What Would You Do

[Autumn Dusk]

I have a parish priest (retired) who has started to become a thorn in my side.

 

Because of the election of the new pope he just sent out a page-long email addressed to the pope that he wants us to help "go viral" until the church "pays attention"

 

In short he talks about how backwards the church is, how we are mean to homosexuals, how we have to open our eyes to abortion, (and we're not talking against abortion).  He is very vague in most things, but knowing him and having heard his rants before I know what he means.

 

He closes by suggesting open communion...that we should all be able to receive no matter what we believe.

 

I've already written to the associate pastor.  He's solidly orthodox.  The Pastor himself is medium...he's of the "I don't like to stir the pot" variety.

 

What would you do?

[Roamin Catholic]

How is the Bishop? I know there are some Bishops who will put a priest like that in their place when they start spreading information that is contrary to church teaching. We had that happen in our diocese when a priest donated to the Gay marriage side; the donation was made public, and the bishop wrote a very stern letter in the local papers and parishes talking about obedience etc.. plus he had a private meeting with the priest. 

 

It might be worth the try. The problem will be if he is being so vague that it makes the accusations easy to deny. 

[Autumn Dusk]

How is the Bishop? I know there are some Bishops who will put a priest like that in their place when they start spreading information that is contrary to church teaching. We had that happen in our diocese when a priest donated to the Gay marriage side; the donation was made public, and the bishop wrote a very stern letter in the local papers and parishes talking about obedience etc.. plus he had a private meeting with the priest. 

 

It might be worth the try. The problem will be if he is being so vague that it makes the accusations easy to deny. 

 

 

The only non-vague part was open communion.  I'm not sure about the bishop...he's new.

 

The problem is that * surprise* the priest is Jesuit  so while he's under the command of the Bishop, he answers to someone out-of-dioceses also.

[Roamin Catholic]

The only non-vague part was open communion.  I'm not sure about the bishop...he's new.

 

The problem is that * surprise* the priest is Jesuit  so while he's under the command of the Bishop, he answers to someone out-of-dioceses also.

 

Well, if he is performing public ministry through a parish. Retired or not; he still falls under the Bishop to a certain degree. 

 

If it is a fairly new Bishop, that would mean it was a Benedict appointment and most of them have been good so far. 

 

I'd try it. The worst thing that would happen is that everything remains as is. 

[T-fish]

When Jesus fed the many.....did he refuse those who came to hear? 

I don't like that about the Church either.

 

And the Church should preach "Procreation, not Recreation" instead of this pro-life bullshit and pushing away single mothers.

How many kids have been adopted by Catholic families who have no children? Or yet these old farts getting married in the Church should be made to 

take in a few foster children.

 

How many Catholic schools really mimic DeSales and Don Bosco?

 

Sorry, what was the question?

Why don't you talk to the priest yourself and ask him. Go to confession and then tell him your thoughts.

Maybe he will tell you what he means.

Buona fortuna.

 

 

[Autumn Dusk]

Well, if he is performing public ministry through a parish. Retired or not; he still falls under the Bishop to a certain degree. 

 

If it is a fairly new Bishop, that would mean it was a Benedict appointment and most of them have been good so far. 

 

I'd try it. The worst thing that would happen is that everything remains as is. 

 

 

Ok, I'm going to the associate pastor first, but I'll probably wind up with the Bishop.  I'm hugely uncomfortable with the whole thing.  Spouting off in a 10 person Bible Study is one thing, sending a letter to dozens and asking them to make it viral is another.

 

When Jesus fed the many.....did he refuse those who came to hear? 

I don't like that about the Church either.

 

And the Church should preach "Procreation, not Recreation" instead of this pro-life the essence of cow and pushing away single mothers.

How many kids have been adopted by Catholic families who have no children? Or yet these old fluffy air extractions getting married in the Church should be made to 

take in a few foster children.

 

How many Catholic schools really mimic DeSales and Don Bosco?

 

Sorry, what was the question?

Why don't you talk to the priest yourself and ask him. Go to confession and then tell him your thoughts.

Maybe he will tell you what he means.

Buona fortuna.

 

I don't know who you are, but you seem rather confused about Catholocism.  I don't need to go to Confession to talk to him, I can go to Bible Study or various other Church events.  He has made his opinions quite clear. 

 

I don't know about your area, but the Catholic Charities is the single biggest supporter of families, single or otherwise.  They often help families when state benefits won't or when they are unfairly denied.

 

 

My concern is what to do about a letter that has very vague but concerning elements that a priest has asked the parish to help go viral.

 

Even if the priest was 100% orthodox, the whole idea of making a letter go viral reeks of personal egotism.

Edited March 18, 2013 by Autumn Dusk

[Roamin Catholic]

How many kids have been adopted by Catholic families who have no children? 

 

 

And your point is? Maybe the couple isn't a financial position or living situation to have their own biological children. Bringing adoptive children into the picture wouldn't be any better. Also, some people aren't cut out to be adoptive parents. It isn't easy, forcing people to adopt would just create a whole other set of problems. 

 

 

Or yet these old fluffy air extractions getting married in the Church should be made to take in a few foster children.

 

Also, What is wrong with old people getting married? And at what age would you cut it off at? 

[Roamin Catholic]

Ok, I'm going to the associate pastor first, but I'll probably wind up with the Bishop.  I'm hugely uncomfortable with the whole thing.  Spouting off in a 10 person Bible Study is one thing, sending a letter to dozens and asking them to make it viral is another.

 

Associate pastors don't have much power? Was the offending priest the pastor? If not, try writing the pastor. You could always write the pastor/associate pastor and CC the bishop. I'd also do all of this in writing, not email. 

[let_go_let_God]

A meeting with either your pastor or associate pastor should be enough to spark a discussion about this retired priest's behavior. You should also watch for the guidance of your pastor or associate pastor, however if they do nothing to reign in this priest, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about contacting your Bishop. I agree with R_C in contacting your bishop through writing rather than email. I would also include a copy of what the original priest had sent out trying to go "viral". Also if your bishop is still relatively new, he may be appreciative to know of the problems in his diocese.

[Autumn Dusk]

Associate pastors don't have much power? Was the offending priest the pastor? If not, try writing the pastor. You could always write the pastor/associate pastor and CC the bishop. I'd also do all of this in writing, not email. 

 

 

The associate pastor is someone who I trust very firmly.  The pastor is a good guy but I don't know him very well.

 

A meeting with either your pastor or associate pastor should be enough to spark a discussion about this retired priest's behavior. You should also watch for the guidance of your pastor or associate pastor, however if they do nothing to reign in this priest, you shouldn't feel uncomfortable about contacting your Bishop. I agree with R_C in contacting your bishop through writing rather than email. I would also include a copy of what the original priest had sent out trying to go "viral". Also if your bishop is still relatively new, he may be appreciative to know of the problems in his diocese.

 

 

I'll save everything.  To make things more complicated I've had the email bounced to me from another parishioner >.>  

[let_go_let_God]

I'll save everything.  To make things more complicated I've had the email bounced to me from another parishioner >.>  

 

Absolutely, the more you save the less that said priest can deny. I speak from my own parish work experience where saving stuff has been very beneficial.

 

God bless-

LGLG

[Roamin Catholic]

The associate pastor is someone who I trust very firmly.  The pastor is a good guy but I don't know him very well.

 

 

 

I'll save everything.  To make things more complicated I've had the email bounced to me from another parishioner >.>  

 

 

Two things- 

 

If you trust him, by all means talk to him about what you should do. Just be prepared to be talking to the Pastor. The associate might defer to him. 

 

Also, does the forwarded email still trace back to the priest? You'll want to be careful to not be in a situation where the priest can say this is all made up and just an attack on him. 

[socalscout]

I have a parish priest (retired) who has started to become a thorn in my side.

 

Because of the election of the new pope he just sent out a page-long email addressed to the pope that he wants us to help "go viral" until the church "pays attention"

 

In short he talks about how backwards the church is, how we are mean to homosexuals, how we have to open our eyes to abortion, (and we're not talking against abortion).  He is very vague in most things, but knowing him and having heard his rants before I know what he means.

 

He closes by suggesting open communion...that we should all be able to receive no matter what we believe.

 

I've already written to the associate pastor.  He's solidly orthodox.  The Pastor himself is medium...he's of the "I don't like to stir the pot" variety.

 

What would you do?

 

Get the leadership courage and speak to the priest and ask him what he meant and what it sounds to you. Clear it up because emails do not do a thought or opinion justice.

 

I do think we are a little harsh on homosexuals in general because we do not make it very clear the difference between homosexuality and homosexuals. Granted most homosexuals define themselves by their homosexuality which leads to the criticism and I concur with it. We don’t have hetero parades or TV shows specifically defining us as heteros but I am talking about the faithful and we as a Church do not do a good job of expressing much empathy towards them. Some Parishes do have programs but we as a whole are not very inviting of that part of the flock.

 

 It has got to be harsh living a vocation that is not chosen by you without any possibility of living a life outside of celibacy unless you turn. Single heteros are restricted to celibacy before they marry but homosexuals are restricted to celibacy forever. No they should never be allowed to marry or have civil unions and I think we Christians don’t really empathize with it. We quote directly from scripture, tell them they are sinning and pretty much leave them to deal with it.

 

As far as abortion goes you have to ask him about that one. Advocating abortion is a far cry from telling people to be nice to homosexuals.

 

Just my observations. I have family members and a friend who are homosexual and they know my stance on homosexuality and the Church but I think I would do a worse service to Christ if I rejected them than to lead by example and hope someday they do too.

[Didacus]

I would issue a competive email, send it to as many people I can and hope it goes twice as viral as his.

The content of my email, of course, would be per Church reachings.

 

Happy to help you with that!

:winner:

[Gabriela]

Get the leadership courage and speak to the priest and ask him what he meant and what it sounds to you. Clear it up because emails do not do a thought or opinion justice.

 

I do think we are a little harsh on homosexuals in general because we do not make it very clear the difference between homosexuality and homosexuals. Granted most homosexuals define themselves by their homosexuality which leads to the criticism and I concur with it. We don’t have hetero parades or TV shows specifically defining us as heteros but I am talking about the faithful and we as a Church do not do a good job of expressing much empathy towards them. Some Parishes do have programs but we as a whole are not very inviting of that part of the flock.

 

 It has got to be harsh living a vocation that is not chosen by you without any possibility of living a life outside of celibacy unless you turn. Single heteros are restricted to celibacy before they marry but homosexuals are restricted to celibacy forever. No they should never be allowed to marry or have civil unions and I think we Christians don’t really empathize with it. We quote directly from scripture, tell them they are sinning and pretty much leave them to deal with it.

 

As far as abortion goes you have to ask him about that one. Advocating abortion is a far cry from telling people to be nice to homosexuals.

 

Just my observations. I have family members and a friend who are homosexual and they know my stance on homosexuality and the Church but I think I would do a worse service to Christ if I rejected them than to lead by example and hope someday they do too.

 

I concur with your compassionate stance on homosexuality. I don't think it's Catholic doctrine that's unkind to them, though, just our habitual practice. We could easily (if we wanted to) remain in line with Catholic doctrine and still behave more compassionately toward them. Which is what we ought to do, as you rightly point out...