[NYer]

James Francis Stafford (born July 26, 1932) is an American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as Major Penitentiary in the Roman Curia, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1998. James Stafford was born in in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1950, he entered Loyola College in Baltimore with the intent of pursuing a career in medicine, but in 1952, the violent death of a friend caused him to rethink his future and to enter St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, where he earned degrees in arts, theology, and social welfare.

Stafford was ordained (along with Edward Egan another future cardinal) a priest by Bishop Martin John O'Connor on December 15, 1957. He was consecrated auxiliary bishop of Baltimore and Titular Bishop of Respecta by Archbishop William Donald Borders on January 11, 1976.

Named President of the Pontifical Council for the Laity on August 20, 1996, he became Cardinal Deacon of Gesù Buon Pastore alla Montagnola in the consistory of 1998. In 2003 Cardinal Stafford was appointed Major Penitentiary, in which position he oversees matters pertaining to indulgences and the internal forum of the Church. He is one of the highest ranking members of the Roman Curia from the United States and the second American to serve as Major Penitentiary.

[NYer]

The Incarnate Word came to do the will of him who sent him. Contemporary obedience of disciples to the Successor of Peter cannot be separated from the poverty of spirit and purity of heart modeled and won by the Word on the Cross.

[Mad Dawg]

What a guy! I’m impressed. Thanks.

[livius]

Incredible account! Thanks for posting!

1968 has got to be one of the worst years ever, btw.

[hinckley buzzard]

A passionate inside look at a convulsive episode. 1968 was the annus horribilis of the Western world, and the Church had its full measure.

The international Left did its damnedest to bring chaos and darkness down on civilization that year, much as its obscene spawn is attempting to do to America today.

The forces --and many of the people-- are the same perpetrators now as then. Fortunately the RC Church is far stronger now than then, and everyone, not just Catholics, can thank God for that.

[narses]

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Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[NonValueAdded]

That August meeting in Baltimore was a card-check event, no?

[Cicero]

Impressive account.

I lived through those times in academia, and they were not pleasant. They have poisoned the well ever since.

[Desdemona]

BUMP

First hand accounts like this are the only clues we are going to have regarding what happened. Bravo, Eminence, for your story.

[aposiopetic]

Since January 2002, the abyss has opened up elsewhere.

Is it clear what he is referring to? I could find only Sacramentorum sanctitatis tutela from that month and had not known it to be controversial.

[Clemenza]

OK. Can anyone explain to me what a “clown” mass is? I’ve seen pics on the internet, but have never heard of a local parish doing such a thing. The photos were hilarious and tragic at the same time.

[onedoug]

It was the year of the bad war...

...as declared by Walter Conkrite, but I don't buy it. 'Sad that the good Cardinal has to to start by tearing into real nobility.