Mildew's own review of the last year for the Church

Review of 2010 I cannot give you the figures for overall growth of the Church generally but in this country the figures are more or less static now as regards Mass attendance , thanks to the number of immigrants with strong faith particularly Afro-Caribbean Catholics. Catholic marriages are down in this country but evidence is emerging that more Catholics marry abroad than they do over here. We do well for confessions heard in the two parishes I help in but I am not certain of the overall trend.
MAIN EVENTS. Certainly two events stand out. The start of the ordinariate in this country and the introduction of the new translation of the Missal prayers. (but not the readings). I have earlier put down my opinion of certain weaknesses in the new translation, and the start of the new translation for the oratio's (collect secret, postcommunion) have I am afraid fulfilled my worst expectations. At least twice I have been utterly muddled by where a particular prayer is going. Sentences far too long and could have been easily broken down into two or more. I noticed somewhere the use of that weird word "ineffable" which no one ever uses today and is of uncertain meaning. The events leading up to the publication of the translation were highlighted in the Capsule. 20 years of dithering in my opionion,even the question of publication rights has created problems, let along costs of the big missal.
The creation of the ordinariate has thrown up some problems. Some of the new priests are being used in existing parishes to make up for shortage of home grown vocations. The main problem is financing the ordinariate and the need for some churches at least to be given over to the ordinariate or built for them.
NEGATIVE FACTORS. At least the head of the Catholic Education Service, Oh Oh OOna (Stannard has gone) but will this mean the end of the existing inadequate catechisms? The rot set in many years ago especially after 1970 when the infamous Corpus Christi college was going strong until it was closed down after much protest from traditionalists, but the overal head, Fr Konstant remained in charge of Catholic Education for many years with dire results. At a local level the Vaughan school forced a back down by Archbishop ~Vin on the question of admission policy and membership of the governing body, but the question of the admission of non Catholics and on what basis remains an issue.
ON OTHER ISSUES It is a matter of deep regret that the notorious Sohoo Masses for homosexuals continue with couples being encouraged it seems to hug and kiss each other and to approach ~Communion hand in hand.
Sermons of doubtful theology are given at times. The whole thing is wrong.
Another issue where surely Archbishop Vin is wrong is the question of the approval or otherwise of civil unions for gay couples. The Ab. accepts them and points out that they are useful for settling monetary affairs but most of us regard them as an abomination and little short of civil marriage.
I note that Abp Vin has not yet been made a Cardinal but most point out that the existing rule is that smaller countries (numerically in terms of Catholics) should only have one Cardinal able to vote at a conclave. Cardinal O'Connor will be able to vote until he is 80 later this year.
Patricius left a lovely comment on the Abp not being on the list just published. "Abp not on the list---no Vin ~Rouge." Well he can probably put some on the table by next consistory. Perhaps a good quality "Chateauneuf du Pape". (so named because the vineyard is close to Avignon where Popes lived for a while." Avignon is a great town, you can still visit the old papal palace, fall of the famous "Pont" which only goes half way across the river, has two good art galleries, and hosts a Messaien festival every year for lovers of his music.