Facebook Posting

[brycehecht]

I am friends with a Catholic priest on Facebook. He is 33 years old, and was ordained in 2012. He is from my diocese, although as of now he is studying for a Licentiate in Canon Law. He is very intelligent. He is an avid Facebook poster, usually posting 3+ times per day. He makes “memes.” All of these memes are typically politically oriented. I get a vibe from him, through his posts, that he is very negative. He is constantly complaining about the government and family life. Today he posted about how he wonders what would happen if men started complaining on Facebook about fatherhood and marriage, as much as women did. This really bothered me. Yes, I understand that the state of marriage, family life, and the government is not necessarily the best right now, and yes, it is okay to poke fun at the government, but is it really necessary to start attacking the family? He starts arguments on Facebook through his posts all the time, and he does not have a peaceful approach. It comes off very snotty. I get the feeling that he feels that he is entitled to constantly criticize, under the name of “preaching.” Yes, preach all you want, I love that, because I want to be a priest, but is his constant negativity necessary? I think we need to focus on the love of God, and using that love to fix society, instead of dwelling constantly on the issues we know are there. Everyone knows church doctrine. We need to radiate love to the non-believers, because when one knows the love of God, the divine truth of God, will flow and settle into one’s heart.

 

[SummitJim]

As a frequent user of Facebook, I know it is easy to get caught up with it. It can be a useful forum for discussion, but with no malice intended I have to say the intelligence level shown on Facebook is nowhere near that on CAF. There are a lot of "haters on Facebook, with an axe to grind.

What I keep reminding myself, and maybe the good Father also needs to do, is that whatever you post is seen by pretty much the whole world, not just your “friends.” Some will always misrepresent what you say when they respond. As my wife reminds me, remember your station in life and what you might hope to accomplish with Facebook, and then let that guide what you post. Having a priest posting things that sound hateful does not reflect favorably on the Church. As long as he is publicly known as a priest, his opinions will be interpreted as the opinions and attitudes of the Church.

A word to this priest’s superior might be helpful, as it sounds as though some counselling is in order.

 

[suko]

Having a priest posting things that sound hateful does not reflect favorably on the Church. As long as he is publicly known as a priest, his opinions will be interpreted as the opinions and attitudes of the Church.

A word to this priest’s superior might be helpful, as it sounds as though some counselling is in order.

Oh, and OP, don’t forget to pray for him, too! All priests really need our prayers so that they can be more receptive to the Spirit and become better shepherds to the flock, and witnesses of Christ’s love to all peoples and walks of faith.

 

[dailey]

I am friends with a Catholic priest on Facebook. He is 33 years old, and was ordained in 2012. He is from my diocese, although as of now he is studying for a Licentiate in Canon Law. He is very intelligent. He is an avid Facebook poster, usually posting 3+ times per day. He makes “memes.” All of these memes are typically politically oriented. I get a vibe from him, through his posts, that he is very negative. He is constantly complaining about the government and family life. Today he posted about how he wonders what would happen if men started complaining on Facebook about fatherhood and marriage, as much as women did. This really bothered me. Yes, I understand that the state of marriage, family life, and the government is not necessarily the best right now, and yes, it is okay to poke fun at the government, but is it really necessary to start attacking the family? He starts arguments on Facebook through his posts all the time, and he does not have a peaceful approach. It comes off very snotty. I get the feeling that he feels that he is entitled to constantly criticize, under the name of “preaching.” Yes, preach all you want, I love that, because I want to be a priest, but is his constant negativity necessary? I think we need to focus on the love of God, and using that love to fix society, instead of dwelling constantly on the issues we know are there. Everyone knows church doctrine. We need to radiate love to the non-believers, because when one knows the love of God, the divine truth of God, will flow and settle into one’s heart.

If it gets on your nerves, simply hide him from your news feed. That’s what I do.. Other than that, nothing else you can do about it except to pray that he finds it in his heart to be less critical.