singerlady:
I still have “The Taste of Honey” running through my mind. Some weeks it’s there, other weeks it isn’t. Our pastor doesn’t really care. We are treated to his liberal/progressive views, but he’s not interested in anything we have to say. I have begun composing my own letter to the bishop.
I encourage you to write your letter to Bishop Carlson as it is certainly within your right to communicate to the Shepherd and he will sincerely consider your views. He is a good and Holy man who will shepherd your diocese guided by the Holy Spirit.
As I’ve read your comments, I sense a great deal of frustration and impatience. However, I urge you to be patient. He will do things according in his way and time as he discerns guidance from the Holy Spirit.
I’m one who accepts the authority of the Pope and my Bishop. I trust that the Holy Spirit picked the Pope, the Pope was inspired when he picked my Bishop and the Holy Spirit called my Priest to the Priesthood.
Do I sometimes think there are misinterpretations that have led to liturgical abuses and poor teaching of the faithful? Yes as these men are human subject to human weakness. The question is how I respond. I can express externally my disagreement to others in a tone that disrepects their legitimate authority which is essentially scandal as it appears that we can be selective on what authority we accept. Or I can express my disagreement through prayer that they better reconcile their teaching to that of Rome.
Even in the most egregious examples, I have yet to have seen a situation where the Priest or Bishop’s intent is to lead people away from Christ yet so much of the criticism seems to imply such a motive. It serves our Church for us to assume the best of motives even when they are wrong and to trust that ultimately the power of the Holy Spirit will prevail. Do you really believe that your Priest has an evil agenda?
Give Bishop Carlson time to effect changes that took decades to become “ingrained”. As he expects his authority to be respected, he must do so in a way that respects the authority of your previous Bishop, no matter how misguided that Bishop may have been. To otherwise is an assault on the entire concept of Church Authority.