Catholic bishop resigns, admits he has 2 kids

[atheistgirl]

So, uh…the Bishop was not married to the woman…okay…so…why does the Archdiocese feel a responsibility to help support the mother and children?

I didnt quite understand that part either I couldnt see the connection between what this man did, the woman and children concerned, and the church. How have they been supported to date? I cant quite see why the ‘church’ feels the need to be responsible for what these two individuals chose to do. It’s not like it was an accident after losing control in a one night stand! They have two children together, who are now teens. There’s lots about this story I dont quite understand, but I freely admit the finer machinations of the church are beyond me.

Sarah x

 

[ringil]

Of course the Church needs to support this family!!

How could you even ask this? The Bishop is the Churchs’ “man”. The Body of Christ bears the sins of it’s members and must bear the responsibility of such an important member as a Bishop!

We’re not just talking about a corporation here. We’re talking about Christ’s Church. We don’t simply look at the least legal responsibilities and do that. We look to do the RIGHT thing.

Geez. . . . .

 

[atheistgirl]

When is someone going to write an article about all the bishops, priests and religious who actually keep their vows?

This is a wonderful sentiment and so true. So many good and decent Catholic priests, Bishops, nuns and so on - but I guess the issue is theyre doing what theyre called to do and supposed to do, so it doesnt make good copy!

Sarah x

 

[atheistgirl]

Of course the Church needs to support this family!!

How could you even ask this? The Bishop is the Churchs’ “man”. The Body of Christ bears the sins of it’s members and must bear the responsibility of such an important member as a Bishop!

We’re not just talking about a corporation here. We’re talking about Christ’s Church. We don’t simply look at the least legal responsibilities and do that. We look to do the RIGHT thing.

Geez. . . . .

OK well if that was addressed to me … take a breath and calm down … I’m a bit worried about all that wheezing at the end of the post

I was just asking. That’s all. I am simply trying to understand from the Catholic/Chruch perspective.

It raises a lot of questions in my mind then… why is the church going to be responsible now? The kids are teens, and as any parent here knows, two teens, preceded by two kids, aint cheap!!! How have they been supported to date? By the Bishop? If so, where does he get his money from? Are Bishops on a salary? Im asking because I dont know! If the church nor the Bishop have been supporting them to date - theyve obviously been managing ok - so why the need to pay their university fees etc from Church funds? Im not sure how I would feel about that if I was a parishoner - contributing to the church collection for the church only to realize a percentage is going to support this Bishops children!. I totally get and understand the charitable aspect, but if it’s not needed, why do it. Are there more deserving cases? Does the Church do this for every unmarried catholic couple - pay the kids university fees etc.
Like I said, I could understand a bit better if it was an emotional night that got out of hand, but with two teens it seems to imply there was a family relationship of some length and fortitude. Is the Bishop qualified, I mean, a teacher, or whatever … shouldnt he find a job and support his family like everyone else would have to do?

Feel free to ignore all this if the questions cause offence … these are just some of the questions this raised in my mind … I do not mean for it to be construed in any way as being disrespectful to the Bishop, his family, or the Church.

Sarah x

 

[ringil]

Oh, sorry. I got a little excited.

 

[unafraid]

Many among us believe that all of this corruption and infidelity has been prophesied relative to certain Marian Apparitions, both approved, and yet to be approved. Still, it can be quite chilling to live in this new age of rampant apostasy and blasphemy, along with the bitter enmity heaped upon the Church. These happenings are unsettling, and frighten even Pope Benedict XVI, who admitted as much after his last Fatima visit.

God has given us a powerful weapon for our defense: The Rosary. We should pray it daily. These blights visited upon the Church, and, in fact, the world, challenge us to respond, as individuals, and as members of the assembled “Bride of Christ”. We must strive to become holy; we must purify ourselves.

Purification of the faithful cannot be accomplished until those blessed to serve as consecrated messengers of the Gospels become cleansed themselves. Let us pray that the pilgrim Church on its way to perfection regains its moral authority through the intercession of Mary, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

However, we must never lose sight of the fact that no matter how flawed our Church may appear, Christ remains perfect, and in the end, it is He who shall heal all wounds, and gather all peoples. The old hymn says, “Come let us adore Him”, so if these things get you down why not go and participate in some Eucharistic Adoration, and maybe you will find… “Comfort and Joy!”.

 

[ringil]

Many among us believe that all of this corruption and infidelity has been prophesied relative to certain Marian Apparitions, both approved, and yet to be approved. Still, it can be quite chilling to live in this new age of rampant apostasy and blasphemy, along with the bitter enmity heaped upon the Church. These happenings are unsettling, and frighten even Pope Benedict XVI, who admitted as much after his last Fatima visit.

God has given us a powerful weapon for our defense: The Rosary. We should pray it daily. These blights visited upon the Church, and, in fact, the world, challenge us to respond, as individuals, and as members of the assembled “Bride of Christ”. We must strive to become holy; we must purify ourselves.

Purification of the faithful cannot be accomplished until those blessed to serve as consecrated messengers of the Gospels become cleansed themselves. Let us pray that the pilgrim Church on its way to perfection regains its moral authority through the intercession of Mary, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

However, we must never lose sight of the fact that no matter how flawed our Church may appear, Christ remains perfect, and in the end, it is He who shall heal all wounds, and gather all peoples. The old hymn says, “Come let us adore Him”, so if these things get you down why not go and participate in some Eucharistic Adoration, and maybe you will find… “Comfort and Joy!”.

You are reading too much into it and being dramatic. The Bishop did a graze sin. Period.

Marian apparitions. . . . . Really?

How about some practical solutions here.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

Well, I view it more as religion prevents most practitioners from being worse than average rather than making them so much better than average.

On the extreme edges, there are no Christian equivalents of the evil perpetrated by the avowedly non-Christian (and pretty well rabidly atheist) Stalin, Hitler or Pol Pot.

Neither, I would venture to say, is there really any atheist philanthropy equivalent to the totally self-donating charity done by a Mother Teresa or her like amongst Christian and non-Christian religious. Not to say that there aren’t people like Bill Gates who give a lot, but from what I’ve seen they certainly don’t deny themselves even the slightest luxury while going about it.

I always look at it this way: luxury means goods, which means jobs. People need jobs. I have ‘stuff,’ but people like Gates have more expensive stuff. I’m never going to condemn someone for buying ‘stuff.’

 

[Julia_Mae]

I’m speechless. Here is the news.

Whoa. The Archdiocese “reached out” to the mother to help with the kids’ college costs? Maybe he’ll order a second collection for that. It’s getting surreal.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I think since the diocese supports the bishop that means they have to support his reasonable expenses. If he’s a father, part of his reasonable expenses include supporting his children. All they have to do is give him a reasonable salary that a normal man with children would have, instead of the typical priest salary which is less since they are single and live on church property.

 

[ADiosgracias]

everybody talk about the bishop, and what about the woman??? She has the same mortal sin than he has.
We are all sinners. God has mercy on us all!!!

 

[KostyaJMJ]

I think since the diocese supports the bishop that means they have to support his reasonable expenses. If he’s a father, part of his reasonable expenses include supporting his children. All they have to do is give him a reasonable salary that a normal man with children would have, instead of the typical priest salary which is less since they are single and live on church property.

I doubt there are many contributors to the diocese comfortable with paying for the Bishop’s baby mama drama. Giving to any one parish is optional, so the parish needs to guard the money and use it wisely or they will be broke before too long.

 

[teresadeavila]

I can’t help but think of the children, WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG! But be fathered by a Bishop - sad that these children grew up without a father (at least as far as we know).

We’re all human, and while I love my faith, I really do have to wonder if celibacy should be voluntary. Wish media would cover stories of the many priests who DO follow their vow of celibacy and are chaste in behavior. It also does make you wonder how many secret relationships with priests and religious really exist out there. Just sayin’.

 

[ringil]

everybody talk about the bishop, and what about the woman??? She has the same mortal sin than he has.
We are all sinners. God has mercy on us all!!!

“to whom much is given much is expected.”

The Bishop was in a position of authority. This was a situation of a differential of power perpetrated by the Bishop.

Certainly the woman would carry some degree of personal culpability but that would be lmuch less than that carried by this Successor of the Apostles who carries blame on many different levels.

 

[ringil]

I doubt there are many contributors to the diocese comfortable with paying for the Bishop’s baby mama drama. Giving to any one parish is optional, so the parish needs to guard the money and use it wisely or they will be broke before too long.

Dioceses have ways of ensuring that collections don’t go to cover this ridiculous and embarrassing stuff.

Look at the huge mess in Boston. No collection or parish money was used in settling that horrible affair.

 

[ringil]

I can’t help but think of the children, WHO HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG! But be fathered by a Bishop - sad that these children grew up without a father (at least as far as we know).

We’re all human, and while I love my faith, I really do have to wonder if celibacy should be voluntary. Wish media would cover stories of the many priests who DO follow their vow of celibacy and are chaste in behavior. It also does make you wonder how many secret relationships with priests and religious really exist out there. Just sayin’.

I don’t believe celibacy is the issue here. Clearly this Bishop wasn’t prepared to meet the challenges of his promise of chastity.

 

[teresadeavila]

I don’t believe celibacy is the issue here. Clearly this Bishop wasn’t prepared to meet the challenges of his promise of chastity.

Very true, I don’t think celibacy solves this issue, but perhaps deserve an honest and open analysis and discussion by the Church, it is a rule that can change. I think these secret affairs are more common than we think.

 

[Lionheart2012]

If you really believe that this man had a secret family because of Vatican II and would not have had a secret family if it weren’t for Vatican II, then you apparently believe that he was able to get all the way to the rank of bishop without ever learning that he had taken a vow of celibacy.

Believe me, priests know whether they’re allowed to have sex. Even post Vatican II. If he stumbled, don’t blame that on the Council. That’s just silly.

I agree with your reasoning. This has nothing to do with Vatican II.

 

[nickybr38]

everybody talk about the bishop, and what about the woman??? She has the same mortal sin than he has.
We are all sinners. God has mercy on us all!!!

No mention of the woman because she isn’t the one who took vows.

 

[Godfollower]

No mention of the woman because she isn’t the one who took vows.

For that matter, she may well be a complete victim. Look at the various bigamy instances of men having multiple familes in different cities.