Massachusetts priest calls on Pope Benedict to step down

[unafraid]

Muckraking!! Just more muckraking!! And I agree with every word of response to this thread which has been written by Corki and Sailor, Save me a spot at the battlements, I’ll be right there with you.

 

[crazzeto]

boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/04/12/east_longmeadow_priest_calls_for_pope_to_resign_over_coverup_of_clergy_abuse/

And so it begins as we turn on one another…

St Michael the Archangle
Defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, by the divine power of God
Cast into hell satan, and all the evil spirits who rome through out the earth
Amen -

If I attended this parish, I would drive as far as I had to to get to a good Orthodox one. Thank God almighty my St. Michael the Archangel is full of good, orthodox priests.

 

[Rascalking]

Yes. And the Holy Spirit continues to protect and guide the Pope in any teachings on faith and morals. I think that’s listed under benefits

LOL! Along withe the comprehensive health insurance and 401K?

That really made me chuckle…and the best part was that it wasn’t disrespectful or anything!

 

[EmperorNapoleon]

And so it begins as we turn on one another…

Begins? I’ve met a number of priests, both active and retired, who opposed Raztinger’s ascention to the papacy. They choose to obey him but, if asked, have no qualms about stating their belief that he should not be Pope. This is nothing new.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

As Catholics, this is a part of our faith. If you’re not, who cares?

There’s nothing in our faith that says the Pope will always be a good Pope.

 

[qui_est_ce]

No, the Pope was elected to his position by men - the College of Cardinals, to be specific.

Don’t they act through the holy spirit though? (I’m no expert-just asking!)

That’s the claim…

As Catholics, this is a part of our faith. If you’re not, who cares?

There’s nothing in our faith that says the Pope will always be a good Pope.

I was responding to the post that the Cardinals are guided by the Holy Spirit when they elect the Pope. TedDC’s post appears to doubt this. But I could be wrong about him

 

[Brendan]

How can you dismiss as “anti-Catholic bilge” a homily by a Cathlic priest? You may disagree with the priest, but are you denying that he is a priest? Are you saying that his bishop is to be faulted for ordaining a anti-Catholic to the presbyterate?

OK then, a priest who has been deluded by anti-Catholic bilge.

 

[canadianguy1143]

It is not “un-Catholic” to suggest that a pope step down. It is not a heresy.

It is scandalous to go public like this especially when the evidence is less than compelling.

Several people thought JP II should step down for health reasons near the end of his life. That didn’t make them ‘bad-Cathoics.’

Uhh the people who thought JP II should step down didn’t want him to step down for health reasons but because of upholding Catholic teaching. (i.e. Roman Protestants).

 

[SunnaB16]

Begins? I’ve met a number of priests, both active and retired, who opposed Raztinger’s ascention to the papacy. They choose to obey him but, if asked, have no qualms about stating their belief that he should not be Pope. This is nothing new.

Of course it`s nothing new!

The Church has had to do battle with heretics and apostates and dissenters right from the start. So these priests (and nuns and brothers and bishops and archbishops and cardinals etc) are just the latest in a not very distinguished line. The fact that they badmouth him shows that.

 

[baylee]

I’m sorry but I take complete issue with anyone thinking they know what should happen to this Pope. There are people who are sure he lied…and therefore should step down. Um, who made you judge and jury?

I think the jury is still out on how much this Pope knew and how much he was actually involved in the scandal/cover-ups.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

If the Church is in trouble, it is not because of Benedict.

It is because individual Catholics proudly trumpet their heresy, flock in great numbers to worship at the altar of secular news, and jump on the bandwagon of a Judas wannabe who slavers at his upcoming thirty pieces of silver.

 

[qui_est_ce]

If the Church is in trouble, it is not because of Benedict.

It is because individual Catholics proudly trumpet their heresy, flock in great numbers to worship at the altar of secular news, and jump on the bandwagon of a Judas wannabe who slavers at his upcoming thirty pieces of silver.

:sad_yes:

 

[Ahimsa]

The Rev. James J. Scahill describes himself as "rather a reclusive person.’’ He insists he is no rebel.

But the parish priest from East Longmeadow was fielding media calls from around the country yesterday about his request from the pulpit on Sunday that Pope Benedict XVI step down over his handling of clergy sexual abuse.

In an interview, Scahill sounded exhausted but firm as he reasserted his critique of the pope: "The right thing is to be truthful, and if he is not up to dealing with this, then he should have the integrity to resign.’’

Scahill has been an outspoken critic of the church’s handling of sexual abuse cases since shortly after he arrived at St. Michael’s church in 2002, the year the clergy abuse scandal exploded in Massachusetts.

He infuriated the local church hierarchy by withholding payments to the Springfield Diocese until it did away with a fund to assist dismissed priests.

He made national news by pressing for a fuller investigation of the 1972 killing of a Springfield boy whose parents attribute their son’s death to an abusive priest.

And he helped to reveal the sexual misconduct of former Springfield Bishop Thomas L. Dupre, who abruptly resigned after he was confronted with accusations that he had abused children as a parish priest.

 

[Religion_Ninja]

I would bet one of my kidneys that this priest has a problem Benedict’s theology–not his handling of abuse cases before he was pope.

 

[markeverett49]

One might argue that Cardinal Ratzinger’s handling of sexual abuse cases exhibits a failure to grasp basic moral theology…

 

[Tantum_ergo]

One might argue that Cardinal Ratzinger’s handling of sexual abuse cases exhibits a failure to grasp basic moral theology…

Only if one had so little knowledge that one swallowed whole inaccurate media depictions of then-Cardinal Ratzinger, his position, the function of the office he held, etc.

Perhaps you would like to give us detailed and documented incidents in which then-Cardinal Ratzinger ‘failed to grasp basic moral theology?’ You’re claiming that ‘one might argue this’ --go ahead then, just try.

 

[Mark77]

One might argue that Cardinal Ratzinger’s handling of sexual abuse cases exhibits a failure to grasp basic moral theology…

**You apparently have never read any of Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings on moral theology or heard any of his homilies or witnessed his lifelong service…
**
**This is exactly what the enemy wants!

Convince over reactive, emotional, uneducated, uninformed & dissident Catholics to call for the Pope’s resignation, despite any factual evidence that would justify resignation!

Sounds like the same logic used by those to recruit Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver!**

Pray for this poor priest!

Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis Peccatoribus!

mark

 

[Joe_5859]

The quickest way to grab a headline is to call for someone’s resignation.

 

[tr1strev]

One might argue that Cardinal Ratzinger’s handling of sexual abuse cases exhibits a failure to grasp basic moral theology…

Such as…?

 

[Indyann]

One might argue that Cardinal Ratzinger’s handling of sexual abuse cases exhibits a failure to grasp basic moral theology…

Now, that’s just funny!