Among many other false notes, I find it amusing that a supposed former Dominican would describe the Dominicans as a monastic order when the entire point of the Dominicans in the first place is that they are not monastics.
“I find it amusing that a supposed former Dominican would describe the Dominicans as a monastic order when the entire point of the Dominicans in the first place is that they are not monastics.”
Although many evangelical Protestant churches today contain a multitude of ex Roman Catholics who left that church after studying the scriptures, I tend to agree with you that this story sounds a bit contrived. You are right in saying that the Dominican friars are not really monks, but preachers. I highly doubt, as well, that this man beat himself in the shower with a chain. That is the kind of anti Catholic fodder that people who have no idea about the history of religions love to consume.
Richard Bennett is no "fake" I have known of him for 15 years
But yet, there are many Dominican monasteries in operation today, even in the U.S...
And we will be nice and not mention the whole practice of Lecto Divina. Since this so called priest had no idea that one could pray using the Scriptures.
Anyone else want to play spot the malarky?
IF this is a true account, what happened to this poor priest can also be explained in this way:
He had some areas of psychological difficulty or emotional immaturity that he, his family, his seminary and his mentors did not address.
He was a priest during the crazy, anything goes ‘60s and was not properly supervised.
He was not cut out for missionary ministry.
The devil knew his weaknesses and capitalized on them and he wasn’t strong enough to resist.
Sometimes the good seed falls on fertile soil and takes root but then withers or is carried away by birds.
I sense a desperately strong need for the absolute, unmitigated assurance that he is “saved” in his writing and that indicates to me that he may not have had a strong enough faith to trust in God’s love and mercy despite his sins- or that he may have issues with the sin of pride.
Former Irish? So what is he now? Scottish?