Let me share a microcosm of the big picture which is causing the Church in America to die.
The Bishop of Fresno did not fare well financially in the last diocesan appeal. People are sick of his protection of homosexual priests, his greed, unorthodoxy, and his mistreatment of good people. So, Steinbock has decided to apply financial pressure on the laity at the local level. He decreed a certain amount that each parish had to raise to give to the diocese. His goal is six million +. He has hired a fundraising company to teach people to pressure parishoners (at home, by phone) into giving. He wants monthly donations, no word if he gets automatic access to their checking accounts. One wealthy parish has been told to raise one million +.
What does this friend of Mahony want to do with the money? He wants to buy land in the mountains around the retreat center he is renting from the Franciscans. He wants to put in an Olympic style pool so hormone driven teenagers on retreat can have co-ed fun (I kid you not).
He recently informed CCD teachers that they are no longer allowed to teach the sixth commandment (Thou shalt not commit adultery). One woman resisted and was told "We don't do (teach) that anymore." I AM NOT KIDDING. Steinbock kicked out several conservative Novus Ordo priests because their teaching was too traditional (small t). Some found refuge in Sacramento. I don't know where the others went.
People of the Fresno diocese want Rome to do an audit and intervene. They are extremely upset.
This type of thinking and worse is found in most places around California and the U.S. The all out assault is moving to full speed ahead. These guys have no fear. Who is going to smack them down, Levada? Laughable. That should be interesting to watch. If the "Church" is growing here it isn't Catholicism which is growing. It's Unitarianism.
P.S. Did I mention Fresno has a serious problem with demonic infestations and harassments? Guess who refuses to help?
See #33 for to add another bishop to one of your lists!
COD, Thanks for sharing what is happening in Fresno.
**"We don't do (teach) that anymore." **
Unbelievable. Have you emailed any of this to Pope Benedict XVI?