[cothrige]

The USCCB has been very vocal, and surprisingly united over the HHS mandate. Even the liberal bishops saw the light and every single bishop came out loudly against the mandate.,

As a Catholic I have to say I think you are wrong here, or at least are misinterpreting what the facts imply. Yes, bishops have fairly roundly condemned the mandate, but we have to ask why. They are perfectly comfortable when the parishioner is forced to pay for immoral things, and they usually support the party and politicians who do just that. What changed here was not the morality, but who got the bill. This mandate required that the bishops themselves pay for these things, and they resent that, not what is being payed for. They talk about doctrine only because it is a convenient way to get the faithful to side with them.

We as Catholics in the pews have to wise up and stop trusting people with fancy clothes. Most priests and bishops have no concern for the Gospel or morality at all. Bishops are CEOs and politicians for whom Christ is usually nothing more than a marketing tool serving to increase profit margins. In the American Church at least, sadly, our Lord has become nothing more than Ronald McDonald. I wouldn't trust these sacrilegious vipers who can't be bothered to protect the liturgy or treasury of faith under their care and only take action when something affects their earthly riches. It is time to be wise as serpents.

[Graing]

I think you are being overly cynical here. I have had the privilege to have an audience with some great priests and a certain current archbishop in small group settings and they were just as strong when speaking about the election, the HHS mandate, etc. as they have been during thier homilies.

This may be anecdotal, and perhaps I am blessed to have had contact with some excellent orthodox priests and bishops, but I refuse the cynical viewpoint that you are submitting. If this is truly your experience, I would take a look around at other parishes because there are some great orthodox priests and bishops out there now. This smoke that entered the sanctuary (or as it were, the seminaries) after Vatican II was misinterpreted and abused by liberals within the power structure is lifting and some truly faithful, strong and orthodox men are coming forward.

[Running On Empty]

I think this is a very broad-brushed view of the situation.

Especially the indictment in your last paragraph.

I would rather take a more optimistic view of all that is happening. We are being sifted like wheat, that is sure, and when that happens, good things can rise up as a result. We need to be encouraged...and encouraging...if we want to contribute our share of building up the church.

I don’t think harsh and pessimistic attitudes are helpful.

Nor do I think it is helpful to paint such a picture: “fancy clothes”; “no concern for the gospel or morality at all”; “serving to increase profit margins”; “sacrilegious vipers” (!!!).

Philippians 4:1-8