Farewell to Roman Catholicism

Dear Blog Visitors:

For those of you who have followed my religious journey over many years, any type of announcement that points to my no longer being a Roman Catholic should not be a surprise.  For over twenty years, I have tried to work within the institutional church for two primary changes in its policies, inclusive of the need for an inclusive clergy and ending what amounts to sexism.

When I became an ordained married priest, via an ordained married archbishop and a supportive independent Catholic community, my relationship with the institutional Roman Catholic Church became somewhat severed.  Due to the fact that my ordination was covered by the international media, the Vatican felt it necessary to respond.  Therefore, a Vatican spokesperson simply stated that my ordination was “valid, but illicit.”  In the legal language of the church, this simply means that since my ordination followed the official Roman rites, and due to the fact I was ordained by a bishop in apostolic succession, I could be called a priest, but an illicit status prohibits me from becoming a diocesan priest, due to the celibacy requirement for such status.

Although I was never formally excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church via letter or decree, conservatives within the church were quick to state that by my actions, I was “latae sententiae.”  In the legal language of the church, it simply means that by my actions (ordination as a married priest in 2006), I automatically excommunicated myself from the institutional church.

At this juncture, I feel it is important to state that I have consistently cherished and praised the episcopacy of Bishop Matthew Clark, who led the Diocese of Rochester for 33 years.  While he could have certainly issued a public condemnation when I was ordained a married priest in 2006, he did not.  In some dioceses, when either women or married men have been ordained independently of the Roman institution, they found themselves condemned by their respective diocesan bishops.  Now that Bishop Clark has retired, it is fair to say that the Vatican will appoint a replacement with a more conservative mindset.  So, I decided this might be a good time for me to officially take the exit door.

Whenever anyone asks me what church I currently attend, the answer I provide probably surprises many.  In brief, I often spend my Sunday mornings in the midst of nature settings.  After all, God is not confined to church buildings; God is rather amongst us in all of creation.  While worshipping with a community has its advantages, such as having common prayer and similar beliefs, I find I am at total peace in scenic outdoor surroundings.  In this regard, it is comforting to remind myself that Jesus was not confined to a building, and felt most comfortable in the wilderness and traveling from community to community.

If I were to define my current religious status, perhaps the best description would be an independent Catholic with a Judeo-Christian background (Judaism on my father’s side of the family, and Catholicism on my mother’s side).  I will continue to officiate at weddings, via my certification/commissioning from the Federation of Christian Ministries.  However, I have come to accept the fact that I am no longer a member of the Roman Catholic community.  I have been open to invitations I have received to explore faith communities within the Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ.  These are certainly possibilities I will explore.  In the meantime, my Sunday mornings in the midst of nature settings will continue.

My religious journey has been exciting, faith-driven and humbling.  I look forward to whatever God has in store for me in my remaining years.

Peace to all,

Ray

Transition Underway in Diocese of Rochester

Dear Blog Visitors:

Today’s news concerning the Diocese of Rochester was expected, but perhaps not so soon.  When Bishop Matthew Clark turned 75 on July 15, he followed proper protocol by submitting his resignation to the Vatican.   In most cases, the Vatican takes several months to respond to a letter of resignation.  Additionally, in the case of the Rochester Diocese, it was assumed that Bishop Clark would remain in place until his replacement was named by the Vatican.  So, the diocesan announcement this morning seemed on the surface to be somewhat rushed.  In brief, it was announced that the Vatican has accepted Bishop Clark’s resignation, and he is essentially retired as of today’s date.

Either the Vatican will act immediately and appoint Bishop Clark’s successor within weeks, or the process could conceivably take several months.  The time factor is at best anyone’s guess.  In the meantime, Bishop Cunningham of Syracuse will temporarily administer the affairs of the Rochester Diocese, and Father Joseph Hart will supervise the day-to-day operations.  As part of this arrangement, Bishop Cunningham will commute between Syracuse and Rochester at least once per week.

In another blog post, I thanked Bishop Clark for his many years of service to the Diocese of Rochester.  He was consistently kind to me, even when I was active in the church reform movement.  The best descriptive words I can think of to describe him are KIND, CONSIDERATE, PASTORAL and PATIENT.  As a member of the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church, he never felt it was necessary to enforce doctrines or policies with a hammer.  We often read about bishops finding themselves at the center of a storm, due in many cases to their overstepping their authority.  Instead, Bishop Clark always exercised patience and only wielded disciplinary action when either disobedience was openly displayed on a regular basis, or when it became necessary to remove someone from ministry due to sexual abuse or other unlawful activity.

As can be expected, some ultra-conservative Catholics have been openly celebrating the departure of Bishop Clark.  Their assumption is that the Vatican will appoint a conservative bishop who will be sympathetic to and supportive of their issues.  My advice to them is the age-old saying: “Be careful of what you wish for.”  If we do in fact get a law-and-order- type bishop, conservatives may be surprised to learn that such a bishop will not want them speaking on his behalf.  I know of several cases where over-zealous conservatives found themselves scolded by their conservative bishops for attacking their liberal counterparts either in cyberspace or other media outlets.  In short, a very conservative bishop will make it perfectly clear that he is in charge, and will not want anyone being a spokesperson for him, other than the appointed director of communications.

Although Bishop Cunningham is more conservative than Bishop Clark, it does not necessarily mean that Cunningham is paving the way for a permanent conservative bishop.  The last time the Diocese of Rochester had a conservative bishop was during the three-year tenure of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  Sheen asked the Vatican for a transfer, because he found that Rochester was resistant to his authority.  Rochester, especially during the episcopacy of Bishop Clark, has built a reputation of being inclusive in its policies, and although the ordination of women is still forbidden in Roman Catholicism, women have nevertheless been given leadership roles, such as that of pastoral administrators in parishes.  Any bishop coming to Rochester, who tries to remove women from such leadership positions, would have quite a battle on his hands.

 

Some well-meaning friends have given me some advice today, such as perhaps becoming an Episcopal priest or serving in a pastoral role in an independent church.   These are certainly possibilities I will consider if a new bishop should try to make my life miserable as a married priest.  However, my guess is that a new bishop will come to understand that my ministries (weddings, baptisms, funerals) are performed independently of the Rochester Diocese, and should therefore not be of concern to a diocesan bishop.  We’ll see how things play out.

As stated above, Father Joseph Hart will be overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Diocese of Rochester, under the temporary leadership of Bishop Cunningham.   Fr. Hart was one of my professors in graduate school.  During that period, he was open to reform initiatives and supported increased leadership roles for women in the church.  When he became vicar of the diocese under Bishop Clark, he had the responsibility of making sure policies were not violated, which was somewhat of a departure from his days in teaching.  Now that he reports to Bishop Cunningham, he may be asked to assume the role of enforcer.  (I hope this won’t be the case.)  In any event, I wish Joe well in his new role, and I am appreciative of all that I learned from him in my church history courses.

In conclusion, my sincere thanks to Bishop Matthew Clark for his wonderful 33 years with the Diocese of Rochester.

Peace to all,

Ray

 

Clint Eastwood and My Two Empty Chairs

Dear Blog Visitors:

Anyone who knows me well is fully aware that Clint Eastwood is my all-time favorite filmmaker.  He has experimented with just about every subject matter in his story-telling and his long-time film crew is notable for giving Clint’s movies a certain look and feel.

 

While many conservatives are claiming Clint as one of their own, as a result of his highly publicized appearance at the Republican National Convention, I see his endorsement of Mitt Romney based on one primary issue – namely, the high unemployment rate in the United States.  I will address this issue in a moment.

Immediately following Clint Eastwood’s appearance at the Republican National Convention, I commented on my Facebook page that his routine with an empty chair was somewhat painful to watch.  It was obviously non-scripted, and I wasn’t sure where Clint was headed with his remarks to Barack Obama, who was imagined sitting in the empty chair.  I believe that Clint actually likes the president, judging by positions on a variety of issues that they both share.  So, I was a little uncomfortable over the fact that Clint may have left the impression that he abandoned his legendary stances for rights associated mostly with the Democratic Party.

 

At the heart of Clint’s criticism of Barack of Obama was the issue of jobs.  If I had an opportunity to speak with Clint prior to the convention, I would have advised him not to bring this issue up, because the reality is that presidents can’t create jobs.  At best, presidents can work with the leaders of the House and Senate, in an effort to create an environment that is conducive to employers creating more jobs.  However, in recent years, we have seen a highly dysfunctional Congress, with approval ratings as low as 18%.  So, if there is to be blame over the issue of jobs, Barack Obama should not be a target, since he has faithfully tried to get both the House and Senate to dialogue on matters relating to our high unemployment rate.

Another issue that was briefly mentioned by Clint Eastwood was the war in Afghanistan.  To be fair, President Obama inherited both the Afghanistan and Iraq wars from his predecessor, George Bush.  My personal belief is that if we had kept our focus on Afghanistan, we would have accomplished more in the way of defeating the Taliban.  By diverting our attention to Iraq, in light of intelligence that proved to be faulty, we allowed the Taliban to regroup.  So, we are now faced with the difficult choice of either withdrawing or maintaining a military presence.  I believe that President Obama is acting prudent in this delicate matter.

Clint Eastwood remains my favorite filmmaker.  Following his appearance at the Republican National Convention, I was quoted on a local TV newscast.  I mentioned the fact that although I felt uncomfortable with Clint’s empty chair routine, I nevertheless recognized that he has some liberal leanings that are evident in some of his movie themes.  For example, the issue of the ‘right-to-die’ debate surfaces in MILLION DOLLAR BABY.  In LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA, Clint tells the story of this bloody battle from a Japanese perspective.  Furthermore, in some of Clint’s westerns, most notably, THE OUTLAW JOSEY WALES, he was one of the first directors/actors to treat Native American Indians in a sensitive manner.

In addition to some of the liberal subject matter in Clint Eastwood’s movies, he was recently quoted concerning his support of same-sex marriage.  Similarly, I am in support of this issue.

 

I hope Clint doesn’t mind the fact that I borrowed his empty chair routine, and utilized a similar context in a video I made, in which I am addressing the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate, represented by two empty chairs.

  As the presidential campaign moves forward, I hope there is more substance, and less rhetoric.

Peace to all,

Ray

 

Seven New Testament Mysteries

Dear Blog Visitors:

For those who follow my blog on a regular basis, I may have left the impression that I spend most of my time challenging policies of the Roman Catholic Church.  While this has indeed consumed considerable time and energy, I have also found myself returning to one of my life’s biggest challenges, which is an attempt at solving what can perhaps be best described as the seven largest mysteries/challenges of the New Testament.

While the Books of the New Testament provide a valuable window to the life and teachings of Jesus, there are missing pieces that have caused biblical scholars to spend countless hours in libraries in search of answers.  In conjunction with this, there have been numerous conferences, whereby scholars gathered for the purpose of discussing and debating theological and historical issues surrounding all available information pertaining to Jesus, and thereby pondering what is yet left to be discovered.

I have formulated what I consider to be the seven major mysteries of the New Testament:

WHY DOES THE FIRST GOSPEL (GOSPEL OF MARK) BEGIN WITH THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS, IGNORING HIS EARLY YEARS?

WHY DOES THE BIRTH NARRATIVE IN MATTHEW LOOK FAMILIAR IN SCOPE TO THE BIRTH NARRATIVE SURROUNDING MOSES?

WHY WERE MARK, MATTHEW, LUKE AND JOHN CHOSEN AS THE FOUR CANONICAL GOSPELS, WHEN MANY OTHER GOSPELS WERE WRITTEN?

WHY WERE PAUL’S LETTERS GATHERED AND PUBLISHED AS SECONDARY DOCUMENTS, WHEN THEY WERE ACTUALLY WRITTEN PRIOR TO THE GOSPELS?

WHY WERE JEWS BLAMED FOR THE CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS, WHEN AVAILABLE HISTORICAL INFORMATION COUNTERS GOSPEL ACCOUNTS?

WHY DID JESUS OFTEN SPEAK IN PARABLES, AS OPPOSED TO GIVING DIRECT ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS POSED BY HIS DISCIPLES?

PERHAPS THE BIGGEST MYSTERY:  WHERE WAS JESUS FROM THE TIME OF HIS BAR MITZVAH (AGE 13) TO HIS APPEARANCE IN THE GOSPEL OF MARK AT APPROXIMATELY AGE 30?

These are obviously gigantic issues, and despite my many years of serious biblical study and research, I have no concrete answers.  However, I would like to offer some theories based on my scholarship and my life-long immersion in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Whenever I travel, I seem to encounter a bumper sticker with increased frequency:  “JESUS WAS JEWISH.”  This simple statement is the key to understanding the mysteries surrounding the life of Jesus.  For example, the first two Gospels (Mark and Matthew) were written for a Jewish audience.  Mark was primarily written for Jews living in Rome, and Matthew was written primarily for Jews living in the area of the Middle East.  Mark focused on the public ministry of Jesus, whereas Matthew borrowed from Mark, and also added a birth narrative.  Since Matthew’s birth narrative was written for a Jewish audience, many scholars are in agreement that there are some parallels to the accounts of the birth of Moses.  An obvious distinction is the narrative of a virgin birth.  We then find similarities between Herod’s ordering a murder of the first-born in Matthew and Ramses’ ordering a murder of the first born in the Moses narrative.  We also see similarities between Moses going to Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and Jesus proclaiming the Beatitudes from a mountaintop.   As these similarities will continue to be debated by scholars, it is very important to keep in mind the Jewish surroundings of Jesus, which provided an influence on the writings of the Gospel authors.  Luke followed Matthew closely.  However, he wrote for an audience that expanded beyond Judaism.  While John’s Gospel also provided a narrative, it was more theological in scope.  Therefore, Mark, Matthew and Luke are often given the designation as synoptic Gospels, and John stands alone in a category designated as “high Christology” (concerned more with the divine than the earthly).

Many Gospels were written (best estimate is 39).  However, the four canonical Gospels were chosen on the basis of their narrative format.  The other 35 are being carefully scrutinized to see if more insights can give us clues to missing data/theology concerning Jesus.

None of the Gospels explain why Jesus disappeared following what would have been his Bar Mitzvah at age 13.  We see that he read from the Torah, which continues to be a Bar Mitzvah custom.  He also spoke to those gathered in the synagogue for this special occasion in such a way that astonished them.  He then joined his parents and is not seen publicly again until he was baptized by John in the Jordan River when he was approximately 30-years-old.

Scholars continue to ponder the theories surrounding the missing years of Jesus.  I am inclined to believe, based on the research done thus far, that Jesus spent at least some of those years in Sepphoris, which was a major Roman-controlled city in close proximity to Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem.  We know very little about the earthly father of Jesus, namely Joseph, other than the fact that he was a carpenter, and that Jesus was taught this trade.  So, it is very reasonable to assume that carpentry skills would have been very much in demand in Sepphoris.  If Jesus had indeed dwelled there for almost twenty years, he could have applied his carpentry skills, while at the same time, developing his special relationship with God, which would eventually bring him to the world in a very special way via his baptism in the Jordan River.

A similarity I share with Jesus is the fact that I had a Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13.  I continue to be thankful that I was exposed to Jewish traditions and the Hebrew language.  I had the best of both worlds as a child, in that I celebrated Jewish holidays with my father’s side of the family and Christian holidays with my mother’s side.  Even as a young child, I was very curious about Jesus, and I came to understand that one cannot fully understand him apart from Judaism.  To this day, I am careful to address Jewish sensitivities whenever discussing New Testament themes and interpretations.  For example, it is important to utilize the terms Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament, as opposed to Old Testament and New Testament, whereby an implication is not being made that one testament is replacing another.  It is also important that we not use Hebrew texts as a way of predicting the coming of Jesus.  An example of a misinterpretation is Isaiah 7:14.  In its correct form (Greek and Hebrew), it is “………a woman of marriageable age shall give birth to a child……”  The later Latin is “…….behold a virgin shall conceive……”  The implication is that Isaiah was predicting the birth of Jesus, when in reality, Isaiah was addressing the oppression of the Jews under Assyrian rule, whereby he announced the birth of a king who would deliver them from bondage in their own time.  The lesson here is that we need to be careful about biblical interpretations.

It is important to state that the earliest Gospel (Mark) was written two generations following the death of Jesus.  So, we are not getting a firsthand account.  The earliest New Testament writings we have are from Paul’s letters, the earliest of which (around 55 A.D.) was the First Letter to the Thessalonians.  Paul never intended for his letters to be published, for he wrote them to individual communities, addressing specific issues or concerns in those communities.  The letters were later collected and canonized as part of sacred Scripture.  Paul, who was a devout Jew, would be the first to tell us that Jesus cannot be fully understood apart from his Judaism.  So, the bumper stickers that proclaim “JESUS WAS JEWISH” have merit.

When we deal with the Crucifixion of Jesus, the Jews unfortunately have become victims of anti-Semitism over a period of many centuries.  Fortunately, as a result of Jewish-Christian dialogue groups around the world, we have come to a better understanding of what actually took place in the days preceding the Crucifixion.  Based on many years of scholarship, it is safe to say that any blame for the Crucifixion needs to be placed at the feet of the Romans.  We need to keep in mind that the Gospels were written primarily for a Jewish audience, in an effort to convert them to Christianity.  By making them feel guilty for the Crucifixion, the Gospel writers felt multiple conversions would take place.  The reality is that Jews detested crucifixion, and would not have stood in crowds, demanding that Pontius Pilate crucify Jesus, as portrayed in the Gospel accounts.

If I get aggravated with Vatican personnel on occasion, it is because of their rigidity, especially when it comes to theological interpretations.  When theology is studied and practiced correctly, there must always be room for questions and interpretations that take into consideration changing times.  For many centuries, rabbis have utilized the time-tested methodology of debate.  In this manner, a single Scripture passage can go through several levels of interpretation, whereby new generations are free to engage in such debates that allow a balance between centuries past and present and future challenges.  I therefore invite the Vatican to be open to the fruits of debate.

The mysteries surrounding Jesus will continue to inspire and intrigue us.   Catholics who pray the rosary are accustomed to celebrating the sacred sorrowful and joyful mysteries encompassing the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  We continue to celebrate these mysteries via the Eucharist and our desire to study theology without interference from the Roman Catholic Church’s hierarchy.  For faith to flourish, questions must be asked, and we must be free to examine all the wonders God has to offer.

When Jesus was asked multiple questions by his disciples, he often did not give direct answers.  He rather spoke in parables, so that his disciples would be encouraged to think for themselves.  When they failed to understand, he provided gentle guidance.  For those who believe, Jesus continues to provide gentle guidance, and he encourages us to explore the mysteries of faith in such a way that respects those who may or may not have the same beliefs as ourselves.

I continue to be thankful for my Judeo-Christian background and I thank you for allowing me to share this background with you.

Peace to all,
Ray

A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH TO GUN VIOLENCE

Dear Blog Visitors:

We have seen numerous gun-related incidents receive media attention in recent weeks.  Whenever such events occur, it is common to report the grim statistics that characterize the violent climate in America.  While numbers can be debated, a safe estimate is reported to be approximately 70,000 shootings and 14,000 deaths resulting from these shootings in 2011.

When I ran for public office in 1983, I had the endorsement of local members of the National Rifle Association, because I supported, and still support, the Second Amendment, which grants the right to bear arms.  However, a question continuously begs to be asked:  How do we curb gun violence in the United States, without jeopardizing the Second Amendment?

It is very important to state that when the framers of the Constitution and Bill of Rights gathered, guns that existed were primarily single-shot muskets.  The right to bear arms was granted so that average citizens would have the legal authority to either form a militia, if need be, or to defend oneself against an aggressor.  Obviously, our forefathers could not have envisioned that  two-hundred years later, the possession of firearms would amount to many citizens owning rapid-fire assault rifles or handgun clips containing as many as one-hundred rounds.

When I was interviewed by local members of the NRA in 1983, I expressed my outrage over the fact that so many ‘illegal’ handguns were on our city streets.  I further stated that while I felt it was necessary to implement tougher laws aimed at illegal gun-runners and purchasers, I also supported the rights of ‘legal’ gun owners to defend themselves against armed aggressors.  Our conversation then turned to rifles.  I questioned why gun owners felt a need to own an assault rifle, when they are specifically designed to kill multiple people with one clip.  I remember a responder telling me that if a home intruder were to enter his home carrying an assault rifle, he would have an equal chance at survival, if he, himself, owned one.  The conversation then turned to hunting.  I made the point that since hunters are not legally allowed to hunt with an assault rifle, there doesn’t seem to be a logical need to have one around the house.  (There was some partial agreement on this issue.)

As I thought about ways to toughen laws aimed at the proliferation of gun violence, the best solution I could come up with was that all states should adopt the process of obtaining gun permits that has long been implemented in New York State.  This is obviously not a cure-all approach, since illegal gun owners will still pose a threat to society.  However, at the very least, New York State’s permit application process has two very good aspects: 1.) Background checks are extensive and take several months to complete; 2.) Applicants are required to supply character references, which makes it challenging for a mentally-disturbed person to get a permit.

In the final analysis, we need to get tougher on illegal gun owners, whereby they know they will face stiff prison terms if they are caught with these weapons.  Secondly, all states need to consider a tougher application process for gun permits, which would help to screen out the types of mentally-disturbed individuals who have been in our nation’s headlines recently.

As we move closer to Election Day, it is my hope there will be some common-sense debates about gun violence in the United States.

Peace to all,
Ray

Planning my 'Bucket List'

Dear Blog Visitors:

A friend reminded me that I haven't done any blogging in quite a while.  This is true.  So, I thought I would give you an update on my latest activities.

First and foremost, I continue to assemble what has commonly been referred to as my 'bucket list.'  For those of you unaware of the term, it refers to a list of activities retirees put together that will hopefully be accomplished before time runs out.

If you have followed my blogging over a period of several years, you are aware that I changed my blog title a while back, because I wanted to focus on a variety of topics, as opposed to concentrating solely on church reform, which was my prior primary concentration.  My life has encompassed many disciplines, inclusive of classical music, broadcasting, free-lance writing, acting, government employment, ministry and church-reform advocacy.  As I continue to formulate my bucket list, it will be a matter of juggling my multi-faceted interests.

As I reflected on my life thus far, I was drawn to a question posed by a Facebook friend.  She asked: "If you could press either a delete or re-do button,  what would you do differently?"  While I have been blessed to try various career paths over the years, there was certainly a dark period in my life.  It was a period in the late 1970's, when I was in my late twenties.  I had just finished three years in radio broadcasting, and I was contemplating a career change.  Not knowing what to do with the rest of my life, I fell into a period of despair, culminating in what amounted to heavy binge drinking and bad relationships.  This lasted for around five years.  Fortunately, my life changed as I turned to my faith, and educational opportunities and career paths soon followed.  So, if I could press a delete or re-do button, it would involve the five years I abused alcohol and experienced bad relationships.  Concerning the bad relationships, I often think I would like to have an opportunity to apologize to those involved in my five dark years.  However, wisdom has often informed me that it is often best to look forward, as opposed to looking back.

I like what I have formulated in my bucket list thus far.  I hope to engage in some traveling, in addition to continuing attendance at classical music concerts and plays.  I also look forward to more free-lance writing and continuing with my ministry, which for the most part, is my being an officiant at weddings.  I also hope to be an advocate for animals, which might include being a volunteer at a shelter.  Concerning church reform activities, I realize that I am getting older and the next generation must take more responsibility for the type of church they wish to participate in.  I will continue to offer my opinions and insights from time-to-time on faith matters.  However, I hope the next generation will become more proactive.

The photo above was taken at Nazareth College, which is one of the locations at which I am an officiant for weddings.

Peace to all,
Ray

Congratulations to This Year's Graduates

Dear Blog Visitors:

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone graduating from various academic institutions this month.  Despite the economic challenges we all face, I continue to believe that education is vital, so I pray that the pursuit of degrees will be a goal that many pursue.

I thought I would share two photos from 2001, the year I received my Master of Divinity (M.Div) from St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry.  It was my second degree from St. Bernard's; I received an M.A. in Theology in 1998.  In addition to receiving my M.Div in 2001, I was also greatly honored to receive a special academic achievement award.

As I looked back at 2001, the trustees of St. Bernard's probably could not have imagined that I would have used my education to challenge some of the long-time policies of the Roman Catholic Church.  However, I do hope, in restrospect, that they can at least appreciate the fact that any arguments I present to the church's hierarchy are aided by the excellent education I received.  Whenever I challenge a long-standing policy, I try to articulate my arguments with good theology, history and practical applications.

It is important to state the Bishop Matthew Clark is the chancellor of St. Bernard's.  I truly appreciate that he has been kind and tolerant during my crusade to change some of the long-standing policies of the church.  I will miss him following his retirement this year.

The second photo above recalls a humorous moment from my 2001 graduation.  The hands in back of me are those of Bishop Clark.  He had a hard time fitting me with a hood, for he didn't anticipate my height.  In retrospect, he probably would have fitted me with a muzzle over my mouth, if he knew how much trouble I was going to cause for the hierarchy following graduation.

My congratulations to all who are graduating this month!

Peace too all,
Ray

Standing in Solidarity with U.S. Nuns

Dear Blog Visitors:

I continue to monitor the tense situation that exists between U.S. nuns and Vatican officials.  I must admit that I am mystified as to why the Roman Catholic hierarchy chose to target women of faith who have dedicated their lives to the well-being of others.

In comparison to bishops and priests, nuns have been guilty of very few crimes against humanity.  Therefore, especially in light of the continuing sexual abuse scandal, it is an outrage that the Vatican has chosen to target nuns for harsh treatment that goes beyond reason.

Our good sisters have served the Catholic Church well for many centuries.  They continue to serve in such varied disciplines as education, social justice, medicine, parish leadership and assorted ministries that are too numerous to mention.

In the photo above, I am demonstrating my solidarity with U.S. nuns.  There will be prayer vigils scheduled throughout the United States during the month of May.  The vigils will be designed as a prayerful means for Catholics to show their support and appreciation for all that our nuns do for us.

It is my prayer that the Vatican will show appreciation for our sisters, as opposed to persecuting them.

Peace to all,
Ray

Speculation on Rochester's Next Bishop

Dear Blog Visitors:

For the past several years, I have articulated my assorted views on church reform at this blog.  Despite the fact that some of my views have been in sharp contrast to those of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, I appreciate the fact that Rochester's Bishop Matthew Clark has never tried to discipline me.  I have always considered him to be fair-minded, whereby he has consistently tried to strike a balance between conservative and liberal voices within the Rochester Diocese.

Bishop Clark will turn 75-years-old on July 15 of this year.  This means that he will be required to submit a letter of resignation to the Vatican on or around his birthday.  Considering that he has led the Rochester Diocese for 33 years, the thought of a new bishop will be unsettling to many.

If the Rochester Diocese follows proper protocol, local priests will be allowed to submit the names of  three qualified persons they feel could be Matthew Clark's successor.  My guess is that Fr. Kevin McKenna would be at the top of such a list, considering that he is pastor of Sacred Heart Cathedral and was a former president of the Canon Law Society of America.  I studied Canon Law with Kevin as part of my graduate theological studies, and I found him to be fair-minded, much in the same way I find Bishop Clark.  If a list of three persons is submitted to the Vatican, the powers-that-be will either choose one of the names, or ignore the list completely.  The pope could ultimately decide to send what amounts to an enforcer-bishop to Rochester, which might please conservatives, but would also serve to alienate mainstream Catholics.

If you have been following my blog on a regular basis, you are aware that my status as a Roman Catholic is in limbo.  When I was ordained a married priest in 2006 by a married archbishop, a Vatican official termed my ordination as valid, but illicit, which means from a canonical standpoint, my status as a priest is valid, but my ability to serve in a diocesan capacity would be illicit (celibacy is required).  Some canon lawyers argued that I excommunicated myself via my ordination.  Whatever the case may be, I appreciate the fact that Bishop Clark never reprimanded me for my ordination, which has aided my ability to function as a married priest locally, independent of the institutional church.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Bishop Matthew Clark for his many years of service to the Rochester Diocese.  His shoes will be difficult to fill.

Peace to all,
Ray

Welcoming Rochester Music Hall of Fame

Dear Blog Visitors:

I am delighted that Rochester now has a Music Hall of Fame.  It would be an understatement to highlight the fact that many of our world's notable musicians, ranging from the areas of classical to jazz to pop, had their roots in Rochester.

As I looked at the names of last night's honorees, and then browsed the names of potential honorees for next year's presentations, I came to realize that I knew many of these talented people personally.  This may have something to do with the fact that my initial career path was indeed music.  However, I bowed off the stage very early in life, when it became apparent that my musical path wasn't headed in the direction I had hoped, despite some early successes.  I can still look back and appreciate the fact that I was the youngest person ever to guest-conduct the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and I can still appreciate the fact that many persons in my early life gave me encouragement to pursue whatever talents I had with my trumpet, singing and conducting abilities.

As a young classical musician in the 1960's and 1970's, I found myself in the midst of a highly competitive environment.  Perhaps I gave up too soon.  However, I nevertheless continue to delight in the successes of my peers and contemporaries who stayed the course toward their successful careers, whether it be in the classical, jazz, or pop realms.

As I looked at some of the inductees this year, I immediately recalled my direct and indirect connections to some of them; the same is the case with names being mentioned for next year's honors. 

In the case of Chuck Mangione, he was student teaching at Franklin High School during my freshman year.  His mentor for his student teaching was Benjamin Scammell, who was highly influential in my musical life.  Chuck conducted the Franklin Band during many of our rehearsals, and he was especially fond of conducing 'Parade of the Charioteers' from Ben Hur.

Gene Cornish also graduated from Franklin High School (my alma mater).  He went on to much notoriety via 'The Rascals.'  I never got to know him personally.  However, I was friendly with several musicians who worked with him.

Concerning next year's potential honorees, I am delighted that Renee Fleming is being mentioned.  While she and I never collaborated musically, we did have the same voice teacher at the Eastman School of Music.  His name was John Malloy, and he sadly died a few months ago.

I am equally delighted that Howard Hanson is being mentioned.  Dr. Hanson had retired as director of the Eastman School of Music the year before I began my studies there.  However, I spent many hours in Kilbourn Hall, watching in awe as Dr. Hanson rehearsed with his own Eastman Rochester Orchestra.  Hanson's compositions remain as some of my favorites to this day.

Mitch Miller is obviously highly regarded by many in the Rochester area, and indeed throughout the world.  My indirect connection to him was via his late sister, Fannie Mindel, who taught at my elementary school.  I did meet Mr. Miller once, and I was a fan of his former television program, 'Sing Along with Mitch.'

I thought of additional names that should certainly be included in the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.  Most certainly, Esther Satterfield should be an honoree.  Esther and I were classmates at the Eastman School of Music, and her singing career skyrocketed via her recordings with Chuck Mangione, and later via her solo recordings.  I would also highly recommend Chuck Brucato, who achieved much notoriety in our area as lead singer of the Rustix and composer of many hit songs.  I am, of course, pleased to see that Lou Gramm is being mentioned as a future honoree as well.  I knew Lou and his brother Ben when they played and sang in local bands, and Lou went onto national fame via his popular group, 'Foreigner.'

In conclusion, my congratulations to last night's honorees, and I look forward to future ceremonies honoring Rochester's finest in the musical field.

Peace to all,
Ray

Time Magazine Honors Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Dear Blog Visitors:

It should be no surprise that Cardinal Timothy Dolan and I disagree on a few issues, inclusive of ending mandatory celibacy for priests, the ordination of women, and full equality for gay Catholics (I support these issues and Cardinal Dolan does not).

Despite the above differences, I want to extend an olive branch by congratulating Cardinal Dolan for his recognition by Time Magazine as one of the hundred most influential people in the world. Whether or not I agree with Dolan's stance on church issues, I am at least in full agreement that he is certainly one of the hundred most influential people.

Although Catholics are not supposed to talk openly about the election of a successive pope while the current pontiff is still alive, it is no secret that conversations have already taken place amongst both the Vatican curia and members of the media. A name that consistently surfaces as a possible papal contender is that of Timothy Dolan. At the very least, I recognize the cardinal's appealing sense of humor and strong communication skills, which are attributes that would serve him well as pontiff. In addition, I have a strong sense that Dolan, if elected, would convene Vatican III, whereby divisive issues could be openly discussed.

It is no secret that the Roman Catholic Church worldwide is suffering the consequences of financial challenges, priesthood shortages, and a sharp decline in Mass attendance. We are seeing the consequences via multiple parish closings and a lack of confidence in the ability of the universal church to survive in a progressive and multi-cultural world. It would take a pontiff with the personality of Timothy Dolan to call a council and act as a driving force and mediator in discussions that would certainly be lively.

I continue to articulate my views on controversial issues that face that Roman Catholic Church. However, I may ultimately leave the Catholic Church behind and move onto a more inclusive community. Whether or not this will be the case, I nevertheless want to wish Cardinal Timothy Dolan well and congratulate him for the honor that has been bestowed upon him by Time Magazine.

Peace to all,
Ray

Vatican's Deplorable Control of Nuns

Dear Blog Visitors:

This will be perhaps my harshest critique of the Vatican thus far. However, when I read the details of the control bishops will now exercise over orders of nuns, I was thoroughly disgusted.

Over the course of several years, holy sisters of the church had to endure countless visitations by members of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, whereby bishops are intent upon bringing so-called order to groups of nuns with either feminist or reform tendencies.

The photo above is of Phoebe Furlong, my maternal great-aunt (died in 1935 at age 35), who was a Sister of Mercy. Her religious name was Sister Clarissa. She served her order at a time when nuns were required to wear habits. This requirement was rescinded as part of Vatican II reforms in the 1960's. The Vatican now wants to reverse some of these reforms by exercising stricter domination over the many orders of nuns who faithfully serve God's people.

At a time when the Roman Catholic Church continues to deal with multiple cases of sexual abuse, it seems absurd that so-called celibate men want and expect to have complete control over women of integrity. It is appropriate to mention that multiple reports have surfaced concerning nuns who have been raped by so-called celibate priests in third world countries. What protection will nuns now have, considering that they must submit even more rigorously to the will of male bishops?

At a time when orders of nuns struggle to attract novices, this effort will now become more difficult, in light of the harsh treatment good sisters will have to face at the hands of Vatican officials.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful nuns of the Roman Catholic Church who continue to serve persons in need. I appreciate all that they do. For the most part, sisters have been without scandal. There have been a few notable exceptions, such as reports of children being mistreated or abused at the hands of nuns. However, when we compare abuse at the hands of nuns and abuse at the hands of priests, nuns have an overall better record of integrity, compassion and faithful service to those they serve.

My deepest sympathies to all orders of nuns who are now faced with tougher scrutiny by the powers-that-be. God help us all!

Peace to all,
Ray

Still Numbed by the Titanic Disaster

Dear Blog Visitors:

I am writing this on the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Like many around the world, I have watched the three major motion pictures that have been produced about this disaster: TITANIC (1953), A NIGHT TO REMEMBER (1958), and TITANIC (1997). Each film was good in its own right. However, nothing can capture the true horror that was obviously experienced by those who were on the ship.

One of my Sunday rituals is that of looking at the death notices in my local newspaper, whereby I will inevitably spot one or two names I recognize. I can't even imagine what it was like on Sunday, April 15, 1912, when death reports from the Titanic began to circulate.

Over the past one-hundred years, safety has improved in the area of water navigation. However, we continue to read about occasional cruise ship mishaps or disasters. If the Titanic taught us anything, it is the simple lesson that safety should never be compromised for the sake of luxury or speed.

On this 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, let us remember those who died and let us pray that we continue to learn lessons of the past that can help us with our future travels.

Peace to all,
Ray

Happy Easter to All!

Dear Blog Visitors:

I am writing this on a very sunny Easter morning. It was on this day that Mary Magdalene visited the tomb of Jesus to find it empty. When she then encountered the Risen Christ, he instructed her to spread the good news of his Resurrection. As I gaze at Rochester's sky, it is my prayer that this sunshine spreads to all who are celebrating the Joy that Easter brings.

Holy Week brought a mix of emotions to me. I immersed myself in all the holiness of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil and Easter morning. With the good, there was also a touch of the bad, via the scolding Pope Benedict XVI delivered from Rome at the Holy Thursday celebration of the Last Supper. In brief, he used that moment to chastise married priests, women priests, and all those who adovcate for an inclusive priesthood. As can be expected, the reverent tone of Holy Thursday was cast into a feeling of anger and dismay for many of the faithful.

These are challenging times for the Roman Catholic Church. The Austrian church is on the brink of schism; Mass attendance in Ireland is reported to be approximately 14%; Mass attendance in Italy is estimated to be between 10% and 20% on any given Sunday; In other parts of Europe, and definitely in the United States, Mass attendance is also markedly down and there is much dismay over a hierarchy that won't budge on very important issues relating to an inclusive clergy.

As I celebrate Easter, I am grateful that my prostate cancer was detected early, and that I was perhaps granted an extension on life as a result. Whenever illness strikes, it is a reminder that we are mortal. However, Jesus reminds us that beyond sickness and death, there is the hope of the Resurrection for all believers.

Despite the tensions that currently exist in the Church, I pray that the celebration of Easter lifts your spirits on this very special day. I also want to wish all who are celebrating Passover a very blessed week, as we recall the events of the Exodus, whereby Jews were delivered from Egyptian bondage.

Peace to all,
Ray

Women's Ordination Conference Attracting New Generation

Dear Blog Visitors:

I have noticed that the Women's Ordination Conference has been very successful with its efforts at recruiting young members, in addition to maintaining its long-time base. Sadly, this has not been the case with the married priest movement. At age 62, I am still one of the youngsters at annual gatherings of male, married priests. Most of my colleagues are in their seventies and eighties.

I continue to feel gratitude for all who continue the fight for inclusivity at the altar. As I grow older, I must continue to ask myself whether or not I will be making the best use of my time by trying to change the mindset of the Roman Catholic hierarchy, or if I am better off by simply continuing with my ministries independently of the RCC. A possibility I continue to ponder is that of continuing my ministry as a wedding officiant, while at the same time joining an inclusive community in my neighborhood, such as the United Church of Christ. Some married priests have indicated to me that they have found spiritual fulfillment with such dual affiliations. The only way I can be a member of a Roman Catholic diocesan parish is by renouncing my married priesthood, which I am unwilling to do at this point in time. The Spiritus Christi community (independent of the Rochester Diocese) continues to be available to me. However, as I grow older, I seem to be more drawn to smaller faith communities.

Women who continue the fight for equality at the altar continue to inspire me, and I want to applaud their efforts. The fact that they have attracted so many young recruits is a sign that the reform movement will go on for an indefinite period. I am not sure what will happen with the married priest movement, but hopefully, young recruits will eventually be enticed to join this worthwhile effort.

In conclusion, my congratulations to the Women's Ordination Conference for its success at bringing a new generation of members on-board.

Peace to all,
Ray

Treated for Prostate Cancer Today

Dear Blog Visitors:

I want to take this opportunity to thank my primary doctor, urologist, oncologist, anesthesiologist, nurses and staff of Highland Hospital in Rochester for the excellent care I received throughout the period of diagnostic tests and treatment of my prostate cancer.

I was very fortunate to have my prostate cancer diagnosed early, whereby the stage and grade were low. I was not surprised by the diagnosis, since my father and his two brothers also had prostate cancer, which means I carried the genetic marker for the disease.

Having weighed all the options for treatment, I ultimately chose brachytherapy, which is the surgical implantation of radioactive seeds into the prostate. Latest research indicates that I stand up to a 90% chance of becoming cancer free after the radioactive seeds have run their course. I won’t know for several months if I am cancer free. However, I feel positive about the prognosis given to me by my doctors.

I urge all men to have regular prostate exams, especially if there is a family history of cancer. The exam is relatively easy, inclusive of a PSA test and rectal exam. If anything looks suspicious, a urologist may recommend a biopsy, which will tell whether or not cancer is present. As indicated above, if prostate cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable, and the possibility of becoming cancer-free is highly possible.

I am having my catheter removed tomorrow, whereby my routine activities will be allowed to continue.

My thanks again to all who were involved in my treatment.

VIDEO UPDATE:



UPDATE: 3/26/12

I want to take this opportunity to thank all who have wished me well following my prostate cancer procedure. I am back to my normal activities, with the exception of running with Star (Alaskan Husky). That will continue on Thursday. In the meantime, Brenda is taking care of the dog runs.

UPDATE: 3/28/12

I felt fine after mowing the lawn this morning, so I went ahead and took Star for a run. I seem to be mending well. My thanks again for all the wonderful medical care I received from all involved at Highland Hospital.

Peace to all,
Ray

My Documentary is Finished: THE RED DANUBE

Dear Blog Visitors:

I had originally intended to finish my documentary in April. However, I found that due to the intensity of the project, I went through many sleepless nights. So, via many hours of work, the documentary is now finished.

To recap, THE RED DANUBE focuses on my paternal family roots in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Included in the story is the tragic event that occurred along the banks of the Danube River in Nazi-occupied Hungary in 1944.

The on-line version of my documentary is not as good quality as the version I put together for DVD/large screen. This is because of the fact that I had to reduce the file to mp4 for quick upload to YouTube. However, I am very pleased with the large screen format.

Peace to all,
Ray

Bishop's Contraceptive Stance is Wrong

Dear Blog Visitors:

Those of you who know me well are fully aware of the high regard I have consistently held for Bishop Matthew Clark. I consider him to be a wonderful man, whose compassion and leadership skills are certainly admirable traits. However, an issue has arisen that has caused me to respectfully disagree with Matthew.

I am sure you are aware of a controversial issue that has caused alarm bells to ring in Catholic circles. In brief, health insurance plans will be required to offer coverage for contraceptives. In a letter addressed to diocesan Catholics, Bishop Clark has indicated that one of the options on the table is to cancel health insurance for all diocesan employees if contraceptive coverage is required to be part of the packaged benefits. I find I must disagree with Bishop Clark's approach to this issue.

It is estimated that approximately 98% of Roman Catholic women have either used, or presently use contraceptives. Furthermore, the majority of women who work for the Rochester Diocese are past the child-rearing age. Just as important is the fact that it remains rather ludicrous that celibate priests lecture the faithful on matters relating to sex and marriage.

Because of the fact that Bishop Clark has consistently exercised fairness, it is my hope he won't seriously consider canceling health insurance coverage for diocesan employees, for the simple reason that such insurance may cover contraceptives.

I have included Bishop Clark's letter above. (You need to click on it to get a larger image.)

Peace to all,
Ray

My Upcoming Documentary: 'The Red Danube'

Dear Blog Visitors:

I thought I would share with you a preview of my documentary-in-progress, entitled 'The Red Danube.'

If you have followed my recent blog posts, you are aware that I have been tracing the footsteps of my ancestors. Concerning my father's side of the family, there is a long lineage of Eastern European Jews, most notably from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, which would separate into separate countries following World War I.

My research tells me that prior to World War II, there were approximately 700,000 Jews living in Hungary. The Nazis managed to exterminate approximately 600,000 of them, and many who remained moved elsewhere, reducing the Jewish population to a mere few hundred.

As I continue to work on my documentary, I hope to heighten the awareness of what occurred along the banks of the Danube in 1944.

Peace to all,
Ray

Kodak Retirement Article on Henry Grosswirth (1944)

Dear Blog Visitors:

In 1944, my late paternal grandfather, Henry Grosswirth (1879-1975), retired after 34 years with Eastman Kodak. (He worked for the company from 1910-1944.) His career and life were so fascinating that Kodak’s newspaper, ‘The Kodakery,’ decided to publish a feature story on Henry upon his retirement.

I have already written a lengthy family history of my grandfather and his extended family in Europe and the United States. This history can be accessed on-line at the following link:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~grosswirth/ancestry.htm

For members of his family who stayed in Hungary, the fates of most of them were tragic. A cruel series of events placed family members under three brutal regimes: first, the Austro-Hungarian Empire; second, Nazi-occupied Hungary; third, Hungary under Communist rule and Soviet occupation. (82 persons with the Grosswirth name perished during World War II; some died in concentration camps, and a few others were killed along the banks of the Danube River in the final year of World War II.)

My grandfather rarely talked about his European relatives, probably because information he had was too painful to relate to his descendants. What I learned following his death in 1975 was a result of many years of research.

Following the authorship of my family history, it was a pleasant surprise for me to find a copy of the 1944 article from ‘The Kodakery.’ It provided information I did not have access to previously. So, I will now be able to include pieces of it in a screenplay I intend to write, tentatively called, ‘The Red Danube.’

The above photo is of my paternal grandparents, Henry and Sallie Grosswirth (photo taken in 1954).

The 1944 article is rather faded, so I had to re-type it. The article mentions my father’s two brothers, but it did not mention my father, Sidney Grosswirth. (My father also worked at Kodak for 35 years.) One of my father’s brothers (Edward) moved to the west coast after working at Kodak for a few years; his other brother (Louis) also moved to the west coast after working at Kodak for a while and serving in the military. Here is the word-for-word article on my grandfather in its entirety:

IN FOCUS: HENRY GROSSWIRTH
THE KODAKERY: 1944

Henry Grosswirth went home last week. But his many Camera Works friends, who know that the retired 65-year-old plant veteran has earned a well-deserved rest, entertain some doubts as to his intentions to pursue it.

There are good grounds for their suspicions. Henry Grosswirth, you see, is a rather unusual individual.

Henry, for example, spoke six languages when he was only 13 years old. When he was all of 14 he left home in Austria and traveled to America. So did many others – but Henry came all by himself, worked in this country for a while, and then went back home. He worked at so many trades before he came to Camera Works in 1910 that plant officials felt obligated to inquire as to how long he planned to stay in our midst. Henry said he thought he would stay quite a while. He did. Thirty-four years, to be exact.

Henry’s parents were financially well off. They wanted him to continue his schooling and go to a university. But he was as restless at 14 as the average boy of 20, so his mother sewed $200 in his shirt, and, equipped with railway and steamship tickets to take him as far as New York City, Henry departed, accompanied by his parents’ avowed blessings and unexpected misgivings.

Even before Henry left the continent he demonstrated his ability to take care of himself. Waiting for an American-bound ship at a German port, he sat down to write a last letter home. Fellow travelers, many of whom were unable to write, begged him to pen their final letters before embarking for the New World. Henry obliged, for a consideration, and before the evening was concluded he had a stack of letters by his one hand and a stack of folding money by his other.

His first job in the United States was that of an apprentice in a cigar-making shop. That was in 1892, and Henry dragged down the munificent sum of 25 cents a week, plus board. He did better on his next job and was on his way to even more responsible positions when a serious hand injury threatened the loss of all of his fingers. Henry returned to Austria to recover.

A Vienna specialist restored to Henry the use of his fingers, and, free of this worry, he again started forth – this time within the confines of the European continent.

He tried cabinetmaking, made an error one day and was beaten with a piece of the lumber with which he worked. So, he decided to try tinsmithing. That was terminated by the discovery that he suffered from acrophobia, which is no phobia for those working on roofs and high chimneys. Then came a job in a leather plant. Frankly, it stank, and Henry switched his allegiance to a bakery. That smelled and tasted better, so he finished his four-year apprenticeship in two years and became foreman.

Then Henry bethought himself of his original purpose in life, and the bakery sought a new foreman. His further European travels, during which he taught languages in various schools, were brought to a halt when he married Sallie Wicks. So Henry brought his wife to America.

It took Henry a few years to find Rochester, and then to find Camera Works – and that did it for Henry’s traveling, up until this point. But now that he is retired…..!

Henry began work at Kodak as a drillpress hand. Throughout the years that followed he held many supervisory jobs in the milling, drillpress, lathe, punchpress, brass, and rivet departments. His work, in recent years, has been alongside Edward Grosswirth, one of his boys, and expert tool and die maker now on special duty for the company outside Rochester. Henry has another boy who is doing the traveling for his father. He’s an Army lieutenant.

But Henry has ideas. South America is separated from him by nothing more than a war and a few miles of ocean. He’d travel now, if it weren’t for the military demands upon rail transportation, to see his two boys, and his daughter who is in New York. He prefers to wait a bit.

Yet South America makes pretty good reading, thinks Henry Grosswirth. Then, not so many years from now, he guesses, he’ll drop down there for a look around. A man in his late sixties has more business traveling anyway than a boy of 14, Henry will tell you.

Reminiscing About Eastman Kodak

Dear Blog Visitors:

Yesterday was sad for anyone tied in any way, past or present, to Eastman Kodak. Although not unexpected, the shock factor was still felt around the world when Kodak announced it had filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy papers.

For my family, Eastman Kodak played a very large role. My late paternal grandfather, Henry Grosswirth, settled in Rochester after arriving in America from Hungary. He then spent most of his working life at Kodak. My late father, Sidney Grosswirth, spent 35 years of his working life at Kodak. I had a summer job there during my college years, whereby my father had hoped I would continue in the family tradition by finding a career at Kodak. However, my life ambitions took me in other directions.

It is difficult to say at this point whether or not reorganization of Kodak, as part of the Chapter 11 arrangement, will be successful. I am hoping for a positive outcome, whether it be via the sale of multiple patents, or a primary focus on Kodak's motion picture business, which is still integral to he lives of Hollywood filmmakers.

I have posted four related photos above. The first photo is of George Eastman's house, which continues to operate as an international museum of photography. The second photo is yours truly with a vintage 1934 Kodak camera tested by my grandfather in its pre-patent stage. The third photo is my father's Kodak baseball team from the 1950s (my father is holding the plaque). The fourth photo is my baseball team from 1964. I am pictured in the first row, second from the left. (Sons and daughters of Kodak workers were invited to participate in baseball and bowling teams, via its KPAA (Kodak Park Athletic Association).

I share the sadness of many over what is occuring with Eastman Kodak. However, my hope is that the company will find ways to survive.

Peace to all,
Ray

My Top-Five Reasons Pope Benedict XVI Should Resign

Dear Blog Visitors:

Pope Benedict XVI managed to create headlines yesterday by verbally attacking the gay community. This is not the first time he has done so, which amounts to a throwback to Nazi Germany, when gays were singled out for discrimination and arrest. In yesterday's worldwide speech, Benedict equated gay marriage with a downfall of humanity itself.

The pontiff would like for us to believe that there are no gay priests, despite the fact that it is well known that approximately 30% of priests are gay, and the vast majority of them are true ministers of the Gospel. So, for Benedict to attack the gay community is nothing more than a smokescreen.

I truly believe it is time for Benedict XVI to resign, and this has nothing to do with his age. My top-five reasons he should consider a resignation are as follows: 1.) He refuses to see the wisdom of an inclusive priesthood (celibate, married, women); 2.) He continues to discriminate against the gay community; 3.) He blocked reporting of sexual abuse cases when he was in his previous Vatican post; 4.) He refused full access to the Vatican's Holocaust archives, when Pius XII was nominated for sainthood; 5.) He won't consider the convening of Vatican III, a council that could conceivably bring about much-needed reform to the Roman Catholic Church.

Peace to all,
Ray