[marshmallow]

Reading this thread, it amazes me that so many people seem to have no problem using the words "independent" and "Catholic" in the same sentence. They are not compatible.

The Church is "divided"? What a shocker. "Independence" does that. It sows the seeds of division and helps cultivate a spirit of autonomy.

Reading the thread and associated posts I was struck with how similar it all seemed to some of the situations which my Protestant friends have described to me when their Church picks a new pastor. The factions, the arguments......"we want this guy"....."no, we want somebody like the previous guy"...."no, let's ask the people"......."etc, etc

Paddling your own canoe is not an advisable exercise in the spiritual life, no matter how convincing the excuse may seem to be.

[sempertrad]

I was struck with how similar it all seemed to some of the situations which my Protestant friends have described to me when their Church picks a new pastor. The factions, the arguments......"we want this guy"....."no, we want somebody like the previous guy"...."no, let's ask the people"......."etc, etc

In NO parishes, no one ever complains about the Pastor, right? Wrong. There are just as many complaints: "He's too conservative/liberal" "His Masses are too short/long" "He's too old-fashioned/modern" "He does/doesn't allow Eucharistic Ministers/altar girls" "He's too pro-life/choice" "He does/doesn't accept gay people" and on and on.

Once upon a time, the only thing a Catholic had concern himself about was wether or not he thought the new priest was friendly. His orthodoxy was a given. And if it wasn't, they layman could look to his Bishop to set the heterdox new pastor straight. It's not the case today. In this case Traditional Catholics who helped build a Traditional Chapel have to choose between staying behind and turning a blind eye to all the diocean shenanigans our late pastor so strongly opposed, or seek out priests who will not compromise.