Fr. Andrew Greenly calls New Priests "Young Fogeys

[the_rev]

Some forty years ago, as the dramatic events of the Second Vatican Council unfolded, a spotlight was trained on the Catholic Church. It was, commentators said, a revolutionary time. The Church fathers broadened the canons of scriptural interpretation, invited other churches and denominations to engage in friendly dialogue, and attempted to understand the strengths of the modern world. They defended religious freedom, condemned anti-Semitism, and recalled the traditional notion that the Church was made up not just of its clerical hierarchy but also of its laity. They approved the translation of the liturgy into vernacular texts. Although in actual practice the reforms were only modest attempts at housekeeping, made by moderate men who had no intention of destabilizing the Church, they nevertheless contradicted the Church's traditional attitude toward reform—that the Church had not changed, would not change, and could not change. In that regard any reform at all was indeed remarkable.

For more than three decades now, as a sociologist and a priest, I have been tracking the evolution of the beliefs and practices of the Catholic clergy and laity in the United States. My most recent analysis, based on survey data that I and others have gathered periodically since Vatican II, reveals a striking trend: a generation of conservative young priests is on the rise in the U.S. Church. These are newly ordained men who seem in many ways intent on restoring the pre-Vatican II Church, and who, reversing the classic generational roles, define themselves in direct opposition to the liberal priests who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s.

[url="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200401/greeley"]http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200401/greeley[/url]

[djc08]

This is so true. But it's not just the priests...parents in our church are supriesed about the orthodoxy of the youth in my parish. Our Bishop even mentioned how suprised he is about the orthodoxy of the kids in our diocese.

[the_rev]

I know 75 percent of our seminarians and this stands true for all of them, they are people who love their vocaiton, and are in love with God, and really are tradiitonal and orthodox which is great news! I think our diocese has at least 8 guys studying to be priests who are in the 20's or early thirties and 95% of them are under 50.

[Era Might]

[quote name='the_rev' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:02 PM']These are newly ordained men who seem in many ways intent on restoring the pre-Vatican II Church, and who, reversing the classic generational roles, define themselves in direct opposition to the liberal priests who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Yes, my friend. The revolution is over.

Young men want to fulfill the vision John Paul II gave them. He is the model for future Priests, and they will bear much fruit going forward.

[MilesChristi]

[quote]These are newly ordained men who seem in many ways intent on restoring the pre-Vatican II Church, and who, reversing the classic generational roles, define themselves in direct opposition to the liberal priests who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s.[/quote]

These waves of new, orthodox priests aren't going to be "pre-Vatican II." Rather, they'll do their part to implement the [i]authentic[/i] teachings of Vatican II, following the documents instead of the "spirit."

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='MilesChristi' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:24 PM']These waves of new, orthodox priests aren't going to be "pre-Vatican II." Rather, they'll do their part to implement the [i]authentic[/i] teachings of Vatican II, following the documents instead of the "spirit."
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No, indeed, following the spirit and the letter of the Council. In truth, the two are not opposed. When they appear to be, we can be certain that we have misinterpreted.

[ironmonk]

[quote name='the_rev' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:02 PM']Some forty years ago, as the dramatic events of the Second Vatican Council unfolded, a spotlight was trained on the Catholic Church. It was, commentators said, a revolutionary time. The Church fathers broadened the canons of scriptural interpretation, invited other churches and denominations to engage in friendly dialogue, and attempted to understand the strengths of the modern world. They defended religious freedom, condemned anti-Semitism, and recalled the traditional notion that the Church was made up not just of its clerical hierarchy but also of its laity. They approved the translation of the liturgy into vernacular texts. Although in actual practice the reforms were only modest attempts at housekeeping, made by moderate men who had no intention of destabilizing the Church, they nevertheless contradicted the Church's traditional attitude toward reform—that the Church had not changed, would not change, and could not change. In that regard any reform at all was indeed remarkable.

For more than three decades now, as a sociologist and a priest, I have been tracking the evolution of the beliefs and practices of the Catholic clergy and laity in the United States. My most recent analysis, based on survey data that I and others have gathered periodically since Vatican II, reveals a striking trend: a generation of conservative young priests is on the rise in the U.S. Church. These are newly ordained men who seem in many ways intent on restoring the pre-Vatican II Church, and who, reversing the classic generational roles, define themselves in direct opposition to the liberal priests who came of age in the 1960s and 1970s.

[url="http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200401/greeley"]http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/prem/200401/greeley[/url]
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In Pope Leo's vision, God did allow satan to have power and authority until about now.... We also know that the dragon's tail will wipe 1/3 of the stars from Heaven... i.e. the clergy.

Vat. II wasn't the problem... the problem has been the liberals. I've even seen priests say in a homily that "many theologans do not believe in hell because we have such a loving God that He couldn't create such a place. That being in His presence at Judgement is to be in Heaven."... I wanted to walk out of that one, but didn't. I've had the same priest tell me that birth control is ok because today it is expensive to have a lot of kids. I wanted to say "What about relying on God, father?" - but I couldn't, I was speechless, and I prayed for him.



God Bless,
ironmonk

[ironmonk]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:52 PM']No, indeed, following the spirit and the letter of the Council.  In truth, the two are not opposed.  When they appear to be, we can be certain that we have misinterpreted.
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I agree... so many people followed what other people interpreted instead of reading for themselves what was written, there is no wonder why so many people didn't know what the spirit was/is.

God Bless,
ironmonk

[MilesChristi]

[quote name='Raphael' date='Feb 18 2006, 11:52 PM']No, indeed, following the spirit and the letter of the Council.  In truth, the two are not opposed.  When they appear to be, we can be certain that we have misinterpreted.
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You're right.

I put quotation marks around spirit in my post in reference to the Spirit of Vatican II often heralded by dissidents, which Pope Benedict specifically denounced in a speech before the Curia a while back.

There's no conflict between the true spirit and letter of the Council.

[Ash Wednesday]

So I suppose Greeley is an old hippie then?

It doesn't surprise me at all. As a Gen X Catholic, when I became of age I realized that I was raised on a lot of CCD milquetoast under the guise of Catholicism.

[Mercy me]

It is the JP2 generation. JP2 himself told us the truth boldly and lovingly. He sought out our generation and now the liberals are surprised that there has been a response. Now how can anyone be surprised that the truth has resonated in a new generation?

A note to Greenly's crowd: don't water down the truth. It rings hollow. But the truth resonates in the hearts of all who hear it.

[HisChild]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' date='Feb 18 2006, 09:33 PM']

It doesn't surprise me at all. As a Gen X Catholic, when I became of age I realized that I was raised on a lot of CCD milquetoast under the guise of Catholicism.
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LOL I hear you there! I actually left the Church for 2 years after being confirmed, as I felt that my CCD classes didn't teach me my faith at all. I didn't know what I was supposed to believe as a Catholic. It took me a lot of soul searching, reading and praying, to realize who I was as a Catholic.

As for us all being 'fogeys', that pertains to the women as well who are entering religious life. Looking at those communities who are exploding with numbers are those who are faithful to the Magesterium and faithful to orthodoxy within the church.

Lord Jesus grant that we may remain faithful within our Church, within our vocation no matter what that is, and within our relationship with you. Amen.

[Ash Wednesday]

Indeed -- if you're Gen X like me, our generation is older than than the JP2 Generation -- so we had lousy religious education....... but a really awesome pope, at least.

I've heard that the JP2 Generation and beyond are being blessed with a much more solid foundation and religious education thanks to John Paul II.

[MissScripture]

[quote name='djc08' date='Feb 18 2006, 09:08 PM']This is so true.  But it's not just the priests...parents in our church are supriesed about the orthodoxy of the youth in my parish.  Our Bishop even mentioned how suprised he is about the orthodoxy of the kids in our diocese.
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I think it's sort of a generational thing, and it kind of makes sense. Teenagers in general have a tendency to rebel a little. Look at what our parent's generation did, they rebelled and broke all of the rules...so what was left for our generation to rebel against? Tradition is the only way we could rebel. Additionally, the truth is better than lies, and we're coming to see the consequences of the previous generations' actions, and realize what the truth is. The truth will always be stronger than lies.

[Nathan]

[quote name='MissScripture' date='Feb 19 2006, 12:30 AM']Look at what our parent's generation did, they rebelled and broke all of the rules...so what was left for our generation to rebel against? Tradition is the only way we could rebel.[right][snapback]891646[/snapback][/right][/quote]

I certainly feel that way.