A petition, inititated by Catholics for Renewal, is doing the rounds of Australian parishes calling for reversal of the Vatican's dcision on the issue of Bishop Morris of Toowoomba. This petition seems to be splitting the Church and no doubt designed as such.
This petition seems also to imply that justice has not been done in regard to Bishop Morris, and a very very liberal cache of so called Catholics have joined forces to redress the decision made by the Holy Father. This petition is fuelled by websites and chat rooms etc.leading almost to hysteria. Im reminded of the hysteria of the rioters in London recently, but later if you asked some of the rioters what they were rioting about most would not have known the reason, they just joined in because the pack mentality took over.
For my part, with the shortage of priests and available candidates for office of Bishop why would the Holy Father stand down an already existing Bishop unless there was serious cause? Because vatican receives 100, or even 1000 letters from disgrntled parishioners? Dont think so. It doesnt make sense.
There seems to be a litany of complaints re the said Bishop, and many attempts to clarify his beliefs and support of the teachings of the Church of which he is a pastor. most specifically the suggestion of priesthood for women (this fuelled I suspect by the feminist brigade within the church) which is difinitively taught that the church has no authority from Christ Jesus,to ordain women. So if this is a definitive teaching of the church whats the point of dialogue? If dialogue was what Bishop Morris asked for.
I hear the word collegiality a lot. What does collegiality mean?
lack of discourse and dialogue with Vatican? I understand that Bishops have a direct line to the Vatican and if in good standing have no difficulty in getting through to the Holy Father, and even as in the case of Bishop Morris if there is a difficulty and perhaps even in not good standing, there is ease with which to get to see the Holy Father even apart from the ad limina visits.
As I keep reading more and more about this sad story, I see much disobedience by one who was called to Pastor a flock in accordance with the mind of the Holy Spirit, the Magisterium, instead of working with lay leadership groups to try and circumvent the decision and upstage and destabilise the Church.
It seems to me disobedience (dare we say pride) again is at the very root of this sorry saga.
How tragic and so sad that a beautiful successor to the Apostles has allowed himself to be wounded and waylaid and then to allow others to continue with disobedience and not brought a stop (this would have shown massive humility) to this whole messy story.
We need to pray for him and for sense and saintly thoughts to slowly come through. How much satan must be enjoying this rift.
I dont usually like to get involved in church politics as its not beneficial, because I love my church and many many priest and Bishop friends to bits. But this mess is causing rifts and wounds and if we look at them we can see "who" is behind the rupture.
And we also need to remind ourselves that "priesthood" is not a job that we can learn to do (Yes there is pastoral/theology study) or have a "right" to, or even can earn, but before the study is the call from God also heard in Jeremiah 1:4 "before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you:I appointed you a prophet to the nations" consecrated, anointed, appointed,set apart for a particular work. the work of a male priest (to Jeremiah and later Jesus...male)
Yes before the study there is mysterious call implanted in the heart of a man to respond to a call which he doesnt quite understand but he knows he has to answer.
Priesthood is not a job, because if it was a mere job,of course women could do the job. A job is a job. Priesthood is a soul saver in the like and mind of Jesus Christ. Priest hood, like motherhood create citizens for God's Kingdom. and in our day both are under enormous attack.
Lets Pray ....
Anne
