Frustrated With Bishop

[StColette]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731459' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:04 PM']I think it would be an appropriate and beautiful act of solidarity with the poor of our dicoese and the larger Church if all of us would live modestly and simply.[/quote]

I know lots of very good families who live in wealthier neighborhoods because of the safety issues that are huge problems in the not so wealthy neighborhoods. Micah and I stopped from getting a cheaper apartment and opted for a more expensive one because it wasn't surrounded by sex offenders and child abusers. These families live in wealthier neighborhoods but they don't live extravagant lifestyles. Living in a nice safe neighborhood does not make one extravagant!

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731467' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:14 PM']+J.M.J.+
i am curious about this as well. again, maybe someone donated the car?[/quote]
when Pope Paul VI gave Mother Theresa of Calcutta a white limousine, she never ever took a ride in it, she quickly organized a raffle and used the proceeds to help the poor. I think it would be nice if every religious could do the same when they receive over the top, luxurious gifts...

the limo story makes me laugh, because it came from the Pope! Can you imagine what Mother Theresa must have been thinking? "What am I going to do with a limousine, Your Holiness?" LOL

[puellapaschalis]

Offer it up. I've had to do it with bishops before (I tend to get reputations as a troublemaker). It doesn't make me feel better but somewhere the aching knees and fingers from all the extra rosaries have to have done someone somewhere some good somehow!

[eagle_eye222001]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731470' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:16 PM']I made sure that this was not a public accusation by not naming him or my diocese. I was looking for imput from the broadest group of faithful Catholics I could think of. I know him personally and feel uncomfortable and unworthy of "accusing" him of anything. I was curious to see if anyone felt that my frustrations were valid.[/quote]


I think they are. While I understand that there could be legitimate reasons for having a mansion, nice cars, etc.....I think the bishops who have this lifestyle, make themselves ripe targets for non-Catholics.

It gets annoying when others outside the Catholic Church see bishops in a fancy car or fancy house, come to the conclusion that the Magisterium is all about money and power...

We need bishops with the attitude of St. John Vianney. Something along those lines.

Don't get me wrong. I do greatly respect our bishops and like the direction they seem to be taking the Church. If they tried to simplify a bit though, I think they would have greater effect in their teachings.



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[LouisvilleFan]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731448' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:50 PM']+J.M.J.+
i'm not nitpicking on you on purpose i swear...

but 'seemed' is the key word here. we should be careful of who 'seems' more Christ-like than those who have been appointed the shepherds of our souls. (i'm not trying to absolve bishops who have led people astray )[/quote]

True, we can only look at appearances. Why appear to be building up worldly possessions?

[StColette]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731471' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:18 PM']It is a mercedes. I am unsure of the model.[/quote]


I'm pretty sure the Holy Father, when he was a Cardinal drove around in a VW which are pretty expensive cars. I'm not going to dare point a finger at him as being extravagant.

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731470' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:16 PM']I made sure that this was not a public accusation by not naming him or my diocese. I was looking for imput from the broadest group of faithful Catholics I could think of. I know him personally and feel uncomfortable and unworthy of "accusing" him of anything. I was curious to see if anyone felt that my frustrations were valid.[/quote]
i just think that if you feel your frustrations are valid, then go to your bishop and ask him. or write a letter. i'm sure that if he is as great a bishop as you say, then he will welcome your remarks and the chance to correct or reinforce your opinion. it is one thing to vent frustrations and to get back-up, but to do so without going to the source and asking is unfair to your and your bishop. God bless.

[quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1731479' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:24 PM']True, we can only look at appearances. Why appear to be building up worldly possessions?[/quote]
because that's what i was getting at.

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='StColette' post='1731482' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:28 PM']I'm pretty sure the Holy Father, when he was a Cardinal drove around in a VW which are pretty expensive cars. I'm not going to dare point a finger at him as being extravagant.[/quote]
When Pope John Paul II passed away, I was happy to see that he was placed in a simple, wooden casket. That was impressive...and it didn't escape the media, as many commentators expressed their surprise at this...

....and in saying that, I do wish all Bishops, even the Holy Father wouldn't ride around in luxury cars...I really wish they wouldn't. I remember Pope Benny gave a homily which spoke against building up treasure here on earth...and moments later, he was taking his ride in the Mercedes Pope Mobile...it just seemed to be a contradiction...
...and I cringed later that night when comedians had picked up on that, and used it for BIG laughs...which they received, and not only that loud applause!

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
i really wish the Church would just sell all those paintings and buildings and everything and give it to the poor! after all, what good does it do the faithful?

[VoTeckam]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731486' date='Dec 18 2008, 06:34 PM']+J.M.J.+

i just think that if you feel your frustrations are valid, then go to your bishop and ask him. or write a letter. i'm sure that if he is as great a bishop as you say, then he will welcome your remarks and the chance to correct or reinforce your opinion. it is one thing to vent frustrations and to get back-up, but to do so without going to the source and asking is unfair to your and your bishop. God bless.


because that's what i was getting at. [/quote]

I will certianly pray on it. Thanks!

[Lil Red]

+J.M.J.+
btw, the PopeMobile is made especially for the pope by mercedes (has been since they first started making the popemobiles) and donated.

[VoTeckam]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731489' date='Dec 18 2008, 06:36 PM']+J.M.J.+
i really wish the Church would just sell all those paintings and buildings and everything and give it to the poor! after all, what good does it do the faithful?[/quote]


That is certainly a different matter. I trust that was a joke!

[Lil Red]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731490' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:36 PM']I will certianly pray on it. Thanks![/quote]
+J.M.J.+
i understand your frustrations about bishops, i certainly do. i remind myself every day to pray for our bishops because they are certainly under attack from all viewpoints. God bless you

[VoTeckam]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731494' date='Dec 18 2008, 06:37 PM']+J.M.J.+
btw, the PopeMobile is made especially for the pope by mercedes (has been since they first started making the popemobiles) and donated.[/quote]

The popemobile is also a safety precaution.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731495' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:38 PM']That is certainly a different matter. I trust that was a joke![/quote]
+J.M.J.+
the argument is the same. why does the Church and her princes (another name for bishops/cardinals) have all this nice stuff when they could sell it and give the money to the poor? it is the same argument that Protestants have used to attack Catholics for centuries.

btw, here is more information on the Popemobile:
[url="http://75%20years%20of%20Mercedes%20PopeMobiles"]http://www.worldcarfans.com/3050610.001/75...benz-popemobile[/url]

[url="http://jalopnik.com/5054965/the-evolution-of-the-popemobile"]evolution of the Popemobile[/url]
[img]http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2008/09/1960-Mercedes-300.jpg[/img]
cool picture of the Pope blessing the new Popemobile (1960)

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731489' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:36 PM']+J.M.J.+
i really wish the Church would just sell all those paintings and buildings and everything and give it to the poor! after all, what good does it do the faithful?[/quote]
that would be pretty cool if the Church did...the Church buildings, not so much, because they don't belong to us they belong to God...but all those earthly treasures in the Vatican Museum, the paintings, statues, etc. etc....when you think about it, why do we need them?

Has anyone ever visited a convent run by the Missionaries of Charity? Their houses are completely empty of all worldy possessions. It is sooo impressive! The only room in their house that is decorated and filled with valuables is the CHAPEL, and that's because it's all for the Glory of God...

[Lil Red]

[quote name='VoTeckam' post='1731499' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:39 PM']The popemobile is also a safety precaution.[/quote]+J.M.J.+
you gotta check out the pictures from the websites i posted.

[dominicansoul]

[quote name='Lil Red' post='1731494' date='Dec 18 2008, 05:37 PM']+J.M.J.+
btw, the PopeMobile is made especially for the pope by mercedes (has been since they first started making the popemobiles) and donated.[/quote]
well you know that and I know that, but I'm thinking of those souls who don't know that, and they see Catholicism in a bad light because they think the Pope is luxurious...

...i would much rather prefer him in a Honda or some less luxurious car...after all, the Lord came riding into Jerusalem on a donkey...

[Lil Red]

[quote name='dominicansoul' post='1731504' date='Dec 18 2008, 03:42 PM']that would be pretty cool if the Church did...the Church buildings, not so much, because they don't belong to us they belong to God...but all those earthly treasures in the Vatican Museum, the paintings, statues, etc. etc....when you think about it, why do we need them?

Has anyone ever visited a convent run by the Missionaries of Charity? Their houses are completely empty of all worldy possessions. It is sooo impressive! The only room in their house that is decorated and filled with valuables is the CHAPEL, and that's because it's all for the Glory of God...[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
i'm going to direct you to [url="http://www.phatmass.com/phorum/index.php?showtopic=60660"]this thread[/url] with some good responses from our phatmass scholars. and perhaps St. Colette will add her thoughts as well.

and i was being completely sarcastic btw with what you quoted me.

[CatherineM]

We have to remember that bishops are like good parents. Sometimes they know what is best for us, even when it infuriates us.

I have made the point that we should give up some of the more ornate things like the Pope's gold crown only to have it pointed out to me that they have tried in the past, and every time that they try to divest of the crown, someone buys it, and donates it right back.