Posted on 12/15/2018 4:10:34 AM PST by sparklite2
Maison Hullibarger’s father tells the Detroit Free Press that he asked the priest to stop talking during the Dec. 8 funeral Mass. But Jeff Hullibarger says the Rev. Don LaCuesta continued giving a critical sermon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Temperance.
Hullibarger says some mourners left the church crying.
The archdiocese released a statement Thursday saying it’s sorry that an “unbearable situation was made even more difficult.” The archdiocese says LaCuesta will not preach at funerals “for the foreseeable future.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I definitely shouldn’t have replied to this thread.
UGH!
Now religion is in chat. Ugh.
Be my guest.
No problem.
And you do not need my permission.
If any of the stuff that I fling towards FR’s wall happens to stick; feel free to re-use any thing.
I ain’t looking for royalties on anything.
;^)
I’ll take his royalties... been a slow month
THank you for this clarification.
Sounds like beautiful, comforting words to me. It’s nice to know there are parish priests like this; of course, the nervous nellie higher-ups in the Catholic Church squashed him like a bug. Not surprising at all, that.
Thanks, Mrs. Don-o, for researching it and providing it.
I will reproduce Ed Peters' commnts, and then Fr. LaCuesta's funral homicide for the suicided youth. See for yourself.
Ed Peters' Comment
Note, first, how short this homily is. Perfectly in line with canonical and liturgical norms for such cases. More importantly, and flatly contrary to how LaCuesta’s homily has been portrayed in the media, I don’t see Hell mentioned anywhere, anywhere, nor any language that relegates this poor young man thereto, and instead I see clarion reminders of the mercy of Christ recited at least half-a-dozen times.
I see, too, the moral gravity of suicide—itself approaching epidemic proportions among Americans today—directly acknowledged and fears about its eternal consequences candidly admitted, but I also see consoling references to how much more God knows about one’s life than do those even closest to him and how much that deeper, likely mitigating, divine knowledge leaves the rest of us mortals, grieving a suicide, room for real hope.
So here's Fr.LaCuesta's homily. Names redacted at source, which is Donald McClarey's blog, The American Catholic
It is with great difficulty that I stand before you knowing the pain and anguish you are going through. But I am aware, as well, that I am only a humble, unworthy mouthpiece. I ask God to use my words to bring the light, comfort and healing you need.
Is there any hope to offer in this moment? Must we only speak of our profound grief , our indescribable sorrow , even our anger and confusion at how such a thing could have happened? Is there any word from God that might break into our darkness like a ray of light?
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
If we Christians are right in believing that salvation belongs to Jesus Christ, that it does not come from us -- and that our hand cannot stop what God allows for us, then yes , there is hope in eternity even for those who take their own lives.
Having said that, I think that we must not call what is bad good, what is wrong right. Because we are Christians, we mus t say what we know is the truth – that taking your own life is against God who made us and against everyone who loves us .
Our lives are not our own. They are not ours to do with as we please. God gave us life, and we are to be good stewards of that gift for as long as God permits.
The finality of suicide makes this all the worse. You cannot make things right again. Neither can [REDACTED] .
And this is much of the pain of it all. Things are left unresolved, even if it felt to [REDACTED] like this was the only way to resolve things. You want to turn the clock back and say, " Please don't give up. We can work through this pain tog e ther . "
But no w you will have to work through this pain by yourselves, or with those close to you now who will need to lean on you even as you lean on them.
On most people's mind, however, especially of us who call ourselves Christians, on our minds as we sit in this place is: Can God forgive and heal this?
Yes, God CAN forgive even the taking of one's own life. In fact, God awaits us with his mercy, with ever open arms. Sacred Scripture says clearly: God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God's abiding mercy is what sets us to ask for it.
Although God doesn't dangle his mercy like a carrot , waiting for us to ask for it in order to receive it, we do have to believe in our hearts, express wi th our words, and show in our actions – that it is always there.
God wants nothing but our salvation but he will never force himself on us, he will not save us without us. That's how much he loves us. Because ofthe all - embracing sacrifice of Christ on the cross God can have mercy on any sin.
Yes , because of his mercy, God can forgive suicide and heal what has been broken. Because God is merciful he makes allowance for the spiritual, mental, and emotional despair that leads to suicide. Go d is able to read the heart, to know the whole truth of a person's life, and ther eby to pass sentence with mercy.
God knows something we must discipline o urselves to do in these moments – he knows not to judge a person's entire life on the basis of the worst and last choice the person made. God can look at the totality of a human being's life and celebrate all the good that came from it, even while taking seriously the tragic choice that en ded everything.
And then he shows his mercy and love in ways beyond our limited understanding. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, the great St. Paul assures us (in that Reading we just listened to). Nothing – including suicide.
I thought it was worth the effort,
Bless you for saying that, Elsie.
It was definitely worth the effort! I’m puzzled by the overreaction.
.
We must never allow the fake news media to set standards for spiritual matters.
Even LaCuesta has realized he made a mistake...
LaCuesta in a message to parishioners over the weekend apologized for the homily.
“I want all of you to know that I am working with the Archdiocese to ensure that I can serve more effectively in the future,” LaCuesta said in the message obtained by The Hill. “This work will involve some deep interior reflection – by myself and with the help of others – on how I could have missed the mark so completely in this case.”
“Many of us know how painful it is when you unintentionally hurt somebody you are
trying to help,” he added.
The Archdiocese of Detroit in a statement on Saturday said LaCuesta was suspended from presiding over funerals for the time being.
These people are grieving but to lash out at everyone trying to give some comfort is just sad.
Thank you for posting this. It’s appears to be very solid and sincere. I’m sure the parents are still in shock and not thinking clearly.
The pink mafia got to him.
Yes; you have; but perhaps the complaint is focusing on OTHER words that may have been said in addition to this.
Reply #373 sure hints at more...
Yes, yes, a thousand times yes.
If we Christians are right in believing that salvation belongs to Jesus Christ, that it does not come from us -- and that our hand cannot stop what God allows for us, then yes , there is hope in eternity even for those who take their own lives.
Having said that, I think that we must not call what is bad good, what is wrong right. Because we are Christians, we mus t say what we know is the truth – that taking your own life is against God who made us and against everyone who loves us .
Our lives are not our own. They are not ours to do with as we please. God gave us life, and we are to be good stewards of that gift for as long as God permits.
</snip>
Even if it gets you in hot water??
It's called a EU-logy for a reason...
If he wanted to preach about the EVIL! of suicide; he could have done it next Sunday at mass; I suppose.
But then; he probably would not have had the same audience.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.