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Category Archives: Hermeneutic of Subtraction
Cancel Hypocrisy
What complainers today are calling cancel culture, I once termed the hermeneutic of subtraction. I remember well the subtractions by conservatives in recent times: that Super Bowl quarterback who knelt, that 2004 USCCB employee who supported the Kerry campaign, the … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, Politics
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On Heresy, The New Kind
I don’t think you saw quite as much of this in the old days*, a discussion getting shut down outright instead of just banning all the liberals. Blogger Dave Armstrong asks in his title, “Is Pope Francis A Heretic?” My online … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, The Blogosphere
Tagged footnote 351, pajama magisterium, pope francis
12 Comments
Making Mistakes
I was reading about that veteran denied an advertised promotion because he was black. A facebook friend noted today the restaurant head was relieved of his job by national management. I’m skeptical this is a productive act. An attorney was quoted: Mr. … Continue reading
The Morning After
I had trouble falling asleep last night. I think, or rather hope, it was more because of a lingering nasty flu than the political news I was following yesterday. I finally drifted off between coughs about 4am. But given the wild … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, Politics
9 Comments
No Trump, Not Not Trump
I post less on politics these days. Certainly not because I lack interest. Not because I’ve moved on from a state with fairly deep political sensibilities. Really, it’s more because I believe more in local politics. And since few of my … Continue reading
Posted in Games, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, Politics
3 Comments
Punishment By Subtraction
A relative newcomer to my new parish suggested that pictures of two of our four former pastors be removed from a wall on the concourse between our nave, social hall, and faith formation wing. The offense? It’s a substantial one: appearance on this … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction
1 Comment
The Passing of Heroes
Not just mine, but other people’s. And even people I don’t consider as heroes. My brother passed around on facebook a meme or two that expressed a certain wishfulness about David Bowie and Glenn Frey and a certain reality-tv clan, … Continue reading
What Is The Pope’s Intention?
I saw a bit of fuss here and there in the Catholic blogosphere about Pope Francis’ January intention. His video message, translated, in part: Many think differently, feel differently, seeking God or meeting God in different ways. In this crowd, … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, The Blogosphere
Tagged children of God, pope francis
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Complaint And Content
I see Sandro Magister leaked a document of complaint about synod15 procedures and focus. On the latter: (V)arious fathers have expressed concern that a synod designed to address a vital pastoral matter – reinforcing the dignity of marriage and family … Continue reading
Posted in bishops, Church News, Hermeneutic of Subtraction
Tagged gossip, synod on the family
5 Comments
Of Zeitgeist
The Catholic blogosphere can be vexing, amusing, and amateurish–all in one swoop. Also earnest. In today’s Catholic Church there’s definitely an undercurrent of wishfulness. Wish it were three years ago, or a hundred and three? These guys (and it’s mostly … Continue reading
Pope Francis on Gossip
Gossip is one of the forms of the Culture of Complaint. Often it is also a form of the hermeneutic of subtraction, chipping away at the peace and unity of the Body. Pope Francis condemns gossip here. Every day that … Continue reading
A New Pecking Order
I feel a bone weariness continuing to read stories (like this one) of people subjected to a revised hierarchy of employment (see above). Note how the tattletale (often moneyed, but not always) is boss of the bishop, bishop (or pastor) of administrator, … Continue reading
Musical Critique
Jimmy Mac sent me this link to a brief opinion piece at The Tablet. For me, the text and commentariat both illustrate perfectly how the hermeneutic of subtraction has infiltrated both the realms of religion and music. Many remarks give … Continue reading
Posted in Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction, Music, Politics
6 Comments
Reality Check
“Reality check.” A buzz phrase that seems to be getting a lot of notice and traction in the Church this weekend. A bit more than a million people voted to expand rights, and possibly responsibilities, for LGBT people in their small … Continue reading
Posted in Church News, Commentary, Hermeneutic of Subtraction
Tagged Archbishop Martin, Ireland, same-sex unions
14 Comments
Catholic Sensibility 
Different, Not Outside
Audrey Assad’s interview in the NCRep struck me. Almost the same hour a friend in ministry reported her pastor (a pro-Trump anti-vaxxer) refused a visit from his own bishop, leaving the man at the unanswered door. The fear of new … Continue reading →