I was most interested in this post on Fr Z's Blog about a bishop in the USA supporting his priests when they were criticised by parishioners for the "outrage" of introducing orthodox Catholic practices. The Bishop is Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison. Read about it here: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/11/d-of-madision-liberals-attacking-faithful-priests-are-harming-the-future-of-school-children/
In the above clip the Bishop has been offering Solemn Mass - going by the date given, on the anniversary of the Moto Proprio Summorum Pontificum - presumably in thanksgiving. A sharp contrast to the alleged cancellation, by Archbishop Nichols, of the LMS-arranged Mass in Westminster Cathedral in thanksgiving for the Holy Father's visit to Great Britain. Read about it here: http://www.lovingit.co.uk/
I also found this homily given by the Bishop, speaking about Eucharistic reverence.
Father, thanks for this post – very interesting article and thank goodness there is a good bishop somewhere.
ReplyDeleteI’ve just read the blog that ‘broke the story’ about Archbishop Nicholls cancelling the planned EF Mass in Westminster Cathedral. I’ve also just read today that Bishop Conry made public, via The Tablet, that he had ‘requested’ Fr Blake to alter the title of his blog. Oh dear me and just when we were all feeling a little buoyed-up by the Benedict Bounce.
I wonder if Bishop Conry was a gymnast or maybe a circus contortionist in his youth, as he seems most adept at placing both feet firmly into his mouth simultaneously. Just a few weeks ago he was digging the dirt and throwing it in the general direction of the Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral over the choice of music for the Papal Mass. Is there no end to this man’s communication talent? He was, after all, Director of the Catholic Media Office in London, the press office of the Bishop's Conference of England & Wales. That I’m afraid says it all!
In a comment I made on a previous post of yours I mentioned the deconstruction of Catholicism and the Catholic Lite ‘Nu-Church’ brand which has crept into such prominence over recent years. Bishop Conry is a great example of this. I met him once at an ordination and I got the usual ‘wet fish’ handshake.
Now, this has made me think. Am I uncharitable towards those that the Holy Spirit has guided and placed as ‘sacred pastors’ in charge of the ‘flock of Christ’? One ponders a little......with the help of canon law.....
“Can. 212 §1. Conscious of their own responsibility, the Christian faithful are bound to follow with Christian obedience those things which the sacred pastors, inasmuch as they represent Christ, declare as teachers of the faith or establish as rulers of the Church.
§2. The Christian faithful are free to make known to the pastors of the Church their needs, especially spiritual ones, and their desires.
§3. According to the knowledge, competence, and prestige which they possess, they have the right and even at times the duty to manifest to the sacred pastors their opinion on matters which pertain to the good of the Church and to make their opinion known to the rest of the Christian faithful, without prejudice to the integrity of faith and morals, with reverence toward their pastors, and attentive to common advantage and the dignity of persons.
Can. 213 The Christian faithful have the right to receive assistance from the sacred pastors out of the spiritual goods of the Church, especially the word of God and the sacraments.
Can. 214 The Christian faithful have the right to worship God according to the prescripts of their own rite approved by the legitimate pastors of the Church and to follow their own form of spiritual life so long as it is consonant with the doctrine of the Church.”
Answer: A BIG FAT NO!!
Why? Quite simply – they are not doing their jobs, what’s more, sorry, they’re not up to it. Why? They are careerists – although some of them have reached the sidings. Except in the good Bishop’s (Conry) case as he’s got another 15 years before reaching retirement. Maybe the next Archbishop of Liverpool? He’d fit in great here!
Yes Father, contrary to what one might conclude from the mainstream media or the National ‘Catholic’ Reporter here in the US, we do have some bishops who take a stand publicly for the fullness of the Faith. Bishop Morlino is one such here in Wisconsin. And he takes a lot of heat for it – not just from the secular media (which is to be expected these days, unfortunately) - but from within the Church.
ReplyDeleteHis diocese – Madison – includes the city of Madison which is the State capital and seat of the state government. It is the most liberal community in the state (St. Paul would probably compare it to the Corinth of his day…). So he has his work cut out for him. But he is equal to the task – God bless him!