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Posted on 12/02/2005 4:08:40 PM PST by BizzeeMom
In a defiant challenge to Archbishop Raymond Burke’s authority as the leader of the St. Louis archdiocese, the board of directors of St. Stanislaus Kostka church have hired a Roman Catholic priest from the neighboring diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau to be its parish pastor.
The Rev. Marek B. Bozek, associate pastor of St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield and Polish native, will take over at St. Stanislaus without Burke’s consent. Bozek, 30, will celebrate his first Mass at the church on Christmas Eve.
“I am deeply saddened by this action, which causes further damage to the the Church, not only here in St. Louis, but in the diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau as well,” said Burke in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at stltoday.com ...
Over what? I'm not from MO.
ping
What is this dispute about? Isn't Burke one of the more Conservative bishops?
In a nutshell, St. Stanislaus's parishioners don't want to be under the authority of the Archbishop. They have a lot of money and assets due to their hard work over the years, and they don't want to cede control of it to the Archdiocese.
The Archbishop basically cut them loose about, oh, a year and a half ago and they've been more or less without the sacraments since then. (except when they've smuggled a priest in now and then for Christmas and I think a couple other occasions.)
I don't understand. Priests aren't "hired". They are assigned to a parish or chapel by their bishop. How is this happening at this church?
You're absolutely right, this is not the norm at all.
I knew that St. Stanislaus was looking to get a priest but last I heard they were talking about going with a "schismatic" type...the name escapes me, but it was something like the Polish National Catholic Church.
I'm quite surprised they convinced a regular diocesan priest to disobey his Bishop and leave his parish.
I'm guessing a lot of people in this area are surprised too, as it made the front center page of StLtoday.com.
The Temptation of Simple Answers to Difficult Questions
A Catholic Perspective on Religious Fundamentalism
Father Marek B. Bozek
Monday, November 28 @ 5pm
PSU 308 A, B and C.
Hosted by: Unity in Alternative Religions on Campus
The Vatican recently released a statement affirming Catholicism’s long standing belief in the validity of evolution. Meanwhile, Protestant groups are making headlines around the country, introducing Intelligent Design as an alternative to evolution in science classrooms.
How did these two deeply spiritual, faith based groups develop such different conclusions from the same religious texts? These questions, as well as several other important contemporary issues arise from the way people of faith read their scriptures. Join us to learn various perspectives in interpretation of religious text.
Before receiving his Masters in Divinity from St. Meinrad School of Theology, Marek Bozek concurrently studied Protestant and Catholic theology at the Christian Theological Academy and the Catholic University in Warsaw, Poland. While in America, he studied Liberation Theology at Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville Kentucky. Marek is fluent in English, Spanish, and Polish.
Unity in Alternative Religions on Campus was created in May of 2000, and is an education based discussion group for religious topics. UnityARC does not endorse any one single worldview or spiritual path. Regular meetings are on Mondays at 5pm in room 314A.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uarcsmsu/message/233
What vows do diocesan priests make?
Diocesan priests make no vows. For ordination, they freely make promises of celibacy, prayer, and obedience to their bishop.
http://www.saintmeinrad.edu/programs_form_faqs.aspx
And check out the last homily he gave on November 6, 2005. Quite the progressive firebrand. I really wonder if the people of St. Stanislaus understand what they are getting.
"Progressive"="Antinomian."
No surprise. Remember that Rembert Weakland is a "progressive," and he hated authority, too...
I had to look up the definition of "antinomian". Thank you for helping me learn something new today. It's a great word, btw, and totally spot on.
Speaking of Weakland, I remember when we first started homeschooling, '97 or so, he caused an outcry by stating that Catholic homeschooling parents were not capable of teaching religion to their own kids. Quite the tyrant when he was in power.
Yup
There are few things which were carefully omitted from Marek Bozek's official bio:
1) He was dismissed from seminary of Pallottine Fathers for alleged homosexuality.
2) After joining another seminary Hosianum in northern Poland http://www.hosianum.edu.pl he was asked to leave for the same reasons. Because he was not ordained in Poland - this very fact escaped attention of his bishop in Springfield. Looking at his biography it seems unbelievable that he was ordained in the US. - it would never happened here (in Poland).
He is a vocal supporter of The International Lesbian and Gay Association - a world-wide network of national and local groups dedicated to achieving equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people everywhere.
http://ilga.org/petition_results_b_detail.asp?PetitionIdentification=4&ID=25&SignaturePays=USA&offset=400
Consequently, He is a perfect fit for a schismatic parish
These are very interesting comments, I wonder how the Bishop of Springfield-Cape Girardeau could have been so lax in discerning this man for the priesthood.
Please check your mail.
Fascinating that Fr. Bozek has the time and money to go to Lima, Peru to "recharge" his "batteries"...
Yes, the disobedient parish hires a disobedient priest, but now which is going to obey the other?
From schismatic church perspective he is an ideal candidate for a pastor - liberal, tolerant and he had a nerve to disregard the authority..
In short time he will probably become Fr. Popularity attracting all kinds of misfits calling themselves "catholic". Mjority of people who support him have no idea what his agenda is - the only thing they have in common is that they reject authority of the RC Church.
And what's next - slick webpage, TV miniseries featuring renegade priest, maybe book deal and countless apperancesa in liberal media... Just wait.
>> What is this dispute about?
See: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1542131/posts?page=77#77
Therein lies a lot of the problem. The truth needs to be brought into the light.
If you are pressed for time just read the last one. Go to "Fr. Marek's Homilies", and then to the November 6, 2005 selection.
The last paragraph: "You know, I may not be wise or even a virgin, but I am a stubborn Polack and I am staying here. I hope you will stay too. I hope that when our Bridegroom arrives he will meet us waiting stubbornly."
His homily is copyrighted so I daren't post the whole thing.
The signer on the ILGA list is "Mark Bozek" -- not "Marek." How do we know it is the same "Reverend?"
Thanks --
Protestant ministers are hired. Priests serve under the bishop.
pehaps they should consider becoming traditional catholics again. The SSPX in St. Louis would be happy to help them get their church and mass back in order.
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