Let me clarify.
When I said we finally have a bishop:
Bishop Mengeling has told many, openly, and publically, that he IS, and has been for two years, for all practical purposes, retired. He delegated many priests to confirm this year in his place.
He had told me personally that he agrees that over half of the new Catholics on any given Easter will have left the church, or just become very inactive, within a year … and that he has no plan on what to do.
He has told many (if not all) new pastors to “not make any changes, we can’t let collections suffer”.
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also
He has given some great homilies, and inspirations, including the recent Rite of Election talks. He has supported many good causes.
But we need a bishop who will address scandals, who will shepherd his flock, who will stop some “strange” actions by his underlings… and who will clarify and inforce the rubrics, the GIRM etc… whether we agree or not. We need an active leader.
That is why I commented that many newer, youger, more “traditional” (you may cringe at the term) were jumping for joy.
As for the “cleaning house”, I refere to some of the heads of departments that he has. Sisters who deny the title Sr, in favor of Dr., or a very suspect theology in their deaconate program. Or the “canned speeches” during the ongoing investigation on parish closing/mergers. All the speakers say they are addressing the priest shortage… and then go on to address anything but.
Thank God for Fr Jerry Vinke and his great work in procurring seminarians. His efforts alone are bearing fruit.
Or the late, great "Voices’ program. Yes I was part of that until I got that feeling in the stomach you say you have.
I wish I could refuse Faith Magazine, although the History Issue was quite good, and much of the early “stuff” is appearing less and less.
Bishop Carl was is a good man. And certainly he was what JPII wanted us to have, based on the recommendations received. I just happen to think/hope that those who will recommend future assignments to B16 will be taking more time to make more confident suggestions. And I think that perhaps the good Card Rigali, who is now on that commission, may have had something to do with this new assignment… and he is a good friend of Bishop Mengeling.
So if you want to comment on a bishop, you should tell the diocese, not me. But the complaints that were welcomed in years passed may now be rejected… and those that were considered too “orthodox or traditional” may now be addressed.
The Bishop will last as long as 75 or when he needs to be yanked (as Benedict has done a few times). His office should be that of shepherd/teacher, and I always pray that it will be. We need one.
