tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post4997489263772231396..comments2024-02-14T03:56:12.027-08:00Comments on La Salette Journey: Mute dogs.....Paul Anthony Melansonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08455719838570381999noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post-65659404970156044292008-05-22T05:43:00.000-07:002008-05-22T05:43:00.000-07:00Gerald Phillips from Fitchburg makes the point nic...Gerald 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."<BR/><BR/>He 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.<BR/><BR/>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."<BR/><BR/>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.<BR/><BR/>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.<BR/><BR/>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.<BR/><BR/>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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post-21860350566442061602008-05-21T12:49:00.000-07:002008-05-21T12:49:00.000-07:00Part of the reason the Worcester Diocese is having...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.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9695096.post-68786406701235479912008-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:002008-05-21T08:10:00.000-07:00Today, a priest who actually preaches on Hell, mor...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.<BR/><BR/>The priests who have abandoned the duties of their vocation are responsible for the current crisis. Read some examples of spiritual abuse and neglect here:<BR/>http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTracker/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com