What do you think Catholics should do now to show our displeasure with our fallen priests, but remain faithful to Scripture, the Magisterium, and Tradition?I consider this a prudential decision. In other words I don’t think I can give you a complete answer, because I am not you, I am not your spiritual advisor, I don’t know your exact position, situation, relationship with your priests and Bishop, and things like that.
In short, I am waffling.
We do have to show our displeasure with fallen priests, and where appropriate with how the issue has been handled. I think we have that responsibility on a number of fronts, whether it be with fallen priests or whether it be what types of theology are taught in our Catholic schools. At the same time, we have to recognize that where the Bishop is, the Church is. Frankly, I find this to be a nearly impossible task at times, and I think there is legitimate room for disagreement on how faithful you need to be to the Bishop. Add to the mix that many of our Bishops aren’t faithful to their Boss, the Pope, and it gets more complicated.
I’ve done a couple things. My Bishop, while not being bad compared to many, seems to support some things I just don’t agree with. I won’t speak badly of him in public, if I can help it. (There are times where I think you have to do this, give a public rebuke, but it should be somewhat rare.) I have written to him, as charitably as my weak little skills could muster, to tell him what things bother me. I then told him that I don’t feel I can financially support him given my concerns. His response was aggressive, but it stopped short of instructing me I had a duty to donate to him. Had he done so I would have sought advice from a more competent theologian than I am, but then I probably would have obeyed that, doing my best to keep my cursing and muttering to a minimum.
Anyway, as a result, I have not donated to the Bishops appeal for a couple years. If my local parish similarly had similarly seriousissues I didn’t feel comfortable with, I would similarly refuse to donate to it. I mean to be clear here, I don’t think trivial issues would support this type of action. I would like to see my parish add a communion rail, but I’m not going to protest over it. Preferably I would find a better parish, and here in the Twin Cities I have that luxury (we drive a half hour to get to our parish, as neither parish in our home town is acceptable to us). Some people don’t have that luxury.
Above all though, you should not be using a difference with your Bishop or priest to reduce your charity. If anything, you should increase the overall amount you are donating to the Church, just donate to groups you feel you can in good conscience support.
I think you also have to be careful not to give needless scandal. There are times where public attention is required in order to deal with a problem. The media spotlight shined on the Church over the abuse is just such an occurrence. Before you complain about this or that clergyman though, I think you need to ask if your action gives glory to God. In shining light on abusers, we protect the children and others they would abuse, and that is undoubtedly God’s will. Other cases are closer issues, but this is what I try to ask myself before speaking. (I clearly fail at times).
Finally, you must at all times look on your Bishop and priests with charity, and pray for them with a true heart. It is easy to simply say a prayer for them, it is harder to love those who make you miserable.
This isn’t much of a comprehensive answer, but its my thoughts at the moment.
Dominus Vobiscum
patent +AMDG