Replies

Heck, aside from the example, there's the sinner himself. The parent who never follows through seems like he doesn't mean it and the offense discussed seems like it is "not really so bad."

I can envision a letter saying something like,

"I am sure you don't really understand why I am taking this action. You may think it has to do with defects of my character or even my psychological health. The Lord knows better than I (and, I dare say, far better even than you, governor) my defects and psycho-pathologies. But this is about far more about what the Catholic Church teaches and holds to be important than it is about you or me.
"Despite repeated and sincere advice from those whose office in the Church is precisely to give such advice as well as to enforce pastorally the discipline of the Church, you have persisted in living an openly scandalous life, and have now endorsed a law providing state sanction for what the Church teaches to be a grave sin, an ethical and metaphysical impossibility, and a serious threat to souls.
"Intelligent people of good will might disagree about these things. But no intelligent and thoughtful person can fail to see that when a bishop turns a blind eye to open and notorious fornication and to the endorsement of the grave sin of sodomy he not only confuses the innocent, but neglects his duty to the sinner.
"That you may not understand why I do this is regrettable. But for me to fail to do it would be worse than regrettable, it would be treasonous, careless, and cowardly.
"Therefore, with deep regret and with fervent prayers for your spiritual growth, I must ask you not to present yourself to receive the Blesses Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood and I must direct all the clergy under my care not to give you the Sacrament if you should present yourself to receive it.
"May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit amend what is defective in both of us and bring us to speedy reconciliation."

... or words to that effect.

Well put . . .

Perhaps it could be printed on . . . what would be fitting . . .

pondering . . .

toilet paper? Has some possibilities.

Hmmmmm . . .

I hear there’s edible undies.

Print it on some of those.

And suggest that perhaps the Bishop’s homosexual friends would be happy to help the bishop eat the words if he has trouble digesting them mentally.