Posted on 07/26/2002 5:44:00 AM PDT by maryz
Edited on 04/23/2004 12:04:40 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
In response to recent scandals, a lay Catholic watchdog group has formed, calling itself Voice of the Faithful. It held its first "convention" and, a few days ago, tried to take on the Boston archdiocese.
The 19,000-member organization says that its main goal is openness in the way that the Catholic bishops' bureaucracies--in Boston and elsewhere--handle clerical pederasty. But there are signs that Voice of the Faithful wants to transform itself into a large, well-financed interest group, agitating for a restructuring of the Catholic Church in the U.S.--including elected bishops and an end to bans against married and female priests.
(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...
"Modest" seems an understatement: They claim 19,000 members; over 4,000 showed up at their meeting Saturday; they managed to collect under $10,000 and propose to make up the Cardinal's Appeal shortfall of almost $3,000,000.
Very true -- but I think these people didn't exactly start out short in the ego department. One of the originators was a member of Physicians against Nuclear War (and won a Nobel Prize for it!) or whatever they called themselves -- as if the rest of us unwashed peasants are for nuclear war!
I can't imagine any self-respecting Protestants wanting to adopt a pushy group like this! Who was that one in Greek mythology who sort of hung in midair after death because both earth and sea rejected him?
I think "angst and frustration" characterized VOTF members well before the current scandal broke -- what they have now is a chance to capitalize on it.
Note that in its early stages, they were really, really, really eager to draw conservative support and conservative speakers for their meeting last Saturday, but still --
(Mr. Post says that Voice of the Faithful invited several leading Catholic conservatives to the convention but none attended. Two of them, the Rev. Richard John Neuhaus and author Michael Novak, tell me they never received an invitation.)
Do you suppose that in an excess of eagerness, they forgot to put postage on the invitations to speak?
They're probably knocking down the doors already. I looked at their website (I think it's votf.org) when it listed candidates for directors: there were at least two members of Call to Action and at least one openly gay man. No one looked really conservative from the resumes they provided.
Maybe the best way to examine it would be to imagine that He wanted it set up the way it appears most catholics,clergy and lay alike,currently want it configured.
I guess first He would have had to find a large group of picnickers or shoppers or sightseers and got their attention. Then He would have said first I am going to work a miracle and feed you all,then we are going to have an election so we have a boss.Here's hoping that the miracle would give Him an edge and He won the election.
Next He would have then said I need some help so lets elect some guys or gals to help me. And,He would tell the crowds that hereafter when He wanted to say something important He would run it by the small group they had elected and they would determine what He meant and how He should say it and how He could implement it.
Then He would assure the masses that after His Words were properly couched in the language of the people,and procedures were set up to provide for the achievement of goals,His helpers would get back to them and they could vote on the particulars. Then His inner circle would bring their thoughts back to Him and He would consider them and make changes as appropriate,He would then process it through the inner circle and they might make some small changes and get it back to them for final approval.
Since Jesus knew everything He would know that by the time the first official pronouncement was issued many of them would be dead,so He would need to set up an emergency procedure which would permit them to "live forever" with God.The problem was that most people had other things to do so they left and the ones that remained could not agree among themselves who should be elected and some that the "multitudes" agreed were worthy helpers chose not to serve.Several of the "chosen" were hitting the wine rather heavily and Jesus knew they wouldn't do and etc.,blah,blah.
Catholics need to pray for understanding and get a grip,Christ gave the keys to Peter,in perpetuity for dam good reasons and God is giving us an opportunity to do what Mary told the stewards at the wedding at Cana. We must "do whatever He tells us to do".And it starts with listening to Peter.
Next He would have then said I need some help so lets elect some guys or gals to help me. And,He would tell the crowds that hereafter when He wanted to say something important He would run it by the small group they had elected and they would determine what He meant and how He should say it and how He could implement it.
James Carville and focus groups -- now why didn't He think of that?!!
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