Replies

Let's remember that the best people to have ascend to power are often shoved aside by the more ambitious.

This is true now. I don't see how giving laymen a bit more of a voice in non-doctrinal matters could possibly be worse than the lack of accountability that lead to the clerical abuse scandal.

It would be no better. Because the laity have been so poorly fed by so many priests who preach the social gospel only, we have little authentic catechesis. How many consciences are properly formed today? I am not being sarcastic. Do you think most who attend mass form their consciences to the teachings of the Church?

The Church needs more faithful men to answer Christ's call. That can only occur if more good men like Burke are put into place. For too long we have had swishy, compromising bishops that go along to get along. Hardly inspiring to a young man. Who would want to dedicate their life to a role model like Mahoney, Clark, Hubbard, etc?

If we want more priests, then we all need to reform ourselves. We need more manly priests who stand out as dedicated to Christ, not just social workers and politicians.

Can you give a pretty comprehensive list of those non-doctrinal matters in which the laity should have a voice.I attended a couple of VOTF meetings. they have three objectives.

The first is to support victims of abuse. I have no problem with that.

The second was to support priests of integrity. At that meeting I asked who was to determine the "priests of integrity" and what criteria were to be used. Two meetings later and the facilitator was still unable to answer.

I pointed out that at that very parish I had seen some of the same faces supporting a priest who had been charged with abuse,supported to the max by these very same people. Several days later it was confirmed that he indeed was an abuser.This is the biggest problem of lay groups advising the Church,many have their own agenda and many have no idea of the facts. They just knee jerk respond to emotional appeals.Then they get mad if their advice is ignored,even though their advice may have been counter to Church teaching and truth.

I won't even address the third since no one seems to have a satisfactory response to the second. The third is actually more impossible to acheive.

Anyway I am serious,just what non-doctrinal topics can be subject to more vioce from the laity?