Its Once Again Time For The Annual Lenten Blasphemous Displays By Bishops

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1. Most Loved Anthony,

   Your topic “de jour” is demographics. I found it interesting that this discussion has recently bubbled onto X and public discussion in the last two weeks – as relates to “what works” and USA Catholicism East of the Mississippi River.
   In particular, the “debate”, revolves around the Steubenville Diocese ,The Franciscan University, the new Synodal Church, financial scandal since 2018 , & appointed Apostolic Administrators to the Steubenville Diocese who herald from Kalamazoo, Michigan ( Archdiocese Detroit ).

   Interesting, demographics , Bishop Loesch provided a report that identified the Steubenville Diocese as “all good”…. BUT , it needed a new Cathedral & more money . Proposed solution, dissolve the Steubenville Diocese as Ohio population projections & conversions to Catholicism , as a percentage of population, declining ( budget holes ). In other words the report argues for a dissolution of the Steubenville Diocese and merger with the Columbus, Ohio Diocese.

   Funny, The Franciscan University ( “Africa” ), the foundation stone of Steubenville, is discounted as an unassociated apostolate without any significant financial benefit, as apparently extends to spiritual benefit, provided to the Steubenville Diocese. The report describes the Diocese as destined to fail – a ten year projection determined that the Diocese is unsustainable; this while noting that the Franciscan University is vibrant, growing, people moving to Steubenville, but just not to other 3 counties which comprise the 4 counties of the Steubenville Diocese. Notable, seminarian enrollments are by far exceeding comparative USA Dioceses seminarian admissions -Franciscan University healthy and financially sound .

   Reading tea leaves, in last several years, Franciscan University had a Latin Mass which I understand was told to cease and desist by mandate – Latin Mass then “moved” and/or only permitted at St.Peters parish, Steubenville. Franciscan University, I recall, had an on campus Latin Mass which was named – approval given only to St.Peters parish, Stubenville Diocese, accomplished by Bishop Bradley, the Apostolic Administrator from Kalamazoo who preceded Apostolic Administrator Bishop Loesch from Kalamazoo .

   From NCR May 7, 2023 :

   Steubenville Bishop Bans Latin Mass at Franciscan University, Effective Immediately

   The bishop made this decision despite the university’s efforts to retain its ability to offer the Latin Mass. However, the university is currently working to provide shuttles to St. Peter’s Church once per month for students who wish to attend.

   “While I would prefer to continue offering the option of a Traditional Latin Mass on campus, I am grateful our students still have relatively convenient access with St. Peter’s Church so close by,” Father Dave Pivonka, the president of Franciscan University, wrote in an email sent to students, staff and faculty at the university on Monday.

   It is then not a reach to think of motivations for the proposed dissolution of the Steubenville Diocese – “pulling the plug” on the Franciscan University ( Scott Hahn Et.AL. ), all an effort as might facilitate a Synodality goal of “journeying together”. Synodality to be accomplished with the Columbus Diocese , a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (recall Chicago Bishop Robert Casey just appointed to Cincinnati as Weisenburger moved to Detroit)

   BTW , Scott Hahn has a priest son and I understand one son in seminary – the dad knows where “the bodies are buried” .

   Blessings , Dr.Scott

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