What is the Ecclesial Backbone Award?
In the last few years, bishop-watching has gotten more interesting than watching yet another Kardashian become famous for being a Kardashian, or scanning the fashion news to see if Lady Gaga's apparel will complete the food pyramid. Back in April 2011, because the image to your left (created by the incomparable Vincenzo) was floating around Father Z's blog here and there, I decided to appropriate it for a column on Cdl. Francis George of Chicago and jokingly nominate him for an award. From there, the idea just grew like Topsy.
What's the point of this award? Are you being ironic or sincere?
Yes. Both. It's half fun and in full earnest.
Many of the problems the Church now faces would either not be problems or would be limited in their severity had bishops of the last half-century or so not allowed their administrative function to overwhelm their roles as leaders and teachers of the faithful. While this is especially true of those bishops who were so afraid of giving scandal that they covered up instances of predator priests and laid the groundwork for even greater scandal, it's also true of bishops who have allowed themselves to be bullied by dissident pressure groups, theologians, priests and religious in the name of conciliation and avoiding controversy. So while a token award by an obscure blogger is no Big Fat Hairy Deal, it's my small contribution to the recognition and encouragement of those bishops who are not only standing firm in the traditions (2 Thess 2:15; cf. 1 Cor 16:13, Phil 4:1) but are exposing themselves to opposition from within and setting an example for both their people and their brother bishops.
Can I nominate someone for an Ecclesial Backbone Award?
Absolutely! Here are the parameters I look at:
- The nominee must be an active bishop of the Church (not including the Pope): the ordinary of a non-titular diocese or the major superior of a religious order. Bishops emeritus and cardinal prefects of the Roman Curia should not be considered ... unless their actions really cause a flap! And since the goal is to celebrate episcopal leadership, lay people and other priests or religious are not concerned.
- Ideally, the bishop has performed an act of leadership that is in defense of Catholic orthodox tradition, on a matter of internal discipline or catechesis, such as (mirabile dictu!) excommunicating a prominent pro-abortion politician or making a positive rule within his diocese requiring a particular set of actions or denying Catholic status to some dissident group.
- Ideally, the action has not only drawn media attention but has caused a prominent organ of Catholic dissent (e.g., National Catholic Distorter, USCatholic, Commonweal) or of the MSM (New York Times, Huffington Post, Newsweek, CNN) to froth at the mouth.
- While the above two parameters are the ideal, I'm open to considering other acts that are timely, firmly orthodox, and directed towards the Catholic faithful on matters of faith and morals, provided those actions show moral courage (for instance, if they take place in a potentially hostile public setting) and call for Catholic solidarity, authentic witness and/or authentic practice of the Faith (e.g., frequent confession, observing holy days of obligation, chastity, etc.).
One other point bears comment: This award is not meant to trivialize ecclesial leaders who are facing authentic danger of death, imprisonment, torture and other severe forms of repression for their witness. Such bishops are candidates for a much higher award than I could ever give — the crown of glory due the martyrs of the Faith.
You can send in your nominations through the email link provided on my Blogger profile. Make sure you put "Ecclesial Backbone Award" in the subject line, and include links to both the story and whatever nutties the media has thrown! Eventually I hope to have a link in the sidebar that will automatically flag an EBA submission. Remember: your favorite bishop can't win if you don't submit his act!
