Yet more double standard in Minneapolis (Father Altier)

Bettnet.com ^ | March 9, 2006 | Domenico Bettinelli

[Petrosius]

On the one hand, you have Father Robert Altier, who has been silenced apparently for publicly disagreeing with his archbishop, Harry Flynn of Minneapolis, over “safe environment sex education” programs. (And I don’t care what you say, this was a silencing. He was forced to remove his homilies from public distribution and to stop speaking on a Catholic radio program.) To his credit, Altier obeyed the order, only speaking about it to the extent to say that he was obeying a lawful order of his superior.

On the other hand, you have priests of the same archdiocese publicly dissenting from the Church’s dogmatic teachings on homosexuality and marriage.

“Anybody who wants to be in a committed relationship and have children — I say God bless them,” said the Rev. Mike Tegeder, head pastor at St. Edward’s. While plenty of other denominations have struggled with gay rights, and clergy of other faith are involved with the postcard campaign, it’s a particularly thorny issue for Catholics.

And it’s not like Tegeder is new at this game: “Tegeder is a longtime thorn in the side of archdiocese officials; he also has spoken out against the prohibition of married Catholic priests. But on the gay marriage issue, he’s not alone.” Yes, there are 28 priests total who have co-signed a letter to Flynn saying in part: “We believe that your aggressive and widespread endeavor in favor of the amendment is a scandal.”

TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP

So, I’m left wondering whether Flynn will be consistent. Altier was silenced for disagreeing with a policy decision, not doctrine and dogma. He certainly wasn’t personally attacking the archbishop. Yet you have these priests attacking Flynn and espousing heterodox views. And they’ll get away with it. Why? Altier was ordered to be quiet because Flynn knew he would obey, being the good orthodox priest he is. If Flynn were to try to order the heterodox priests to be silent, they’d laugh in his face. He’d then be forced to either put up or shut up, and if he were to back down, then his authority would dissipate like smoke in the wind. Better to speak strongly of orthodoxy and ignore the heterodoxy than confront the heterodoxy and let it win is the apparent mindset.

[markomalley]

Those with a direct knowledge of priests making these kinds of statements need to do the following:

1) Confront the offending priest with respect. Show the offending priest what he said, exactly, and where, exactly the statements are in violation of the established Magesterium and with Canon Law. I would suggest doing so first in person with another witness and secondly by certified mail (with return receipt). Have the witness document the priest's reaction if you do so in person. Keep a copy of the letter, the certified receipt, and the return receipt, along with any correspondence you receive in reply.

2) If you do not get a satisfactory solution, send a letter to the priest's ordinary (his diocesan bishop or religious superior). Again, send it by certified mail with return receipt. Keep all copies. Be sure to use the upmost respect in your tone and language. Be a professional about it.

3) If you do not get a satisfactory response, do another letter to the Apostolic Nuncio:

His Excellency Pietro Sambi
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
Nunciature to the United States of America
3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008

Same rules as above.

IF you are a witness to that kind of heresy being preached, it could be said that there is a duty to get it addressed!

[Northern Yankee]

Great response.

[Caleb1411]

And the sheep can still discern who the wolves are
[letters in yesterday's St. Paul Pioneer Press]

Priests have lost their way

Orthodox Catholics everywhere are disgusted with clergy members like Father Michael Tegeder and Father Jim Barry, who selectively pick biblical passages to support sinful lifestyles by stressing God's eternal mercy ("Catholic clergy at odds over gay rights," Feb. 27). That God's mercy is eternal is a given, but God is also just, and these priests would do well to heed the biblical passage of John 8:53 and Christ's exhortation of the adulteress: "…nor do I condemn you, but go and sin no more."

These post-Vatican II priests all took vows of obedience and humility, but they have lost their way from orthodoxy. If they can't support the magisterium, they would do their congregations well to resign from the priesthood. Contrary to Barry's claim, gay Catholics are not under assault by hatred and prejudice but by their inclination to sin. Their exclusion from the church is self-determined and totally rectifiable through confession.

DICK BOBNICK
Burnsville

In the Feb. 27 article, "Catholic clergy at odds over gay rights," it said that some priests, like those at St. Edward's, argue that Jesus spoke of inclusion, not exclusion. That's simply not true. Consider this quote from Jesus in Luke 12:51: "Do you think I came to bring peace on Earth? No, I tell you, but division."

Jesus freely gives inclusion to those who acknowledge, confess and repent of their sins. Ironically, Jesus knew that there would be priests and other clergy who would try to lead us astray when he said in Matthew 24:11 that "many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."

DAVID HOBBS
Newport

[kstewskis]

Excellent, and I agree, good response.

I few of us from my parish have had this ongoing discussion, as to what we should do when we encounter things like what archbishop Flynn is doing (or if we encounter dissenting priests). This sounds like a good place to start.