In Isaiah 56: 10-11, the Lord God warns us of shepherds who become mute dogs and who no longer care for their flocks, men who have succumbed to vanity and who prefer to follow after the pleasures of this world:
"My watchmen are blind, all of them unaware; They are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; Dreaming as they lie there, loving their sleep. They are relentless dogs, they know not when they have enough. These are the shepherds who know no discretion: Each of them goes his own way, every one of them to his own gain.."
In a message given to Fr. Gobbi on September 8, 1985, Our Lady spoke of negligent priests in the same way, explaining that such shepherds are the cause of the great apostasy which we find ourselves in:
"The cause of such a vast diffusion of errors and of this great apostasy rests with unfaithful pastors. They remain silent when they should speak with courage to condemn error and to defend the truth. They do not intervene when they should be unmasking the rapacious wolves who, hidden beneath the clothing of lambs, have insinuated themselves into the flock of Christ. They are mute dogs who allow their flocks to be torn to pieces.."
The Lord Jesus gave a warning to the Church in Laodicea which applies to all of us. And most especially to His ministers: "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.." Because the Lord Jesus hates lukewarmness, He will cast the lukewarm out of His sight and into Gehenna. He has said it.
To those priests, religious and members of the laity who haven't succumbed to demonic lukewarmness, Our Lady says: "You, on the other hand, must speak out with force and with courage to condemn error and to spread only the truth. The time of your public and courageous witness has come."
The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees, who were puffed up with pride and self-importance, that He could raise children of Abraham from the very stones. If He finds His ministers neglecting the flock today, why should we be surprised when He raises witnesses elsewhere? His work will be accomplished.
"My watchmen are blind, all of them unaware; They are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; Dreaming as they lie there, loving their sleep. They are relentless dogs, they know not when they have enough. These are the shepherds who know no discretion: Each of them goes his own way, every one of them to his own gain.."
In a message given to Fr. Gobbi on September 8, 1985, Our Lady spoke of negligent priests in the same way, explaining that such shepherds are the cause of the great apostasy which we find ourselves in:
"The cause of such a vast diffusion of errors and of this great apostasy rests with unfaithful pastors. They remain silent when they should speak with courage to condemn error and to defend the truth. They do not intervene when they should be unmasking the rapacious wolves who, hidden beneath the clothing of lambs, have insinuated themselves into the flock of Christ. They are mute dogs who allow their flocks to be torn to pieces.."
The Lord Jesus gave a warning to the Church in Laodicea which applies to all of us. And most especially to His ministers: "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.." Because the Lord Jesus hates lukewarmness, He will cast the lukewarm out of His sight and into Gehenna. He has said it.
To those priests, religious and members of the laity who haven't succumbed to demonic lukewarmness, Our Lady says: "You, on the other hand, must speak out with force and with courage to condemn error and to spread only the truth. The time of your public and courageous witness has come."
The Lord Jesus told the Pharisees, who were puffed up with pride and self-importance, that He could raise children of Abraham from the very stones. If He finds His ministers neglecting the flock today, why should we be surprised when He raises witnesses elsewhere? His work will be accomplished.
Today, a priest who actually preaches on Hell, mortal sin, and against vices and crimes against God such as abortion, homosexual acts, contraception, adultery and fornication is something of a rarity.
ReplyDeleteThe priests who have abandoned the duties of their vocation are responsible for the current crisis. Read some examples of spiritual abuse and neglect here:
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTracker/
Part of the reason the Worcester Diocese is having so many problems is that it refuses to look at itself objectively. Many in leadership don't like to be challenged or even questioned. Inflated with arrogance, often people will consider themselves "too lofty" to be questioned, or immune from any criticism - no matter how constructive that criticism is. When leaders care more for their egos than for the people they are supposed to be serving, all that is left is an insane drive to defend their actions, their record and the status quo. Only prayer can soften hearts which are so inflated with pride and arrogance.
ReplyDeleteGerald Phillips from Fitchburg makes the point nicely in this week's edition of The Catholic Free Press, in a letter titled "Restoring the health of the Church."
ReplyDeleteHe writes: "It was saddening for me to read the April 25 article in the Free Press concerning 'New Models of Pastoral Leadership' that took place in Orlando, Florida. This meeting seemed to be all about facts and figures and reminded me of a meeting of CEOs of a giant corporation searching for ways to avoid its collapse. The strategy to find remedies in Orlando seemed similar; shuffle personnel, close this branch, tighten up loose ends, fix this, patch that, etc. It seemed to me that those gathered in Orlando were oblivious to the real problems or unable to deal with the root causes of the collapsing American Church.
Pope Benedict XVI seemed to make it clear to us that only through our striving to live a virtuous life and SEEKING HOLINESS and discovering the true meaning of hope can we expect to see the health of our Church restored. I think there were better ways to have spent the $2 million allotted to this Models Project."
Mr. Phillips is, of course, right. But those in leadership positions throughout the Worcester Diocese cannot see this or simply don't want to see it. They are comfortable in their cushy little positions enjoying various perks and sipping away at their Mocha Lattes while conducting endless meetings at great expense where absolutely nothing is accomplished.
Endless meetings are not the answer. Spending ridiculous amounts of money on useless projects is not the answer. A return to prayer and holiness is. A return to fidelity to the Church's Magisterium is the answer. A return to humility is the answer.
But many of the powers that be in our Diocese cannot see this. They have become blind. And we are losing parishes as a result. More importantly, we are losing souls as many are deserting what they now view as a pervese construct.
Don't look to the priests and Diocesan officials to call you back to prayer. They're too busy having useless meetings and sipping their Mocha Lattes.