Thoughts of a Catholic Bishop

Chrism Mass Homily 2012

Bishop — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:16:28 +0000

Tuesday, April 4, I was privileged to celebrate the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. The cathedral was packed, standing room only. There were almost 130 priests present, more than in many a year. Among those gathered was Archabbot Justin Duvall of the St. Meinrad’s Archabbey, permanent deacons, PLCs, religious, seminarians, and lay folk from all over the archdiocese. The music was superb, our singing accompanied and encouraged by a choir made up of singers from all over the archdiocese. I offer for those who desire an audio file of my homily.

Canonicity and the Bible – Part 4

Bishop — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Bishop Coyne and Fr. Hunt actually do get around to discussing the use of the social sciences in biblical interpretation. The key point is that the social sciences are used “in the service of the sacred word” under the guidance of the Church’s magisterium. In addition, they spend some time in conversation unpacking the idea of biblical “inspiration:” the texts as inspired texts, the inspiration present in the reading of the texts under the inspiration of the Spirit.

Canonicity and the Bible – Pt. 3

Bishop — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:18:05 +0000

Just when it appears that Fr. Hunt and Bishop Coyne will finally be discussing the question, “What is the role of the human sciences in helping us understand and interpret biblical texts?,” they go off on another few excursions: What does it mean to interpret the Bible in the literal sense? Fr. Mark makes the distinction between reading the texts “literally” versus reading the texts in the “literal and spiritual sense” and drawing upon the Church’s teaching, proceeds to explain what he means by this. Finally, they discuss the dynamic of moving from an ancient language and the meaning that the words held within that context to the meaning the words now bear in the present translation.

Canonicity and the Bible – Pt. 2

Bishop — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:30:06 +0000

In this podcast, Bishop Coyne and Fr. Hunt continue their discussion concerning the canonicity and interpretation of the Bible as a book in itself. Topics covered: Is it the “Hebrew scriptures” or the “Old Testament?” Why do the number of books in the Bible vary from one edition to another? How did the early Christian communities collect and use the Old Testament texts? Bishop Coyne and Fr. Hunt also discuss the interesting and pivotal role that St. Jerome played in the compilation and translation of the biblical texts from Hebrew and Greek into Latin. Finally, they discuss the numbering of the psalms: are there 149 or 150 psalms and why the discrepancy in different editions?

Canonicity and the Bible – Pt 1

Bishop — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:27:03 +0000

In this first of four podcasts, Bishop Coyne and Fr. Mark Hunt, Associate Professor at Holy Family University and priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia begin a conversation concerning the nature and development of the “canon” or content of the Bible. Their discussion will involve topics such as: How were the books of the Bible collected? Who decided what books would be included and which would be left out? What appears to have been the criteria used? What do we say about the apocryphal or extra-biblical books and gospels?

Future podcasts on this topic will concern matters revolving around biblical interpretation and inspiration as well as the use of the human sciences in doing so. This will include as well a discussion on the Church’s tradition and teaching in these matters.

This topic is the first of many recommended by listeners of these podcasts. Thanks to all for their suggestions. The next one will be one on the formation of the Sunday, weekday, and holy day Lectionary.

The Revised Mass Prayer Translations – a mystagogical conversation, part 3

Bishop — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:08:31 +0000

Bishop Christopher Coyne (Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Indianapolis) and Father Patrick Beidelman (Director, Office of Liturgy and Worship, Archdiocese of Indianapolis) join once again, this time, in a 3-part podcast discussing the current experience of the revised English Mass texts of the Roman Missal. Bishop Coyne and Father Pat term these podcasts “mystagogical.” Mystagogy is a term that the Fathers of the Church (100 AD – 750 AD) used to describe the reflection on the Mysteries. The term itself means to “break open” or “unfold” the Mystery or Mysteries. As used by the Fathers of the Church, Mystery (singular) refers to the life of the Most Holy Trinity and Mysteries (plural) refer to what we (in the West or Latin Church) now call Sacraments. The Fathers of the Church held that authentic catechesis (formative theological education) in the Mysteries (Sacraments) requires first and foremost participating in or experiencing the Sacraments as encounters with Jesus Christ, Who in the power of the Holy Spirit, reveals His Heavenly Father. Listeners familiar with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults will know “mystagogy” as the timeless period that unfolds the meaning and power of Baptism, Confirmation and the Most Holy Eucharist.

The final podcast initially examines what is going well with the revised translation of the Mass texts and the work that is yet to be done. Bishop Coyne and Father Pat converse about some of the specific words and grammatical structures highlighted in the revised translation. Bishop Coyne is clear and Father Pat re-inforces the point that these are not words for the sake of words, but words in the service of worshiping the Triune God.

The Revised Mass Prayer Translations – a mystagogical conversation, part 2

Bishop — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:06:32 +0000

Bishop Coyne and Father Pat note in the second podcast the generous reception the texts have received thus far in parishes. “You hear the echoes of the Latin,” comments Bishop Coyne, not as Latin for the sake of Latin, but in service of an elevated language that assists in the worship of the Triune God: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, recognizing who we are as human, created beings before the Lord Who is Creator. This expresses, according to Father Pat, “a restored verticality” … and “profound Divine intimacy that breaks through the prayers.”

The Revised Mass Prayer Translations – a mystagogical conversation

Bishop — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 12:05:02 +0000

Bishop Coyne and Father Pat contend that even though we have only been using these revised Mass texts for 4 weeks, the Church’s experience already provides ample reflection to prepare us for the celebration of Our Lord’s Nativity.

Followers of Bishop Coyne’s blog and tweets know that he normally posts podcasts (when available) one week at a time. Given the richness that is already being experienced throughout the English-speaking world with these revised Mass texts, Bishop Coyne and Father Pat want to make all 3 podcasts available at once.

In the first podcast, Bishop Coyne and Father Pat discuss some of the challenges and blessings associated with the arrival of the revised Mass texts.

The Thought of Teilhard, part 4

Bishop — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:48:56 +0000

Bishop Christopher Coyne (Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Indianapolis) conclude a 4-part podcast on the thought of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ with Father Mark Hunt (Holy Family University, Philadelphia). Father Mark has studied Teilhard for over 30 years and teaches a course at Holy Family University on Teilhard’s thought. This podcast series was prompted by comments posted to Bishop Coyne’s blog concerning a short reflection on hope penned by Teilhard.

In this final podcast, Bishop Coyne and Father Mark discuss the evolution of the human, particularly in what Teilhard termed the noosphere and Christogenesis. The conversion examines topics such as the relationship of the individual to the communal, relationship and individuality attempting to understand what Teilhard brings to the living of Christian life.

Listeners may want to investigate additional dimensions of Teilhard’s worldview. The American Teilhard Society’s webpage contains valuable resources to learn more about Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and the society’s activities including the annual meeting of the society in New York. A sincere “thank-you” once again to Mary Evelyn Tucker and John Grim for permission to use their biography of Teilhard in these podcasts.

“Some day after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides, and gravity, we will harness for God the energies of love and then for the second time in the history of the world we will have discovered fire. [Teilhard de Chardin, Evolution of Chastity, 1934.]”

The Thought of Teilhard, Part 3

Bishop — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 18:30:16 +0000

Bishop Christopher Coyne (Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Indianapolis) continues a 4-part podcast on the thought of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ with Father Mark Hunt (Holy Family University, Philadelphia). Father Mark has studied Teilhard for over 30 years and teaches a course at Holy Family University on Teilhard’s thought. This podcast series was prompted by comments posted to Bishop Coyne’s blog concerning a short reflection on hope penned by Teilhard.

In this third podcast, Bishop Coyne and Father Mark discuss what Teilhard brings to the ‘theological table.’ Recognizing that there are many angles and approaches to Teilhard’s thought, this conversation focuses on theological insights and questions that arise from Teilhard’s writings. The relationship of science and theology, evolution and Original Sin are some of the topics considered in this podcast.