I’m getting e-mails from conservative Catholic readers who are ticked off by the “open letter” from conservative Catholic leaders, urging Catholic voters to reject Trump and to vote instead for “a genuinely reformist candidate.” The signatories are a Who’s Who of prominent conservative Catholics, among them Robert P. George of Princeton, and George Weigel. I’ll cite two that came in at about the same time.
I am convinced that the most advantageous situation and the best possible laws cannot maintain a constitution in spite of the manners of a country; whilst the latter may turn to some advantage the most unfavorable positions and the worst laws. The importance of manners is a common truth to which study and experience incessantly direct our attention. It may be regarded as a central point in the range of observation, and the common termination of all my inquiries.
Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas (1923-2011)
Above is an image taken today of the incorrupt body of Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas. He died in the summer of 2011, and was buried unembalmed, according to Orthodox tradition. On Friday his body was disinterred for transferral to his new tomb in St. Seraphim Orthodox Cathedral in Dallas, which was his own. When the cemetery personnel opened his coffin, they found Vladyka Dmitri incorrupt.
While Christianity remains the largest religion in all 50 states, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism are on the rise across the nation.
Chart: BofA
As the chart shows, Islam is the second largest religion in 20 states (mostly in the Midwest and South), Judaism in 14 states (mostly in the Northeast), and Buddhism in 13 states (mostly in the West).
This week, a Pennsylvania grand jury released its findings from a two-week investigation on the cover-up of sexual crimes committed by Catholic priests of the Altoona-Johnstown diocese. From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s report: