Why Satan taking down of a priest could affect thousands of lay faithful?

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Pythagoras

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I read in a lot of stories or homilies of Saints that if Satan can cause the downfall of a priest, this could also cause the downfall of thousands of lay faithful. Why is that so?

Is it because of the bad examples of this priest?
Is it because nobody would be praying consistently or making sacrifices for the lay faithful given under his charge by God?
 
Pythagoras said:
I read in a lot of stories or homilies of Saints that if Satan can cause the downfall of a priest, this could also cause the downfall of thousands of lay faithful. Why is that so?

Is it because of the bad examples of this priest?
Is it because nobody would be praying consistently or making sacrifices for the lay faithful given under his charge by God?
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Both the reasons you give are valid ones. 👍

There’s also the issue of scandal: people might lose their faith or leave the Church if a priest’s sins are serious and manifest.
 
It is written: “'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

Blessed is the one who does not fall away.
 
satan knows exactly how to scatter the flock.
And he has the perfect tools to try and do so in this day and age.

Pray for our poor priests and religious who are slandered by his filthy deceitful tactics. This is spiritual warfare. And people know that satan thrives in the darkness therefore he hates the light because he fears his deeds will be exposed.
  • “…but whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”*
 
Pythagoras said:
I read in a lot of stories or homilies of Saints that if Satan can cause the downfall of a priest, this could also cause the downfall of thousands of lay faithful. Why is that so?

Is it because of the bad examples of this priest?
Is it because nobody would be praying consistently or making sacrifices for the lay faithful given under his charge by God?
Click to expand...
Not quite sure what you mean exactly? Are we not all accountable for our own actions?
 
Because of the loss of souls he could have prevented had he not been “taken down”
I do know a holy priest who has been put on leave due to the look of scandal. Very sad as he could have impacted many people…

Pray for all priests…after all they are human and need our support.
 
What we do effects others. We are all in this together.
For example, if a woman aborts a baby who would have become a priest, she will have to answer not only for the abortion, but for all the prayers, sacrifices the priest would have done if he were allowed to live. If his prayers would have helped save a soul, she will have to answer for that too.

If a priest falls away, he is responsible for all the good he did not commit and all the bad and scandalous example he gave.

We don’t get into heaven alone, and we often drag others to Hell with us.

If a parent ignores the spiritual welfare of a child, neglects to take him to Mass and teach him his Catechism, he will have to answer for that.

If someone needs my fraternal correction, and I don’t give it, I might be responsible for that, too.
 
Priests are still flawed humans and we must pray for them daily.
 
A priest might be thought to have the strongest faith in a congregation, so if he can be subverted, then what chance would a lay person have?

I think therecis a lot of the “satan is too strong, I’m doomed” in many stories, in the end, it’s always a one on one fight between each of us and satan…yes the clergy and fellow catholics can help, but in the end its just you vs him.
 
Just look at the scandal of priests who preyed on children and how the church as a whole is viewed now, that’s the answer to your question. People have left the church as a result, and not just the individuals affected. I dare say lots of people didn’t enter the church because of this. I don’t know if the church can ever fully recover from this
 
seagal said:
Just look at the scandal of priests who preyed on children and how the church as a whole is viewed now, that’s the answer to your question. People have left the church as a result, and not just the individuals affected. I dare say lots of people didn’t enter the church because of this. I don’t know if the church can ever fully recover from this
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The church can recover but what will be needed is the stripping away of the CINOS. Cutural Catholicism and dare I say cultural Christianity in America as a whole is rapidly declining.

The remnant will always be and thanks be to God. It is about to get bitter though I am afraid. However the verdict has already been written. Jesus has won.👍
 
total_Catholic said:
The church can recover but what will be needed is the stripping away of the CINOS. Cutural Catholicism and dare I say cultural Christianity in America as a whole is rapidly declining.

The remnant will always be and thanks be to God. It is about to get bitter though I am afraid. However the verdict has already been written. Jesus has won.👍
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Yep, but satan always be hatin’.

Forgive me my ignorance, but what is CINOS? Thanks.
 
seagal said:
Just look at the scandal of priests who preyed on children and how the church as a whole is viewed now, that’s the answer to your question. People have left the church as a result, and not just the individuals affected. I dare say lots of people didn’t enter the church because of this. I don’t know if the church can ever fully recover from this
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I do agree with you, but just thinking about this, its crazy, people get so upset over kids being molested or harmed in anyway, (especially by priests), but at the same time, these same exact people know millions of babies have been killed thru abortions and they are aware they happen every day, yet think absolutely nothing of this???

I guess age is the determining factor whether folks will be outraged or find it acceptable.

crazy world we live in!
 
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