Ok, I’d agree with this if you’re referring to some of the abuses that are carried out by lay people. We may know something’s not quite right, but would rather remain half asleep and not worry so much about things. An example would be ignoring the multitudes who are receiving Communion despite not having been to Confession in years and years, because after all, “they don’t know any better”. How many Catholics do this? Some of us not going to Confession, some of us politely trying to ignore those who don’t go to Confession? The churches are chalk-a-block full of such people. And I think by and large, it’s because Catholics are misinformed, because Father hasn’t ever told anyone they really should go to confession. Plus it’s more comfortable not to have to go to Confession, so why bother?
Now how about abuses that are carried out by the clergy; by Priests? Are they misinformed, also? Take my same example above of Priests not reminding the faithful to get to Confession. Is Father misinformed here too, or is this a sin of omission on his part? Perhaps Father really doesn’t believe Confession is necessary, but it’s stretching it a bit and I don’t know if I can believe that.
Right, I agree with you.
I was speaking more so of why the Bishops and Priests have allowed the lay Faithful to do things that aren’t good. Now when we speak of the Bishops and the Priests, are they as well intentioned? Maybe sometimes but for the most part I doubt it. They are at very least not loving the Faith Christ has given to us because they are loving something else, either some other conception of the Faith or else their own desires and thoughts. I think the Bishops and Priests, obviously, are more accountable and they will surely have to give an account to God (which is a scary thought).
Overall I think it is a matter of not thinking that the service of God, the love of God and His Church, is just not important enough to make me do something I do not want to do, that makes me uncomfortable, that is contrary to what I want. We are then back at a Church in people’s minds that is self-serving, a anthropocentric and not theocentric conception of the Church.
Then what about the same abuse when it’s tolerated by Bishops? It’s even harder for me to believe Bishops who’ve tolerated this abuse in their Diocese for years and years are simply misinformed. Aren’t they worried about the souls of their flocks? Aren’t they worried about their own souls? Apparently not. So the only conclusion I can come to is that they don’t believe all that the Church teaches.
I agree. I think most Bishops either don’t believe what the Church teaches or just don’t care enough to deal with the backlash if they did speak out, or both. I can’t see how a Bishop could be ignorant. This aspect, I think, is where the vast majority of the problems lie. Bishops don’t want to enforce orthodoxy, they don’t want to ensure right disciplinary practices, they don’t want to challenge or rebuke the flock - but who watches their flock go toward their death without trying to break their leg first to save them?
I’m not sure I’m following you. Could you explain this further?
What I was saying here is that there is an idea that excommunications and rebukes and things are not charitable and that it is somehow more loving to not do such things. The fact of the matter is that excommunication, rebukes, punishments are acts of love when done out of a genuine desire to help the offender see the error of their way. Once someone has hardened themselves, once they have been told and taught and warned multiple times, then they must face the consequences - not as a mean-spirited thing to do but out of charity in hopes that this final, serious act will cause them to finally repent, change their mind, return to the Truth and to following Christ. This is largely forgotten!
Case in point, politicians. There is a debate out there, as we all know, should pro-abortion politicians be refused Holy Communion? Archbishop Burke - now in Rome - said that yes they should and in fact Canon Law requires Holy Communion to not be given to those who are in manifest, public mortal sin(s). That is charity because it (1) safeguards the Church’s Most Blessed Sacrament against sacrilege and (2) it makes the state of the person’s soul more clear to that person in hopes that they may repent. Very few Bishops will follow Arch. Burke, which is sad and a huge problem.
I would agree here, too. And when the clergy doesn’t do their job, to whom does the burden fall? On us?
No because the lay Faithful can’t take up the job of the Magisterium or of the Priests. They can’t lead per se. I read a book by an orthodox Jesuit who said that in the last days the Pope, much like Peter, would have a time of doubt much like St. Peter’s denial of Christ, but that after it he would regain his faith and return. I am not saying the Pope is not the Pope or that he is a heretic. I am saying that the Magisterium may be experiencing this crisis, this failing, and we as lay Faithful have to pray for them all so that they may regain their strength and to do what God wants them to do. We have to pray for them all. I think the lay Faithful can speak up when they see things in the ordinary Magisterium that are contrary to the Tradition or are bad for the Church but only in a way that keeps their sincere adherence to them and their office intact.
Pax Christi tecum.
