Posted on 06/22/2009 4:02:21 PM PDT by NYer
The archbishop was approached by the press who asked if he would divulge the names of his writers. Archbishop Sheen smiled graciously and said: "Of course. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John".
Isn’t it amazing that a man of the cloth could have such an understanding of the love between a husband and wife?
Fulton Sheen was an amazing man. His talks of decades ago are fresh and timely today. Truly he was a master communicator.
http://www.fultonsheen.com/Fulton-Sheen-MP3.cfm
I love listening to Archbishop Sheen. He can be found on Relevant Radio.com. Evenings from 9:00 - 10:00. (CST)
EWTN also reruns his programs. They are such a delight!
bookmark
He looks a little like Nixon (not that that’s a bad thing).
“According to Wikipedia, when Sheen won an Emmy, Berle quipped, ‘He’s got better writers.’””
I also heard once that Berle said Sheen had a better sponsor, meaning God of course!
Well, Nixon was black-Irish in his ancestery.
Never knew that!
You can read in the foreword to George MacDonald Fraser's wonderful history of the border reivers, The Steel Bonnets, how he got a jolt of recognition at Nixon's inauguration seeing Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Billy Graham all side by side. Not only are all three names Border names and still very common there, but each of the men's faces was a recognizable Border type that you can see anytime in Carlisle or Jedburgh - the big rawboned, bulbous-nosed Johnson, the leonine Graham, the wee dark fierce-browed Nixon.
I’ll defer to you.
What on Earth would an unmarried celibate man know about either sex or love?
Isn’t it amazing that a man of the cloth could have such an understanding of the love between a husband and wife?
Impossible is a better word.
Most people start with his Flashman books, but if you want a great read, I highly recommend his MacAuslan stories, or the aforesaid Steel Bonnets.
There was nothing meaner than a Johnson or an Armstrong on a bad day.
And I say that as a descendant of the most notorious clan of cattle thieves, kidnappers, and protection men over in the West Highlands - the MacGregors.
It's my experience that somebody who stands outside a situation with a clear eye is in a lot better position to advise than somebody who may well have similar issues bothering him or her. Same reason lawyers never represent themselves or close family (if they're smart).
I've seen marriage counselors who are bitter divorced women themselves advise women to end marriages for no better reason than their own private demons.
When I was an Episcopalian, the married priests would not give you any personal advice at all. They would just pawn you off onto a "family therapist".
On the other hand, both myself and my daughter have received valuable and wise advice from our current rector -- an old-fashioned Irish priest with 40 years under his belt, a gruff exterior and a heart of pure gold.
The competent ones are always recovering addicts themselves. Trust me, I know.
Same reason lawyers never represent themselves or close family (if they're smart).
But they do hire other lawyers. The analogy fails there, I think.
I've seen marriage counselors who are bitter divorced women themselves advise women to end marriages for no better reason than their own private demons.
That's true, but irrelevant.
an old-fashioned Irish priest with 40 years under his belt, a gruff exterior and a heart of pure gold.
He sounds like a fine man. But personally I think getting advice about sex and marriage from someone who's never personally experienced either makes about as much sense as taking driving lessons from a blind man or asking a deaf mute to explain Beethoven.
Strictly my opinion.
Their was one Catholic priest I would have taken such advice from as he'd been married for 23 years and raised 4 kids before his wife passed and he joined the Priesthood.
He was a man who's advice could be trusted as he'd been there, done that, and had the T-shirt.
I was deeply saddened at Father Ed's passing. Even though I'm not Catholic he was a man whose opinion I valued and respected, and not just about matters matrimonial.
My best to you.
L
Look at it like this. Almost any priest understands exactly what he's given up. They know sexual temptation, and sexual conflict, they've wrestled with those questions extensively as part of their formation. They aren't bloodless manikins. But they have dealt with it and sacrificed their personal gratification to be the spouse of the Church instead. So really in a way they have been there, but not any longer, just like your example of a better drug counselor.
That's yet another reason, by the way, that homosexuals shouldn't be priests. They do not sacrifice marital love, sex and children to serve God (in fact you could argue they're actually advancing the likelihood of gaining their desires). They don't even understand what they're giving up.
Sounds like Fr. Ed has a place with the angels. Best to you too.
Maybe, but I'm of the opinion that one can't really understand something one has never experienced. You can't explain a roller coaster ride to someone who's never been on one. You can't explain color to a blind person or music to a deaf one.
to be the spouse of the Church instead. ...
Please don't take this the wrong way, but the Church isn't a woman. And there is absolutely NOTHING on this planet more difficult to understand than a woman. Nothing.
Sounds like Fr. Ed has a place with the angels.
I certainly hope that's true. He was a fine man and my niece and nephew miss him terribly.
I bid you a pleasant evening ma'am.
L
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.