Chilean abortion activists burn effigy of unborn child

Pax et bonum

Wagging dogs

wagging and sniffing
dogs at the vet's meet and greet
before going in

Pax et bonum

The DNC Comes Out Of The Closet

On August 24, the Democratic National Committee approved the following:

Resolution Regarding the Religiously Unaffiliated Demographic

 WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic has tripled in the last two decades, now representing 25% of the overall American population and 35% of those under the age of 30; and


WHEREAS, religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party’s values, with 70% voting for Democrats in 2018, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger; and

WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic represents the largest religious group within the Democratic Party, growing from 19% in 2007 to one in three today; and

 WHEREAS, the nonreligious have often been subjected to unfair bias and exclusion in American society, particularly in the areas of politics and policymaking where assumptions of religiosity have long predominated; and

WHEREAS, those most loudly claiming that morals, values, and patriotism must be defined by their particular religious views have used those religious views, with misplaced claims of "religious liberty," to justify public policy that has threatened the civil rights and liberties of many Americans, including but not limited to the LGBT community, women, and ethnic and religious/nonreligious minorities; and

WHEREAS, the Democratic Party is an inclusive organization that recognizes that morals, values, and patriotism are not unique to any particular religion, and are not necessarily reliant on having a religious worldview at all; and


WHEREAS, nonreligious Americans made up 17% of the electorate in 2018 and have the potential to deliver millions more votes for Democrats in 2020 with targeted outreach to further increase turnout of nonreligious voters; and

WHEREAS, a record number of openly nonreligious candidates are running for public office;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE recognizes:

1. The value, ethical soundness, and importance of the religiously unaffiliated demographic, a group of Americans who contribute in innumerable ways to the arts, sciences, medicine, business, law, the military, their communities, the success of the Party and prosperity of the Nation; and

2. That religiously unaffiliated Americans are a group that, as much as any other, advocates for rational public policy based on sound science and universal humanistic values and should be represented, included, and heard by the Party.

A key section of this reads:

WHEREAS, religiously unaffiliated Americans overwhelmingly share the Democratic Party’s values, with 70% voting for Democrats in 2018, 80% supporting same-sex marriage, and 61% saying immigrants make American society stronger; and

WHEREAS, the religiously unaffiliated demographic represents the largest religious group within the Democratic Party, growing from 19% in 2007 to one in three today ..."

So, the people who don't follow a particular religion - dare we day, the nonreligious? - share Democratic "values" when it comes to same-sex marriage, and, though not specifically named, it is clear that abortion on demand is part of this. It's easy to think of other issues that go against traditional religious values that the Democratic Party and their nonreligious allies embrace. And the Party is also admitting the nonaffiliated are the largest "religious" group in the Party.

Meanwhile, the resolution goes on to attack those who base their positions on various issues on their religious beliefs. Now it is true that there are those who "use" religion to justify their positions, positions that are sometimes wrong-headed or unacceptable. But the way this is worded, those who sincerely bases their positions on their religious beliefs are lumped together into one "disreputable" group. Among the "deplorables," perhaps? People who cling to their Bibles? Those whose "dogma speaks loudly?" Members of the Knights of Columbus?

It's no wonder so many Democratic candidates attack and mock people who are religious, and support laws that assail traditional beliefs.

Looks like the DNC is coming out of the closet - or maybe the confessional?

Pax et bonum

Why Catholics Use Scripture and Tradition

Pax et bonum

The Narrow Door: How Many Will Enter?

The Narrow Door

²² He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 

 ²³ And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 

²⁴ “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. <sup>2

25</sup> When once the householder has risen up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ He will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ 

 ²⁶ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ 

²⁷ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!’ ²⁸ There you will weep and gnash your teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves thrust out. 

 ²⁹ And men will come from east and west, and from north and south, and sit at table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.” - Luke 13

As Father noted at Mass this morning - and as I've often pointed out - a person may be baptized, may have received Frist Communion, may have been married in the Church, maybe even shows up to Mass at Christmas and Easter, but unless one gets to Mass each week (with exceptions for valid causes), repents sins and gets to Confession regularly, prays daily, seeks ways to grow spiritually, and lives out his/her faith in daily life and in work, that person will end up outside the door of Heaven, weeping and gnashing teeth.

Faith should not be an occasional Sunday morning activity; faith should be the center of all we do and say. It requires effort, even sacrifice.

Faith requires us to be more than just "nice."

Pax et bonum

Jack Elliott, Pete Seeger, & Malvina Reynolds - Woody's Rag

Pax et bonum

Live Action: Pro-Life Replies to Pro-Abortion Arguments

WATCH: Live Action's newest series - Pro-Life Replies to Pro-Abortion Arguments: In case you missed it, Live Action’s newest series, “Pro-Life Replies to Pro-Abortion Arguments” has been changing hearts and minds since its launch in mid-May, with the first 10 videos garnering more than 15 million total views. Here’s a recap of these powerful videos below. You can also find them all here. #1: My Body, …





A great resource.



Pax et bonum

Compiling Songs

As part of my cleaning and organizing the boxes of books and papers cluttering my areas of the upstairs in our home, I sorted the music I play/like to play. I rediscovered some older songs. Now I'm preparing them for a binder.

"Bottle of Wine," "Get Up and Go.""Helpless," "and "Never Ending Song of Love," and others are being joined by the likes of:

"Deportee"
"Midnight Special"
"Lonely People"
"You Can't Rollerskate in a Buffalo Herd"
 "I Shall Be Released"
"Dead Skunk"
"The Whistling Gypsy Rover"
"How Can I Keep from Singing"
"Donna Donna"
"Blood On the Saddle"
 "Colours"

... and so on.

Lots of playing and singing fun ahead.'

Meanwhile, I took a cassette of the Peter Paul and Mary Holiday concert back in 1990 and got it transferred to cd. The concert was a benefit for the Sisters of Mercy, and I was lucky enough to be part of the community choir that sang with them at Rochester's Eastman Theater. What an incredible experience!

Pax et bonum

The Latest Tally

I'm sometimes accused of being a one-note poster on Social media. Okay. Here's my last 10 posts on Facebook and Twitter:

Facebook.

Joe Dady video
Bishop Barron on the Eucharist
Note on seeing John Dady perform
Meme on peace and forgiveness
Meme on St. Kolbe quotation
John Michael Talbot video - I Found My Beloved"
Pregnancy Centers/Abortion Clinics meme
Pete Seeger meme - talking to others
Meme on St. Kolbe quotation
Franciscan video on special "talents"

Twitter

Bishop Barron on the Eucharist
Getting to the Lincoln Memorial
Problems with the Mets broadcast
Comment on trying to be less snarky
Tooth woes
Babylon Bee satire - give everything for free
Life News on being censored
Planned Parenthood funding editorial repost
"Anti-Catholic" language meme
Feast of St. Clare greetings 

Hmm. Very Catholic, lots of music, a few pro-life related, but otherwise no clear pattern.

Pax et bonum

Ow

Had a tooth causing problems and threatening other teeth. So out it came. I'm getting an implant, but because the bone structure beneath where that tooth had been had been weakened, they had to inject bone material - basically a graft. The stitches come out in two weeks. The graft has to take and the area to fully heal before we can put in a post for the new tooth - a wait of about four months. And then more month of healing as the post settles in, so the new tooth won't go in until some time next spring.

Not in a lot of pain. Just mild discomfort. And sleepy. Only soft foods for a day or two.

At least the dentist/oral surgeon was better than Moe.

Pax et bonum

Nagasaki

a break in the clouds
gave way to that sunrise –
Nagasaki

the morning prayers
rose heavenward that day –
Nagasaki

(Notes: The primary target August 9 was cloud-covered. The bomber crew went to the secondary target, Nagasaki, where a break in the clouds allowed them to drop the bomb.

Nagasaki was the most Catholic city in Japan at the time of the bombing.)

Lord: We pray that atomic weapons will never be used again in war.
 
Pax et bonum

Hazy Half Moon

If a
silvery full
moon will inspire true love,
will a hazy half moon inspire
just lust?

Pax et bonum

Jesus IS A Loving God, But ...

We often hear people saying that Jesus is a loving, forgiving, merciful, accepting God. There's no argument with that.

But in many cases people are saying this in defense of various life-style choices. The implication is that a true follower of Jesus would not raise objections to these choices, but would rather accept, perhaps even celebrate them.

The problem is that while Jesus exemplifies all those attributes, there is more to Him, and to what he said and did.

One of the methods Jesus used to teach us how to live and act, and what can happen as a result of our choices, was through parables and stories.

Take the story of the ten bridesmaids (Matthew 25: 1-13) waiting for the Bridegroom - Jesus - and five of them did not bring enough oil for their lamps. In other words, they did not prepare for the celebration that is Heaven. When they finally showed up, the door was shut, and the Lord said "I do not know you."

Then there's the story of the wedding guest (Matthew 22: 1-14) who showed up without a wedding garment  - again, did not prepare for Heaven, And his fate? The king (God) said "‘Bind him hand and foot, and cast him into the outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.”

There are similar stories. The pattern is if you do not prepare, if you do not live properly, you will not enter Heaven. There is no "acceptance;" you had a chance, you had a choice, you consciously made the wrong choice, and so you must pay the consequences of your choice.

Some might argue that these are just stories, so he's just warning us, but that in his words and actions He didn't do this.

But then we have the story of the fig tree (Matthew 21: 18-22). When Jesus found it had no fruit, he cursed it and it withered and died. The tree represents the Jews and Christians who were not "fruitful," those whose lives do no show they are truly followers of God's law.

And when Jesus went into the temple and found the merchants and money-lenders (John 2: 13-16 - for one version of it). He made a whip of cords to drive them out, and overturned tables.

Think also of the many times he had harsh words for those who were deceitful or hypocrites. Among those: "hypocrites" "brood of vipers," "You are of your father the devil." 

I think two stories give us a clearer picture.

When the woman was caught in adultery (John 8: 1-11), Jesus got those ready to kill her to spare her. But then he said,  “Neither do I condemn you; go, and do not sin again.” 

Notice here two things. First, he called what she did a sin. He did not mince words or accept her actions; He declared them sinful. Then, in sparing her, He admonished her to sin no more. This is the kind of "acceptance" He offered. I forgive and accept you, but you must stop the sin you were committing.

Then there's the prodigal son (Luke 15: 11-32). The father - God - welcomed the son back and forgave him. But the son first had to humbly recognize what he had done, to repent, and to return ready to accept the consequences. He had to choose, to take the initiative, and return to the father. Only then could he accept his father's love and forgiveness.  

The lesson is that we need to repent our sins, to recognize God's authority, to return to Him, and to promise to try to avoid sin in the future. The acceptance is given only when we choose it and are ready for it; it's not unconditional. And we can choose not to repent and return - that's part of free will - but then we would be dead (stoned) or starving among the swine.

So yes, Jesus is loving, forgiving, merciful, and accepting. But we can only take advantage of those blessings when we choose to live in a way that enables us to accept them.

Pax et bonum

Mass Shootings

In the wake of the most recent mass shootings in the U.S., some people are claiming we are the worst nation when it comes to such violence, and often blame President Trump for helping to inspires that violence through his rhetoric.

I agree that his rhetoric is often objectionable, but blaming him for the violence goes too far. Moreover, the U.S. is not the worst nation for mass shootings. Depending on what's being measured, we actually rank around 10th or 11th in Western nations.

According to a report in the World Population Review, Norway is the worst nation of those studied for death rate due to mass shootings. The top 10 includes France, Switzerland, Finland, and Belgium. The U.S. ranks 11th. In another study cited, worldwide in 2015 the U.S. ranked 66th. For overall shooting deaths in the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. ranks 10th - with Honduras, Venezuela, and El Salvador topping the list.

Lots of numbers to deal with in this report, but the bottom line is that as terrible as the mass shootings in the U.S. are, we are clearly not the worst nation for such violence, and it's erroneous to blame Trump (or, for example, Sanders or Warren, who had supporters involved in other shooting incidents). He clearly is not involved in the violence in other nations that rank ahead of the U.S.

One problem we have is that we have wall-to-wall media coverage of such incidents here. We often don't hear about the incidents in other nations - or only hear about them in passing.

We still need to address the problem here in the U.S. But we need to be honest and have the facts to help us in that effort.

Pax et bonum

Dale Ahlquist responds ...

The following is a statement from Dale Ahlquist about a British bishop's decision not to proceed with the cause for G. K. Chesterton.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (August 5, 2019 – Feast of Our Lady of the Snows)

On August 1, 2019, at the 38th Annual Chesterton Conference, held this year in Kansas City, I read to the 500 attendees the following letter from Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, England, a man who has always shown me the greatest kindness and respect:

Dear Dale, … This is not a letter I find easy to write, and I know that you will not find it easy to receive. As you know, Canon John Udris completed a preliminary investigation into the cause of G K Chesterton last summer. Since that time, I have consulted on John’s findings, a wonderfully thorough and supportive study, and I have prayed much about the issue. I also went with some of the Bishops of England and Wales to see the Congregation for the Cause of Saints during our Ad Limina visit in the last week of September 2018. I am very conscious of the devotion to G K Chesterton in many parts of the world and of his inspiring influence on so many people, and this makes it difficult to communicate the conclusion to which I have come. That conclusion is that I am unable to promote the cause of G K Chesterton for three reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, there is no local cult. Secondly, I have been unable to tease out a pattern of personal spirituality. And, thirdly, even allowing for the context of G K Chesterton’s time, the issue of anti-Semitism is a real obstacle particularly at this time in the United Kingdom. As a very unworthy servant of the Church, I recognise Chesterton’s goodness and his ability to evangelise but, in my heart of hearts, I believe that he himself would not want any fuss other than asking his prayers for the Church today and praying for him. I realise that this is very disappointing for you and for the vast number of people around the world who have such a high regard for Chesterton, and I think particularly of the American Chestertonian Society. I have no doubt that you will seek new ways to promote Chesterton’s cause, and I would not want to stand in the way other than stating, as the local Bishop, my own conclusions. Be sure of my prayers for you and your family and for the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton and the Chesterton Schools Network. With every blessing Yours sincerely in Christ, Peter Bishop of Northampton

Although I had received this letter back in April, this was the first public mention of it. The next day the Catholic Herald in England reported the story, and the Catholic press around the world picked it up. In my reply to the Bishop, I expressed my sympathy for the difficulty of his task and told him I was indeed disappointed but not discouraged. I added that Chestertonians would, as he predicted, continue to do everything we can to promote Chesterton's canonization. I did add that no saint would ever endorse his own cause, least of all, the humble bard of Beaconsfield. The bishop immediately responded agreeing with that last point. Just before the conference, I wrote to him and told him that we would be discussing this issue at our conference, and I asked for his prayers. He responded and said he would say a Mass for the conference and the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton. I would like – as succinctly as possible – to address the Bishop's objections because they will be important to others as well. First, there is a local cult. It was the Senior Deacon (now deceased) of the Diocese of Northampton who first appealed to the Bishop to open Chesterton's cause, saying, “We need his holiness.” There is a group based in London called The Catholic Chesterton Society, led by Stuart McCullough, whose conversion story is told in our recent book My Name is Lazarus – 37 Stories of Converts Whose Path to Rome was Paved by G.K. Chesterton. Every June, pilgrims walk and pray from London to Beaconsfield, culminating at Chesterton's grave. The Catholic Chesterton Society has translated the prayer for Chesterton's intercession into more than 20 languages. There is also a universal cult. We have distributed over 25,000 prayer cards, and we get daily requests for more. The cult is growing and does not show any signs of slowing down. People all over the world are devoted to Chesterton, asking for his intercession because they have been touched and transformed by his wisdom and goodness. He brings people to Christ. The second objection – the lack of a clear pattern of spirituality – reveals the difficulty of getting a lay person canonized. At the conference I stumped the audience when I gave them five names and asked what the five people had in common. It turns out they all had lived during Chesterton's time, they had all been Catholic priests, they had all founded religious orders, and they were all canonized within the last 30 years. And no one knew who they were. Clearly, there is little difficulty in discerning the spiritual pattern, as it were, of the founder of a religious order. But G.K. Chesterton did not write about his own spiritual life, and he did not found a religious order, telling his followers how they should live. Rather, he revealed his spirituality in his writings and in his life, in his love for the Sacraments, in his abiding sense of wonder and joy, and in his tireless labor for social and political reform. He lived a theology of thanks. He is the model of lay spirituality. I might add that I have been giving retreats based on Chesterton’s very coherent spirituality for some years. The third objection is the most disappointing because it has been addressed repeatedly, including by great scholars of Chesterton and his time. Chesterton was not anti-Semitic. A man who not only physically defended the Jews when they were attacked (read his Autobiography) but repeatedly spoke out against their persecution in Germany, in Russia, and in England, who said “The world owes God to the Jews,” and “I will die defending the last Jew in Europe,” should not have this poisonous epithet anywhere near his good name. I am pleased that the Bishop does not make the accusation, but he says that there is an “issue.” While Chesterton's writings are amazingly fresh and vital, there is no question that he occasionally says things that are awkward by our modern standards of political correctness (and the Bishop makes this allowance as well). However, an issue being “sensitive” should not stand in the way of proceeding with the Cause. It simply needs to be dealt with honestly, fairly, courageously and charitably. In addition to the fact that there are many Jewish converts, drawn to the faith by none other than G.K. Chesterton, I wish to emphasize that there is not a wisp of hostility toward the Jews in our Apostolate. We are saddened when anyone repeats the falsehood that Chesterton was anti-Semitic. It is fitting that Chesterton, who made a living as a controversialist, should continue to find himself controversial. But if anything, that is proof of his abiding presence. It is also evidence that he belongs in that controversial group, the Communion of the Saints. My recent book Knight of the Holy Ghost – A Short History of G.K. Chesterton addresses these issues more fully and makes a strong case for Chesterton's sanctity. I have previously sent both this book and My Name is Lazarus to the Bishop. While Bishop Peter Doyle was always gracious and kind to me, I was aware of the fact that he did not have any enthusiasm for Chesterton and by his own admission did not really know much about him. Although I tried to give him the knowledge, I could not give him the enthusiasm. It was my hope that the Prophet would be honored in his own country. Although it is clear Bishop Doyle will not be opening the Cause of Canonization for G.K. Chesterton, this does not mean the cause is dead. We are confident that, in time, it will open, under a different ordinary and perhaps in a different diocese, which is a possibility under canon law. In the meantime, we ask that those who are disappointed by the announcement to be charitable and supportive of the Bishop of Northampton. He is praying for us. Let us return the favor. Dr. Dale Ahlquist President, Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton

Pax et bonum

Currently reading (before I tackle that list!)

In a previous post, I mentioned a list of 100 works of literature Joseph Pearce suggests every Catholic should know. I've read only about half of them (47 entirely, six more in substantial part).

I intend to use that list as a guide. But first I have to finish the books I'm currently reading - and then mix the list books in with works I'll be teaching this school year and which I'll have to reread/skim as I go.

I'm reading The Horse And His Boy by C.S. Lewis, part of his Chronicles of Narnia. This is actually a reread. I read all seven of the Narnia books in one go back in 1975/76, so it's been a long time for this particular book. (I'll be reviewing The Magician's Nephew in the coming weeks as that's on the summer reading list, and I did reread that one two summers ago.)

I'm also reading Run That By Me Again, a collection of short essays by Father James V. Schall, SJ, who was a regular contributor to Gilbert!, and who passed away earlier this year.

Finally, I'm reading Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know by Joseph Pearce, the book that inspired this effort.

Not sure what I'll read next. Sophocles? Shakespeare? Percy?

Let's see what's available.

Pax et bonum

Great Works Of Literature Every Catholic Should Know

Joseph Pearce has come out with a new book - though given how prolific he is he may have come out with two since early spring, with another at the printer's!

Literature: What Every Catholic Should Know, is a survey of great works from The Iliad to Lancelot by Walker Percy. It is organized in a mix of thematic and chronological order.

At the back of the book he includes a list of 100 "Great Works of Literature Every Catholic Should Know." The list includes individual works, and some collections.

I looked at the list. I've read completely or substantially 53 of them. I say substantially because with some of the poets I haven't read all of their collected poems, though I have read the bulk of the major poems by them - T.S. Eliot or Gerard Manley Hopkins, to name two. Or with The Canterbury Tales,  I've read most of the tales, but not all of them.

Strictly speaking, if I count only the works I've read in their entirety, the count comes to 47. And some of those I read decades ago, so I don't remember parts of them.

Still, as an "educated" Catholic, and with a graduate degree in literature, realizing I've only read 53 - or 47 - of them is humbling.

In some cases, I've read some of the works listed for a particular writer, but not all the listed ones. I've read Antigone by Sophocles, but not Oedipus Rex. I've read a number of the Shakespeare plays listed, but not The Merry Wives of Windsor or The Winter's Tale.

There are some writers on the list whose works I haven't read at all - Walker Percy, for example.

So ... I now have a list of works to read. As soon as I finish the books I'm working on now - including Pearce's.

Maybe if I stay off Twitter and Facebook I can get a few of them read before school starts!

Pax et bonum

Bishop says no to Chesterton's cause

As a fan of G. K. Chesterton, I was disappointed to hear that Bishop Peter Doyle of Chesterton's home diocese of Northampton in England has decided not to open the cause for Chesterton's sainthood.

In a letter - which was read at last week's American Chesterton Society's annual conference - Bishop Doyle cited as his reasons: “…I am unable to promote the cause of GK Chesterton for three reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, there is no local cult. Secondly, I have been unable to tease out a pattern of personal spirituality. And, thirdly, even allowing for the context of G K Chesterton’s time, the issue of anti-Semitism is a real obstacle particularly at this time in the United Kingdom.”

The Catholic World Report has its own spin on news.

I am not in a position to investigate the first two of the reasons Bishop Doyle gave.

Despite a number of very active Chesterton societies around the world and some very active and passionate promoters of his life and work, it may well be that there is in Chesterton's home diocese no local cult. Given the weakened condition of Christianity in England at this time, I don't find that surprising, but I also am not there so I don't know what the situation is. I don't believe the bishop is lying, but certainly bishops don't always know the full extent of what's going on in their dioceses.

Chesterton's writings certainly give evidence to the importance of faith in his life, and those writings have spiritually inspired many people from C. S, Lewis to Joseph Pearce. But even though I have read many of his writings, and multiple biographies, I don't know if his "pattern of person spirituality" rises to the level of sainthood. It may, and perhaps there is more to be uncovered to corroborate that, but I don't know. I have not read all of his writings. I don't have access to any of his personal papers that might shed additional light. I have not interviewed people who knew him.

The last point is a more difficult one to address.

Chesterton clearly did say some things about Jewish people that make modern readers feel uncomfortable. (He also used the "n" word when referring to Blacks.) At the same time, he did defend Jewish people, and included Jews among his friends. His use of stereotypes and certain words/phrases seem to me to be more a reflection of his times and not some ingrained bigotry. I remember as a child in the 1960s were told all sorts of ethnic jokes about Italians, Irish, and Poles that today would be considered offensive. But I also don't believe we should condemn people today for making an ethnic joke in 1968; what more telling is how they talk and act in more recent times.
Of course, Chesterton is dead, so we have no way to measure if he grew or changed.

But as the bishop suggested, given contemporary sensibilities, this might be a difficult one to overcome.

So there it is, the cause is stalled for now.

For now.

Apparently Bishop Doyle has reached retirement age. A new bishop will be appointed in the next year or two, and could reopen the cause.

What Chestertonians with more power and knowledge than I should be busy trying to make known or encourage a "local cult." They should also explore and make known Chesterton's "pattern of personal spirituality." If those two areas can be addressed, it might help the cause

The last problem, the allegations of anti-Semitism, have been explored in articles and talks, but there apparently needs to be more done. Again, it may not be enough, given current sensibilities, but there's no harm in trying.

And there's no reason to give up hope. There are many saints who have troubling or misunderstood details in their lives. These three objections might fade in significance with new discoveries and a new bishop. Perhaps there will be yet another path that will open. I don't see Dale Ahlquist giving up that easily!

On the other hand, maybe Chesterton himself would say it's not worth the effort. He might even voice the view of Dorothy Day, another holy person some have promoted for sainthood, who once said when asked about such talk, "Don't call me a saint. I don't want to be dismissed so easily."

And Chesterton himself might be chuckling about all this.

“It is the test of a good religion whether you can joke about it.”

Pax et bonum