What should a Catholic do when their Bishop is "liberal?"

[Cat]

Please link me if this question has already been dealt with.

My diocese is blessed with a wonderful Bishop who has the world-wide reputation of “conservative Catholic.”

Over a decade ago, while I was still happily Protestant, I used to listen to our local Catholic radio program, which featured this Bishop, and I always thought, “This man sounds like Jesus!”

Now I am pleased to be in the Church under the authority of this true apostle of Christ.

But what about all the Catholics who are in dioceses where the Bishop has allowed things to fall apart? Liturgical abuses, liberal politics, public disagreements with the Vatican, even outright public sins–I’ve heard about dioceses like this in the U.S.

Several times in these Boards, I’ve told people that if the Bishop says it’s OK, it’s OK, and I’ve been told that “even Bishops make mistakes.” I’d like to think that this is just “sour grapes” and that these people are just ticked off that the Bishop disagrees with them!

But I also know that some Bishops make a lot of “mistakes” and that some accusations of “unfit” are probably true, not malicious.

What should Catholics in this situation do? Grit your teeth and put up with it until he is gone? Appeal to the Vatican? Appeal to the Bishop himself to clean up his act? Move away?

How can we act in such a way that we don’t become contentious and rebellious against God-appointed authority in the Church?

I realize that we should first and always pray for each and every member of the clergy, especially the bad ones. But surely there are other options for those stuck with a “bad” Bishop.

Thank you.

 

[bilop]

I think if the Bishop does things that we disagree with, but are permitted by the Church, we must obey and pray for a change of heart.

If they violate the laws of the Church, you should write to them, and cc the relevent Vatican Congregation. You should also get other concerned Catholics to write.

God Bless

 

[Liberanosamalo]

A wise old priest once told me “The road to hell is paved with many mitres.”

Pray for the bishop. And know that he is temporary in the grand scheme of things. And he will have to answer for the error he taught. And you are called to be leaven in the world. And know that most people out in the world are really more affected by how their friends, family and neighbors live than what is going on in their chancery. Until you are sent a worthy shepherd, be your brother’s keeper. Set an example. If you are busy showing the face of Christ in the world and being the example of Catholicism in the world, the activities of your bishop won’t concern you as much.

 

[otjm]

In the last 40 years, there have been innumerable complaints to the Vatican about bishops. There have been very, very few bishops sanctioned publicly.

Many of the complaints have been over issues that the Vatican simply is not interested in persuing. Some complaints may have had the substance that could cause the Vatican to do something, but were most likely poorly presented and documented. I say that, because the results are that there are few censures.

What should a Catholic do? The first suggestion, praying for the bishop, is certainly worthwhile.

The second suggestion might be to get outside one’s own concerns, and dertemine if this is actually a matter that the Vaticn may be concerend with. That might mean looking at history, at what is actually being complained of vs. what may be other problems of more significance, and bothering to find help (a Canon lawyer comes to mind). It also might entail learning what the Vatican actually does (it doesn’t micro-manage dioceses, let alone parishes) and what it doesn’t do; how often it actually does something, and under what circumstances. Then, having learned that, one needs to compare one’s complaints with what has actually caused the Vatican to censure or otherwise involve itself with a bishop.

That, at least, is a starting point.

 

[goofyjim]

My policy is let each level correct itself.

The laity correct the laity.

Priests correct priests.

Bishops correct bishops.