Fr. Eugene Heidt and Archbishop Levada (A diocesan priest's experience)

Priest Where Is Thy Mass, Mass Where Is Thy Priest? | January 2004

[Dominick]

Troll away, bucko.

[saradippity]

In the post to which I am responding you give Bishop Carlson credit for couragously upholding Church teaching. Yet several posts prior to this one,you lump Bishop Carlson in with a group of little (b) bishops. What's the story?

[Dominick]

in the sloppy style he actually included all Bishops, alive and dead:

all too numerous examples of Ecclesiastical Malfeasance on all sides, (O'Brien, Mahony, Gumbleton, Weakland, Law, Carlson, Flynn, Egan, Maida, etc etc etc ad infinitum...).

Even considering this is a case of hyperbole, the discussion was pretty much unfounded in fact, but simply in personal "belief". In the case of Law, Weakland, Law it is pretty clear cut, one doesn't have to look hard to find heterodox writings (or heterodox fish) by these men.

In the case of Levada, we have nothing to talk about for examples of the heterodox; thats what I am seeking.

[maryz]

In what writings has Law been heterodox?

[Dominick]

it should have read Law, Weakland and Mahony. In the case of Law it was the Diocese of Boston, and his problem with the whole abuse scandal. Rather than uphold Church teaching, he permitted CTA to reform under the name of VOTF, and then resigned forcing many Church closings.

In this case it was Heterodox actions rather than writings, and even at that a case can be made that he simply lost control, and could not manage.

[maryz]

Rather than uphold Church teaching, he permitted CTA to reform under the name of VOTF, and then resigned forcing many Church closings.

I'm in Boston, and I think Law's situation is more complicated. He came into a real mess in 1984, and the AG's report shows that reported incidents of abuse declined precipitously from then; in fact, the report admitted grudgingly that, at the time of the report, they couldn't find any evidence of ongoing abuse. I could criticize (and have) many aspects of his methods, though my own feeling is that Bishop McCormack in particular was more culpable. (I pinged SuziQ and american colleen because I think they know more about it than I.)

It does seem clear now that VOTF is indeed CTA under "new (snicker) management" -- but that's not how they advertised themselves. OK, they're liars. In any case, they surely never sought anyone's permission!

More than I intended to say. I really only asked because I didn't recall any "writings" of Cardinal Law.

(P.S. I do enjoy and appreciate your posts!)

[Dominick]

I'm in Boston, and I think Law's situation is more complicated.

I would agree, sometime you go hunt bears, sometimes the bears hunt you, and sometimes you find "Predator Aliens" in the woods.

It does seem clear now that VOTF is indeed CTA

Very clear. I am waiting for the "Church'R US" program, ala VOTF.

More than I intended to say. I really only asked because I didn't recall any "writings" of Cardinal Law.

Many diocesan websites post them, in the case of Archbishop Levada, he also writes documents for the USCCB. I imagine in the future, Archbishop Levada will also author writings as a prefect...

[Dominick]

[SuziQ]

I don't know of any heterodox actions by Cardinal Law, unless you are talking about his actions regarding the abuse. He treated it no differently than most other Bishops in the country because it is how it had been treated by most institutions in the country. Didn't make it right, and he admitted that, that's just the way it was. He had begun to change things in the Boston Archdiocese when the story became big news, and there had been almost no occurences of abuse after he instituted them.

VOTF didn't really form until the abuse scandal became public. At the time, they billed themselves as 'concerned Catholics' who only wanted the public to be informed of what was going on. I had friends in my town who were interested in joining up until I told them what I had learned about the group, largely from folks here on FR! I think the Cardinal had enough on his plate that he probably wasn't watching who the leadership of VOTF was. Our Bishop here in Worcester allowed the group to form, and several folks I know DID go to the meeting, but realized quickly what they were all about and let others know right quick. I don't think they got too far here.

[Dominick]

I reflected on this, you are right, Law doesn't belong in that group. My Father taught me when I was a young man (about 100lbs ago) to fess up when you screw up.

I beg the forgiveness of Cardinal Law. I submit that I should have not included him with the likes of Weakland, nor blamed him for the rejuvenation of CTA as VOTF.

[maryz]

You're an honorable man, Dominick!

Easy to see how you reached your original conclusion, though. Law has gotten far and away the worst press (I understand Mahony has friends at the LA Times!), which continues this week with the made-for-TV "Sins of Fathers" (I think that's the title), which admittedly takes dramatic liberties. (No, I didn't see it and don't plan to.)

[amdg3]

Those who don't know Fr. Heidt, may very well have the same opinion. However, if more priests would have let their congregations know how - yes - diabolical - some of their bishops were, the Catholic Church would not be the pitiful laughing stock it is today. She would be at her rightful place in the world setting acceptable moral and spiritual norms instead of retreating on virtually every moral stand She once was, if not loved for, at least admired for.

The sorry stake of The Church is not only the fault of the priests, bishops, cardinals, or Pope - it is the layman's fault as well.

May God bless Fr. Heidt and all priests strong enough and with enough conviction to call a bishop a "non Catholic" when they deserve it!

[AlbionGirl]

You've totally missed my point, but that's no big deal. This priest had no right to incite his parishoners against their Bishop, only a person without very much humility would do that. Only a Priest without a sense of honor would carry on in such a fashion.

This priest seemed proud of denouncing his Bishop, like it was some sort of accomplishment. I wouldn't trust this priest any farther than I could throw him.

And I'll tell you something else, if this kind of stunt was pulled by any SSPX Priest against Bishop Fellay or someone they were fond of, his laity would eat him alive.