• Statement on the fire at Notre Dame

    The fire at Notre Dame Cathedral is a tragedy not only for Paris and the people of France but for the world.

    Those who know the building will be unable to see the pictures of the fire without feeling heartbroken.

    So many different things that make up the building are priceless – the medieval roof, the woodwork, the organ, the stained glass, the relics. But this tragedy is more than the loss of them all. It is the loss of the heart of Paris, the loss of a place of pilgrimage and the loss of a place of romance.

    Every day this week, Christians will be reflecting on the heartbreak of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to whom Notre Dame was dedicated. Every day as we do so, we will be praying for the Paris its people as they face their own heartbreak.

    Notre Dame means Our Lady. Notre Dame doesn’t just belong to Paris, it belongs to us all.

    This was a building that is utterly associated with Paris. But it was an utterly priceless treasure for the world.

    It was truly ours, and this tragedy is our tragedy.

    Our Lady of Paris, pray for us and for all affected locally.

    Our Lady of Paris, we pray for you.

3 responses to “Blogging”

  1.  Avatar
    Kelvin

    Re: Blogging
    I'm sure there will be a blogging Bishop in the not too distant future –  o­ne who has a thing about  blogging hats – and the blogging head to fit!

    Blogging is brave though-  might even be brave enough to try it some time

  2.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Blogging
    From an ECUSA perspective, I suspect that it would be much easier for a blogger to become a bishop than for a bishop to become a blogger. If a bishop hasn’t developed the discipline of writing regularly for an audience before becoming bishop, s/he’ll have a hard time starting it amidst all of the other demands of the office. On the other hand, I can see a longtime blogger being elected bishop of a diocese in part because the people of the diocese feel they know the blogger better than other non-blogging candidates. Of course, that could also be a liability. In my own experience of blogging, I know that I sometimes say things that are less polished or considered on my blog than I’d say in an academic paper or a sermon. If delegates electing a bishop are comparing one candidates’ blog to other candidates’ paper publications, they may judge the blogger more harshly, especially if they’re not familiar with Internet conventions.

    BTW, I really enjoy your blog. I first got to know Anglicanism when I was living in Scotland, and I was confirmed at St. John’s Edinburgh when +Neville Chamberlain was rector. I miss Scotland and the church there a great deal, and appreciate being able to visit via thurible.net.

  3.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Re: Blogging
    On LiveJournal we post rather then blog – although it’s the same thing, I know… – so perhps one day we might have a Posting Pope?!!

    (and I still find it scary and exciting that people across the globe read my daily ramblings)

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