Whenever I get depressed about the Church in the US (which isn’t too often, actually), I consider the Church in Europe, particularly the Germany-Austria element, as well as the Netherlands, and I see that it could be worse, although plenty depressing in its own right. Gerald at Closed Cafeteria covers this beat quite well, and is forever bringing us more and better photos of psychedelic Masses and "youth events" that are worse than anything I’ve heard of on this side of the pond, even circa 1972.

It makes sense to me that JP2 put his hope in the "New Movements" to revatilize Catholic faith and life in Europe – diocesan and parish life in much of the continent had gone waaaaay off the rails.

Today Gerald carries a follow-up to a story he posted earlier in the week, in which a transitional deacon from the diocese of Linz, Austria had publicly expresseed views that made one wonder exactly why he was seeking lifetime of service in this particular church, rather than the Unitarians. Gerald quotes from a story on kath.net:

Bishop Ludwig Schwarz said he had spoken with the candidate and had come to the decision to postpone his ordination. His statements of rebellion against Rome and in favor of female ordination were not in conformity with the promise at ordination to be loyal and obedient to the bishop. This close to an ordination, such statements must not stand, he said. Bishop Schwarz emphasized that he had not gotten instruction from Rome, but did inform the Nuntius.