Zen and the Art of Societal Maintenance

I was heartened to hear from our new Archbishop Neinstedt that he opposed the Iraqi War of Agression from its inception, even when it was patently unpopular to do so. I wonder when our USCCB will do the same in a public and meaningful way.

Here is a piece from Zenit on Cardinal Zen and his relations with the hong Kong and mainland Chinese government. This Cardinal certainly tells it like it is. If Beijing is waiting for bCatholic ishops to quit "interfering" in society, then it'll be a long wait indeed.

Cardinal Zen Marches for DemocracyChinese Official Reproaches Prelate

HONG KONG, JULY 3, 2007 (Zenit.org).-

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, bishop of Hong Kong, took part in a July 1 pro-democracy demonstration marking the 10th anniversary of the city's return to China.Cardinal Zen defended democracy at the event's prayer vigil, AsiaNews reported.The cardinal spoke of those who say that democracy provides for a less comfortable lifestyle: "That is absurd and goes against the experience of the whole world: Only democracy can guarantee better living conditions for the people."In Hong Kong, what is the result of the impasse in democracy? A worsening of the gap between the rich and the poor!"

According to organizers, the pro-democracy march drew more than 64,000 people demanding that Beijing respect Hong Kong's constitution and implement universal suffrage. ReproachCardinal Zen recalled that 10 years ago, during the Mass to mark the hand over, he said: "I hope the political return to the motherland may bring also a return to our traditional culture.""Looking back now what do we find?" the 75-year-old cardinal asked.

"The traditional values of decency, justice, honesty and self-respect have given way to a new culture of toadying the powerful and oppressing the weak." Cardinal Zen urged: "Let us put down our feeling of helplessness, take courage again and carry on the march for democracy. May the Lord show us a more just and peaceful society at the end of the journey."

Liu Bainian, vice chairman of the Chinese Patriotic Association, reproached Cardinal Zen for taking part in the pro-democracy protest. He said political activism is why Beijing is reluctant to let the Vatican appoint Chinese bishops, the Associated Press reported today. ''If all Catholics in Hong Kong followed suit by demonstrating, how can Hong Kong achieve stability?" Liu said. "If the Vatican supports someone like him [Cardinal Zen], how can it win China's trust?"

Could it be... Seton or Satan?

My first experience of Elizabeth Ann Seton was when I visited her shrine daily in lower Manhattan when I was in New York City for financial advisor training in 1997. It's an unassuming Federalist chapel attached to a mansion built in the late 1700's on the site of her former home. Daily Noon Mass there was a trip. Folks of all varieties were present, from tourists to executives, all in the shadow of One World Financial Center where I was taking classes.

I was and am fascinated by the various roles in Seton's life. She was the first daughter of America to be canonized. Married woman of the world, teacher, foundress of an order of nuns. She was all of these things in turn, and she exemplifies what is best in the American spirit and in Catholic Social Teaching.

We could do worse than emulate her spirit of service. She, like our Lord, counted her position as nothing, and lowered herself to work on behalf of those who were in need. Like our Lord, hers was a choice she freely made.

Pope Paul VI spoke to the American situation when he said the following in 1975 at her canonization ceremony:

This most beautiful figure of a holy woman presents to the world

and to history an affirmation of new and authentic riches that are yours:

that religious spirituality which your temporal prosperity

seems to obscure and almost make impossible.

I shudder when I compare Seton's spirit of selfless service with the Spirit of Fear and Greed which animates our economic system. For example, we're fighting a war in Iraq whose economic cost is overshadowed by the lost opportunity cost of being unable/ unwilling to feed our hungry, house our homeless and educate Americans to a level we all deserve.

The tally on the box at the right shows the cost in dollars. That's bad enough. But, when you dip that dollar wad in the blood of innocent civilians as well that of our own service people the result is downright Satanic. We are not just shooting ourselves through the foot with this misbegotten war. We are stabbing ourselves in the heart.

I ask Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton to pray today for us, that we may have peace and gospel priorities for this dear country of ours.

Blessed be you, Lord Jesus, for having given us Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton as our sister. United to you, she loves us and carries us always in her prayers. May the fidelity and fervor of her life here on earth renew us in our own vocation. Hear us, Lord, in whom all the saints are one.