VOTF, the anti-Catholic dissent group which imparted its "Priest of Integrity" award to Father James Scahill, the out-of-control cleric who referred to Jesus as "insidiously evil," and calumniated Pope Benedict XVI on Divine Mercy Sunday, continues to calumniate the Holy Father and the Church's hierarchy. See here.
The time has come for the U.S. Bishops to denounce this organization as a body. VOTF is not a Catholic organization and the group fails to live up to the demands of the Catholic apostolate which were laid out extensively at Vatican II. For example, in its Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (Apostolicam Actuositatem), Vatican II had this to say:
"Whether the lay apostolate is exercised by the faithful as individuals or as members of organizations, it should be incorporated into the apostolate of the whole Church according to a right system of relationships. Indeed, union with those whom the Holy Spirit has assigned to rule His Church (cf. Acts 20:28) is an essential element of the Christian apostolate. No less necessary is cooperation among various projects of the apostolate which must be suitably directed by the hierarchy.
Indeed, the spirit of unity should be promoted in order that fraternal charity may be resplendent in the whole apostolate of the Church, common goals may be attained, and destructive rivalries avoided. For this there is need for mutual esteem among all the forms of the apostolate in the Church and, with due respect for the particular character of each organization, proper coordination. This is most fitting since a particular activity in the Church requires harmony and apostolic cooperation on the part of both branches of the clergy, the Religious, and the laity." (No. 23).
VOTF has violated these principles of the Catholic apostolate. The organization actively encourages opposition to Church teaching and is now engaged in a calumny which, objectively speaking, constitutes a mortal sin since it is calculated to to serious harm to the reputations of certain members of the Church's hierarchy and most especially the Holy Father.
Canon Law defines the obligations and rights of the Christian faithful. Canon 212 states clearly that, "In accord with the knowledge, competence and preeminence which they possess, they have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church, and they have a right to make their opinion known to the other Christian faithful, with due regard for the integrity of faith and morals and reverence toward their pastors, with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons."
VOTF has failed to show "due regard for the integrity of faith and morals" and "reverence toward their pastors." Calumny directed against the Church's Pastors does not constitute reverence. Nor has VOTF shown anything but contempt for the common good. VOTF is not sreving the good of the Church. The organization has betrayed the Church and has shown itself willing to engage in hateful calumny as it sows destructive rivalries within the Mystical Body of Christ.
Let's hope the U.S. Bishops will take action and soon.
Related reading here and here.
What did Fr. Scahill know about abuse and when?
No comments:
Post a Comment