It's Unofficially Official

This year there have been 2 things that have been commented on & sightings of claimed more than about anything else, the Motu Proprio from Papa Benedetto to allow a greater use of the Tridentine liturgy & Fred Dalton Thompson's candidacy for the Republican nomination for president.

I've mostly kept from commenting on either event. 1 of the few things I said about the Moto was my 2007 prediction saying the sightings of it would rival those of Elvis. In recent weeks the same could be said about Fred Thompson's running for president.

Well, the dates of both events actually occuring seem to be drawing closer as insiders are now making statements.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos made the claim that it was on the way when he adressed the Latin American Bishops earlier this month at CELAM. He is head of the Vatican commission Ecclesia Dei. The commission was founded to help reconcile the Vatican with Lefebvre's followers. & if anyone should know what is up, he should.

& in an Op-Ed piece in today's (30 May 2007) NY Times, John L Allen Jr. says "A Senior Vatican Official" has confirmed that it will happen soon. He also refers to "Vatican authorities' & "Sources close to the pope" for back up at various points in the article. (Note that the officials are all unnamed, making his statements unconfirmable.)

So, while no actually date is out there, it seems like it will be sometiome in the next few months, MAYBE.

Meanwhile, it sounds like a more definite date for Sen. Thompson's announcement exists, shortly after 4 July 2007 to be exact. In a FoxNews report, they quote "inside sources" for the potential date. The report does caution that plans have not yet been solidified. But thigs are serious as they also quote a report from The Politico that he has raised millions of dollars.

Meanwhile a Newsmax report has 4 July as a possible date. But a later date is also possible. This article includes the following quote from Mark Corallo, a Thompson spokesman: "Senator Thompson is still seriously considering getting into the presidential contest and he is doing everything he has to do to make that final decision.said Stay tuned." So, we may see the announcement in early July, MAYBE.

Even though the 2 stories are basically unrelated, they do have a few interesting parallels. They include named & unnamed inside sources, possible dates, & plenty of speculation by the press, bloggers & others.

If &/or until either becomes official , the unconfirmed sightings will continue.

In the meantime, I wonder what poor Elvis is doing now that he is not the center of attention?

(For a good analysis of John Allen's piece, check out what Fr. Z has to say about it: John Allen in Hell’s Bible on the Motu Proprio .)