Don't blame the bees
By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Sep 04, 2013
As an amateur beekeeper I am troubled by this report that thousands of bees “took over” a Catholic church in Texas.
First, the bees were outside the church, up near the steeple. They were no threat to the people on the ground or the worshippers inside the building. The bees were in residence long enough to build a good deal of comb: a process that must have taken at least a few weeks. Were services disrupted? I doubt it. Sure, it might have been imprudent to dance around on the roof while they were there, but when is it prudent to dance on the roof?
We’ve had enough stories about angry groups disrupting Catholic services. There’s no evidence that these bees were disruptive—they were just minding their own business—nor even that they were angry.
Oh, and a bee-yard is called an apiary. An aviary is for the birds. Like this story.
Phil Lawler has been a Catholic journalist for more than 30 years. He has edited several Catholic magazines and written eight books. Founder of Catholic World News, he is the news director and lead analyst at CatholicCulture.org. See full bio.
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Posted by: dover beachcomber -
Dec. 26, 2017 12:42 PM ET USA
Once the Pope formed this commission, it became a sign of the Church’s resolve on a very important topic. Whether it goes or stays now, a message will be sent to the Church and the world: either that it intends to remain highly vigilant, or that it hopes that the dust has settled enough to return to business as usual. I’d say that Rome can’t take a chance on sending the latter message. Now that it exists, the commission’s got to stay.
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Posted by: dfp3234574 -
Dec. 20, 2017 1:37 PM ET USA
Dismantling this commission is a *good* thing. Enough, already! The Church has done everything in its power - more than any other institution on the planet - to root out this problem. The mere continuation of this commission would do nothing but give more fodder for those who attack the Church. This commission would accomplish absolutely nothing meaningful. The focus of the Church should be enhanced fidelity to Christ and His teachings, and nothing else.
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Posted by: Flavian -
Sep. 05, 2013 3:39 PM ET USA
Were they African bees? Then the parishioners were justified in their fear. They are not the docile bees that distinguish European honey bees.
