Edward Pentin at National Catholic Register hears the sounds of silence:
Another point calling into question whether the issue of homosexuality will be discussed at the meeting is the appointment of Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago as head of the summit’s preparatory committee.
Cardinal Cupich has expressed strong skepticism that homosexual priests are a key factor of clerical sexual abuse, saying instead the problem stems from clericalism in the Church. Similarly, Pope Francis has placed most of the blame for the crisis on clericalism and, to date, never on homosexuality.
The Register asked Cardinal Cupich, in his capacity as head of the meeting’s organizing committee, to share his views on the link between homosexuality and clerical sex abuse and whether it will be discussed at the meeting in light of the Pope’s comments. As of publication time, he had not responded.
The Register asked Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India, who is also on the committee, the same questions, but he has similarly not replied.
A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Register Dec. 10 that it is not at all clear the Pope wants the issue of homosexuality discussed at the meeting, as the book interview comments were given in light of the McCarrick scandal and not with respect to the February meeting.
The motto of this current Pontificate:
This quote came from the 1Peter5 blog;
“God wants us to be faithful in spite of our popes – not because of them. That is the time of testing into which He has led us and out of which He will lead us when His will has been accomplished.”
I’m in agreement with this reasoning. As we near Jesus in Bethlehem the drama dujour via Francis is fading away because he isn’t worth the disturbance of my peace..or your’s on this JOY filled season.
PEACE of Christ be yours TAC.
Given enough rope..Judas’ eventually hang themselves.
So be it the Lavender Mafia.
“Clericalism is the application of the formal, church-based, leadership or opinion of ordained clergy in matters of either the church or broader political and sociocultural import.”
Seems to me, that in the case of homosexual predation, that being a homosexual would precede clericalism.
Regarding the PF’s meeting in February on this issue, if there is a failure to relate homosexuality to sexual predation the meeting will be a further condemnation of Pope Francis and only add more uncertainty that his papacy is legitimate and that he himself is personally corrupt.
The Synods seem to be doing damage to faith in the Church. Most folks probably think of them as a rarity, meetings to resolve theological questions we don’t really understand anyway. Suddenly, folks with little catechesis are confronted with meetings of practical significance, on matters we understand at an organic level.
It seems to me that this new reality invites attention and theorizing outside of the process by which the Church renews understanding of Truth and its application to the times. Instead of sitting back and waiting to see if or how a Synod’s work matters to us, we find ourselves confronted by our viewpoint and any discordance with the mere viewpoint of our hierarchy.
Are these Synods the proper vehicle for resolving these matters? I am not sure they are. I suggest that the popular view of them as existing to resolve religious questions beyond the pew Catholic is a reality and that we might be better off to accept that, treating questions of gross negligence like the present crisis as something different, a distinct problem with a distinct process of remedy.
Homosexuality, clericalism, negligent and stupid bishops, poor seminary preparation and oversight… These matters are too easy to understand and that invites us to treat the matter as religious and somehow of equal stature with matters of faith.
What I would like to see in a Synod is an exploration of what in the heck is wrong with our Liturgy and presentation of sacrament. I would like to see an exploration of why on Traditionalist Catholicism is growing, why only those communities whose outward appearance is decidedly Catholic inspire young people to join. That is the kind of thing that most pew Catholics imagine Synods exist to address. “Not being a complete tool of a bishop and moving monsters around to prey upon straight seminarians”? That doesn’t seem like a matter in need of a lot of closed door discussion.
Cupich is the leading clericalist in the Church.
David Spaulding, I totally agree. I have a forthcoming post on Catholic Stand on the Anglican Usage Liturgy. This is the Mass that Vatican II should have given us. One sees large families with young children attending the Mass. It should be the renewal of the Catholic Church in English speaking countries.
Thanks, Doctor Kurkland. I look forward to it.
Warning: This has very sick, demonic stuff in it.
Gracious God, purify the Catholic Church no matter the cost.
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/sauron-sentencing-child-porn-faucher-priest/?fbclid=IwAR1f-g2C3ni7M_YFVj3fqZ0u1q-uC2EYny0TSi-AcSwE5_jQ95KbCiYwQCA