More on the issue

Update: Typographical errors corrected.

The Most Reverend Michael Saltarelli, Bishop of Wilmington, will not permit Senator Joseph Biden - even elected as Vice President of the United States of America - to speak in Catholic schools in his Diocese. The Diocese of Wilmington is Senator Biden's home Diocese.

Back in 2004, His Excellency wrote, "Our Catholic institutions will not honor Catholic politicians who take pro-abortion legislative positions or invite them to speak at our functions or schools." He has not changed his mind and does not intend to do so.

You will remember Bishop Saltarelli for giving us the Litany of Saint Thomas More, which we might well begin praying for our Catholic politicians.

The Most Reverend W. Francis Malooly will become the Bishop of Wilmington on 8 September 2008. I doubt he would change this stance.

The Most Reverend George Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco, will address Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's comments made on Meet the Press August 24th in his column in Catholic San Francisco on September 5th. The delay seems to me quite unnecessary and even inoportune, but His Excellency will, at least, address the Speaker's remarks. The Archdiocese has posted the statement of the USCCB on its homepage.

As I watch these developments, I cannot help but wonder if we aren't witnessing a rebirth of Catholic life and culture. I certainly hope we are.