tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post5053831770995315698..comments2024-03-21T00:15:48.886-07:00Comments on Philothea on Phire: Pointing Fingers at BishopsJayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09927474235629912604noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-39851731072122374852012-09-28T08:14:28.771-07:002012-09-28T08:14:28.771-07:00Dr. Jay,
Thanks for the mention.
One thing I wa...Dr. Jay,<br /><br />Thanks for the mention. <br /><br />One thing I wanted to clarify, a distinction I think got missed by some commenters.<br /><br />I'm specifically referring to <b>public</b> criticism, the kind that appears in blog posts and webmag articles where the author hasn't made any effort to do as Catechist Kev said, and "go up the chain" in private discussion. <br /><br />I'm all for contacting your bishop, or someone else's bishop, if you have a concern and are seeking to give or receive advice. I have done that myself consistent with Canon 212. <br /><br />Perhaps I should have titled my piece "On Publicly Criticizing Bishops." <br /><br />To quote a quote from a commenter on my blog from Cardinal Francis George. <br /><br />“The bishops of the Church make no attempt to speak for all Catholics; they never have. The bishops speak for the Catholic and apostolic faith, and those that hold that faith gather around them. Others disperse.” <br /><br />Again, my main point was the public criticism. It is divisive, at a time when we urgently need to stand united.Stacy Trasancoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14638075878905614981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-54739564893043341422012-09-26T07:31:15.617-07:002012-09-26T07:31:15.617-07:00So it all boils down to one thing: where do we get...So it all boils down to one thing: where do we get millstones?Brother Juniperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106991469009619453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-75809244120579350862012-09-26T06:01:27.779-07:002012-09-26T06:01:27.779-07:00Great comment, CK - yeah, I've had my eye poke...Great comment, CK - yeah, I've had my eye poked a few times, too. We are supposed to be stones sharpening each other, or something like that, right?<br /><br />And yes, the bishops have such a responsibility for souls...and I think we have a responsibility for their souls. By bringing our concerns to them, and by persisting in our desire for the precepts and doctrine of the Church to be followed and taught, we help them work out their salvation as well. I think they'd rather be "corrected" by a lay person than suffer the consequences of lax teaching in purgatory. <br /><br />Good for your octogenarian friend!Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09927474235629912604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-42691804949310254812012-09-26T03:30:14.459-07:002012-09-26T03:30:14.459-07:00We should allow *our own eyes* to be poke every on...We should allow *our own eyes* to be poke every once in a while, too. :)<br /><br />I know I need it. Certainly, as our Blessed Lord *said*:<br /><br />"Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Mt. 7:5)<br /><br />What is He speaking of? Fraternal correction in the second half of this verse.<br /><br />Okay, we aren't "brothers" to our bishops in the same sense that *their* "brothers" are bishops, this is true.<br /><br />However, as Dr. Jay has pointed out *very well* with her excellent information in her posts - if we encounter abuse *of any kind* (physical/mental, liturgical, doctrinal) we have the duty and obligation to "go up the chain" if nothing gets done about it at the lowest level.<br /><br />Then, once one has contacted the chancery and nothing gets done, by all means contact the bishop personally.<br /><br />One of the spiritual works of mercy is to admonish sinners. I, as a father of five, have been admonished in one way or another by not only my beautiful wife... but also in certain ways by our children!<br /><br />Sheesh, talk about being humbled. ;)<br /><br />Our bishops have the three-fold duty, as title holders of the office of "bishop," to teach, govern, and sanctify.<br /><br />+ Teach the faith - wholly and entirely the orthodox Truth<br /><br />+ Govern their diocese - it is a Kingdom, don't forget. It has laws and rules the bishop should proclaim and enforce.<br /><br />+ Sanctify their flock - i.e. via the sacraments... especially, *the* source and summit sacrament, the Most Holy Eucharist and the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.<br /><br />It is a matter of salvation of souls if they are derelect in those tasks. It is their vocation.<br /><br />I have a freind who is a little, ahem!, elderly (80+). She has a 30 minute meeting with our bishop tomorrow. She has some "items" she wants to go over with him (he is fairly new... a little over a year now in his office). She is going to ask him about teaching the seminarians Latin, having the extraordinary form of the Mass celebrated in the diocese, certain liturgical abuses that are prevalent, etc....<br /><br />What an example! When I grow up I hope to be like her. :)<br /><br />CK<br />Catechist Kevnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-16784902851398811242012-09-25T17:56:43.001-07:002012-09-25T17:56:43.001-07:00Agreed, HSE! Before, after, and during.Agreed, HSE! Before, after, and during.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09927474235629912604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-39359120166978923392012-09-25T17:39:53.703-07:002012-09-25T17:39:53.703-07:00I would like to think that we would never "gi...I would like to think that we would never "give up" on our Bishops and give them that "poke in the eye" when needed. However, there is always a delicate balance to consider. Might I suggest that we pray before poking? : ) HSEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1531497517644951122.post-35779754968026495112012-09-25T12:57:52.954-07:002012-09-25T12:57:52.954-07:00Another Great Post : thanks so much
I am concerne...Another Great Post : thanks so much <br />I am concerned with our Bishops, I do respect them and pray for them BUT...we can not have these Bishops closing their eyes to scandal and evil ..we must take a stand and fight for the complete TRUTH ...they are in a very serious position and may God have Mercy on them ..may they have the courage to stand up for the Gospel ...as Jesus did !Jeannie Hollerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865018937964493630noreply@blogger.com