Posted on 05/02/2006 2:08:05 PM PDT by Knock3Times
This past Sunday, April 30, Robert Petratos, a parishioner of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Cleveland, was shoved by an usher and banned from attending Mass by the new associate pastor of St. Rose, Father William Rooney, O.F.M. Petratos, a longtime parishioner, was accosted for passing out to other parishioners a personal letter he had written concerning the abrupt decision by the new "pastoral team" (including Father Bill Rooney) to end the Traditional Latin Mass at St. Rose.
According to Petratos, a humble man and devout Catholic, "after passing out a few letters at the 8:00 am Mass (a Novus Ordo Mass), I was pushed and followed by one of the ushers." He continues, "when Fr. Rooney saw this, he rushed right over and said to me 'Don't do that!' (referring to the letter distribution)" According to Patrastos, Father Rooney then said to the usher: "We're going to have to call the police."
Thereafter, Petratos went home to obtain more copies of his letter to distribute at the 10:00 am Traditional Latin Mass.
"I was passing them out in the parking lot as people were coming in and putting them on windsheilds...when I noticed a cop car."
Petratos approached the police to determine if there was any problem with his actions.
"They asked what I was doing and I said I was passing out a personal letter to my fellow parishioners with my phone number to call me. They didn't seem to care."
At this point Father Rooney came over and very adamantly told them Petratos had to leave parish property and that Petratos was forbidden from handing his letter to his fellow parishioners.
Petratos gives the following account of what happened next:
After several minutes of a back and forth between all of us, I asked Father Rooney point blank to clarify if he was saying that I could not attend Mass. He said "I want you to leave right now."
I repeated myself a second time and asked for another clarification by saying "are you saying that I can not go to Mass? He repeated himself and said "I'm telling you to leave right now and NOT to come back at the 12:00."
I was then told by the police that "since Father does not want you here, ff you come back you will be aressted for tresspassing."
Dear livius,
Certainly the gentleman had the right to protest the actions of the new pastor.
I merely argue with his method, time, and place. It was defiant. Personally, I think it was unnecessarily defiant, and unnecessarily insulting to the new pastor. I try to avoid offering gratuitous insults to people, no matter how much I dislike them or think them in error. Others may disagree.
But even worse, even if I thought that this gentleman's behavior wasn't uncooth, I can tell you that I believe it to be wildly counterproductive. Any chance that the new bishop would try to persuade this pastor to change his mind is now gone. The pastor was openly defied. The bishop won't do anything that further undermines the pastor. It may be regrettable or even wrong that this is the case, but it is.
These poor people will never ever get an old rite Mass back again.
sitetest
"These poor people will never ever get an old rite Mass back again."
Yes, it is very sad. Welcome to today's Catholic Church.
>>>>I suspect the idea is, if one lets one guy pass out information without permission, however justified his complaints, every person will have to be allowed to do so.
I agree, which is why they pastor was correc to remove him. Just because he should try, does not mean they should let him.
patent
+
I must have been off FR for Lent when this was announced!
Who is the new Bishop and what is he like????
Can I move home yet?
I knew the moment that Pilla got the Franciscans to take over St. Rose that the TLM would be gone, it is said by an incredible Benendictine priest.
My prayers go out to the St. Rose parishoners, it has been a tremendously difficult couple of years for them.
Thankfully there is a second, now only, Indult only 15-20 minutes away at Immaculate Conception Church, just east of downtown.
Anthing new?
Could be some fireworks this weekend. Last Latin Mass on Sunday!
Hey my dad was called to tell you to leave twice my dad is a police officer. Your story of this man is a little in contrast. No offence I am sure this Petratos is a very holy person, but calling Father Rooney, A man who has devoted his life to the work of Almighty God, Father Dragqueen, was very out of line and disrespectful I am surprised my dad did not arrest him for disorderly conduct. I feel sorry for you that you do not have your way. The latin mass was very special but it is not up to you, I beleive that was only said by the other preists with special permission. May God Bless you, and please be nicer to people who give their lives to God they really do deserve to be respected a little,
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