What should we do about an improper homily on the priesthood?

[paulkrause]

Our Priest used this last Sunday’s homily to talk about the Priesthood. Unfortunately, he described what I think he would like to happen, not what the church teaches and why. I have tremendous respect for priests and the priesthood, what should I do? Write a letter to our Bishop? And as a result of this (and other things that seem to be a bit out-of-bounds) we are considering finding another parish. Is that an appropriate step to take?

Here is a very brief summary of what he said during his homily:
When he was in seminary (apprx 25 yrs ago) there was discussion about the celibate priesthood and how it could change, but now “the hierarchy has squelched all discussion” on the matter. He gave a bleak outlook on the priesthood - at least for our diocese - (number of priests who will leave, the number who struggle with alcohol and depression, etc. and how few are entering seminaries). Then he proceeded to give what he thought should happen or ideas to solve this problem, things that he would like to see discussed again; married laymen becoming priests, women becoming priests, closing local parishes and having a super or mega church instead, having priests travel around on a circuit and move the mass from Sunday to Wednesday or whatever day would work.

A few additional questionable practices we have observed are:

• delivering homilies from the middle of the aisle or the back of church
• offering a “halloween Mass” where kids dress up in their halloween costumes and come to mass (and I’m assuming special attention will be paid to the dressed up kids and halloween)
• replacing “him”, “his”, “he” in the scripture readings with “God” or just omitting in some other way

I am not trying to or nor do I want to get our Priest in trouble. And maybe some of the things he says or does are ok, but it seems to me that a number of these things are not in-line with Church teaching. Any response or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you
Paul
Minnesota

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

I suggest that you notify the bishop of the vocation homily. Of your complaints, this is the one he will be most likely inclined to respond to.

I would look for another parish if I were you. You need to be in a parish where your faith is supported.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.