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The laity is in no mood to be pushed around by bishops. I hope the bishops everywhere are watching--because the days of powerlessness and deference on the part of lay people are over. There is nothing in the Catholic faith that dictates bishops must control everything, even the worldly goods of a parish. It is time to REALLY enfranchise Catholic lay persons and get rid of a Medieval model. Funny how the bishops don't mind changing everything else. But they are perfect sticklers for "tradition" when it comes to handling the money.

I would figure you would like Archbishop Burke. There are already plans to bring the Institute of Christ the King to St. Louis, as his excellency already did in La Crosse.

As for this issue... Canon Law is clear, and the parish's governance structure is a violation. They appealed to Rome and lost. The Archbishop has offered to set up a trust for the parish (which would be enforceable by the state of Missouri)--as he said himself, what more do they want? Should the Archbishop just ignore Canon Law for this parish?

There is nothing in the Catholic faith that dictates bishops must control everything, even the worldly goods of a parish.

Nihil sub sole novem. We tried lay trustees for half a century in America, and I'd take any bets claiming lay control didn't exist in Europe at one time or another.

It is time to REALLY enfranchise Catholic lay persons and get rid of a Medieval model.

"There exists a certain institution or a law; let us call it, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gayly up to it and says: 'I don't see the use of this; let us clear it away.' To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: 'If you don't see the use of it, I certainly won't let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.'" [G.K. Chesterton, in The Thing: Why I Am a Catholic]

The laity is in no mood to be pushed around by bishops. I hope the bishops everywhere are watching--because the days of powerlessness and deference on the part of lay people are over. There is nothing in the Catholic faith that dictates bishops must control everything, even the worldly goods of a parish. It is time to REALLY enfranchise Catholic lay persons and get rid of a Medieval model.

"They [the laity] are, by [reason of] knowledge, competence or outstanding ability which they may enjoy, permitted and sometimes even obliged to express their opinion on those things which concern the good of the Church." (Vatican II, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, n. 37)

"While preserving intact the necessary link with ecclesiastical authority, the laity have the right to establish and direct [apostolic] associations, and to join existing ones …. [B]y their expert assistance they increase the efficacy of the care of souls as well as of the administration of the goods of the Church." (Vatican II, Decree on the Apostolate of Lay People, n. 19, 10)

It is the noble duty of pastors to recognize the services and charismatic gifts of the laity. Pastors were not meant by Christ to shoulder alone the entire saving mission of the Church toward the world. ("Lumen Gentium" #30)

Ah-haaa, you've been reading your Vatican II documents again haven't you? Yes sir! Well done. We'll have you at the Novus Ordo soon enough.

Just a word of caution, though. Be careful. I detect a certain radical "power to the people-overthrow the bishops" line of thought in your post. Similar to "Voice of the Faithful" and "Pax Christi". It would be a shame to see you move too far to the left.

Freepmail me if the SSPX bishops read this and excommunicate you.

I know of a nice guitar Mass where you'll fit in just great.