utilize nearly $20,000 in materials to make improvements such as weatherization, handicapped ramps, window installation and painting.

The work will take place at a number of locations, including the home of Ms. Tracey Tarver, 13 N. Rosedale Street in Baltimore (21219), where Archbishop Edwin O’Brien will be on-site to assist with the work and greet volunteers on Tuesday, July 28 at 9:30 a.m.

The Mica Group Work Camp is a national effort of the Group Workcamps Foundation, a non-profit, interdenominational Christian volunteer home-repair organization based in Loveland, Colorado.  Funding for all building supplies used for the repairs comes from local Catholic parishes, the Division of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal.

This summer, adolescents from area parishes and Catholic high schools participated in 60 such work camp experiences.

According to Thomas W. Spalding, author of The Premier See, from 1884 until 1921, “Cardinal Gibbons would be the unchallenged spokesman of the Catholic Church in the United States.”  President Theodore Roosevelt referred to the Cardinal as “the most respected and venerated and useful citizen of our country.”

Cardinal Gibbons studied for the priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary and was ordained on June 30, 1861.  During the Civil War, he served as chaplain at Fort McHenry and pastor of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Canton.

More than 30 parishes were established during his 44-year tenure and in 1884 he presided over the Third Plenary Council which led to the establishment of the Catholic school system in the United States.  Cardinal Gibbons was also known for advocating for the assimilation of Catholic immigrants into American society and for combating anti-Catholic sentiment around the turn of the century.

Cardinal Gibbons, whose galero hangs near a portrait of him in the sanctuary of the Basilica, died on March 24, 1921.  Over 200,000 people came to the wake and Maryland Governor Albert Ritchie ordered all activity in the state suspended for a full minute at the start of the funeral.  Cardinal Gibbons is interred in the crypt in the Basilica’s undercroft.