Following Publication of Letter to Pope, Theologian Resigns From USCCB Post

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When the Correctio Filialis was published, some people responded by essentially trashing the credentials of the signers, calling them “fringe” figures. This letter represents the serious questions and concerns of someone the progressive establishment will find much harder to try to discredit as some traditionalist crank.
 
Hello Fellow Catholics,

Here is a response to Father Thomas’ letter:


Excerpt:

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, urged that dissent from ordinary Magisterium should be disclosed privately to church authority—see “Donum Veritatis” (No. 30). In a world and even an ecclesial environment of sound bites and facile partisanship, that becomes even wiser advice.

And from the Gospel of Matthew:

18:15 "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 18:16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
 
Cardinal diNardo has responded:
As Bishops, we recognize the need for honest and humble discussions around theological and pastoral issues. We must always keep in mind St. Ignatius of Loyola’s “presupposition” to his Spiritual Exercises: “…that it should be presumed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a good interpretation on a neighbor’s statement than to condemn it.” This presupposition should be afforded all the more to the teaching of Our Holy Father
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http://www.ncregister.com/daily-new...letter-to-pope-theologian-resigns-from-usccb-
 
And, may I ask, where is the eagerness to put a good interpretation on Father Weinandy’s statements?

Seems to me I’m hearing a lot of “how DARE he presume to criticize the Holy Father” instead of, “If a priest and expert theologian after much prayer and sincere belief in guidance from God felt it necessary to voice his concern on behalf of the Holy Father and the People of God, must he not have been ‘driven’ (like Jeremiah) to speak and be more concerned for Pope Francis and all of us Catholics than he was for himself?”

Seems like he’s being treated like Jeremiah in a lot of ways too.
 
I actually just read this letter. I like it. Don’t have a problem with it. I especially like the bit about why the Church is in this situation - perhaps to reveal the (widespread?) weakness of faith. He may be onto something there. He must have expected the response he got, what with the swipes at bishops and all. I agree with those though who say all of this proves his point. Oh well. The truth is not always pretty. It is kind of laid bare here.
 
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Dr. Robert Royal’s take on it: Chronic Confusion Worse Confounded - The Catholic Thing

“As sadly happens when you make any argument on the Internet these days, commenters accused me of calling people I disagreed with stupid – including the pope himself. But what I actually said is that I think there’s been a conscious decision to emphasize a kind of pastoral sentimentalism over the older hard-head/soft-heart Catholic realism – sometimes even bordering on the belief that clear doctrine obstructs the workings of the Holy Spirit. Something considered “pastoral” is assumed to trump other teachings, even consistency and fidelity to tradition.”
 
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Indeed. And what percentage of Catholics (or even wider Christians) understand what is at stake with this sleight of hand where pastoral mercy outstrips or overrides Scripture, Church tradition, clear doctrine. The Christian faith loses its integrity, the interdependency of these things, the internal cohesion. And if you allow that it is a very small percentage of Catholics who grasp the significance of this situation, how did we get here as a Church? What does that say about where we’ve been recently? So many make the case that this pastoral emphasis (at the expense of doctrine) is a non-issue with most Catholics, most Catholics are either indifferent, unaware or placid - the supporters are even a little triumphant in this claim.
 
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You have frequently encouraged, particularly during the two past synods, all persons, especially bishops, to speak their mind and not be fearful of what the pope may think.
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Father Thomas, restates the Popes position above, of how Bishop’s are to speak their minds within the synods. Not speak their minds in pro or con to the Chair of Peter or pro or con on topics Pope Francis addresses. The Bishop’s are not to be afraid to speak their minds. Especially when it comes to the current fads, culture changes, Political laws affecting the Church and society secular views and lifestyles that attack Christian morality.

When the Bishop’s can freely speak their minds about certain subjects as mentioned above. The Pope wants to hear of them. I don’t think the Pope wants to learn of how a Bishop concerns himself with how the Pope speaks or exposes a current trend in societies affecting Catholics.

It is here, where Pope Francis wants to learn the position of each Bishop. In order to separate the goats from the sheep.

Fr. Thomas should not be raising concerns about the Pope. When Fr. Thomas should be assisting the Holy Father, by raising the concerns or subjects the Pope speaks about in public. When the Holy Father speaks about gay marriage, transgender, divorced Catholics, abortion etc… The Bishop’s who are being infected by such topics should not be afraid to speak their minds.

The problem I see with Fr. Thomas letter is that it fears the secular political Worldview to such subjects, such subjects which the Pope has mentioned in public. U.S Bishop’s and or Fr. Thomas, demand an immediate response from the Pope, to clarify his position to their secular leaders and in order to satisfy their secular political arena. When I don’t think the Pope does not have time for. I support Pope Francis in how he is bringing to light such discussions, but the bishop’s remain silent, not because of the Pope. But because of secular political pressure. The Pope is calling these bishop’s out on such topics, but their secular fears blame the Holy Father.

Pope Francis today is very brave to raise the secular Worldview’s on living, cultural changes, and morals affecting our societies today. So that the Pope along with the Bishop’s worldwide can begin discussing such culture changes that appear to be exchanging a lie for the Truth.
I have often asked myself: “Why has Jesus let all of this happen?” The only answer that comes to mind is that Jesus wants to manifest just how weak is the faith of many within the Church, even among too many of her bishops. Ironically, your pontificate has given those who hold harmful theological and pastoral views the license and confidence to come into the light and expose their previously hidden darkness.
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I believe Jesus wants Peter to bring the light to all the darkness hidden within His body the Church. The Pope is doing his job, why are the Bishop’s silent? When Pope Francis raises a subject that is affecting a Bishop’s providence or country he resides in. That Bishop whether right or wrong needs to come to the light on such difficult subjects and not be afraid of losing his political support.

cont;
 
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cont;

I believe Pope Francis contrary to what the theologians think, is bringing to light what bishops are afraid to bring to the light. Pope Francis is calling out the goats and God willing separated them from the Sheep.

Fr. Thomas should not doubt God’s Will, in bringing light to the darkness, which Pope Francis has been doing, who has no fear of secular political powers and evil powers and principalities.

In recognizing this darkness, the Church will humbly need to renew herself, and so continue to grow in holiness.

God bless Fr. Thomas when God uses him to be his instrument when God is continually renewing His body the Church. I heed Fr. Thomas words who recognizes “this darkness” which plagues our socities today.

Peace be with you
 
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Thanks everyone for posting these links. I had not heard this before.
 
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