cmotherofpirl Posted March 14, 2009 Share Posted March 14, 2009 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1806746' date='Mar 14 2009, 02:08 AM']And where is it our job to yack on about it? Need we promote a scandal and spread the word to everyone we know, at least online?[/quote] The scandals are already online and in papers. Discussing them means you are ready when the non-catholic world throws it in your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madame Vengier Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1806746' date='Mar 14 2009, 01:08 AM']And where is it our job to yack on about it? Need we promote a scandal and spread the word to everyone we know, at least online?[/quote] Actually, psychologists have proven that people who experience shock, hurt and betrayal often band together and, without realizing it, use venting and complaining as a coping mechanism. It's almost like people have to talk about it in order to cope. Whether talking about it in person or discussing it online, people find solace and comfort--in a strange way--by knowing that others are feeling and experiencing the same things they are. Personally, I find the scandals in the Church to be deeply traumatic, but that's just me. I do imagine that others have the same feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) [quote name='cmotherofpirl' post='1807127' date='Mar 14 2009, 08:43 PM']The scandals are already online and in papers. Discussing them means you are ready when the non-catholic world throws it in your face.[/quote] Phatmass it the only place I read about 99% of these stories that are brought up. I think you all just enjoy the gossip. These threads serve no useful purpose that I can see. [quote name='Madame Vengier' post='1807191' date='Mar 14 2009, 09:42 PM']Actually, psychologists have proven that people who experience shock, hurt and betrayal often band together and, without realizing it, use venting and complaining as a coping mechanism. It's almost like people have to talk about it in order to cope. Whether talking about it in person or discussing it online, people find solace and comfort--in a strange way--by knowing that others are feeling and experiencing the same things they are. Personally, I find the scandals in the Church to be deeply traumatic, but that's just me. I do imagine that others have the same feeling.[/quote] If we were talking about the breakout of the sex scandals in Boston, Louisville, Los Angeles, and other dioceses that suffered greatly with one priest after another coming under the spotlight of yet another lawsuit, the laundry being aired out on front page headlines and at the top of the nightly news, and general uncertainty about the future and how our lives would be personally affected, not to mention the general feeling of distrust and emotional hurt, then I would see validity in what you're saying. Parish mergers and closures that are so prevalent in the Northeast (and [u]never[/u] talked about here, maybe because they are boring stories) are hurting thousands more Catholics. The national news highlights one story about a Boston parish sit-in, which was talked about sometime in the past, but keep in mind those stories are happening in almost every city all over the Northeast. However, nearly all of these threads are about isolated incidences that just happen to make a news headline, and outside of here, most of these stories might make a joke on Letterman. Has anyone outside of phatmass asked about this priest? The only story that I recall discussing that was actually news was that priest in Chicago who was suspended for a couple months after his sermon at Obama's church, and it was only national news because of the election. He probably did the same thing again last Sunday, but the media doesn't care now. Here in Louisville, we had a very popular priest become laicized, which was traumatic enough for those at his parish, and within a few weeks form his own "catholic" church believing it to be the Holy Spirit's prompting in his heart. That was traumatizing because it personally affected people who called him "Father." This priest in Delaware (or wherever he is) was not a pastor at any of our parishes. He never personally ministered to us. When a religious brother or priest you saw every Sunday, ministered and shared meals with, is suddenly gone because of some lawsuit that broke out the day before, that is legitimately traumatizing. I have trouble seeing how every little story that gets dragged through the mud here is a personally traumatic experience, over which you shed tears and question everything and ask yourself who is actually trustworthy. That's a lot to endure for every two or thread days... Edited March 16, 2009 by LouisvilleFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Do you want us to ignore stories like these just because they affect thousands instead of tens or hundreds of thousands of Catholics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1808553' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:38 AM']Do you want us to ignore stories like these just because they affect thousands instead of tens or hundreds of thousands of Catholics?[/quote] If it's not affecting us personally, and you have nothing of value to bring to the coversation, we might as well overlook the story. Even better, our tone should be one of prayer: This story came out and let's pray for him, his girlfriend, and his parish. However, this thread turned into expressions of thankfulness that the priest isn't gay (Seriously???) and devolved into a debate over which is the bigger sin: co-habitating with a girl or pleasuring one's self with little boys. That is an offensive and heartless conversation to carry out considering the pain that some people are dealing with. Edited March 16, 2009 by LouisvilleFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nihil Obstat Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1808556' date='Mar 16 2009, 08:47 AM']If it's not affecting us personally, and you have nothing of value to bring to the coversation, we might as well overlook the story. Even better, our tone should be one of prayer: This story came out and let's pray for him, his girlfriend, and his parish. However, this thread turned into expressions of thankfulness that the priest isn't gay (Seriously???) and devolved into a debate over which is the bigger sin: co-habitating with a girl or pleasuring one's self with little boys. That is an offensive and heartless conversation to carry out considering the pain that some people are dealing with.[/quote] There are a great many things that don't affect us personally. For example, that recent story about how one American state had a bill introduced that would force priests and bishops into an advisory role. Do we have any members from that state? Maybe, maybe not. Even if we did, are they the only ones allowed to talk about it, until something like it spread to other states? Obviously there's a line between simple bashing and thoughtful discussion, and I'm sure we've crossed it in the past, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't talk about things like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VoTeckam Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 [quote name='LouisvilleFan' post='1808556' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:47 AM']If it's not affecting us personally, and you have nothing of value to bring to the coversation, we might as well overlook the story. Even better, our tone should be one of prayer: This story came out and let's pray for him, his girlfriend, and his parish. However, this thread turned into expressions of thankfulness that the priest isn't gay (Seriously???) and devolved into a debate over which is the bigger sin: co-habitating with a girl or pleasuring one's self with little boys. That is an offensive and heartless conversation to carry out considering the pain that some people are dealing with.[/quote] I completely agree. Given our roll in this scandal (suffering from no immediate impact but gravely concerned for those involved and those this priest cares for) prayer should be our greatest concern. Let our condemnation for this act be shown through our own faithfulness to the Church and her teachings. Let our example of love and charity be what draws this priest back into the welcoming arms of the Church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisvilleFan Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 (edited) [quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1808557' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:55 AM']There are a great many things that don't affect us personally. For example, that recent story about how one American state had a bill introduced that would force priests and bishops into an advisory role. Do we have any members from that state? Maybe, maybe not. Even if we did, are they the only ones allowed to talk about it, until something like it spread to other states? Obviously there's a line between simple bashing and thoughtful discussion, and I'm sure we've crossed it in the past, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't talk about things like this.[/quote] One, nobody forces priests and bishops into any role. They are ordained by Christ. If the Church can thrive in China (even alongside a legal, state-sanctioned Catholic Church), I highly doubt the Connecticut legislature will do a darn thing. Second, this story is about a legal concern. It wasn't spreading knowledge about somebody's publicized sin or in any way possibly mistaken for gossip. Unless we find out a priest slept with a legislator to keep the bill from passing... I don't like being associated with the negative attitudes that these threads encourage. What spiritual profit are we honestly gaining from it? I think it only serves to further divide our Church and keep hammering that wedge between liberalism and conservativism, until someday we push them completely into schism. Talking about a priests' sins doesn't help us grow in holiness. Maybe we could talk about the slippery slope of sin or something that personally relevant to us. But I don't want to see a good Catholic message board become a mud slinging event. Let's avoid wasting our time with that. Edited March 16, 2009 by LouisvilleFan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theologian in Training Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 [quote name='Nihil Obstat' post='1806562' date='Mar 14 2009, 12:22 AM']Quite true, considering that this priest is guilty of: -disobediance to his vows (which are a discipline, not doctrine) -and adultury, while the ones you mentioned are blatantly going against infallible teachings, causing scandal, etc.[/quote] Perhaps it is the optimist in me, and giving people the benefit of the doubt, but where does it say in that article that he is guilty of adultery? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madame Vengier Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I'm genuinely surprised at the opinions here that the public sins and scandals of priests aren't "personal" to any of us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madame Vengier Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 [quote name='VoTeckam' post='1808594' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:38 AM'] I completely agree. Given our roll in this scandal (suffering from no immediate impact but gravely concerned for those involved and those this priest cares for) prayer should be our greatest concern. Let our condemnation for this act be shown through our own faithfulness to the Church and her teachings. Let our example of love and charity be what draws this priest back into the welcoming arms of the Church.[/quote] I don't really understand how you think we are not "suffering an impact", as well as other views expressed here that this doesn't "effect us personally." I am completely baffled by this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Red Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 +J.M.J.+ thread closed. please go pray an Our Father for this priest's conversion and obedience to the Holy Father. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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