Anyone else here in the LEM programme

[decn2b]

I am currently enrolled in my diocesan L.E.M. (lay ecclessial ministry) program. I can honestly say I dislike it very much but it MUST be completed in my diocese PRIOR to Deaconate formation. I always tell myself “if you feel called to the diaconate, then you must endure this program”…

Well,

L.E.M. so far is like a really really really bad RCIA program that is run by Hans Kung and Richard McBrein. The class on Reconciliation was downright HERETICAL. It was run by a priest who is Mentioned in Roses’ ‘GOODBYE GOOD MEN’. The lecture is summarized by this priest theologian telling us that confession is a developing sacrament that will likely change into a “communal” generic confessing by the “faith Community” as a group that will not mention individual sins but the sins of “society” . The insidious message of the whole lecture was that sin was not really an individual thing but a “community” or “societal” thing.

The thing that bothered me the most was the fact that most of the people in this program were obviously so mis-informed of their faith that they thought it was actually a church teaching. And they were buying it.

I tell you folks I thought my diocese was moderately liberal…it is radically liberal.

Pray for me y’all

 

[asquared]

the diaconate formation and LEM (love the acronym, reminds us that this entire concept is exploring uncharted territory, like the moon) programs in the last 3 dioceses we lived in were suspended by incoming bishops for the same reasons you describe: taught by heretics and dissenters, producing heretical and dissenting ministry types who thought themselves the equal or even superior of priests and who have done incalculable damage to the parishes they served and to their own spiritual life.

Our bishop has just announced a restoration of the diaconate formation, which begins with the San Juan Diego Lay Ministry Institute which is in its 2nd year. All those in liturgical ministry are required to complete the Basic Christian Belief portion, and the modules on the Eucharist and their ministry. Prospective deacons will complete the entire program, then go on to their own formation.

The program, its directors and teachers are rock solid and it has the makings of one of the best programs in the country, which is why of course a lot of dissenting pastors are boycotting it, and refuse to even recommend candidates from their own parishes, or to even publicize its existence.

for the time being, there is no provision to form DREs or catechists through this Institute. The diocesan office of catechetics has their own programs, based on nationally available programs which are not dissenting or problematic, just not as strong as they could and should be. The DRE formation program is just being revived this year, for years the only option was to travel to San Antonio. The presenters are solid and go well beyond the rather elementary resources used. the catechist formation programs are suitable to the majority of those in need of them, many of whom are volunteers without higher education, and themselves poorly catechized.

The Catholic school religion teachers also have their own continuing education programs, some presenters are excellent (Grace McKinnon used to be one) and some of whom are disasters.