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News
commentators can’t seem to get it through their heads that regardless of
a Pope being “liberal,” “conservative” as they’ve labeled
Benedict XVI, or “moderate,” the Pope CAN’T change most of the items
of concern of the media. Homosexuality is condemned throughout the Old and
New Testaments. After thousands of years, it cannot be looked upon as
natural and acceptable. It’s wrong, and no Pope has the authority to
change it.
Divorce
is never the ideal, and is tragic. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, and the
Church makes allowances, such a nullities. But it’s a serious matter and
the Pope reminds us it is not to be taken lightly. In affect, we
shouldn’t become like so many celebrities who marry so many times that
the marriage covenant becomes meaningless.
Regarding
the ordination of women: again, this is scripturally founded as are the
two items above. Our Lord could’ve ordained women and didn’t. If the
Holy Spirit ever intended to change this it certainly won’t be in our
lifetime. It’s only an issue in the United States, where only 6% of the
world’s Catholics reside. Over half the globe’s Catholics are
concerned about (from) where tonight’s meal will come.
Women
do have a much broader leadership capacity (in) our Faith, than in the
past. And Cardinal George has floated the idea of making women cardinals,
which is possible. One need not be a priest to be a cardinal, and there
have been lay cardinals in the past. This would give women votes in the
selection of the new Pontiff. As always, with the largest organization in
the world—The Catholic Faith—this would take time to evolve. But WE
must understand that the Pope sees the entire world and all of its
cultures. We generally don’t. And even today in huge segments of the
worlds, cultures marriages are still pre-arranged and woman are mere
chattel. So with all these thing, the Church by necessity must move
slowly.
Married
clergy: We
already have a married clergy with our deaconate. Theologically,
could the Pope let priests marry? Yes. Priests had that option for the 1st
ten centur5ies. Celibacy became mandatory about A.D. 1000. Practically,
could the Pope lift this discipline for priests worldwide? Probably not.
The USA is the richest country in the world and yet who would support
priest and wives and children?
All
these parishes were built on the Vow of Poverty. With decreased numbers of
priests, stewardship and tithing will be a long transition. Many parishes
are struggling. At least today, a married priesthood with wives and
children is nowhere feasible.
[Also,
it should be noted here:
Celibacy does not cause sexual abuse of minors. Half of you are
celibate, as am I, and you know from your own experiences of being singe,
widowed, or divorced, celibacy does not make you desire children.]
...
With all the contradictory statements and misinformation from TV and
papers, it’s necessary for pastors to give these concerns some
perspective and realism; not speculation.
As
Tony Blankley said last week on the McLaughlin Group commending the Pope
and calling his media people to task:
“The media is disappointed because we have a Catholic as a
Pope.”
Fr.
Jack (Sullivan)
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