It is argued that the Catholic Church has lost the contraception fight and now must move on. Similarly, I am today hearing the same said about other issues. Pope Francis is asked about homosexuals and he says, “Who am I to judge?” Critics rashly interpret this as a change in the Church’s stance and a leading gay magazine names the Pope as “Man of the Year.” A special synod is called on the family and revisionists suggest a coming change regarding the reception of Holy Communion by divorced and remarried Catholics. But the Pope is still Catholic and I think the dissenters are in for a big surprise. It may be that we cannot judge the souls of individuals, but we can make moral distinctions between right and wrong. Those who commit serious sin are not in a proper disposition for the sacraments. The Pope is the servant of the Word, not its master. He cannot invalidate either divine positive law or natural law. Of course, what might happen is that many Catholics will become accustomed to an ever permeating silence— about birth control, about gay relationships, about invalid marriages, and God-forbid, even about the murder of unborn children. Here again with this last point, too many make too much of papal remarks about there being other moral concerns beyond abortion. The fact is the Church is facing conflict from every angle, including the martyrdom of Christians by ISIS swords.
An essential thrust to Vatican II was a dialogue with the world, not so that the Church might be converted to the world but that the world might be more receptive of Christ’s kingdom. Many of us feel that this remains an important mission for the Church. However, critics can rightly point at instances of impotency and weakness toward a hostile world that seems to be more successful than we are at winning hearts and minds. The Church faces a mocking atheistic secular modernity on one hand and a radical militant Islamic extremism on the other. The Church is not only caught in the middle but old friends have changed alliances.
Can the Church engage cultures that feign courtesy when we are on the same side of its agenda but otherwise find ourselves targeted for extinction? Fight against the death penalty for the guilty and we are applauded; but then we are commanded to lay down our arms in the battle against aborting children and euthanizing the sick and elderly. The bishops are praised for supporting healthcare but condemned for not wanting to provide free contraception and abortifacients. The Church was once rendered accolades for her orphanages and adoption services; but today is shut down for refusing adoptions to homosexuals and lesbians. The Islamic world once protected Christian minorities, and utilized them in government and in schools of higher learning; after all, they were the one minority that was so small it would never be a threat to the ruling powers. But today, fanatics will not rest until every drop of Christian blood is spilt or the men are converted. From the Islamic East to the Secular West, there is nowhere to run and no place to hide. It is for this reason that I fear silence. Peace today will only lead to worse wars tomorrow. Silence will be interpreted as assent, or worse still, retreat.
Filed under: Anti-Catholicism, Apologetics, Bishops, Catholic, Charity, Commandments, Conscience, Contraception, Faith, Family, Homosexuality, Islam, Magisterium, Marriage, Modesty, Morality, Pope, Pope Francis, Pro-Life, Religion, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Sin, Social Justice |
Blogger Priest 
http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350864?eng=y
Sorry to say this, but there is this priest I really like. He is so humble and so good looking. I don’t know who can help me. I just don’t get sleep at night. I think about him the whole day. I am worried because I know I am wrong and I am not supposed to be liking him. Who will help me get over this craze?
By the way, there is no annulment… yet. In this second round, the first instance court decide against nullity, again, a year ago.
I expect one to be granted because it liberates the Catholic Church from its massive irresponsibility. Certainly, there would have to be, yet another full rehearing in the event of a second instance decision for nullity. But, I am done with the process and, likely, with the Church.
It is unfair to expect you to recall, so I will remind you that our first case, which was initiated in January 1991 was completed in Rome in December 2002. It denied nullity.
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You are free to believe as you choose. I expect attitudes such as yours, it is no surprise to me. It is integral to the endless corruption both personal and corporate in the Catholic Church. Fortunately, I know many others in circumstances similar to mine, so you are condeming many people with your passive aggression. That, too, is evidence of the corruption.
We are liars because we do not fit in the roles you have forced us into.
You will see, on the day of your judgment, where the truth was.
Doubtlessly, you think you are merciful. To me you are not. You abuse with gentle manners.
Some of the most violent people I have seen dressed well and spoke elegantly. Some wore Roman Collars, but not all. So be it.
The Church will decay. It is inevitable and well deserved but it is tragic as well, when one has seen what I have. Please, do not pray for me, I honestly do not believe your prayers are sincere. They are biased. But, do as you will. You had me fooled for quite awhile.
Someday, when people like yourself grow up to understand that adultery is rape; Real Rape and not something one holds on to, then you might be able to begin to be humble enough, to begin to understand the violation that never stops.
Until you and all accept and understand, exactly, what is being done to us and what you are supporting, by supporting the Catholic Church and laws that do not punish unjust divorce with immense severity and certainty, you are rapists yourselves. Yet you offer mass as an unrepentant rapist. Nice, really nice!
I expect nothing of the sort. It is difficult for a person who has been wrong for many years to come to their senses. Sin, is fun. Rape is fun for the rapist and fun for its supporters. It is not so much fun for the victim(s).
I guess that is why Tex Antoine, the old weatherman from my youth was fired when he said, “When rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it.”
The game is over. Time to face it.
In May, when communion was given to my wife and her lover at the Cathedral in Raleigh during the mass at our son’s wedding, that was my breaking point. I walked out and drove home.
Yes, Burbidge knew ahead of time and ok’d it and Dolan agreed. I have his opinion in writing. Not worth being faithful any longer. Not to the Catholic Church or to our vows.
I have been alone for so long I doubt my behavior will change but internally, I am no longer married, nor Catholic. It has been a long time coming with many stutter steps but that act destroyed me.
Father Joe, of course we have a place to run (as you know better than most), straight to the rest found in Jesus. As for the unsaved secular world, most (if not all) have been informed of moral absolutes. They will make their choices,right or wrong. As you have said, we can’t control them . It is a free market place of information. You have helped make this so.
These murderous islamistists will never rest, they speak of God , but have none. They only seek to restore the military power (their power of plunder) once held by their 7th century idols. They are cowards unable to compete in the marketplace of productive ideas. In the end they will be cut down by the just sword of our Lord, his Spirit. We pray for courage , for us, and to be given to those who face that threat first hand. May the Lord Jesus hold back the hand that harms. peace.
Fr. Joe,
I get a little angry thinking about my own annulment. I was married for 23 yrs., and though I was the petitioner, I was upset to find out the petition was granted. During the process, I’d call to find out what stage it was in only to find out it had been pushed back because someone had all the plans in place to remarry. I think – hey, I wasn’t looking for an annulment to get remarried, I just wanted to find out if the marriage was in fact valid or invalid. Had it been valid, okay, maybe things could be put back together.
I found out getting divorced and receiving an annulment is trading one cross for another. I see other people remarry or live with someone or go out and they complain that they aren’t supposed to receive Holy Communion and blame the Church. Some tell me that “God understands — we have an arrangement” and receive the Sacraments.
I get bitter because I live a fairly solitary life. Though my family is broken, (and I still care for “that man” I was married to), it’s still my family.
Your posts help someone like me who tries to live a decent life even though I’ve gone off the grid more often than I’d like to remember. It’s like being a little girl in Catholic School with the Sisters or Priests talking to us about Jesus and how wonderful that He gave us His Church.
Thank you,
Joanne