The role of the priest within the Church community?

[Rosebud77]

Hope this is the correct forum for this but am sure you will know… Wondering what the exact involvement with his congregation the Parish Priest should have? I do have a particular local situation in mind that ha given me much angst. Two families in the small rural congregation. One family is harassing and all but destroying the other. I know this as I have helped the family being victimised with paperwork etc and the house I rent is caught up in this. Because I have helped I have been attacked in many ways by the family although I am old and disabled, in ways that have shocked me. The aggressive family are very active in the Church. The wife reads the lessons at Mass and on one occasion the daughter used the Prayers to openly attack the victim. As my friend laments, they come from Church and readingthe lessons to acts of… well, evil is the only thing I can say. And they manipulate their position in the community by being “active” in the Church. The situation is widely known as the Gardai have been involved etc, I had thought the PP did not know but then he took my friend aside and advised him not to listen to the lies being told about him. So he knows the situation… Now I am totally at a loss. That family are still reading the lessons etc. Over to you!

 

[Casilda]

I had to look up ‘Gardai’ as I am unfamiliar with the term. The situation you describe also exists here in my diocese. There are people so entrenched in the church, its affairs, its ministries that do not belong there. There can be repellent deacons doing more harm than good, I have met two, that if I was in business and they were employees, I would have them fired. There is no accountability just as you describe. I am saddened by your circumstances. But know that God does bring to light the darkness in people. People ARE known for their fruits, good or bad. My own priest knows who the bad are, he admits to speaking to them, but they are still bad. I wish they were not allowed to serve the parish until repentant.

 

[Rosebud77]

I had to look up ‘Gardai’ as I am unfamiliar with the term. The situation you describe also exists here in my diocese. There are people so entrenched in the church, its affairs, its ministries that do not belong there. There can be repellent deacons doing more harm than good, I have met two, that if I was in business and they were employees, I would have them fired. There is no accountability just as you describe. I am saddened by your circumstances. But know that God does bring to light the darkness in people. People ARE known for their fruits, good or bad. My own priest knows who the bad are, he admits to speaking to them, but they are still bad. I wish they were not allowed to serve the parish until repentant.

Thank you for this understanding. Breaks my heart as I am watching a good man, who refuses invitations to train for the permanent diaconate as he thinks he is " not intelligent enough" driven to near breaking . This family is sheer evil as I know to my personal cost. They hate me as I have made a difference to the situation. And have endangered my very life on occasion and the good mans children. Telling him they will bleed him dry then off to Mass… Which is why I involved the Gardai…The priest KNOWS. I am safe physically and safe in God… can a priest ever do anything? Irony o that the whole area claims they think the world of my friend BUT not one of them will lift a finger or speak out. Has taken an old and disabled woman to do that. The wife of the bad family by the way referred to me as having " one foot in the grave" . I made sure she knew that the other foot KICKS

 

[pianistclare]

Have YOU met with the priest?
I would do that.

 

[808Catholic]

Thank you for this understanding. Breaks my heart as I am watching a good man, who refuses invitations to train for the permanent diaconate as he thinks he is " not intelligent enough" driven to near breaking . This family is sheer evil as I know to my personal cost. They hate me as I have made a difference to the situation. And have endangered my very life on occasion and the good mans children. Telling him they will bleed him dry then off to Mass… Which is why I involved the Gardai…The priest KNOWS. I am safe physically and safe in God… can a priest ever do anything? Irony o that the whole area claims they think the world of my friend BUT not one of them will lift a finger or speak out. Has taken an old and disabled woman to do that. The wife of the bad family by the way referred to me as having " one foot in the grave" . I made sure she knew that the other foot KICKS

Be kind to your “enemies”, dear one. God tells us this many times and we affirm our judgment when we judge others. It’s difficult but Jesus prophesied this: the world hated Him before they hated you. Continue to do His Will as much and as long as you can. Pray especially hard for the family who does not see the harm they are doing to others, themselves, and especially the parish family. If unrepented, their sins will be grave and the consequences severe indeed. Praying for you that the Holy Spirit continues to fill you with justice, perseverance, love, understanding, and hope!

 

[808Catholic]

I had to look up ‘Gardai’ as I am unfamiliar with the term. The situation you describe also exists here in my diocese. There are people so entrenched in the church, its affairs, its ministries that do not belong there. There can be repellent deacons doing more harm than good, I have met two, that if I was in business and they were employees, I would have them fired. There is no accountability just as you describe. I am saddened by your circumstances. But know that God does bring to light the darkness in people. People ARE known for their fruits, good or bad. My own priest knows who the bad are, he admits to speaking to them, but they are still bad. I wish they were not allowed to serve the parish until repentant.

Yes, there can be deacons who are still working towards their salvation. They are no different from the men who have taken vows or were ordained as priests but there are also good and holy men who the Lord called and faithful help the Shepherd with His flock. Pray for all the consecrated because they’re all under evil attack 24/7.

 

[Rosebud77]

Have YOU met with the priest?
I would do that.

In a word no and have no plans to do so. With the church as it is here, how could ha do anything without a huge todo in the press etc? I have in the past spoken out to be ignored and to see that not one priest here will even look you in the face. Oh and I am not attached to this church anyway. My role continues to be supporting the oppressed while staying safe myself. Which given that I am threatened with imminent arrest if I even look at these folk!.

 

[Rosebud77]

Be kind to your “enemies”, dear one. God tells us this many times and we affirm our judgment when we judge others. It’s difficult but Jesus prophesied this: the world hated Him before they hated you. Continue to do His Will as much and as long as you can. Pray especially hard for the family who does not see the harm they are doing to others, themselves, and especially the parish family. If unrepented, their sins will be grave and the consequences severe indeed. Praying for you that the Holy Spirit continues to fill you with justice, perseverance, love, understanding, and hope!

I have no enemies. I do have “neighbours” of a kind who want me out of my home because I stand by a good man being oppressed. That is their problem. I am not judging by the way. When you see a legal document telling you that if you so much a look at someone you will be arrested something is amiss! As for being kind! And they see the harm they are doing and it is being done very deliberately as it has been for over 20 years now, through the courts etc. These are bad people not amenable to any of the qualities you urge. A time to be wise as serpents. They are totally open about their intentions. To get rid of me and to belled this good man dry. Stated in public frequently and backed up by dastardly deeds. Priest and all the congregation and community. You need to take off those rose coloured glasses. Jesus did not wear then and nor do I My point is that surely the priest should be caring for the spiritual welfare of his parishioners and clearly is not doing so. Up here on my mountain I am safe and fine. So is this house as long a I am here!