Letter to Bishop

[PatienceAndLove]

I have been mulling over the article by Bishop Trautman and his encouragement to write to the bishops and “judge for yourselves. Speak up, speak up!”

I have been assaulted with blatant disregard for the Church’s teachings and practices in a few situations within the diocese (the idea that cohabitation is a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, the removal of a crucifix from the worship area during a retreat, forcing face-to-face confession when the penitent has voiced disapproval)
I have yet to come up with a way to address His Eminance without saying “You are a horrible Bishop! What’s wrong with you? How can you allow this? BTW- The Church isn’t a democracy!”

Any advice as to how to address him about the things I have encountered, and to “speak up” to him about his article and how I disagree with him?

 

[Mordocai]

Write the letter charitably, at the end say that you are sending a copy to whatever congregation you feel is necessary, to the Pope, whoever. Whatever Cardinal would be in charge of the issues you’re bringing up.

That way, they can deal with it. Because they must; and might not know about it

 

[Corki]

I would take the Bishop at his word and write to the list of individuals and organizations he lists to the right of his article. Express your joy and anticipation of the new translation and your hope for a speedy implementation. Make sure to mention that you are a member of Bishop Trautman’s own diocese and have long suffered through watered down liturgies and poor translations and are glad to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Then copy Bishop Trautman on your responses.

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

I have yet to come up with a way to address His Eminance without saying “You are a horrible Bishop! What’s wrong with you? How can you allow this? BTW- The Church isn’t a democracy!”

If the Church isn’t a democracy, than you have no place to tell your bishop he is a horrible bishop; if you believe your first statement to be true, submit to his authority.

 

[Brendan]

If the Church isn’t a democracy, than you have no place to tell your bishop he is a horrible bishop; if you believe your first statement to be true, submit to his authority.

Wrong in the first instance, correct in the second.

A Catholic is bound to state the truth, and if one feels their pastorial needs are being treated horribly, then one has the obligation to say so.

But one always needs to submit to the bishop where the bishop has lawful authority.

 

[scylla]

If the Church isn’t a democracy, than you have no place to tell your bishop he is a horrible bishop; if you believe your first statement to be true, submit to his authority.

You are right we should submit to our Bishops. I have to endure it each time I go to Mass and it is humbling and sometimes difficult in submitting to my Shephard who poo poos the Vatican.

And you are right that the Church isn’t a democracy we cannot vote for what we want.

Yet I disagree about telling him where he is wrong. We each as Christians have the responsibility to correct the sinner and submit to being corrected as we fail also. Each Bishop serves the laypeople and is subject to them as he is responsible for leading them properly. Every Bishop should welcome correction and insight.

In Christ
Scylla

 

[TantumErgo90]

I would write it respectfully, as a Bishop deserves, also be quick to the point. He doesn’t have all day to read a letter. Also, be frank, don’t sugarcoat anything. I would send it to the Sacred Congregation of Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

Alright.

I have started drafting said letter, and I will post it up for some critique when I am done.

Thanks y’all!

 

[otjm]

Alright.

I have started drafting said letter, and I will post it up for some critique when I am done.

Thanks y’all!

I would suggest that you forgo the idea of writing a letter.

1. the likelyhood is that he does not open his own mail, and will never see it.
2. I am sure you are upset, but keep in mind that people have been upset for 40 years of so now, and what has changed? It is akin to taking a cup and dipping it in the ocean in order lower the sea level.
3. People have been writing to Rome for lo these 40 years also; Rome hasn’t really done too much to change a whole lot. The have written some documents, and there is very little enforcement, if one is to believe these threads.

$) I would suggest that you pray for him, and do so daily; start a novena. He needs your prayers as much as anyone. God is eminently capable of dealing with these issues, and in His time. Praying gives focus to your concerns, and takes it up with Someone who cares. I suspect that you will get a greater hearing with God than with the Bishop; and as God’s grace works, it will be much more likely to bring you peace than writing a letter to which you get no answer, or a mealy-mouthed answer and no change.

 

[PatienceAndLove]

I would suggest that you forgo the idea of writing a letter.

1. the likelyhood is that he does not open his own mail, and will never see it.
2. I am sure you are upset, but keep in mind that people have been upset for 40 years of so now, and what has changed? It is akin to taking a cup and dipping it in the ocean in order lower the sea level.
3. People have been writing to Rome for lo these 40 years also; Rome hasn’t really done too much to change a whole lot. The have written some documents, and there is very little enforcement, if one is to believe these threads.

$) I would suggest that you pray for him, and do so daily; start a novena. He needs your prayers as much as anyone. God is eminently capable of dealing with these issues, and in His time. Praying gives focus to your concerns, and takes it up with Someone who cares. I suspect that you will get a greater hearing with God than with the Bishop; and as God’s grace works, it will be much more likely to bring you peace than writing a letter to which you get no answer, or a mealy-mouthed answer and no change.

However, he encouraged us all to “speak up, speak up” (his words) and I darn well plan to!

 

[palmas85]

I have been mulling over the article by Bishop Trautman and his encouragement to write to the bishops and “judge for yourselves. Speak up, speak up!”

I have been assaulted with blatant disregard for the Church’s teachings and practices in a few situations within the diocese (the idea that cohabitation is a “don’t ask don’t tell” policy, the removal of a crucifix from the worship area during a retreat, forcing face-to-face confession when the penitent has voiced disapproval)
I have yet to come up with a way to address His Eminance without saying “You are a horrible Bishop! What’s wrong with you? How can you allow this? BTW- The Church isn’t a democracy!”

Any advice as to how to address him about the things I have encountered, and to “speak up” to him about his article and how I disagree with him?

I think that writing your Bishop or probably any Bishop would be an exercise in futility as I doubt they even read such things, but instead have someone on staff who handles correspondence and drafts responses and the like.

The situations that you describe could very well be viewed by your Bishop as being proper from an ecumenical, non judgemental, charitable and right thinking view of things. Remember a crucufix could be viewed as offensive to non Catholics, face to face confession could re-enforce the concept of Christ present in the community and the don’t ask don’t tell policy on co habitation is just being polite, charitable and non judgemental.

Sad to say these situations are far from unique to your diocese.