Right from the headline this Boston Globe article betrays both its ignorance of Catholic teaching and open shilling for the gay agenda. The headline says, “A gay priest receive the sacrament of acceptance.”
Thank you for your offensive degradation of the Catholic faith and of the Seven Sacraments given to us by Jesus Christ as conduits of grace by placing the modernist virtue of “acceptance” among them. Acceptance, in this context, means saying what one does and says is fine regardless of whether it conflicts with God’s will.
The story itself tells us how shortsighted it is to blame gays for the Scandal and to prepare to ban gays from seminaries because after all they do so many good things in the priesthood. That’s it. The whole article is a blatant apologia for homosexuality.
The folks on Hospitality Row do not mind talking about the fact that the Rev. Fred Daley of St. Francis de Sales Church is openly gay. They know that is why Daley is in the spotlight at a time when some leaders of the Roman Catholic Church are blaming homosexuals for its sexual abuse scandals, and possibly preparing to bar gays from the priesthood.
But they would prefer to talk about Daley’s 13 years of service to their impoverished Corn Hill neighborhood ...
Anything you put in the bulletin will be read by a small percentage of Mass-goers, while anything said in the homily is heard by 100%. You also have a limited space for a bulletin note. And there’s a reason the Church requires a homily at Mass, and doesn’t allow priests to just hand out written notices. There’s something unique and important to preaching.
I don’t know about you, but when I was younger I was a voracious reader. I’d read anything in print, including cereal boxes. I certainly would read the entire bulletin on the way home from church. I can imagine my ten year old nephew doing the same. To put such a message in the bulletin doesn’t really avoid the issue of the message getting to the wrong audience.
I don’t think a homily that refers to sins against the sixth commandment can properly be characterized as “X-rated.” (I’m presuming the homilist doesn’t go into the kind of detail that could itself be a sin against modesty.)
And I don’t know that it’s necessarily a bad idea for children to hear such sins as fornication, contraception, adultery, and pornography condemned by name from the pulpit. They might ask questions on the way home from church that might lead parents to decide how detailed an education they want to give their children right now, but the same issue comes up if you go to Mass the day the story of David and Bathsheba comes up in the first reading.
Unless you keep your children locked in the basement until they turn 18, it’s almost essential that you innoculate them, by what they hear at home and in church, against the distorted attitude toward things sexual they’re likely to get from the world. If they don’t hear condemnations of sexual sins from the pulpit, don’t imagine for a moment that they aren’t hearing about sex from their friends and other sources. If they don’t hear sexual sins discussed in church, but hear them discussed outside of church as if their practice was the norm, they’ll just conclude that the traditional teaching about the sixth commandment is like the condemnation of the charging of interest: something the Church once took seriously, but no longer does now that it has reconciled itself to modern realities.
If it can’t be said from the pulpit and it can’t be written in the bulletin or a parish newsletter, the priest has in effect been silenced. But our culture is anything but silent on the topic. Something needs to be done, or as Seamus indicates it will be assumed that those sins don’t count any longer. Silence is not working.
What’s more, sex presented clinically in the parochial school sex ed program has got to be countered somewhere. It’s not fair for the Church to remain silent on sexual sin, leaving parents who want to raise their children to hold Catholic values are left working in a vacuum.
What if it upsets some of the parishioners? That’s why our pastor doesn’t discuss same-sex marriage.
I’m not saying this attitude is right. I just don’t how to convince him to move beyond that. He is orthodox and not a wimp…
Asking Gene Robinson to consider the virtue of humility for himself is about like asking Madonna to consider the virtue of chastity for herself.
“If they don’t hear condemnations of sexual sins from the pulpit, don’t imagine for a moment that they aren’t hearing about sex from their friends and other sources.”
I appreciate your point, Dom, and I’ve thought of that difficulty too, but Seamus raises a good point as well. It might not be long before your nieces and nephews *are* exposed to the culture’s ideas about sexuality, no matter what their age or how vigilant their parents are about protecting them. Abortionists and pornographers would be more than happy to influence the children in your life and prey on their naivete. That seems to be one of the things they do best, in fact.
I recall that a few years ago at my parish, a priest who helped out on the weekends was preaching at the Saturday vigil Mass, mainly attended by elderly folks from the housing complex across the street. He began to thunder forth on the evils of Internet pornography and scolding them on how society is succumbing to its allure. Right message, wrong audience. I seriously doubt most of those people would know even to get on the Internet. And the way he was haranguing them—he was visibly angry—offended a few people who got up and walked out, which only got him even angrier. Thatt would be ok to use with the entire congregation.
As far as dealing with explicitly sexual topics that are not meant for
young ears, adult education can handle that. However, the problem you have there is that those who attend are usually not the ones who really need it.
That is what I really like about the Community of St. John. The Brothers offer adult missions and conferences that deal with the real issues we as Catholics must struggle with in the world today. I have been to talks they have had on homosexuality, abortion, theology of the body, contraception, chastity and other topics that are relevant to my life as a lay person in the world. I enjoy them because they offer information and spiritual guidance in areas that the typical parish priest does not.
Let him talk, loud and clear. He is probably saving souls.
What about priests just preaching about Sin, period? When was the last time you heard a homily that dealt with Mortal Sin and Venial Sin – and the difference between them…?
So many priests avoid the topic by using euphemisms (‘mistakes’, ‘errors’, ‘failures’ etc.).
Call it what it is – a Sin! And if Mortally sinful, emphasize the consequences of Mortal Sin – here and hereafter.
Orthodox,
the expected directive from Rome about the suitability of candidates for the priesthood has not, in any of its rumored forms, been alleged to allow sodomites in the priesthood. There has been talk of allowing men with same sex attraction who are orthodox in faith and chaste in practice to test their vocation.
To describe someone who is living chastely, despite temptations to sin, as a sodomite is a sin against charity (or at best, a display of ignorance). Is every person who ever experienced rage, but mastered it, also to be called a murderer?
We are supposed to rejoice, along with the angels, at the repentance of sinners (and pray that we too will be repentant). The measure of mercy we use for others will be used for ourselves.
To pick up on the last post…and this too is only a partial answer…What about discussing these issues in the positive, instead of the negative when young children are in the audience? For example, discuss God’s plan for us and our eternal happiness in the “positive” fulfillment of the commandments: faithfulness, holy family life, sacrificial love, prayer (individual and family)…
Also, in the past, when teaching the catechism to younger students, I learned that there is a way to explain certain commandments. When students would ask me to explain “do not covet thy neighbor’s wife,” one thing I would say (among other things, but this was a starting point) is that a husband/wife should only want to be married to their wife/husband…they shouldn’t want to be or act like they are married to someone else. The kids understood the commandment on their level. Children understand justice and fairness and how people should treat one another. Even if they only understand it in regard to the public behavior they can see. We would discuss real love and sacrifice in family life.
Important note: I worked with really great students from practicing Catholic families, so they had powerful insights that some adults don’t get! And, this made my job much easier!
Renee, lovely!
When was the last time you heard a homily that dealt with Mortal Sin and Venial Sin – and the difference between them…?
Thanks be to God, only a few weeks ago in my parish.
A priest who didn’t want to register to post sent me the following:
Frankly, Dom, as an older priest (with a young heart), former pastor, retreat and parish mission preacher, I don’t think it’s necessary or even appropriate to address those topics (on sex) from the pulpit. To teenagers, young adults, etc., in another setting, when they’re expecting it, perhaps. But not in church.
Preaching/teaching on a right relationship with Christ and holiness of life in its various aspects, if only by implication and elimination, ought to cover it nicely.
From the priest who didn’t want to register to post:
” Preaching/teaching on a right relationship with Christ and holiness of life in its various aspects, if only by implication and elimination, ought to cover it nicely.”
I think this priest is on the right track. My approach is to preach as this priest suggests and then, in the homily, to ask questions like, “How do my time and interests on the internet influence my relationship with God?” A question like this speaks to those who waste time online, and to those who spend time online with porn. The point gets made without any language that might be difficult to explain to little ones, and yet they also hear that somehow the internet might influence one’s relationship with God.
Dom,
When to preach on this material is a good topic for discussion. I have had complaints when I preach on this material in a more upscale environment. (I was even yelled at in my first parish for preaching on such a topic. “after all children were listening.”)
However, the immigrant populations I work with have no problem with addressing these issues directly.
Americans tend to be more politically correct and more demanding of political correctness in general in Church. Yet, they are not so demanding with the television viewing habits or in what their children are taught in school.
These sexual issues can be addressed more directly in confession. (Confess reading pornography to me and you get a small spiel about how intensely dangerous it is.) However, again, Americans tend to confess less and have a greater lack of understanding of sin than I deal with in the ibero-american communities.
This brings out another consistent point. People can blame the priests all they want, but this priest will tell you that one of the greatest problems in the American community is thirty plus years (and counting) of poor catechesis.
Now on the other hand, if a directive ever comes that explicitly allows practicing, openly gay men to be ordained, then the Church has defected and I am joining the Orthodox Church that day. Not the next weekend, not the next day, that very day.
And of course, I say this with absolutely no expectation that this will ever happen. The Church that Christ founded upon the rock of Peter is indefectable.
Much to the dismay of those who would love to destroy it.
Again, another narcissistic gay clamoring for attention..Does he realize that more Episcopalians are swimming the Tiber over the fact that the Episcopal Church is in a serious state of melt down.
The ordination of a homosexual bishop was inevitable, given the trajectory the Anglican Church has been on for a long time, but nonetheless I can’t help but feel a thankfulness to Bishop Robinson for being the reason that so many orthodox Anglicans are returning to Rome.
My priest regularly preaches on abortion, homosexual sin, pornography etc. He is 100% orthodox, but he often lets his anger at those sins show. I’m totally on his side, but I cringe sometimes and think “If you say the word ‘pornography’ one more time I’m going to start thinking about it!” I’ve wondered about the children too. But he never defines the sin, assuming those that need the lesson know the word. We’ve lost a lot of parishioners, but we’ve gained almost as many from neighboring parishes who want their Catholicism straight.
I’m very proud of my priest and of Bishop Vasa. They’re doing the work that needs to be done to bring the American Church back.
“These sexual issues can be addressed more directly in confession. (Confess reading pornography to me and you get a small spiel about how intensely dangerous it is.)”
This only works if a penitent actually thinks it’s something he should be mentioning in confession. Many people haven’t even had their consciences formed to that extent.
“But he never defines the sin, assuming those that need the lesson know the word.”
This sounds like a good approach. It avoids offending innocent ears with too detailed information, and it allows those children who are ready to ask their parents what those particular words refer to. (In my experience, if your children aren’t ready, they probably won’t ask the question. You can generally find for sure by answering them in the most general kinds of terms first, but in a way that invites follow-up questions if they really want to find out more. If they are ready, they’ll push for more information. (“What do you mean by impurity anyway?”) If they aren’t, they’ll signal, verbally or non-verbally, that they don’t need to hear any more.)
Vickie Gene Robinson also said,
“We are seeing so many Roman Catholics joining the church.
“Pope Ratzinger may be the best thing that ever happened to the Episcopal Church.”
So his perspective is that his numbers are up (presumably due to defections of homosexuals and their enablers.)
The man abandoned his wife and children for a lover who happened to be homosexual. The New Testament clearly states that men who do that are lacking the character needed to be bishops. So in the Episcopal church, adultery is in?
Hi Seamus,
“This only works if a penitent actually thinks itf speaking of porn “as if we follow it secretly”.
Was I the priest that didn’t log in? My mistake. If it was me, you can just say my name.
Well, you know, they said all the same stuff about Paul Shanley, once upon a time. Maybe the Globe missed that little detail.
I’m sure Bishopess Robinson would love to have him in his congregation.
Evil will be called good and good called evil.
The sooner they all come out of the woodwork, the faster they can be replace by men serious about their vocations. There may be a few tight years, but in the end, young men will flock to a priesthood that is both manly and holey.
WWAOMD?
(What Will Abp O’Malley Do)
By the way, I hope no one who is bothered by this STILL has a subscription to the all-gay all-the-time Globe?!
Lynne—the “priest” in question is in Utica, New York, which is in the Syracuse diocese, led by Most Rev. James M. Moynihan. What HE will do is another question.
anyone else tired of being labeled homophobic?
The Episcopal Church, by it’s own reconing has lost 36,000 people in 2004, and it’s ASA, or average Sunday attendance is down 27,000. 54% of Episcopal parishes have 200 or less members, and 62% have ASA of less than 100.
Is it good news that the Globe had to go to Utica to get their Gay of the Week? Maybe they’re running out around here.
Anyway, I wouldn’t slap ‘em too hard over “the sacrament of acceptance”—that’s small stuff—unless we also give a backhand to Diogenes over “the sacrament of clarification”.
Me, Cathy!
I don’t care though. The leftist militant homosexual crowd hates nothing more than to be told that their lifestyle is sinful. It’s like sprinkling holy water on Linda Blair. It burns! It burns!
Hey, the Truth hurts; get used to it.
Jim Clark—Why the quote marks around the word priest?
Interesting stats. Wonder where all those people go to church now?
Fair question Rocco.
On the other hand, why drop the “Fr.” before “Jim Clark”?
Add “acceptance” to the list of sacraments of AmChurch (which include diversity, homo marriage, abortion, polygamy, sodomy, child rape and all Marty Haugen tunes.)
Witness the face of the new crucified martyr.
During the high media days of “the situation”, the Glob (not a typo) ran a piece in their Sunday magazine. It featured a local young recently dismissed out of the closet ex priest.
It was a hatchet piece, perfect for pulling the heart-strings of the Bostonian whose Sunday church experienceis the Boston Globe.
Favorite paraphrased quote: the church sez I can still say mass in private but the same church sez masturbation is bad.
No, I posted a comment above from a priest who emailed it to me rather than register and post it himself.
OK. Now that I have looked back on the thread, I see exactly where you got it.
I’m still trying to figure out this log-in system, but I wish more blogs had it. It must be a good filter of sorts.
Lynne3D79439″>an interview with a Spanish bishop regarding the discussion of homilies brought up at the recent Synod made it percolate even further.
Joanne said she wishes more priests would preach on the topic of the dangerousness and depravity of pornography. I think that’s a noble sentiment. I often say that I wish priests would preach more often on topics like contraception, abortion, homosexuality, and chastity. That does raise a problem, however. Not everyone at Mass will be a suitable audience for what would be explicit, adult conversation. I know that I don’t think my 4-year-old niece or even my 10-year-old nephew should be exposed to some of what would need to be said. And if the priest tries to be circumspect and speak in euphemisms, his homily will undoubtedly be less effective for the adults. So what does a priest do? What do the priests who frequent this blog do?
I suppose you can make an arrangement ahead of time and announce before your homily that all the children will be escorted to the chapel or someplace for a special homily or reading of the Liturgy of the Word. What other options are there?
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When I was on the parish newsletter committee at my former parish, one of the things I had hoped to do was get a regular column from the pastor included. I wasn’t successful in persuading him to do it, however. If a newsletter option is available, a pastor surely could use this forum to discuss the more sensitive topics. It would then be up to the parents to deal with the matter with their children.
Aplman,
“I’ve never read or heard this. Do you have a reference?”
The idea of using our experience as husbands and fathers was a fairly consistent theme throughout our formation. One specific citation concerning preaching would be from the The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States. number 149 which says, in part “The deacon, because of his familiarity with the day-to-day realities and rhythms of the family, neighborhood, and workplace, can relate the rich tradition of Catholic social teaching to the practical problems experienced by people.
There are others, but I’m not at home right now to look them up.
“How did you come by this information?”
As to your second question, the Gospel for that particular Sunday was from the 16th chapter of Matthew. Jesus tells the Apostles that He will return in glory and “judge each according to his conduct.”
Some of us will be judged worthy, some won’t. Do I know the how anyone’s judgement will turn out? Of course not. But when I said that some of us would be going to hell, I believe that’s a true statement. If you’re interested, you can read the homily here.
Thanks, Deacon Mike, for the helpful reference about deacons.
And thanks for the link to your homily which is more subtle in its actual text than how you reported it in your post here.
I definitely believe there is a hell – no doubt about it. Who is in it, however, is a question to which I have no answer – not even a subtle one.
Alpman,
The older I get, the more I hope that there are very few people in hell. The closer I get to my own judgement, the more I hope God is more merciful than He is just.
We have a deacon at our parish who likes to preach … uh… strongly about topics. Once last year he talked about a man who had bludgeoned (the deacon’s word) his baby to death. My 6 year old was visibly disturbed and asked questions about it off and on for a couple days. (when we would begin to answer, he’d say “I don’t want to hear about it!” and run away.) Another time the deacon talked fairly strongly about abortion. My young sons immediately wanted to know what that was. I believe my 4 year old should be innocent of that reality a little while longer. I don’t take my kids to Mass to have them shocked or their innocence violated. There are ways to address adult topics in less brutal terms. If the homilists were talking about sexual sins in detail, I’d find another parish.
I find the argument that “I_gmt>
“He continued: ‘I find it so vile that they think they are going to end the child abuse scandal by throwing out homosexuals from seminaries. It is an act of violence that needs to be confronted.’ “
There’s some breathtaking arrogance in that statement. Please tell us Gene, if protecting children by weeding out potential pederast priests is an “act of violence”, what pray tell, do you call the homosexual predation that has been perpetrated on hundreds of innocent children over the years?