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Spy Wednesday and a Reflection on the Sins of the Clergy
Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 03-31-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

Posted on 04/01/2015 7:50:45 AM PDT by Salvation

Spy Wednesday and a Reflection on the Sins of the Clergy

By: Msgr. Charles Pope

spywednesdaypainting

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.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; clergy; healing; holywednesday; holyweek; judas; lent; lent2015; msgrcharlespope; priesthood; priests; sin; sins; spywednesday; yearb
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To: Tax-chick

Thanks!


21 posted on 04/01/2015 1:09:25 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
It really is in your Bible too.

No, it really is not...

22 posted on 04/01/2015 1:12:01 PM PDT by Iscool
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To: Salvation

You’re welcome. The study of tax law prepared me for the study of Catholicism ;-).


23 posted on 04/01/2015 1:15:48 PM PDT by Tax-chick ("Be afraid only of thoughtlessness and pusillanimity." ~ Pope John Paul II)
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To: verga; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; CynicalBear; daniel1212; Gamecock; HossB86; ...
New Covenant New Rules, and words can acquire different definitions as time goes by. For instance scripture used to exclusively mean writings, now if refers to the Bible.
The Bible is an interesting word as well. It cam from the Phoenician Port city Bublos which is where papyrus came from. Then it came to mean papyrus. Glad I could clarify this for you.

I think the RCs here think we are all stupid.. The NT was written AFTER the New Covenant ...The Holy Spirit CHOSE to have it written in GREEK ... Greek is the most precise language.. even Rome can not make that language change what it means

The jewish priesthood WAS A TYPE of Christ fulfilled on the cross.. He was both the priest and the sacrifice for sin ..fulfilling both types.. as if to put an exclamation point on it God destroyed the jewish priesthood in 70 AD

As I noted earlier the greek had words for priest, and it was NEVER used in the NT church...because there was no more offerings for sin.. no more sacrifices

Rome has danced around a tried to give the greek a meaning that fits its narrative.. but it is nothing more than smoke and mirrors..

24 posted on 04/01/2015 1:34:36 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: Salvation
Then, all born again believers are priests as well



25 posted on 04/01/2015 1:52:49 PM PDT by knarf (I say things that are true ... I have no proof ... but they're true)
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To: All
Strange that no one has talked about the sins of their own clergy.

Spy Wednesday and a Reflection on the Sins of the Clergy
WDTPRS Spy Wednesday in Holy Week (Catholic/Orthodox Caucus)
Spy Wednesday [in Holy Week] Reflection: The Sins of the Clergy [Catholic Caucus]
Spy Wednesday (also Holy Wednesday of Holy Week)
Judas, Alive and Well
Spy Wednesday

26 posted on 04/01/2015 2:07:44 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: RnMomof7; verga; Alex Murphy; bkaycee; blue-duncan; boatbums; daniel1212; Gamecock; HossB86

Catholic priests wouldn’t even qualify for any leadership position in the New Testament church.


27 posted on 04/01/2015 2:14:18 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: RnMomof7

You have been told the truth, You ignore it at your own risk. I will pray that God softens your heart and opens it to the truth.


28 posted on 04/01/2015 2:56:43 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playing chess with pigeons,.)
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To: verga; RnMomof7
>>You have been told the truth,<<

Not from anyone representing the Catholic Church.

29 posted on 04/01/2015 2:58:50 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: Salvation

Did anyone claim sinless clergy?


30 posted on 04/01/2015 3:00:51 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: CynicalBear

There are 2-3 non-Catholics that are Christians on these threads, the rest are just poser wannabes. I pray that God chooses to soften your heart and open it to the truth.


31 posted on 04/01/2015 3:20:29 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playing chess with pigeons,.)
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To: verga
There are 2-3 non-Catholics that are Christians on these threads, the rest are just poser wannabes

I'm not ready to write ANYONE off who clings to Our Lord... no matter how wrongheaded they may be. I believe their hearts are in the right place, it's their heads that are planted firmly up their backsides. But that can be said of me on most days.

32 posted on 04/01/2015 3:27:57 PM PDT by Legatus (I think, therefore you're out of your mind)
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To: verga

So you have declared yourself God? Wouldn’t that make you the anti Christ?


33 posted on 04/01/2015 3:37:22 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear
There is no position in the New Testament “church” called priest and what the Catholic Church calls priests don’t even qualify for leadership in the New Testament church. The Catholic Church is a pagan “church”.

uhhhhhh....O.K. whatever you say.....I guess.

34 posted on 04/01/2015 4:45:55 PM PDT by terycarl (common sense prevails over all)
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To: Salvation

Among the most scandalous sins of the clergy today:

http://tinyurl.com/canon915


35 posted on 04/01/2015 4:49:42 PM PDT by Arthur McGowan
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To: CynicalBear

Hey if that is what it takes to get you through the dark scary night. I will pray for you.


36 posted on 04/01/2015 5:11:45 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playing chess with pigeons,.)
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To: verga

No dark scary nights for me verga. I have Christ with me 24/7. I don’t need to go to some guy in a robe handing out crackers.


37 posted on 04/01/2015 5:16:47 PM PDT by CynicalBear (For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus)
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To: CynicalBear

Still grasping at straws I see.


38 posted on 04/01/2015 5:23:48 PM PDT by verga (I might as well be playing chess with pigeons,.)
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To: CynicalBear; metmom; boatbums; caww; presently no screen name; redleghunter; ...
Catholic priests wouldn’t even qualify for any leadership position in the New Testament church.

Since there was no separate class of believers distinctively titled "priests" , then there was not even any leadership position in the New Testament church to qualify for, unless that want to take the place of the Lord Jesus.

39 posted on 04/01/2015 5:28:30 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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To: Salvation
One way to reflect on this terrible sin is to consider that Judas was among the first priests called by Jesus.

If you can even find once instance where a NT pastor (besides Christ) is even ever titled "priest" ("hierus") , or even an example of them uniquely dispensing bread then you can get back to me.

40 posted on 04/01/2015 5:33:57 PM PDT by daniel1212 (Come to the Lord Jesus as a contrite damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save you, then live 4 Him)
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