Information on Bishops

[Gator90]

Hello,

I am a newbie so I hope I am not posting in the wrong place.

I understand that four US bishops took a strong stance this past year against Catholic politician that actively support abortion rights. I also understand that some of the members of their flock (most likely pro-abortion members) responded angrily by withholding contributions to the diocese.

I am very disappointed that our bishop frequently takes a weak or silent position on the right to life issues. I would like to begin “filling the void” in the budgets of these strong bishops instead of supporting our bishop.

I think the four bishops were from Denver, St. Louis, Newark, and maybe San Diego, but I’m not sure. Can anyone help? I need their names and diocese.

Thank you very much.

 

[HagiaSophia]

Gator90:

I understand that four US bishops took a strong stance this past year against Catholic politician that actively support abortion rights. I also understand that some of the members of their flock (most likely pro-abortion members) responded angrily by withholding contributions to the diocese.

Every diocese has its own website pretty much and you are looking for Chaput and Burke statements among others. Go here for starters and it will aid you:

episcopalspinealert.blogspot.com/

Lifesite and Judie Brown’s websites will also help you.

 

[Timidity]

Gator90:

I would like to begin “filling the void” in the budgets of these strong bishops instead of supporting our bishop.

If by “instead of supporting our bishop” you mean that you’re going to cease all contributions to your parish and diocese, then please keep in mind that such a thing is a violation of the precepts of the Church.

If, on the other hand, you intend to continue your level of local support, and are just sending extra to other diocese, that is fine.

 

[Chris_C]

Bishops Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln Nebraska and Thomas Doran of Rockford are two that I would add to your previous list (Denver (Chaput), Newark (Meyer), Saint Louis (Burke).) These may well be the top five in the country. Want a good test or two: how are their vocations and do they promote the Tridentine Mass?

Now a list of the five worst bishops…tempting but I’m feeling too much Christmas spirit (maybe in January!)

Chris C.

 

[Chris_C]

Timidity:

If by “instead of supporting our bishop” you mean that you’re going to cease all contributions to your parish and diocese, then please keep in mind that such a thing is a violation of the precepts of the Church.

If, on the other hand, you intend to continue your level of local support, and are just sending extra to other diocese, that is fine.

Timidity raises an interesting question; I’m not sure I agree. I do think support of the parish is just, but if I lived in Fort Worth or Los Angeles or Weakland’s Milwaukee or Law’s Boston and received a diocesan appeal, I’d be inclined to send the money to an outfit like Catholic Answers or Bruskewitz’s seminary instead, and I think I would be fulfilling the precept to support the Church–any Canon Lawyers want to weigh in?

Chris C.

 

[_veritas]

Chris C.:

Timidity raises an interesting question; I’m not sure I agree. I do think support of the parish is just, but if I lived in Fort Worth or Los Angeles or Weakland’s Milwaukee or Law’s Boston and received a diocesan appeal, I’d be inclined to send the money to an outfit like Catholic Answers or Bruskewitz’s seminary instead, and I think I would be fulfilling the precept to support the Church–any Canon Lawyers want to weigh in?

Chris C.

Supporting your own parish is one thing, supporting the (Arch)diocesean general/slush fund is quite another…

So long as one supports their local parish, I think that is the only requirement. The bishop’s appeals and other such diocesean contributions I would think can go to any bishop.

After all, you can choose the parish you desire to join, and thus choose to support that parish over another one… Choosing to support a different diocese would seem to follow from that… right?

+veritas+

 

[Timidity]

Chris C.:

Timidity raises an interesting question; I’m not sure I agree.

The relevant Canon is 222, which just specifies “the Church”–not “your parish”. So maybe I was wrong… I could argue both sides. I agree, we need a canon lawyer!
Chris C.:

I do think support of the parish is just, but if I lived in Fort Worth or Los Angeles or Weakland’s Milwaukee or Law’s Boston and received a diocesan appeal…

Here in my diocese, the word “appeal” really means “demand”. The diocese has set “target amounts” for each parish, and if the parishoners don’t pony up the amount, the diocese just takes the difference from the parish’s operating budget.

How’s that for an appeal?

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Can. 222 §1. The Christian faithful are obliged to assist with the needs of the Church so that the Church has what is necessary for divine worship, for the works of the apostolate and of charity, and for the decent support of ministers.

§2. They are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor from their own resources.