Abandoned Altars

For years, I’ve ranted about how no clerical criminal, no matter how wicked, has ever been formally excommunicated from the Catholic Church for sexual abuse. (Or any other crime, for that matter.)

I knew what I wanted to see — for the fallen priest to be shamefully, publicly, and ceremonially stripped of his priesthood, losing all ecclesiastical powers and privileges, and be turned over to the tender mercies of law enforcement to be dealt with.

It would be an edifying spectacle, like something out of the Inquisition, only without the flames.

Turns out I was all confused.

(more…)

Comments Off

Every Lent, I indulge myself by watching my favorite musical, “Jesus Christ Superstar“, that great rock-opera written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber way back in 1969.

This year, I was fortunate enough to see it live on stage on Palm Sunday, on its “farewell tour” with Ted Neeley as Jesus. He starred in the 1973 movie version, and at least one of the other stage productions I’ve seen. Even with makeup, he looked pretty long in the tooth for Jesus — and no wonder, since he’s been playing the role longer than the rest of the cast has been alive – not quite so nimble as he used to be, but he could still hit the high notes when the time came. And he certainly has the proper Messianic attitude down pat by now. What the show lacked in Broadway production values, it more than made up with audience affection. People truly love him — he’s had a great run, and I wish him well.

Anyway, I’ve seen more productions than I can count, from the hippie movie to evangelical to a Euro-gothic version with Nazi-like Romans, but this was the first full-blown gnostic production I’ve come across.

(more…)

Comments Off