And as if on cue... Speaker Pelosi puts her foot in her mouth.

On August 20 I posted a story about Archbishop Burke's statements on reception of the Eucharist and Politics. Then, as if on cue, the Speaker of the House states publicly that the Church's teaching on abortion is not clear and in flux. My first reaction is outrage! However, I need to remind people (myself included) that we are called to pray for fallen away Catholics. Many of us have been among that group and others may yet be numbered among them. I am also not going to list out the number of prelates and clergy that have publicly rebuked the Speaker. I am concerned with something else.

How is it that the most powerful woman in American politics and a confessed Catholic would distort the clear teaching of the Church, with impunity! Which begs the questions. "How did that happen and how did we get here?"

I think the answer, at least in part, lies in the treatment of the liturgy in many parts of the United States in the last few decades. Am I wrong? Tell me why. I think the Holy Father has been moving slowly towards a revitalization of Catholic identity with an emphasis on the liturgy. I also think that if local lay movements in South Florida wish to succeed that there has to be an effort, in union with the wishes of the Holy Father, to spread the availability of the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite. Am I wrong? Tell me why. If you agree with me then tell me what we can do to "get the ball rolling." Should we, the laity, start in the domestic church? Should we be teaching our children the common prayers in Latin? Why not? Should we be teaching them chant? Why not? Should we be supporting local pastors who have shown an interest in the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite? Who would that be?