Alt bishop

I had no idea the new bishop of Springfield, Illinois, was so into the alternative music scene.

According to an article in the State Journal-Register yesterday, Bishop Thomas Paprocki uses lyrics from Coldplay and Linkin Park in his homilies.

"He likes to sing during his homilies, especially when doing (the sacrament of) Confirmation," said Springfield Catholic Diocese spokeswoman Kathie Sass, who added that he often asks young people what music they listen to and then tries to incorporate it in his homilies.

I knew then-Father Thomas Paprocki when he was chancellor of the Chicago Archdiocese and don't recall him being quite so hip then. I appreciate any attempt to connect with popular culture, but I wonder if Catholic teens just roll their eyes when a 57-year-old bishop starts quoting "In the End." Just sayin'.