How can the sheep let their shepherds know of their displeasure? A recent exchange between me and an internet priest-not Fr. Z or Fr. DL:
To: Fr. X
From: Me
Recently I mentioned in the confessional my anger at Catholic bishops and priests who say and do things in public that are contrary to Catholic teaching, such as Jesuits who publicly support the homosexual and abortion agendas. On the other hand one might read commentary from a Jesuit that is exactly in line with Church teaching. My priest told me there is no need to worry about events that occur in other parishes or dioceses far away from where I live and to find a local church and priest that I like and go there.
I did not find his answer acceptable. I do not think it right for ministers of the Church to foster ideas that are defined as gravely evil by the Church. If there is scandal in one part of the Church somewhere, is there not scandal for the whole Church?
In this day and age of open communications, doesn’t anyone within the hierarchy of the Church realize what confusion, anger, and distrust this creates among us pew-sitters? For example, priests celebrate gay Masses (not in my diocese) knowing that those in attendance reject Church teaching on sexual sin and they receive communion with a clear heart. The bishop of that church says and does nothing. While back in my own little church far away I sweat every day my sexual weaknesses, pray, and abstain from communion until I have made a proper confession. This does not make sense!
Secondly, why is there a tolerance within these Orders and the bishops in general of priests who act in ways-both materially and consistently-that is against Church teaching? I would not ignore them. I would tell them kindly to get back in line or throw them out.
How can the Church say we must evangelize the world when it hasn’t done its own house-cleaning?
Me
To: Me
From: Fr. X
It is odd that God didn’t make me and you bishops. If God had known what He was doing He would certainly have put you and me in charge. Forget the bishops tolerating these things. Someone should straighten out the Almighty. And what was this business about making Judas that thief and traitor the first church treasurer and that coward Peter the first pope? God should have His head examined!
Fr. X
To: Fr. X,
From: Me
Thank you for personally replying. I did not expect it knowing that you lead a very busy life. You need not be sarcastic with me in thinking that I think that God has erred in the selection of bishops, etc. I do not think that at all and it was not the basis for my questions. I believe that we have a right to question the soundness of certain actions, especially in this day and age of instant internet communications, wherein persons in authority may find it hard to keep things private. In this I refer to the teaching of faith and morals only.
It may very well be that God has a very good reason for keeping the wolves in sheep’s clothing in place. It does not mean we should sit back and do nothing. BTW, you didn’t answer a single one of my questions nor did you respond with theological authority.
There is one thing certain when dealing with liberal Catholics-they believe that Our Lord can be half-pregnant. Believe everything Christ said about Heaven and pretend He did not say a thing about sin, judgment, and Hell. (And also the enablers of sin.)
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Credit must be given to John Vennari for saving me the time to look up St. Thomas A. See his entire article: http://www.catholicapologetics.info/modernproblems/vatican2/wayward.htm
Saint Thomas Aquinas, in many passages of his works, upholds the principle that the faithful can rebuke and admonish Prelates. For example: “There being an imminent danger for the faith, prelates must be questioned, even publicly, by their subjects. Thus, Saint Paul, who was a subject of Saint Peter, questioned him publicly on account of an imminent danger of scandal in a matter of Faith. And, as the Glosa of Saint Augustine puts it (Ad Galatas 2,14), ‘Saint Peter himself gave the example to those who govern so that if sometime they stray from the right way, they will not reject a correction as unworthy even if it comes from their subjects’.”
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