Posted on 09/19/2005 3:35:59 PM PDT by NYer
The document is new but it is a restatement of what has always been policy (but not enforced for quite some time).
It will be interesting to see if they are really serious about it this time. The US Catholic clergy is a joke everywhere I go in Europe, btw; their reputation for homosexuality is so established that it's going to take a long time to overcome it. This is not to say that the European clergy don't have problems, and that there are not a few fruits among them, but a full-fledged gay culture has generally not taken root there the way it has among the US clergy.
If the Vatican is really serious about this, it's going to mean some major upheavals in the US, which would be good on a number of levels.
What's that sound I hear?
I've heard it before.
Oh yeah, the sound of liberals gnashing their teeth and rending their clothes.
I think there will be an outbreak of full-fledged liberal hysteria about this. They've been sort of distracted by Katrina, but heck, there's always a little time left over to attack the Church.
I'm also expecting lawsuits. This letter affects the entire Church, not just the US, and it wouldn't surprise me if the Canadians tried to legislate against the Church or enforce their "anti-discrimination" laws against it. They've talked about this in the past.
Yes. I expect a USCCB announcement to soften the blow shortly. How they are going to enforce a rule, if you will, that they have been flaunting for decades is beyond me.
I'm also expecting lawsuits.
Wouldn't surprise me. The Canadians might give it a try, but when you are up against no real crime committed and no cover-up, it's a little hard to do.
The breaking of porcelain caps and tearing of designer duds just back from the dry cleaner? Ooops.
Canon 1 of the Council of Nicea forbids such "violence" by choice and to be retained as a priest. I don't think this canon has been overturned. Apparently, it must have been practiced for it to be specifically addressed in the very first canon.
"To those who can..."
Regards
Wouldn't surprise me in the least. The national bishops' conferences are going to be one of BXVI's most difficult challenges because they are bound and determined to maintain the status quo. It's been just fine for them, thank you - they get to swan off to pointless meetings in comfy hotels, have the press fawn over them for their liberal positions, and - well, further speculation might be uncharitable.
These organizations have no canonical status in Church governance, but they are a real obstacle to any attempt to exert authority from Rome.
Origen --- who castrated himself --- is regarded by the Church as having committed a grave wrong. As Augustine (?) said, "It's not the corrupt body that leads the pure soul astray, it's the corrupt soul that leads the pure body astray."
ENFORCEMENT?
So much of it comes down to bishops' misbehavior. Refusal to use the Shepherd's Crozier to protect the sheep and dismay the wolves.... and not t'other way around.
What we need is not just a reiteration of the traditional teaching and discipline of the Church as they apply to homosexuals, but a major renewal of the procedures by which we can get rid of bad, disobedient bishops. I remember reading the rite for stripping a bishop of his ecclesial power. Impressive. Bell, book, and candle.
Recall that the greatest Catholic artists in all of history --- Michelangelo and Dante --- portrayed bishops in Hell; and the greatest preacher in Christendom --- St. John Chrysostom --- said that the floor of Hell is paved with the skulls of bishops.
I don't want them to be in Hell, mind you. I'd just like to scare the hell out of them.
LOL! Thanks for the morning laugh.
*And why ought we care about your personal opinions opposing the Pope on this issue? What is your expertise in this area?
*AMEN, brother
Benedict!
ludicrous (adj): Laughable or hilarious because of obvious absurdity or incongruity.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 Sts. Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest, Martyr, Paul Chong Hasang, Martyr and Their Companions, Martyrs (Memorial) |
||
|
On Progressives:
"Anyone who is so 'progressive' as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teachings has the Father and the Son." 2 John 1:9
For what it's worth, I have a pile of kindling and an ample supply of tinder boxes for when the call goes forth. Can you bring the stakes?
Need a strong-arm tattooed yet unabashedly faithful Papist with firsthand working knowledge of military tactics on this little foray? Slide me an application for the TTGC. Heh.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.