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This link will keep 'parishioners-at-large' in touch with current creative liturgy sources and resources that respect a variety of 'traditions' within the Church.

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A 'movement' of lay Catholics 'inspired' by the abuse scandal calling for greater accountability of bishops to 'Catholics in the Pew.'

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Vital information about the disclosure of sexual abuse and related issues affecting Catholics in the pew and the manner in which Bishops continue to exempt themselves from accountability

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Daily Scripture

+ 7th Week of Easter

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

Readings: Acts 20:17-27 Psalm 68:10-11, 20-21 John 17:1-11

I am in the world no longer, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. [John 17:11]

Shakespeare ‘penned’ the phrase quoted above. I didn’t understand it as a student of Shakespeare in high school but I began to understand it when I waved goodbye to my family as I sailed off to Italy on September 21, 1963 for a three-year stretch in Rome. In fact, it has multiple meanings and applications that I appreciate now more than ever before.

There is another phrase that perhaps gives credence to my thoughts so poorly expressed and it’s this: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” Ah, that’s it. At times we need to separate from ‘the source’ in order to appreciate how important it is to stay connected.

The farewell speech of St. Paul in Acts and the farewell ‘prayer’ of Jesus in John’s gospel were more likely composed by the authors of these texts along the lines of the farewell speeches of great leaders of their times in order to attract the attention of Jesus’ followers.

The departure of Jesus and later that of Paul created ‘fallow’ time in the hearts of the neophyte believers that was absolutely necessary if they were to grasp the significance of Jesus’ message and the teachings of St. Paul.

We are once again in ‘fallow’ time as we prepare for Pentecost. It’s a time of discernment during which we are invited to ponder the words and deeds of Jesus so that in his absence, we may come to know his presence in the Spirit that remains within us and around us.

As we ponder, it is important to reflect on the gifts of the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and reverence of the Lord. And the fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities that are characteristic of a community living in Christ: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty self-control and chastity.

There is much to ponder as we wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

Daily Scripture

Friday March 26, 2010

+ 5th Week in Lent

Let the prophets speak.

Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 18:2-7 John 10:31-42

They fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, “I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?” [John 10:31-32]

It’s curious to me that our Church hierarchy that has taken such a prophetic stand for life is so reluctant to listen to the prophets that have been addressing another life issue – the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults by priests and even bishops. I am referring not only to sexual abuse but to physical and psychological abuse. As clear and explicit as the Holy Father has been on the rights of the unborn, why does he allow himself to be protected behind a wall of silence or prevarication and equivocation by those who surround him. Knowing what I know about how the Vatican system works, there is an inconsistency between the moral edicts of every kind it issues and its inability to hold itself accountable to the same moral standards and principles as they pertain to the inner workings of the Church. It is very disheartening indeed. The Pope’s credibility has not been enhanced and it will continue to decline until the full truth is exposed.

Jeremiah was a prophet who spoke to the religious and political leaders of his age without equivocation. He didn’t mince his words and he paid the price.

Jesus was the prophet of prophets who spoke to the religious leaders of his time. He too paid the price.

To listen to Bill Donohue of the Catholic League this morning on the John Gambling show as he went on his usual tirade about the New York Times and its attempt to depose the Pope (his opinion) as it exposed the truth of what has been taking place in our Church was another example of how easy it is to shoot the messenger. He suggested that the problem of abuse is worse in the public school system and just as bad among orthodox Jews. His words were sickening.

Hmmm, I remember my mom’s response when I used to defend my wrongdoings to my mom by saying “everyone else is doing it… “ etc. “Well, you are not everyone else!” Do we not hold ourselves to a higher standard? Is there not a real story there when a Church that claims to be the ‘true church’ of Jesus Christ is unable to handle full disclosure of the truth?

Once again, the mantra shouts from the heavens: “There will be no healing until there is justice; no justice without the full truth; no truth without full accountability.”

The Pope’s apology during his visit to the United States rang hallow and his latest apology is no better.

None of the five communications that I have addressed to Rome: Two to the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy, One to Pope John Paul’s personal priest secretary, one to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger when he was Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, one (hand delivered) to Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (successor to Benedict XVI), and numerous communications to Archbishop Sambi, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, were ever acknowledged.

I have been involved as an advocate in a case involving substantial allegations against a prominent priest of the Archdiocese of New York. The case has been pending for over six years without a response from Rome.

There is a serious cancer in the system and it is not going to disappear. I have known from the outset that this scandal would eventually reach the doors of the Pope.

Integrity within the Catholic hierarchy has sunk to a new low.

Kill Jeremiah, execute Jesus and kill the prophets who speak truth to power. The more things change, the more they remain the same.