Friday, October 12, 2007

The most evident mark of God's anger

Three little excerpts:

First, :
Archbishop George Niederauer gave Holy Communion to two men dressed in drag as nuns during an Oct. 7 visit to Most Holy Redeemer parish in San Francisco, witnesses who attended the Mass told California Catholic Daily.


Second:
The most evident mark of God's anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. Instead of nourishing those committed to their care, they rend and devour them brutally. Instead of leading their people to God, they drag Christian souls into hell in their train. Instead of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are its innocuous poison and its murky darkness....

Third:
WASHINGTON (October 11, 2007)—Pope Benedict XVI named Bishop Jaime Soto, Auxiliary Bishop of Orange, California, to be Coadjutor Bishop of Sacramento, California. Bishop Soto is 51. The appointment as coadjutor bishop confers on Bishop Soto the right to succession to Bishop William K. Weigand of Sacramento. Bishop Weigand is 70.
There's little more to say.

Oh, little more except this, from Diogenes at the CWNews blog, quoting Bp. Soto:

Fourth:
Chris Andersen's present difficulties pain me very much not only because he is a friend but also because he is an associate in the ministry. Our works brings us into intimate contact with people's lives. In a time when the exchange of simple affections within the most intimate of circles has become a rare commodity, our associations with others run the grave risk of being misunderstood by all parties including perhaps the priest himself [OTR's emphasis]. There is cause therefore to exercise prudence and right judgment while at the same time pursuing the mission of Church to bring healing and comfort. If Chris has failed in exercising such prudence or has in fact abused the privilege provided him by the people of God I would the hope the court would seek some remedial means of dealing with the case at hand as opposed to extensive incarceration.

Fifth, from St. John Eudes:

The most evident mark of God's anger and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world are manifested when He permits His people to fall into the hands of clergy who are priests more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. Instead of nourishing those committed to their care, they rend and devour them brutally. Instead of leading their people to God, they drag Christian souls into hell in their train. Instead of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, they are its innocuous poison and its murky darkness....

How on earth can a Catholic remain in God-forsaken California? Jeff, seriously. How?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Part of the answer is that the papal schedule has to be reformed so that the Pope is not attending so many ceremonial functions and is paying attention to places like San Francisco and Holland. We need a top consultancy firm to advise Rome about what could be cut out or done by others. Popes by canon law have power that is "immediate" and "supreme". We need Popes to focus on the very things you are mentioning rather than on a surfeit of canonizations, audiences, inaugurations, blessings, symphonies,choral demonstrations etc.
Go here for part of the problem:

http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0705825.htm

Anonymous said...

Same reason there are Catholics remaining in France, Belgium, Italy, etc. It's home. And besides, I'm in Glenn County. Which is a heck of a lot better than Kansas City. We'll keep the coffee warm for you. :-)

Anonymous said...

I'll grant your point, though: Catholicism is in better shape in Kansas City. But there's a faithful remnant out here, including more than a few good orthodox priests. The lights aren't completely out in California yet, and things do seem to be turning around.