D
debraran
Guest
Has anyone read “The Collar” by Jonanthan Englert or Fr. Groechels book “Reform of Renewal”?
I found them both interesting. The first takes 5 older seminarians and follows them for a year, who stays, who doesn’t and the problems and gifts older men have and their desire to be a priest.
The second surprised me a bit, (a bit naive, I guess) because it was written in 1990 and had the first page I think, start with the counseling of a priest who was in trouble for an encounter with another man. Fr. Groechel touches on the abuse even back then and how the church was pretending to be better than it was. He said how when asked at conferences how some were doing, seminaries even in other countries would say, Great, we are doing wonderful" but if pushed for numbers, would have to admit they hadn’t had any in years. Lying doesn’t help anyone and he didn’t care if he angered anyone in saying it. The church has made a lot of mistakes but pretending to be in one place and really be in another was a big one. Can you imagine lying about vocations? He even touched on the vocation ads that promise one thing and are very different when you visit…Well, hopefully now, things will slowly get better and this was written a while ago. I was just surprised how so much was there, the signs of crumbling, but no one wanted to see the “pink elephant” in the room.
I commend him for leaving and starting a new order. It has grown quite nicely the last decade and I trust that they will always be loyal and truthful.
I know the church will survive because Jesus wont let it die but humans can do a lot of harm. I hope for continued renewal in my heart and in others.
I found them both interesting. The first takes 5 older seminarians and follows them for a year, who stays, who doesn’t and the problems and gifts older men have and their desire to be a priest.
The second surprised me a bit, (a bit naive, I guess) because it was written in 1990 and had the first page I think, start with the counseling of a priest who was in trouble for an encounter with another man. Fr. Groechel touches on the abuse even back then and how the church was pretending to be better than it was. He said how when asked at conferences how some were doing, seminaries even in other countries would say, Great, we are doing wonderful" but if pushed for numbers, would have to admit they hadn’t had any in years. Lying doesn’t help anyone and he didn’t care if he angered anyone in saying it. The church has made a lot of mistakes but pretending to be in one place and really be in another was a big one. Can you imagine lying about vocations? He even touched on the vocation ads that promise one thing and are very different when you visit…Well, hopefully now, things will slowly get better and this was written a while ago. I was just surprised how so much was there, the signs of crumbling, but no one wanted to see the “pink elephant” in the room.
I commend him for leaving and starting a new order. It has grown quite nicely the last decade and I trust that they will always be loyal and truthful.
I know the church will survive because Jesus wont let it die but humans can do a lot of harm. I hope for continued renewal in my heart and in others.
