Tuesday, March 24, 2015

The Diocese of Worcester and vocations: Are orthodox candidates to the priesthood welcome?

Once again, the Diocese of Worcester is putting out the word that it is looking for men who have "thought of a vocation to the priesthood"

But is this call open to everyone?

Apparently not. See here.

As Archbishop Elden Curtis explained in an article entitled "Crisis in Vocations? What Crisis?": "There is much media hype these days about the present and projected shortage of priests and its effect on the sacramental life of the Church. It is time to pay close attention to the dioceses and religious communities reporting increasing numbers of candidates. There have to be reasons for these increases that bear objective analysis from which some conclusions can be drawn.
I personally think the vocation "crisis" in this country is more artificial and contrived than many people realize. When dioceses and religious communities are unambiguous about ordained priesthood and vowed religious life as the Church defines these calls; when there is strong support for vocations, and a minimum of dissent about the male celibate priesthood and religious life loyal to the magisterium; when bishop, priests, Religious and lay people are united in vocation ministry—then there are documented increases in the numbers of candidates who respond to the call.

It seems to me that the vocation "crisis" is precipitated and continued by people who want to change the Church's agenda, by people who do not support orthodox candidates loyal to the magisterial teaching of the Pope and bishops, and by people who actually discourage viable candidates from seeking priesthood and vowed religious life as the Church defines the ministries.

I am personally aware of certain vocation directors, vocation teams and evaluation boards who turn away candidates who do not support the possibility of ordaining women or who defend the Church's teaching about artificial birth control, or who exhibit a strong piety toward certain devotions, such as the Rosary.

When there is a determined effort to discourage orthodox candidates from priesthood and religious life, then the vocation shortage which results is caused not by a lack of vocations but by deliberate attitudes and policies that deter certain viable candidates.

And the same people who precipitate a decline in vocations by their negative actions call for the ordination of married men and women to replace the vocations they have discouraged. They have a death wish for ordained priesthood and vowed religious life as the Church defines them. They undermine the vocation ministry they are supposed to champion." (Full article here).

Although I have had extensive psychological testing and screening for the United States military (as part of my security clearance for military intelligence) and have received glowing reports which indicate that I am free of any pathologies - including a homosexual inclination, when I contacted the Worcester Diocese (twice) to express my interest in discerning a priestly vocation, I received no response whatsoever.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of Worcester has ordained homosexual men to the priesthood.  For example, a psychological evaluation in 1977 prior to the ordination of Fr. Jean Paul Gagnon  indicated that the candidate had possible "sex role identification" problems. See here.

Related reading: Expert on Islam prevented from speaking at the Diocese of Worcester's "Catholic" Men's Conference.


15 comments:

BaldwinvilleCatholic said...

Maybe they just hate veterans and everything we stand for.

G.S. said...

The Church in Worcester isn't comfortable with men who look and act like men. When Father Francis Roberge said you would be ostracized for simply reminding some loud offensive parishioners that reverence before the tabernacle is called for by the Church, I decided to leave that parish.

Our diocese has sunk so low. Jesus HELP US!

Michael F Poulin said...

Well, in my opinion, there is a lack of leadership from Bishop MacManus on just about every issue, not just this one. Too bad. Instead of leadership, there seems to be an enormous (and silent) black hole from which nothing positive emanates (the cathedral in Worcester). We never hear from the good bishop, and I'm sure he is a good man, except some boilerplate platitudes at Easter and Christmas in the church bulletin. Sorry, but that's just not enough. A leader needs to visibly lead. Especially the men of the diocese are hungry for real leadership - but they just mull around like good ol' boys at the "Men's Conference" standing around yucking it up pretending to be Christian knights while Catholic Civilization crumbles around them. We need monks with swords, not sissies with ipods.

Betty said...

There is a lack of leadership Michael. And, to my mind, this is exactly why we need MEN serving our parishes. I know Paul. At 6'5, and with huge biceps, he's quite a presence. Honorably discharged veteran, decorated, expert in Tae Kwon Do, marksman.

Instead of viewing masculine men as "dangerous" or "scary," perhaps that is just what we need.

Masculine men don't identify with effeminate priests and deacons.

Samantha said...

Why can't we have healthy, heterosexual men, committed to celibacy and EVERYTHING the Church teaches?

I feel like Gardner has been a dumping ground for maladjusted clerics who are hell-bent on destroying the Church.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on our broken diocese.

Derek said...

I wouldn't expect the culture of effeminacy to understand your constructive criticism or fraternal correction. The lavender mafia cannot handle criticism. It will not tolerate it.

It is soft, lazy and corrupt. And quite content.

James the Convert said...

This has Grand Island Diocese written all over it. Just looking at the history of the dearth of vocations since 1966 shows a systematic scaling back on priests. From a high of 92 post VII to the present 33. Real men who want to be priests are appalled at the lack of concern for those really interested. Nothing new, just a quiet revolt against the Magisterium and orthodoxy. They want nothing less than complete protestantism, progressivism and modernism. All born of Satan.

Andrew said...

An anonymous individual left a comment at this thread suggesting that Paul, who is in his forties, is too old to enter seminary.

And yet, the Diocese of Worcester has older seminarians such as Mr. Perla who is 58 YEARS OLD! So much for that lie:

http://www.worcestervocations.com/images/seminarians/perla-large.png

This same diocesan official said that Paul isn't "docile" enough. Docile to whom?

Unlike the dissident chaff embraced by this sin-sick diocese, Paul is docile TO THE MAGISTERIUM.

What this writer really means is that because Paul refuses to embrace dissent and the sodomized culture, he isn't docile enough and doesn't have a vocation.

Apparently if one doesn't genuflect before the world or isn't prepared to forfeit one's soul, one doesn't have a vocation in Worcester!

Sick Sick Sick!

David said...

And we're supposed to trust a diocese that said (when law enforcement was looking for him) that they didn't know where Father Kane was when Paul Likoudis of The Wanderer found out that the Diocese was mailing stipend checks to him in Mexico?

Sick is the right word. Culture of deceit.

G.S. said...

Andrew, Joseph Rice, another Worcester Diocese Seminarian, is about the same age as Paul. And I'll bet he doesn't bench press 500 pounds - as Melanson does.

Rice studies at Saint Mary's in Maryland.

Could be that Worcester doesn't like what veterans stand for.

Unknown said...

God willing Paul WILL BE A PRIEST in God's timing, for God age doesn't count. I love the life story of Abraham and Sarah.
So Paul be glad you are not ordained in this day of age and situation in the Church. You could have been ordained by a schismatic Bishop and then you wouldn't even have been a valid priest. I have the strong feeling that the day will come that PAUL will be ordained when the Church is purified and restored. In the meantime he does priestly work thru his La Salette Journey. We will be amazed of the joy and wonders that the Lord has in store for us.
Viva Christo Rey!!! Riki

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

Thank you for that kind note Riki. God love you. - Paul, in the desert.

Unknown said...

TO PAUL IN THE DESERT o:)

MY SOUL IS THIRSTY FOR YOU, MY LORD

My soul is dwindling in the desert

Each step I take may be a hazard

Loneliness is my companion

But Jesus rather is the Champion

Of total abandonment and solitude

That's how WE show HIM our gratitude

Rita BIESEMANS. September 14th 2011

Chris Whittle said...

I am a young Catholic man in my 20's who wishes for a young woman to start a Catholic family. Catholic men trying to find [orthodox] Catholic women for Holy Matrimony are having just as much trouble as the aspiring seminarian. To answer the title question: No, orthodox candidates are not welcome in most dioceses. This explains why there is no Latin Mass in the City of Worcester, and that I have to go out of town for Sunday Mass.

As far as marriage is concerned, if there is no solid parish life, then there will be no true Catholic marriages.

I'm surprised Worcester is still a diocese. There will be nobody left in 20 years.

Paul Anthony Melanson said...

I am praying for you Chris. You are a fine young man with much to offer. Have you met Lisa Kerber who attends Holy Mass at Still River? She lives with her mother and they attend the Tridentine Mass at Saint Ann House. I'm guessing you probably attend IHM down the road.

God bless you Chris!

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