The Homily that Caused an Outcry and the Priest to be Dismissed

[Strummer]

If we can accept the facts of this as presented in the article then indeed, it is a sad injustice being done to the father. However, something doesn’t smell quite right…

Isn’t anyone else bothered by the fact that there seems to be a lot missing from this story? Furthermore, I couldn’t find any other reference to this story. All the Google references were either about Fr. Tom being ordained at an unusually older age or were blog entries sourced on the same LifeSite article. Also troubling but somewhat less so, is the fact that the author of the article (and owner of the LifeSite domain) consistantly writes with a pronounced slant which may be at work here and filtering out salient facts.

While it is possible that everything is as it is presented, I just can’t shake the feeling that we’re being played…

 

[manualman]

Beware!

I live in the Rockford Diocese and the parish I attend has been priviliged to host three newly ordained priests in the 4+ years I’ve lived there. All three have at some time mentioned sensitive church teachings in the area of family life and sexuality in homilies at some point or other. Our parish has a large NFP poster and a contact phone number on the bulletin board amongst those of other parish ministries. Furthermore, Bishop Doran is quite outspoken for an American bishop on pro-life issues. The bishop has a LOT to do with the kind of seminarians that come to the diocese. Based on our young priests, something is going right at the top of this diocese.

I second the notion that there is more to the story that remains untold.

 

[Antithesis]

I just want to say it disgusts me how much disrespect "good Catholic "people have for bishops. GOD put them in charge of you, which seems to be forgotten often in these boards unless they agree with your world view. We have no idea why he was dissmissed and the bishop might be trying to protect the people as well as the preist from Scandal. I will trust and obey the bishop as I am called to, you can trust your hubris and pride all you want to.

 

[johnnykins]

I just want to say it disgusts me how much disrespect "good Catholic "people have for bishops. GOD put them in charge of you, which seems to be forgotten often in these boards unless they agree with your world view. We have no idea why he was dissmissed and the bishop might be trying to protect the people as well as the preist from Scandal. I will trust and obey the bishop as I am called to, you can trust your hubris and pride all you want to.

As you sow, so shall ye reap…

I agree we probably don’t know all of what’s gone on here. What is really sad is that it is very easy to suppose that the Bishop is in the wrong. Let’s see: 1. Bishops have allowed - or encouraged - all manner of liturgical non-sense (if not sacrilege) for the last 40 years or so; 2. Bishops enabled, covered up and, in some cases, actually engaged in, sexual abuse on a widespread scale over that last 40 years or so; 3. Bishops have impotently watched while the number of priests and religious brothers and sisters has plummeted over the last 40 years or so; 5 Bishops have impotently watched as Europe and North America have become largely de-Christianized over the last 40 years or so; 6 …

Shall I go on? No wonder we are all skeptical over what Bishops are doing? When the Bishops in general get their act back together, then we can all start off giving them the benefit of the doubt - and not immediately question their intent, abilities - and even their faith. Trust is earned - and difficult to win back once squandered.

 

[Tietjen]

I just want to say it disgusts me how much disrespect "good Catholic "people have for bishops. GOD put them in charge of you, which seems to be forgotten often in these boards unless they agree with your world view. We have no idea why he was dissmissed and the bishop might be trying to protect the people as well as the preist from Scandal. I will trust and obey the bishop as I am called to, you can trust your hubris and pride all you want to.

Disrespect has nothing to do with it. What disgusts me is how non-Catholics will come in here and preach to Catholics about what to believe and what not to believe. The fact is that our Church is made up of human beings. Whether they be priest, bishop, brother, sister, or laity; all of us need and use the confessional. Therefore, my dear Theist… do not ACT so alarmed that Catholics don’t blindly follow. “Good Catholics” know Church Teachings and Truths and should even a bishop act outside of that Truth we (the laity) will know it and question it. Perhaps a “Theist” follows without thought or reason, but Catholics do not. God bless.

 

[manualman]

As you sow, so shall ye reap…

I agree we probably don’t know all of what’s gone on here. What is really sad is that it is very easy to suppose that the Bishop is in the wrong. Let’s see: 1. Bishops have allowed - or encouraged - all manner of liturgical non-sense (if not sacrilege) for the last 40 years or so; 2. Bishops enabled, covered up and, in some cases, actually engaged in, sexual abuse on a widespread scale over that last 40 years or so; 3. Bishops have impotently watched while the number of priests and religious brothers and sisters has plummeted over the last 40 years or so; 5 Bishops have impotently watched as Europe and North America have become largely de-Christianized over the last 40 years or so; 6 …

Shall I go on? No wonder we are all skeptical over what Bishops are doing? When the Bishops in general get their act back together, then we can all start off giving them the benefit of the doubt - and not immediately question their intent, abilities - and even their faith. Trust is earned - and difficult to win back once squandered.

1 and 2 are likely the bishops fault.

3 and 5 have more to do with failures by the laity to live lives that inspire others to faith and the sacrifice of a religious vocation.

4 is missing in action!

Seems like a tie on bad performance to me. The church as a whole tends to get the bishops it deserves.

 

[Antithesis]

Disrespect has nothing to do with it. What disgusts me is how non-Catholics will come in here and preach to Catholics about what to believe and what not to believe. The fact is that our Church is made up of human beings. Whether they be priest, bishop, brother, sister, or laity; all of us need and use the confessional. Therefore, my dear Theist… do not ACT so alarmed that Catholics don’t blindly follow. “Good Catholics” know Church Teachings and Truths and should even a bishop act outside of that Truth we (the laity) will know it and question it. Perhaps a “Theist” follows without thought or reason, but Catholics do not. God bless.

I respect the office of authority for something you have complete disregaurd for appearently. Either you believe God has a role in your church or not. I am still unsure but it would seem in your world God does not play a role in who becomes a bishop. That the authority of that bishop is a lie and you know the truth and a free to do your own will.

As a theist I know a lot since I do question, It is church teaching that you are to submit to a bishops authority many a saint will verify this too. The laity do not run a church if you believe this congratulations you are a protestant.

 

[Mijoy2]

“I’m going to die with my boots on”, Fr. Bartolomeo.

I wish every Priest would desire to die with his boots on.
If the Church teaches these truths, I’d rather see some people get up and walk out of the parish (and hopefully go home and contimplate), with the parisheners that remain, hold fast to the teaching. If this were true more people would be encouraged to learn just why the church teaches what it teaches. Parisheners may be led to discover the beauty of works such as The Theaology of the Body.

I’d like to see a --preach or get off the pulpit-- attitude.

 

[Steeltemplar]

On the authority of Bishops: They are indeed meant to govern their diocese, but they are neither perfect nor infallible. A Bishop only has authority in matters of faith and morals when he speaks with the Church. As for temporal and disciplinary decisions, the faithful may certainly criticize a Bishop’s decision. It is not a matter of doctrine, after all.

As for a situation like this, it is not disrespect to be critical of the Bishop’s decision.

 

[Steeltemplar]

I respect the office of authority for something you have complete disregaurd for appearently. Either you believe God has a role in your church or not. I am still unsure but it would seem in your world God does not play a role in who becomes a bishop. That the authority of that bishop is a lie and you know the truth and a free to do your own will.

As a theist I know a lot since I do question, It is church teaching that you are to submit to a bishops authority many a saint will verify this too. The laity do not run a church if you believe this congratulations you are a protestant.

If you are truly questioning and searching for truth, then please look further into Catholicism. You seem to be rather mistaken in your understanding of authority within the Church. For that matter, you also do not seem to have a good understanding of what people are saying in this thread.

 

[Johndigger]

Truly, this is what Saints are made of.

One particular thing showed that he was not just a man of truth but a man of virtue what that he was “Quick to defend his Bishop”

Even, though his Bishop is perhaps wrong. He is still is completely obedience and respectful to that authority.

I love it.

JD

 

[Steeltemplar]

Truly, this is what Saints are made of.

One particular thing showed that he was not just a man of truth but a man of virtue what that he was “Quick to defend his Bishop”

Even, though his Bishop is perhaps wrong. He is still is completely obedience and respectful to that authority.

I love it.

JD

The Priest is indeed rightfully under the Bishop’s authority. And it is admirable that he has shown obedience in this case.

Just to clarify, though: This is because he is a Priest. Those of us who are lay people may validly and respectfully take issue with the Bishop’s actions.

 

[Nordar]

OK! I am not getting it, How can a Priest be fired for speaking the truth that The Church teaches? Really, what reason was given? “You cannot talk about Catholic Doctrine or Teachings or you will be fired”. Something is way way wrong here!

 

[Arnobius]

I respect the office of authority for something you have complete disregaurd for appearently. Either you believe God has a role in your church or not. I am still unsure but it would seem in your world God does not play a role in who becomes a bishop. That the authority of that bishop is a lie and you know the truth and a free to do your own will.

As a theist I know a lot since I do question, It is church teaching that you are to submit to a bishops authority many a saint will verify this too. The laity do not run a church if you believe this congratulations you are a protestant.

Canon Law 212 (Take special note of :§ 2 and 3

Can. 212 §1 Christ’s faithful, conscious of their own responsibility, are bound to show christian obedience to what the sacred Pastors, who represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith and prescribe as rulers of the Church.

§2 Christ’s faithful are at liberty to make known their needs, especially their spiritual needs, and their wishes to the Pastors of the Church.

§3 They have the right, indeed at times the duty, in keeping with their knowledge, competence and position, to manifest to the sacred Pastors their views on matters which concern the good of the Church. They have the right also to make their views known to others of Christ’s faithful, but in doing so they must always respect the integrity of faith and morals, show due reverence to the Pastors and take into account both the common good and the dignity of individuals.

Being concerned about a decision is not disregarding the authority of the Church, nor denigrating the bishop, so long as it is done respectfully for the office when doing so.

 

[aaronlgates]

Wow… it seems my note caused a bit of a stir. I am saddened when I look at the current state of the Catholic Church… especially as I read more and more of the Church Fathers and current Church Teachings… and see that the vast majority of American Catholics are not following the whole teachings of the Church…

I think the term my RCIA instructor gives is Cafeteria Catholic.

What draws me to the Catholic Church is the official Church Teachings. What repels me is the severe lack of respect for the Church’s teachings by both clergy and laity alike. It seems that the Catholic Church is much like the Army that I serve in. While noble as a whole, it is a very large institution that has its issues.

Two issues are prominent in my mind, and they both attack the fabric of our society and Church:

‘Catholic Divorce’(aka American Style Annulments), and hormonal ‘contraception’.

It’s amazing to me that 6% of the worlds Catholics(Americans) are issuing 90% of the worlds annulments… and 90% of those annulments, when appealed to the Roman Rota, are reversed! Shame on the American Catholic Church for this abuse. It is out of control, and we all know it.

While annulments are maddening and saddening, the real tragedy is when innocent children are murdered by the millions… it’s a daily occurance anymore. Chemical killing of the unborn is not just restricted to ‘morning after pill’ formulations and RU-486… ‘the pill’, the patch, the iud, the ring, aka ‘birth control’… that’s the real culprit in the modern day holocaust.

You can ‘follow and obey’ to your grave if you want. I am one of the most loyal people you will meet, but there are certain things that really **** me off, and I don’t care who you are when it comes down to murder of the innocent. I told it like it is to 3 star general Kevin Kiley(former Army Surgeon General) in my correspondence with him over my conscience stance as a US Army Officer and Pharmacist last year.

So, tell me my brothers. How ‘tactful’ were we when we rolled in to Germany to prevent further deaths in the holocaust. This rings home as I sit in Germany serving as a Captain in the US Army. I can tell you tact had nothing to do with it… we rolled in and took names. Try tactical.

So how tactful should we be in the pulpit… after all, those who are disobeying the Church’s teachings and flushing newly created human beings down the toilet via ‘contraception’ shouldn’t be offended… because if you really cause a stink, you’ll lose 98% of your whole friggin’ congregation. THAT is the rest of the story that you’re looking for.

I know. I’m a pharmacist and the pharmacist of my parish. I see them come pick up their shot or birth control pills, etc. I see them go up and partake in the Eucharist every Sunday. I see them stare at me and my 5 young children… I’m the Catholic’s worst nightmare… a protestant who respects their Church’s teachings more than they do.

Aaron

 

[revelations]

What draws me to the Catholic Church is the official Church Teachings. What repels me is the severe lack of respect for the Church’s teachings by both clergy and laity alike. It seems that the Catholic Church is much like the Army that I serve in. While noble as a whole, it is a very large institution that has its issues.

This actually inspires me. People are thirsting for this knowledge, trust me. I’ve “lectured” on many occasions. The church has been neutralized, it has no more edge to it. Priest are afraid to say anything because they think they’ll lose the parish! With the combination of the sex scandals, and severe secularization, the influence of the Church has been eliminated. Think military tactics… If you wanted to destroy the church, you were satan, what would you do?

While annulments are maddening and saddening, the real tragedy is when innocent children are murdered by the millions… it’s a daily occurance anymore. Chemical killing of the unborn is not just restricted to ‘morning after pill’ formulations and RU-486… ‘the pill’, the patch, the iud, the ring, aka ‘birth control’… that’s the real culprit in the modern
day holocaust.

shudder when i think of the far reaching penetration (no pun intended, go to confession!) of this little bit of purely evil technology on society it disgusts me to no end. Why sacrifice living babies anymore, just get em while they’re in the oven! And just think, they are “pushing” these drugs onto girls as young as 8 years old, whose hormones don’t even work yet!

They raised the prices for the pill at university health centers to 55 dollars per pack, and students became upset because they couldn’t afford to live “normal” lives anymore if they couldn’t buy them! But wait, aren’t these girls free? Feminist liberty? Yah, sure…sex is big business…

So, tell me my brothers. How ‘tactful’ were we when we rolled in to Germany to prevent further deaths in the holocaust. This rings home as I sit in Germany serving as a Captain in the US Army. I can tell you tact had nothing to do with it… we rolled in and took names. Try tactical.

That’s more like it, when i think Jesus, i think war. Spiritual war. Jesus talks about it a lot in the gospels. There is room for charity, but charity stops when you confirm people in their sin.

because if you really cause a stink, you’ll lose 98% of your whole friggin’ congregation.

In this case people only got angry! There are people who would become physically violent against this sort of speech! I know, i’ve met them at my university!

I know. I’m a pharmacist and the pharmacist of my parish. I see them come pick up their shot or birth control pills, etc. I see them go up and partake in the Eucharist every Sunday. I see them stare at me and my 5 young children… I’m the Catholic’s worst nightmare… a protestant who respects their Church’s teachings more than they do.

Aaron

Welcome Aaron, I too am joining this Easter! I am so excited, i imagine you are too. Prayer is the strongest weapon in the world. We all must pray, for the priests, for the pope, for the country. It’s in bad shape. Keep on being that bad nightmare, because by our lives we set the example.

And remember, (spiritual) soldiers in Christ! Our faith is founded on the BLOOD of thousands of martyrs from the roman empire times…

-revelations

 

[Tietjen]

I respect the office of authority for something you have complete disregaurd for appearently. Either you believe God has a role in your church or not. I am still unsure but it would seem in your world God does not play a role in who becomes a bishop. That the authority of that bishop is a lie and you know the truth and a free to do your own will.

As a theist I know a lot since I do question, It is church teaching that you are to submit to a bishops authority many a saint will verify this too. The laity do not run a church if you believe this congratulations you are a protestant.

There is no way in which I can answer this post with charity. Therefore, I will simply say that I am not a protestant, I do not “disregaurd” (whatever that means) the authority of the Bishops, and I do not reside in my own “world.” I suspect that the poster must be an adolescent (based on grammar and spelling) and I won’t be drawn into an argument with a child. God bless.

 

[Antithesis]

There is no way in which I can answer this post with charity. Therefore, I will simply say that I am not a protestant, I do not “disregaurd” (whatever that means) the authority of the Bishops, and I do not reside in my own “world.” I suspect that the poster must be an adolescent (based on grammar and spelling) and I won’t be drawn into an argument with a child. God bless.

Why would I expect you ever to speek with charity when you do not even show it to your bishops. You insult me and than use God Bless Christian charity at its best? You are prime example of what I find so wrong with Catholicism. However, I will admit I have a problem with english spelling and grammar, it is fault I am well aware of, that I am working on. Im sure you are proud of this superiority too. No I am not an adolescent, in fact I wish I was, the grey hairs are coming in. However if I was a child, is it not your duty to inform me as someone more learned in the faith. Oh wait you would not lower yourself, but I can understand that since you know more than your bishops. Have a wonderful life, let your ego always keep you warm.

 

[Antithesis]

OK! I am not getting it, How can a Priest be fired for speaking the truth that The Church teaches? Really, what reason was given? “You cannot talk about Catholic Doctrine or Teachings or you will be fired”. Something is way way wrong here!

The reason was not given. These two things may not even be related. The bishop might be trying to protect his sheep from scandal. IN NO WAY do I think this, I am thinking worst possible case, but what happened if this priest was having an affair, what would happen to his congregation after hearing such speeches that this was revealed. It may damage their eternal souls. If I was Catholic I would believe that this bishop was put here at the right time to do the right thing. I would trust his decision.

 

[johnnykins]

1 and 2 are likely the bishops fault.

OK we agree

3 and 5 have more to do with failures by the laity to live lives that inspire others to faith and the sacrifice of a religious vocation.

Not at all sure about that. It is the Bishops who have the primary responsibility for teaching the faith and they spent 40 years allowing or condoning all manner of mal-catechesis from imprudent to heretical programs, homilies, liturgy and religious classes - confusing the faithful, themselves and the world. That such mal-catechesis would lead to reduced vocations is hardly surprising. I would criticize what I wrote above more by suggesting that impotence was not the problem - affirmative inaction and/or affirmative error on their part was the cause in very large part. They really acquiesced to the changes in society - and promoted much of what was wrong, bringing it into the Church.

4 is missing in action!

You win some…

Seems like a tie on bad performance to me. The church as a whole tends to get the bishops it deserves.

Not a tie in my view given the role and position of the Bishops v. the laity. Also, since the Church is not a democracy - I’m not sure I really agree with the second statement. Bishops will reflect - for good or ill - their society, so there is some truth in the last statement.