Posted on 04/09/2005 11:11:10 AM PDT by GOP_Thug_Mom
The day after the funeral Mass for Terri Schiavo, which garnered national attention for its touching moments and heavy attendance, Bishop Robert Lynch of St. Petersburg, Florida, informed the church's pastor, Fr. William Swengross of Most Holy Name of Jesus Church and pastor to the Terri's parents, the Schindlers, that he will be transferred in June to St. Stephens Church in Valrico. This church is located out of the diocesan mainstream, far away from Pinellas County, where the Schiavo drama played out. Bishop Lynch previously drew controversy for taking what seemed like a neutral stand in the Schiavo dispute, declining to become directly involved and reportedly instructing priests to stay away from the situation. Bishop Lynch himself was in Asia surveying tsunami damage when the Schiavo woman finally succumbed on March 31 due to extraction of her feeding and hydration tube at the behest of husband Michael. Terri's parents are devout Catholics who opposed that measure and were supported by Catholics across the country. Previously Bishop Lynch also found himself in the midst of controversy for disallowing exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the diocese. While remaining obedient, as is right, to the bishop, parishioners are sending around a petition protesting the move by Most Reverend Lynch, who can be contacted here
Did y'all hear about this??
WHAT??!!!
Lynch's diocese has also had sex scandal during his tenure.
Living in St. Pete for a few horrible months, my wife and I were struck by how utterly lifeless the Catholic Church there was. I recall as typical one pastoral homily delivered in a cavernous (but not full) church. The priest reminded us that as Catholics we have to be sure we are following all God's laws. "That means," he announced, "that you have to be sure you've had all your marriages annulled before you get in line for communion." It was apparently the only example of godly thinking that entered his brain.
Pretty bad! Did the Schiavo's pastor attempt to help them in some way or do something else that violated Lynch's order to stay away from them? What's is the reason for Lynch's vengeance?
Frankly, I find it incredible and scandalous in the first place that a Bishop of the Church was allowed to conduct himself this way, and that none of the other bishops here in Florida had enough cojones to stand up to him. Collegiality means never having to say you're sorry, I guess.
I don't care about moving the pastor...there could be a hundred reasons for that all unconnected to Terri's awful death. But refusing the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in his diocese?!?! If that's true the man should be put out to pasture.
Maybe he was inspired by thinking about Kerry! Certainly not about the teachings of the Catholic Church ("all of your marriages" indeed!) It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.
BTW, there are a fairly large number of independent Tridentine rite chapels around there, and possibly one SSPX, so obviously the good folk of St. Petes are voting with their feet.
I fear for this bishop's soul. so much prayer needed!!!
Bishop Lynch is a religious tyrant. He got jealous of Father Pavone being in the spotlight.
Lynch told a Terri supporter to stay away from the rectory and that praying the rosary for Terri wasn't the sort of thing he did. Lynch is a renegade.
Please explain the significance of all this in terms a Protestant can possibly understand. Thanks.
It all comes back to this: "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
You are so right. I believe there was some connection drawn last year to this type of offense to God and to the abundant hurricanes Florida received. Too bad the bishop isn't getting the message. I even heard he was over in the Tsunami-hit area on March 31st when his hotel was shaken by that other big earthquake. I think I'd be down on my knees (after a good confession!), putting on the sackcloth and ashes...then making right all the wrongs!
ping
Florida seems to be over ran with poisonous snakes.
Make that venomous asps.
This is crazy. John Paul II pray for us!
**my wife and I were struck by how utterly lifeless the Catholic Church there was.**
From your lips to God's ears -- translation -- to the Cardinal Conclave -- get a Bishop in here who will follow the laws of the Church and love people! [Not money--sarcasm off]
This is so sad.
Bishops rarely transfer a priest today willy-nilly. Most dioceses have set up tenures for pastors and associates (typically a set number of years for each). Also, in most dioceses, a Priests' Senate will make recommendations on transfers and new assignments.
Unless something very untoward occurred here, this transfer has been in the works for some time, is routine, and is unrelated to anything else.
"The floor and walls of hell are paved with the skulls of bishops."
Anyone who can chime in with the author on that -- I would much appreciate it.
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