The thing is that they believe by not agreeing with the Church that it actually gives them a position within the Church. In my Parish it is 99% women and 2 priests who constantly dissent simply because it gives them a feeling of exclusivity and power.
A small group but none the less a thorn. I ask myself what would a rose be without its thorns?
These folks had no desire to see a Corpus Christi procession in our Parish this year and campaigned against it. Now that the PP has given the approval for the procession they are at every meeting trying to take over the jobs that need to be done. He is putting his foot down. One of them announced at the last meeting that this procession was a once off idea since it was the Year of the Eucharist, and would not be happening again.
St Paul has a very good piece of advice for people like this.
**“Audivimus enim inter vos quosdam ambulare inquiete, nihil operantes, sed curiose agentes. 12 Iis autem, qui ejusmodi sunt, denuntiemus, et obsecramus in Domino Jesu Christo, ut cum silentio operantes, suum panem manducent.” **For we have heard there are some among you who walk disorderly, working not at all, but curiously meddling. 12 Now we charge them that are such, and beseech them by the Lord Jesus Christ, that, working with silence, they would eat their own bread.
I feel that somwhere along the line they got a ‘schlap’ (as we say in Ireland) from a Christian Brother or a Nun for not knowing Catechism or something and now feel they have an avenue in disagreeing with the establishment and so take it out inside the Church.
My dear friends, they are our brothers and sisters and they belong in the Chruch even though they disagree with it. We may have a lot to put up with at times, but we have nothing to fear.
God Bless.
