Okay, I have a conundrum. I don’t like to be the type of person that says anything negative about priests. I am grateful to have them. I know I need to show respect for them and for their vocation. We all know St. Francis’ response when posed with the question of a priest who transgressed, he did not criticize him but said something to the effect, “I would kiss the hand….” I am terrible with the details but you get the idea. I’m a wanna-be St. Francis.
So here I am, sitting in the pew and hearing flat-out incorrect statements by our priests. First, on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, I was told that it was not about celebrating the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist….it is about us-- the community being the body of Christ! Really?!? I know I shouldn’t be sarcastic and I don’t want to be snarky but really what am I to do!? We mentioned to the children the “real” meaning of the Body and Blood of Christ and hope they weren’t paying attention to what the priest was saying.
Second, the priest today asked, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all love each other and not focus on correct doctrine?” (Italicized words are hazy from memory; he might have said worry about). I want to be charitable; I know I am CALLED to be charitable….but what? Ahem. Pardon me?! If we don’t believe in the doctrine of the Catholic Church and try in every way we can (acknowledging that some genuine errors may occur but be willing to make corrections) to follow it, what do we have as Catholics?! Nothing. We might as well split off, agree to disagree, and start up a new community of believers.
My conundrum is that I am angry when I am put in a position that I have to correct what my children hear from the pulpit, especially from the priests! I don’t want to feel angst about this but I do. I don’t pretend to know everything or be remotely scholarly, but these are blatant. These inaccuracies are from two different priests. I know that this diocese draws more liberal priests. I know that it is up to the Bishop to manage his flock (priests included). I sometimes think it might be better to NOT have as many priests instead of having to correct (in private) the ones we have to the children. Lastly (and maybe most importantly), I know that I need help. I shouldn’t allow the inaccuracies of others to get my dander up. Please pray for me and my parish!
Of course it should get your dander up. If it doesn't make you angry that there are people who would like nothing more than make the Church a bastion of relativism, then you're a little too numb.
ReplyDeleteWhat it shouldn't do,however, is make you surprised.
These folks have stopped seeing the timeless Church and have instead centered on an evolutionary church. It's their golden calf. Following Church teaching is way harder then just making things up as you go along or going for the easy no confrontation middle of the road. They couldn't give a flip about Truth as taught in the 'dogma' they find so darn repressive. Easier to partake in falsehoods and half truths then have the courage to stand up for the faith given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ.
It should never happen. You should not HAVE to correct the priest. But you must. We have had to do it, unfortunately often. Infact we've even had to correct teachers on History or Civics.
ReplyDeleteThe Authorities out there lack the qualifications (read knowledge) to be authorities in their fields.
The documents of the Vatican clearly state that the Parents are the first (prime) teachers of the faith to their children. Teach your children the faith of Holy Mother church.
If they ask why the priest says something different, tell them, that as much as you respect the priest, and are duty bound to respect the priest, if he is unclear in his statements, it is your duty to explain it to them so that it is clear.
As for the whole Body of Christ statement, the priest wasn't totally wrong- We are the Body and Christ is the head, but that is the wrong homily for Corpus Christi.
As for the last homily:
Well, okay, that one I have no idea what the priest was trying to do, but whatever it was, just explain that the priest was muddled and you just want to explain it better.
YOu can correct without disrespecting the priest. You have proven it by this post
Thanks for your comments both of you! I know what you say is true, but it still feels "icky" to use a very technical term.
ReplyDeleteEverytime I'm in this situation of hearing a priest blatantly leading people away from the truth in his homily, I can't help but think of the Bible passage where the believers wanted to hurl Christ over the cliff for what he proclaimed which was offensive to them. My parish has a bluff so conveniently located nearby, and I think we should forcefully, yet lovingly, take our priest and push him off the bluff. My husband says it's not charitable and tells me we can't do such a thing. But this is a WAR between truth and falsehood, so lets be honest and bring the battle to the open.
ReplyDeleteOy! Yer killing me Anon.
ReplyDeleteOkay, first, that's Luke 4.
Secondly, you'd want to do to a priest what those who took offense to Christ wanted to do to Him? That's kind of a weird twist, wouldn't you think? You can win the battle against falsehood without throwing someone--even lovingly--over a cliff. As a matter of fact, once you resort to that kind of stuff, and fight evil with evil, you give victory to the other side.
You should also keep in mind John 8:1-11. One wonders, if you cast out someone for being a sinner, who's next. Surely it would be me, chief among sinners.