Spy Wednesday and a Reflection on the Sins of the Clergy

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 03-31-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Spy Wednesday and a Reflection on the Sins of the Clergy

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

Wednesday of Holy Week is traditionally called “Spy Wednesday,” since it was on this day that Judas conspired with the Temple leadership to hand Jesus over. He would not accomplish his task until the evening of the next day, but this day he made the arrangements and was paid.

One way to reflect on this terrible sin is to consider that Judas was among the first priests called by Jesus. We see in the call of the Apostles the establishment of the ministerial priesthood. Jesus called these men to lead His Church and minister in His name. But one of these priests went wrong, terribly wrong, and turned against the very one he should have proclaimed.

We also see great weaknesses among the other “first priests.” Peter denied Jesus, though he later repented. All the others except John deserted Jesus at the time of His Passion. Yes, I am sad to say, only one priest, one bishop made it to the foot of the Cross. All the rest fled in fear. And so here we see the “sins of the clergy” made manifest. Christ did not call perfect men. He promised to protect His Church from officially teaching error but this does not mean that there is no sin in the Church, nor that those who are called to lead are without sin. The story of Judas shows that even among those who were called, one went terribly wrong.

In recent years there has been much focus on the sins of Catholic priests who went terribly wrong and sexually abused the young. The vast majority of priests have never done such things, but those who did so inflicted great harm.

There are other sins of the clergy that have nothing to do with sexuality but that also may have caused great harm. Maybe it was an insensitive remark. Perhaps it was a failure to respond at a critical moment such as a hospital visit. And how many of you have lamented deeply the scandal of silent pulpits, the silence of so many clergy in the face of a moral meltdown? Whatever it might be that has harmed or alienated you, please don’t give up on God or on the Church. If a priest or a Church leader has caused you grief please know that there are other priests, deacons, and lay leaders who stand ready to hear your concerns and offer healing. Let the healing begin. Ask among your Catholic family and friends for recommendations about helpful and sensitive priests or Church leaders who can listen to your concerns, address them where possible, and offer another opportunity for the Church to reach out to you with love.

On this “Spy Wednesday” pray especially for priests. We carry the treasure of our priesthood in earthen vessels; as human beings we struggle with our own issues. We have many good days, but some less-than-stellar moments, too. The vast majority of priests, though sinners, are good men who strive to do their very best. But some among us have sinned greatly and, like Judas, caused harm to the Body of Christ. Some of us may have caused harm to you. Please accept this invitation to begin anew.

If you have stayed away because of some hurt caused by any leader of the Church, strive on this “Spy Wednesday” to still seek Christ where He is found. He is among sinners and saints, in the Church He founded. The Church is perfect in her beauty as the Bride of Christ, but consists of members who are still “on the way” to holiness.

After all my verbiage, here is a music video that presents this message better than I ever could. If you have ever known someone who has been hurt, or been hurt yourself, allow this powerful video to move you.

[CynicalBear]

>>It doesn't matter what I think.<<

The Greek word translated anti Christ is antíxristos and it means opposite to Christ; someone acting in place of (against) Christ. Matthew references that.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

It's the antíxristos that sets himself up in the temple "in the place of Christ".

[Legatus]

But aren't bishops also priests?

Sure, and they are deacons as well.

[rbmillerjr]

“Proclaim your faith: but one’s faith should not depend on finding fault with another’s”

These are wise words indeed. Especially during Holy Week.

It would be much more beneficial for all to see people explaining disagreement, yet seeing the unity in Christ. The vile and mocking comments speak more to the spiritual darkness of a person than the target of their tantrum.

[daniel1212]

Follow your link; that wasn't my post.

Sorry, for i backtracked the responses and that is where it led to, but you came in at post 141 in response to Mercat at 131, and with other things i was juggling at the time i failed to see that it was not the same poster as before, because it followed the same line.

[daniel1212]

"Pagan" is name-calling, as is "cult", and some of the other, worse names we get called as Catholics.

And likewise we see such from RCs, even to advocating our extermination, while promoting an elitist church that still does not even think our churches are worthy to be called "churches," but you were nowhere to be found when that occurs, and yet come on as if we had no provocation and that RCs as were innocent victims.

Other than the first two posts, i.e. the article itself and the author's ping, it took two posts to get a negative response.

Nothing new about that; this is a forum, and in the religion section, no the gardening one, so any post, esp. by a church that claims it alone is the one true one, must expect challenges.

Do you think Mormonism should be allowed to post their material without challenges?

[daniel1212]

I’m confused. Am I supposed to be the newcomer here?

At this point i am not sure who that was said to, but newcomer refers to a newcomer in regularly posting on these threads, thus evidencing one is qualified to opine that one side is being victimized, while being a veteran here who saves most of his postings, i can evidence otherwise.

If I have posted anything that has said that non-Catholics go to hell, I apologize. I

Referencing that does not mean you did so, but that this is one of the many claims of other RCs against Prots.

[aposiopetic]

Whoever is on (or off) this thread, you were prayed for today.

[daniel1212]

As for Greg Dues:

Jesus indeed "ordain" the Holy Apostles and they themselves "ordain" bishops, priests,

It is useful to remember that not every book written about the Church provides reliable information,

So you expect EWTN is going to be an objective source as to what is reliable information? The fact remains that the Lord nor the apostles never ordained a single priest, as presbuteros/episkopos were never given that distinctive title, nor are they shown having a unique sacrificial function.

Nor were presbuteros (senior/elder) and episkopos (superintendent/overseer) separate classes, as they terms denote the same office, the former the maturity of the pastor, and the second his function.

That is what is called "reliable information."

As for Greg Dues from other sources, for what they are worth, Catholic family catalog says: A fascinating volume for both pre- and post-Vatican II catholics, and makes an ideal resource for people involved in RCIA. This book encourages respect for and enjoyment of the varied traditions which give flesh to the Roman Catholic Church., soft, pp 214. (http://www.catholicfamilycatalog.com/catholic-customs-and-traditions-softcover-book-greg-dues.htm)

And Amazon shows 4 stars in reviews.

[daniel1212]

Tradition does not count."

Honestly, Mama, to a Catholic it does. We refer to it as Sacred and treasure it, as the Jews do the Talmud.

And both perpetuate many fables. Of course, RC sanctioned scholarship has taught for decades even in her own Bibles such things as that OT miraculous stories are fables or folktales, etc.

[Grateful2God]

D- When I was a little kid and did something wrong, and my parents called me on it, what was the first thing I'd say? "Everybody else is doing it!"

My parents would say that it was too bad, that was no reason!

Just because "everybody's doing it" doesn't make it right! A Christian is expected to be perfect, even as our Father is perfect: we can't, but that does hold us to a higher standard. The devil loves to divide and conquer, and he must really enjoy some of the vicious posting that stops people from having a productive, adult dialogue worthy of any denomination of Christians.

PS: If a Mormon posted, I would courteously ask questions and state my beliefs. What is it that people have against them around here? For people who criticize Catholics for saying we have the greatest, though not complete, deposit of the Truth, the proselytizers here seem to have s zero-tolerance policy for anyone who believes differently. I'm nice when they or the Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door. And with one exception in my life, they're polite, and we end up agreeing to disagree- but at least kind to one another. That's a lot more than I've gotten from some of the people here- usually the same ones, too.

[Grateful2God]

EWTN will give me info according to what my Church teaches. Not every site that says Catholic follows our teaching. Some aren't even truly Catholic, but give tips on how to argue the Faith with one!

For me, EWTN vs. Amazon, sorry, Catholic theologians and verbatim Church documents win out over anonymous raters.

I'm a Catholic of the Roman Rite; to us, they're priests.

[Elsie]

People tend to IGNORE them.

[Elsie]

I can’t help it of the translators CHOOSE to write something different for the same greek word.

I can only go on the data given me.

[bert]

The word I think is rationalization

[CynicalBear]

>>I can only go on the data given me.<<

I just gave you some data to reflect on.

[daniel1212]

For me, EWTN vs. Amazon, sorry, Catholic theologians and verbatim Church documents win out over anonymous raters.

Actually, as it is hard for a faithful RC to be objective, for they are are bound to defend Rome at any cost, which has much been exampled here, then it is the RCs who are often the ranters, while the book reviews otherwise on Amazon are often are by some quite astute readers.

Once you decide you submit to Rome, the RC is not to objectively examine the Scriptures and evidence in order to ascertain the veracity of RC teaching, but is to implicitly assent to infallible teaching with "assent of faith," and even those from the ordinary Magisterium cannot be disbelieved by a faithful RCs, but "a Catholic must maintain such beliefs as though they were true, granting them unadulterated intellectual assent." (http://www.academia.edu/1982786/Religious_Assent_in_Roman_Catholicism)

"The intolerance of the Church toward error, the natural position of one who is the custodian of truth, her only reasonable attitude makes her forbid her children...to endeavor to discover religious truths by examining both sides of the question. This places the Catholic in a position whereby he must stand aloof from all manner of doctrinal teaching other than that delivered by his Church through her accredited ministers." — (John H. Stapleton, Explanation of Catholic Morals, Chapters XIX, XXIII. the consistent believer (1904); Nihil Obstat. Remy Lafort, Censor Librorum. Imprimatur, John M. Farley, Archbishop of New York )

It follows that the Church is essentially an unequal society, that is, a society comprising two categories of per sons, the Pastors and the flock...the one duty of the multitude is to allow themselves to be led, and, like a docile flock, to follow the Pastors. - VEHEMENTER NOS, an Encyclical of Pope Pius X promulgated on February 11, 1906.

[Elsie]

I just gave you some data to reflect on.

Yes; you have...

---

The Greek word translated anti Christ is antíxristos and it means opposite to Christ; someone acting in place of (against) Christ. Matthew references that.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

 

 

 

 

"antichrist" occurs 5 times in 4 verses in the KJV.     KJV Strong's G500 matches the Greek ἀντίχριστος (antichristos). "antichrist*" AND "G500"
	1Jo 2:18	Little children, G3813 it is G2076 the last G2078 time: G5610 and G2532 as G2531 ye have heard G191 that G3754 antichrist G500 shall come, G2064 even G2532 now G3568 are there G1096 many G4183 antichrists; G500 whereby G3606 we know G1097 that G3754 it is G2076 the last G2078 time. G5610
	1Jo 2:22	Who G5101 is G2076 a liar G5583 but G1508 he that denieth G720 that G3754 Jesus G2424 is G2076 G3756 the Christ? G5547 He G3778 is G2076 antichrist, G500 that denieth G720 the Father G3962 and G2532 the Son. G5207
	1Jo 4:3	And G2532 every G3956 spirit G4151 that G3739 confesseth G3670 not G3361 that Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 is come G2064 in G1722 the flesh G4561 is G2076 not G3756 of G1537 God: G2316 and G2532 this G5124 is G2076 that spirit of antichrist, G500 whereof G3739 ye have heard G191 that G3754 it should come; G2064 and even G2532 now G3568 already G2235 is it G2076 in G1722 the world. G2889
		For G3754 many G4183 deceivers G4108 are entered G1525 into G1519 the world, G2889 who G3588 confess G3670 not G3361 that Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 is come G2064 in G1722 the flesh. G4561 This G3778 is G2076 a deceiver G4108 and G2532 an antichrist. G500

[Elsie]

Bump

[daniel1212]

Just because "everybody's doing it" doesn't make it right!

No, but there is a difference btwn following "a multitude to do evil," (Ex. 23:2) as in resorting to immature ad hominens in lieu of an argument, versus both sides countering what they see as evil. And the objection we see is that of RCs complaining about attacks on their church when RCs for years have done the like toward Protestantism.

And they also fail to see that promoting or standing for a church which they assert is the one true one, and that all others are "deficient in grace," and Protestant ones are not fit to be even properly called churches.

Likewise, posting any truth claim on a forum means that you are at least allowing for it to be challenged. And which is what RCs complain about.

The devil loves to divide and conquer, and he must really enjoy some of the vicious posting that stops people from having a productive, adult dialogue worthy of any denomination of Christians.

The devil also tries to blur the distinction btwn truth and error, while God says "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him,' and "that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3) (Leviticus 19:17)

And while "vicious posting" is in the eye of the beholder, and while we have even been told by RCs that there never has been any anti-Protestant bigotry here, or they never see RCs initiating arguments with Protestants, while the protests i see are mostly from RCs who simply object to RCs claims being refuted and called what they are, while they presume to do the same against what they present as Protestantism.

PS: If a Mormon posted, I would courteously ask questions and state my beliefs. What is it that people have against them around here?

1. Like RCs, they assert they are the one true church, all others being inferior or apostate.

2. Like Rome, they hold to sola ecclesia, that the church is effectively supreme over Scripture, led by a leader who possesses ensured veracity.

3. Like RC's, they hold to and defend extra-Biblical fables as being "Divine revelation."

4. Teaches final salvation is thru becoming good enough to be with God. 5. Teach of a postmorteum existences outside Heaven and Hell.

6. Like RCs, they insist on pushing their church and propaganda, then playing victim when reproved.

And due to the extremes of Mormonic doctrines and behavior here, the owner himself rebuked and basically them from doing so. And there are more similarities, one of which, as expressed by a pro-Truth="anti-Mormon" web site:

“Then, when I attempt to offer any sort of disagreement or rebuttal, you [LDS] accuse me of hatred, bigotry and un-Christlike behavior. If that isn’t enough, to add insult to injury, you want to steal my name and have me accept you as a Christian. (Keith Walker quote from Dave Mitchell’s book, “Challenge to Investigate;” www. evidenceministries.org, “Mormonism’s Hypocritical Attack,” March 2012) .

For people who criticize Catholics for saying we have the greatest, though not complete, deposit of the Truth, the proselytizers here seem to have s zero-tolerance policy for anyone who believes differently.

Actually, evangelicals show the strongest Prot unity due to stronger commitment, like as traditional RCs have the strongest Cath unity due to stronger commitment, but due to the latter manifest the most contentious debates. It takes something so fundamentally wrong as sanctioning sodomy for liberal churches to have a split.

I'm nice when they or the Jehovah's Witnesses come to my door. And with one exception in my life, they're polite, and we end up agreeing to disagree- but at least kind to one another.

And this morning i i pursued two JWs up the street (they always bypass my house) to offer them a gospel tract, and which they refused as they must, saying they had the truth. The novice wanted to talk, but the disciple acted according to her programming, sternly saying ""we don't want to argue" (meaning deal with a challenged to their indoctrination), and thus i warned them of the consequences of a false gospel. (Gal. 1:6-9) For these are not simply common folk who just go to church or ID with on as most Caths etc., but JWs who have signed on to be formal missionaries, even if they usually do walk at a slow pace in putting their time in so that they can get to their earthly paradise. If you agree to promote any Truth claim, esp. that of a one true church, then you cannot try to play victim when challenged.

By like RCs, their trust is in an organization, and thus the faithful are not to seek to ascertain the veracity of their teaching by examination of evidences. For to do so would be to doubt the claims of their org. to be the assuredly faithful interpreter of Scripture and history. Even though objectively speaking they have mislead souls in the past and do so now. Blind leaders of the blind.

Certainly i believe in being gracious and kind to people, and doing thing like giving free food out and helping others by God's grace, with no strings attached, and would want to do things even for JWs like carry their bags of groceries to the 3rd floor, but if one is giving souls the wrong directions for eternity, esp. in proactive evangelism, then i also need to confront that with Truth.

I have had both JWs and Mormon in our apt., and let them give their say, but when i started asking questions that would have or did expose their false gospel then it was them who turned scornful, and resorted to the "we don't want to argue" mantra.

And about a month ago during early evening, i was shoveling out a car and two young ladies walked by on the sidewalk. They were not Latino like most of my neighbors in those densely populated poor city, and i looked up and said hi, and to my surprise one of the these thin well dressed young ladies asked me if i needed any help. I smiled with a surprised grin and asked something like, "You want to help me?," as that is what i would've likely asked her if she was shoveling instead!

But she said "yes, i can do it," and started taking off her jacket before i dissuaded her from trying to help. But by now i had noticed her Mormon tag on her clothing, and i said something to get the ball rolling on that issue, and for the next few minutes i was able to give her info on what i believed differently, and some things she likely did not know about the org she worked for, and how we are accountable for preaching false gospel, even if i was rather nice about it.

But unlike the JWs, these were not clones, and actually listened, and had i to do it over again i would have taken more time to converse, though it was not a sunny day in a park (but "in season out of season").

Now a Christian can just be a nice person and act like the differences in our messages are no big thing, and i actually do not go around being contentious, though i contend with those who take a stand or otherwise promote a certain message (online mostly), but Truth is life, and eternity is at stake, and how can i be ambivalent of give an impression that a different gospel

When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezekiel 33:8)

[Grateful2God]

And liberals are accused of being intolerant of any opinion but their own!

Dubious or outdated sources; a website against religions/ denominations, especially Catholicism, linked to a FR profile page, and the ubiquitous rationale that below-the-belt potshots and bombasticism are an act of love in the name of God. Oh yeah, that's Christian. Actually, it's a license to "Do what thou wilt" to whoever does not agree with the same ideas.

I took the time to answer section by section the posts mentioned, and the ones before in this thread topic. I gave the benefit of the doubt to a poster who has shown hostility toward Catholics before. That trust is gone. I maintain that all people are worthy of respect because they were made in the Image and Likeness of God, and redeemed at the cost of Jesus' life. The rest has to be earned, and can easily be lost.

I've said repeatedly, I'm here to learn, not to convert anyone. Now I'll leave you to basque in your perfection. I have better to do.

"Do as thou wilt." I'm sure the love preached by you in forum and that hateful website will bring many converts. Can't you feel the love? Wouldn't Jesus be pleased? Peace on earth to men of good will- as long as they do not disagree with the self-interpreters in any way. Just what God wants of His Children. /sarc

You are His children, so for love of Him, I ask that He bless you- whatever your opinion!