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Thanks for the post. I'm sorry to say that the traditional way of the Church hierarchy with saints has too often been to persecute them while they are living and sanctify them after they are dead. Unless a bishop is a really good man, such as the present Bishop of Denver, he is likely to find that a genuine saint under his command makes him feel just a bit inadequate or even sinful, and many bishops don't like that.

Mother Teresa was universally admired while she was still alive, although she had a few politically-correct detractors; but Padre Pio was a much more typical instance of how the Church, or rather its failing members, are likely to treat saints. (No, Padre Pio hasn't yet been canonized, but I am willing to place a bet that he will be. Meantime, Catholics can have private opinions about him.)

Let's hope the bishop of Silicon Valley can be embarrassed into into keeping Monsignor Sweeny in his parish as long as he is physically and mentally fit and loved by his parishioners, which he obviously is at this time.

Thanks for the post. I'm sorry to say that the traditional way of the Church hierarchy with saints has too often been to persecute them while they are living and sanctify them after they are dead.

You know, that might not be too bad of a system. The Church is constantly on guard against charlatans and those who would create a "cult of personality". Just because an individual is popular and has a following, doesn't make them a saint. What is holy will endure and will be a light to future generations, and true prophets will often have to go without honor in their own time.

None of this should be construed as an attack on the priest, but just support for the Church's use of caution.