Anything is possible in Tom Monaghan’s Utopia of Ave Maria, where the Pizza King rules. Yes, even the president of the university can be declared “Reverend”– all in a day’s work.
Monaghan, who is very busy with his 70-year plan to remake Catholicism in America, may have forgotten to inform the Bishop of this diocese about the extraordinary new appointment that has taken place in this remote town.
News of this event may not have reached the Bishop yesterday, before celebrating mass inside Monaghan’s colossal church. But maybe that’s a good thing– because any opposition from the Bishop regarding these private religious matters in Ave Maria, is almost more than we can bear.
It appears that the Pizza King has come up with another ecclesiastical appointment, as noted on Monday, August 30th by the watchful eyes of the Naples Daily News, which ran a front-page piece centered on an issue that had already been covered several weeks ago by other news and information services– about Bill Gates asking Tom Monaghan to join “The Giving Pledge”– a project where Gates and Warren Buffett ask the world’s richest to give “large chunks” of their wealth to charity.
“The Giving Pledge” seems more like a ”feel-good therapy program” for the very rich, with lots of “look-at-me-and-what-I’m-doing” publicity, with an even “bigger chunk” of spin attached to it. No quiet humble charity here.
But it seems that every one of Monaghan’s colossal stories has an equal colossal story behind it.
Back in the early days of Ave Maria Town, before Bishop Frank J. Dewane assumed responsibility of (and rescued) the liturgy, Nicholas J. Healy Jr., the president of Monaghan’s Ave Maria University (AMU) was referred to as ”Bishop Healy” by some in the town– as explained in the following excerpt:
In 2007, under Mr. Healy’s administration, a liturgical “directive” was issued through a priest who used to call himself “Chaplain” (a matter of public record). This liturgical “directive” stated authority over ecclesiastical matters at AMU. Father John Zuhlsdorf (Father Z) a famous American priest based in Rome, called this directive “pompous” and “inflammatory” on his widely read blog. It was during this time that people in Ave Maria began to refer to President Healy as “Bishop” Healy– while some of us quietly waited for Bishop Frank Dewane (the real Bishop) to exercise his authority.
Well, based on the Monday – August 30th Naples Daily News it appears that Nick Healy may have regained the title of “Reverend” – “Monaghan fills the chancellor position for the university and works closely with the Rev. Nicholas Healy, the president of Ave Maria, who said he’s not stunned by the recent pledge.”
In line with the pomp and circumstance of Monaghan’s own publicity, one must not underestimate yesterday’s “Rev. Nicholas Healy” announcement, which is of equal or greater importance to The Giving Pledge– given that this second round as “Reverend” is consistent with Monaghan’s declaration that his law professors work in a ”ministerial” capacity. A true deliverance from all the aggravation and inconvenience of diocesan approval and protocol.
And since Ave Maria does not seem to follow the prevailing tide of opinion, a recognition ceremony and a big parade is in order – with big signs that should read “We Love You, Reverend.” We have plenty of chances to do this while nobody is looking.
In the Town of Ave Maria, which is advertised for ”every lifestyle and every dream”– anything is possible, as we wait with bated breath for Monaghan to appoint our next pope.
Marielena Montesino de Stuart writes at Roman Catholic World.
Info: http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/aug/29/tom-monaghan-giving-pledge-ave-maria-university/
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