Philadelphia is blessed to have such an awesome bishop.  I hope the other bishops follow his lead—take the bull by the horns, and clean house.  Boldly but charitably.  Too many of them are nothing but politicians.  Being a true shepherd is messy business.

I am disheartened that the schools always seem to be the first on the chopping block. Lord knows, we need Catholic education for our children now more than ever. I would sacrifice anything to keep my kids in Catholic school. I hope the school consolidation works well for this diocese and that all children who desire a Catholic education can still get one.

There are sides to the Philadelphia narrative that the media has not reported.

The truth may surprise people.

http://www.themediareport.com/topic-philadelphia-clergy-cases/index.htm

DPierre
TheMediaReport.com

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This is a man of God being responsible, careful, considerate, compassionate yet realistic with his flock.  We miss him dearly in the Denver Archdiocese.  Philly is fortunate to have him.

As a nonCatholic who has followed the accounts of child abuse by priests and the resulting coverups, interested because of my years of work with persons abused as children, I find this honest and very to the point.  The abuse that is still surfacing, the millions appropriately paid to the survivors, and the disillusionment of many Catholics have contributed to the current crises that Archbishop Chaput describes.  Had the church hierarchy been anywhere near this forthcoming, much of this past and current pain could have been avoided and millions of good Catholics would not have to pay so dearly for the sins of the relatively few.  I congratulate Archbishop Chaput and hope his forthrightness serves as an excellent example for the others of his rank to follow.

I hope that prayer, fasting and almsgiving are called for on a regular basis to partially atone for the damage done by and to our Mother Church. Only action and atonement will soften the effects of this scandal.

I am a Philadelphia Catholic, and hard as some of it may be, it is music to my ears.

When the time comes for parishes to be closed and/or combined, I pray to God that I do not hear the excuse that it is because of the lawsuits and settlements of clergy sexual abuse cases.  When I was ordained in Boston in 1971 there was ALREADY talk of the need to look at the location and number of parishes.  We had always “assumed” that 50% of Catholics attended church.  In my section of the city we had seven parishes agree to do a “count” on one specific weekend.  We learned that only 25% of Catholics attended Church—and now after the abuse crisis who knows how many?  Just be REAL when you give the reasons for closing and merging.

I congratulate Archbishop Chaput for his courage and pastoral sensitivity. He was appointed by the Pope to an archdiocese with some issues which he then inherited.  He is courageous for accepting the assignment, and for telling the people honestly what has to be done.  God bless him for loving the Lord and His people!

Any archdiocese could also save a significant amount by reducing its staff by 3/4.

2 things come to my mind…

1. This is as good a time as any to take action. His fresh eyes of the situation should be able to see things more clearly and with less prejudice. In the case of a sick and dying patient, decisiveness is critical.

2. If there is a successful excising of what ails the Archdiocese, I predict similar approaches across the U.S. Episcopacy.

My cousin was a victim of sexual abuse by a priest in Colorado, under the Denver Archdiocese. After my cousin killed himself with a gun, I found documents, he had written to the molester, detailing the abuse.  I then contacted many of his school friends and they affirmed my cousins account. People do not understand the pain and humiliation, and yes, even alienation from God because of this horrific attack on innocent children.  I went to the Archdiocese, (under the authority of Archbishop Chaput), to find out:

Were there other victims of this particular priest? And, if so, had they been offered any counseling, any type of help?

Were there allegations, re: this priest from anyone at his former churches?  And, if so, had they been offered any type of help?

Was it known that this priest had abused other children, and then was moved on to another church?

I got absolutely nowhere in trying to find these answers.  I was told, this kind of information could only be given to a brother or sister. (Both of my cousin’s parents are deceased).

After some time had passed I finally arranged for my cousin’s sister to visit the Archdiocese of Denver (still under the authority of Archbishop Chaput)with the same questions.  Sadly, we were told that information could not be given to a sibling.

So, I have no faith, I have no hope, in Archbishop Chaput’s desire for truth and justice in Philadelphia. I pray for his repentance and for him to have new openness concerning these victims.

Posted by Donna Ballentine on Friday, Dec 9, 2011 11:37 PM (EST):
“People do not understand the pain and humiliation, and yes, even alienation from God because of this horrific attack on innocent children.”

I have long been puzzled by the lack of focus on “alienation from God” that necessarily results from being sexually abused by clergy. Did men who really believed in hell proceed to sexually molest children knowing that they were almost certainly setting those children on a path to hell? Did men who believed that the Roman Catholic Church has the most complete and perfect knowledge of the path to salvation exploit children in a way that would inevitably cause their victims to reject that path? Was it stunningly cynical hypocrisy or completely uncontrollable lust? Neither possibility suggests that Catholics should have any trust in the ability of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church to dictate moral decisions.

I’m sure that Archbishop Chaput is well aware that the cut-backs he warns of are required in part because of reactions to the clergy sex-abuse scandals, and that this translates into less money donated. My in-laws, once fierce defenders of the Church, have reversed their stance on many issues since the horrific revelations. After all, if the Church could be so deceived about so many of its hierarchy, “Why should we believe them about x…..”?

The closing of school will affect numerous teachers as our jobs will be eliminated. There is no guarantee of employment for the majority of us who have dedicated years of service to providing quality Catholic education to our students.  Yes, many of my colleagues believe that the closings are based on the “rob Peter to pay Paul” method. (Read settlements to the scandal that plagues our city/archdiocese) We have not been told otherwise.  So, the Archdiocese will be contributing to the increase in unemployment, foreclosures, numbers standing in line at food pantries that are already overwhelmed, and public assistance for those of us who did and do our jobs.

Wow, ‘Philly Catholic Teacher’, really? You say you fear it is going to be the “rob Peter to pay Paul” method, at least you havent been told otherwise….have you been told your school is going to close or be consolidated, if not why are you saying you have not been told otherwise when you have been told nothing to start with? And blaming the Archdiocese for contributing to unemployment, foreclosures et cetera….really? I was a seminarian at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, the Archdiocesan Seminary, sent there to study by another Diocese. A number of us were amazed that the Archdiocesan school teachers were part of a union, that often placed unreasonable demands on the school system and thus the parishes for pay, vacation time et cetera.(meanwhile the majority of children in parishes, which do not attend Catholic School, get shortchanged in an underfunded CCD program) Teaching in a Catholic School involves sacrifice, part of which is not being payed as well as your public school counterparts. Undoubtedly many teachers in the Archdiocesan system are there because they love the Faith and wish to transmit it to the next generation….however, i wonder if that is your goal since you seem reluctant to sacrifice for the good of the Church. We need to stop focusing on preserving structures of the Church and start to provide for the Church. Remember, much of what we have structure wise in this country came about in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s when an abnormally large amount of men were in Seminary and women were in convents.(I say abnormal based on statistics) We need to remember how the Church began Her mission,(and no, im not one of the “lets strip everything away that is good about the church ppl and start praying Mass in homes again. In fact quite the opposite as I favor the Tridentine Mass. The Church’s growth is organic, however from time to time as Scripture says pruning is necessary to cut off the that which is not producing good fruit, but i digresss..) did not Christ evangleize the whole world beginning with 12 apostles? It was thru self-less dedication to the Truth and thru bearing witness to that Truth by the way they lived that Christianity took hold, not because we had a school system in place and parishes in every neighborhood. We all need to focus on the Church and not the necessarily the physical structures of the Church that we currently have in place. Marantha Lord Jesus!

chaput wrote in his letter “In the year ahead, we have a grave and continuing obligation to help victims of clergy sex abuse to heal” , can chaput elaborate on this how this will be accomplished ? Does this mean that he will support eliminating the SOL and open a two year window for the VIctims or will he continue to defeat this legislation and continue to be the hero anyone who abuse a child ? People must realize that as long as the catholic church opposes these bills all pedophiles, enablers and abusers are free and undiscovered.

Purification in process. Let it be according to your will O Lord.
Pray for us oh holy Mother of God, that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Archbishop Chaput is a holy priest and strong leader. Phildelphia is so blessed to have him as their spiritual father. I live in Southern Arizona and I pray for a Bishop such as he.

Much like in Boston, the faithful will suffer the consequences of the Church’s lack of will to root out the homosexuals who have wrought this destruction in the Church. Beyond the abuse of young men, they watered down the liturgy, secularized the schools, mishandled finances and recruited more of their ilk to the seminaries. Purification is indeed needed. But buildings re only symbolic. The Church needs a new St. Francis to rebuild her not tear her down.

I get that it is hard to close schools and parishes. Some people have had generations of family at that parish. But when a Bishop begins the task of closing and consolidating, why do the People of the Church complain as though they’ve been done a horrible injustice (and then foolishly occupy the Church as in the parish in the south of Boston)?

Let me ask this: Where is your tithe? Are you still putting in the same dollar bill you did 20 years ago?  Where exactly do you think the money is supposed to come from?  We have to put our money where our mouth is. Just think what the Church could do if every member gave their 10% as scripture commands us!!  And what about evangelization? Are people of that parish/school bringing others into the faith? That is part of the work of the laity, to be a light to the world and draw all to Christ. Are you doing that, protestors?

As for ArchBishop Chaput, I think he has developed an excellent managerial and pastoral leadership style that I greatly admire. He knows hard tasks needs to be done and he is willing to get them done. At the same time, he knows how to present it in a way that still invites people in. I know I could learn a lot from him and am grateful for his leadership in the Church-not just for what he’s done in Denver (extraordinary, I must say) and what he is doing for Philly, but his example and leadership along with the likes of Dolan and others to help us remember our duties and roles as members of the Church.

I will pray for the Diocese of Philadelphia and the leadership of Archbishop Chaput. He was to come to Sacramento, CA to speak to the Catholic Forum but this talk was cancelled due to his obligations in his new assignment.
My sister and nephew reside in the Philadelphia area. May the Holy Spirit of God bring Pentecostal graces to the faithful.

There is now easy way to deliver bad news regardless what words you choose to use to communicate your message.

What I am impressed by is the blunt honesty of the situation, if we had such bishops ten years ago maybe we would not be going through this right now, but we are going through it and we must remain united and strong

Many people have missed the significance of the vastly unreported or underreported actions of Archbishop Chaput. 
First, he has replaced the legal team providing the advice to the Archdiocese.  For those who have never read the Grand Jury testimony of then Archbishop Bevilacqua, I commend it to you, as it will magnify the apparent sea change in attitude and approach to the issue of alleged sexual abuse by clergy inherent in the change of counsel.
Next, Archbishop Chaput has never separated or isolated himself from the people or the priests.  I commend all to attend Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm; not only does the Archbishop celebrate Mass, he hears confessions beforehand and greets all who are leaving thereafter; another sea change.  (For those who cannot attend, his homilies are posted on the Archdiocesan website; they are worth listening to). 
The fact remains that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia has serious issues that it must confront.  The best thing about Archbishop Chaput is that his first priority is to be a priest. 
It is refreshing to receive honest and forthright news—- even if the news is a bitter pill——from someone who remembers that the Catholic Church and Christ are one.

@JennM - I’m in complete agreement. Our parish school is a huge drain on finances. But the Mass attendance rates amongst families from that school is dismally low. So, if they aren’t even attending Mass, there’s no way they are putting money into the basket every Sunday. I guess they figure tuition is enough. Those in charge do not want to see it, but we’re subsidizing a school that is not exactly churning out faithful Catholics who are well instructed in matters of Faith.

I could be wrong, but when I hear people lament the demise of Catholic education, I think that they’re living under the false impression that ALL Catholic schools have a Catholic identity (other than wearing uniforms and having a few statues around the school). The truth is, in many places I’ve lived, they’re academically on par with the local public schools.  Thus, why not save yourself a few thousand a year and just send your kids to the public schools, who at least aren’t pretending to be anything they’re not.

I am very hopeful under this new leadership.  Prayers for his strength,  and divine guidance.

I pray the ArchBishop can clean out those Catholics in name only who are in top positions that do nothing but undermine Church teaching. Let’s face it,Philadelphia is a liberal bastion both religiously and secularly. The same people who have the Papa-government mentality are the ones who put in a dollar a week in the till but spend $300/mo. on there Iphones and 200/mo.on cable and expect the church to save there schools and their churches,to pay for maintenance and upkeep with no funds. Then they cry and moan that the 200 year old gem of a church down the road gets turned into a restaurant or bar. Meanwhile the church collection gets nothing to help pay the bills and hasn’t for years. You reap what you sow. The laity has no idea about their faith and don’t care.Philadelphia needs to be re-evangalized from the ground up starting with orthodox priests who are loyal to Rome, down to teachers who have a 3rd grade idea of their faith that have no idea why our Holy Faith is special and unique. I pray for all of you up there because the pain is coming, the cleansing is near. Live the faith or it dies, period.

Inspire the faithful to FAITH and they will give enough to keep schools open.  and there will be more faithful to keep parishes open.  what a missed opportunity.

It would have been helpful if you distinguished the Archbishop’s letter from your comments either by: font; text size; or color. I would have liked to read his letter through and then go back to your comments, but it was awkward having the comment breaks inbedded in the text.

Donna: Information not disclosed to a sibling? Perhaps it is genuine concern for privacy.

I will be praying for the Archbishop and all the people of the diocese.  I know it will be hard for “change” to happen, but in the end, like the pope says, it will be a smaller but more faithful Church.  Re-evangelize, then build with the proper tools.  Carl Anderson of KOC once wrote an article about being Catholic, that it should set a standard that is higher.  That goes for schools, elementary to colleges.  Why should we put up with mediocre when this is for GOD? Doesn’t he deserve the best? Doesn’t he give us his best?  We’ve been co-opted for years by progressive community organizing in our parishes who steer us the wrong direction.  I am sad for the schools that close, but those who can should form co-ops and homeschool their children.  It is a wonderful experience for both children and parents.  This is our second year, and the resources for Catholic homeschoolers are wonderful.  The feel-good mush for religion at the Catholic schools needs to go, as well as the teachers that mouth things they don’t really believe, and the kids know it.  Parents are the best teachers, and I know there are single parents who can’t stay home, but I truly believe if we are all FORMED better, we’ll have less single parents.  Thank you, Archbishop Chaput for doing the RIGHT thing even if it hurts.  (Matt. 5:29 Cut it off…or suffer Gehenna.)

As a Philadelphia Catholic, NEVER, EVER, have I heard a homily decrying the use of artificial contraception by Catholic couples.  This Archdiocese is in the midst of a demographic-winter, brought upon itself.  Faith-filled families of four to ten children that filled the pews, the schools, ...and ultimately the convents and seminaries, are long gone. No generous hearts, no mass attendance, no courageous faith, what else should be expected?
“But My people would not heed My voice, and Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, to walk in their own counsels. Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries.”(Psa 81:8-14)

It is no secret that the main reason why Catholic schools are in the financial shape they are in is because the nuns abdicated their vocations back in the 60’s and 70’s to pursue their “careers” leaving Catholic schools in the wake without a thought.  In attempting to keep the schools going, the Church has had to hire lay teacher to fill the void the nuns left.  Lay teachers are not religious.  They have degrees, yes.  They are skilled, yes.  But can you possibly substitute one for the other?  Of course not.  In addition, as our economy has changed, teachers are affected by the economy and skyrocketing costs.  In order for Catholic schools to be competitive with their public school counterparts, they have to be able to attract quality teachers.  That means offering competitive salaries with benefit packages, etc.  And the snowball becomes an avalanche.  Here, we see the results of pride, jealousy, and selfishness on the part of most religious who left their classrooms for the psychologists’ chair, corporate offics, and anything that would take them into the WORLD.  And who are the ones who always wind up paying the price for adult pride, selfishness and narcissism?  Our children.  How many children must suffer before we wake up?  Blaming the economy, the lack of monetary means to keep schools going, and a myriad of other reasons misses the point.  In order to bring back our Catholic schools, we must LEARN from the past and start supporting some of the religious communities of men and women who have retained the traditional elements of religious life.

This, I fear, is only the tip of the iceberg. Our current economy will wreak even more destruction upon Christ’s Church (with the devil’s help). Notwithstanding the pederasty scandal, which will continue to rear its ugly head from time to time, throughout the nation, the Church is still a far safer environment than is the outside world, in my opinion. But, almost every entity in this country is undergoing some kind of proactive austerity measure and that always means pain for someone. The faster we can turn this economy around, the faster we can rebuild our lives and our Church. In the mean time, I, for one, won’t stop supporting Her as best I can.

Is there a diocese in this country that isn’t facing financial concerns?  Our diocese, Detroit, is going through some very difficult times with closure of parishes and schools on the board, a reduction in Sunday Masses, not to mention continued sex abuse fall-out.  And then there are the fallen-away or lackadaisical Catholics (Teresa Tomeo said her pastor calls them “Creasters.”  Our Mother Church needs prayer and evangelization!

I also forgot to mention that Catholic schools, lured by blood money from the government, (in an attempt to stay open), took the bait and danced with Devil when trying to compete with government-run schools.  This has resulted in heretical curricula, pathetic academic outcomes, and, worst of all, a watering down of Catholic teaching to such an extent (giving rise to Catholic adults who know little to nothing about their Faith) that Catholic children know little more than “Jesus loves me”.  As time goes on, in the quest for government funds, the Catholic Faith and identity of our Catholic schools have become obscure and and almost unrecognizable. A Catholic school compromises its very identity and eventual mission when accepting the first dollar from the government.  There are many excellent independent Catholic schools around the country now that operate completely on tuition and generous benefactors and thereby avoid government traps.  I would highly recommend looking into these schools which can be found at www.napcis.com.  There is an alternative.

This whole mess, especially with the schools and parishes closing are the fruits of the failure to implement Humanae Vitae and constant Church teaching in a serious manner in this country. We reap what we sow.

B.D.  I agree with you wholeheartedly.
Kay Polley:  I live in your area and know of Teresa Tomeo.  You are absolutely correct.  Also…

I also forgot to mention that Catholic schools, lured by blood money from the government, (in an attempt to stay open), took the bait and danced with Devil when trying to compete with government-run schools.  This has resulted in heretical curricula, pathetic academic outcomes, and, worst of all, a watering down of Catholic teaching to such an extent (giving rise to Catholic adults who know little to nothing about their Faith) that Catholic children know little more than “Jesus loves me”.  As time goes on, in the quest for government funds, the Catholic Faith and identity of our Catholic schools have become obscure and and almost unrecognizable. A Catholic school compromises its very identity and eventual mission when accepting the first dollar from the government.  There are many excellent independent Catholic schools around the country now that operate completely on tuition and generous benefactors and thereby avoid government traps.  I would highly recommend looking into these schools which can be found at www.napcis.com.  There is an alternative.

B.D., you may well have a point.  Almost every Catholic tends to approach Humanae Vitae with some temerity.  But if they give it a chance, they’d realize that it’s a beautiful teaching.  If what is causing a lot of fear is the widespread notion that somehow or other, the Catholic Church wants us all to have as many children as humanly possible, then reading HV with an open heart and an open mind can and should put that to rest.  Paul VI points out that large families and smaller families can be and are responsible approaches to having families.  Quite a few of us aren’t able to have large families, but God must be allowed to have his say.

His carefully written letter shows that he has really studied and given great thought to the situation—-he will get the problems corrected, in time. I applaud his efforts and resolve.

Hey Kay, We are not having that many problems at all. My diocese is in North Florida. We have at my church alone, 4 new vocations due to 24/7 Adoration and Rosary before Mass and people tithing faithfully to the church. Our school is packed,the most in our diocese, thank God. We have nuns in full habits fully loyal to the Church with so many postulants they don’t know what to do with them. Sisters of the Home of the Mother,an order from Spain. It’s not perfect, but its my slice of Heaven for now. Our pastor is a no holds barred preach it no matter what the opinion of others are. Any parish can have what we have if they abandon themselves to Divine Providence and are informed and engaged in there faith.More converts come every year including my wonderful wife. If I sound on fire it is because of the great family of faith I worship with and have the pleasure of knowing. My motto comes from Sirach 4:28"Even unto death fight for truth,and the Lord your God will battle for you.”

THANK YOU SISTER TERESE, THANK YOU!! At last a real nun that speaks the truth. I have been saying this for many years & all I get is a smirk, as the Bishops are so afraid of facing the truth.  I bet that Sister also wears a habit & is totally in agreement with the Vatican. How many of our young girls have ever seen a Sister in her habit & how many of these girls were or are being taught by loyal Sister?  Not very many I bet. Up until the early 60’s we use to see so many of these Sisters walking around & what a beautiful sight. When I saw a so-called “sister” complete in a ugly huge flower designed dress approach our Holy Father at Yankee Stadium to offer him the Offertory gifts at Holy Mass, I was so disgusted that I refuse to send her “organization” which I dearly love, anymore of God’s money. Let us all pray for all of the Bishops to become MEN OF GOD as 2012ad could be a very nasty year for all the world if Obama & his Obamanism stays in “office”. Lord have mercy on us even though we don’t deserve it.  +JMJ+

Having attended Catholic schools from K through grad school, I believe the time has come for the Church to be receptive to married men with families serving as priests.  The fall-out from clergy abuse and empty pews demonstrate the need to break with recent tradition of celibacy and embrace the role married men played in the early Church.  Some people claim that being a priest is a full time job and there is no time for family.  My response is, the more clergy we have, the more effective ministry becomes.  Men with families can also better relate to and connect with people in the pews, too.

Next time forget about writing articles like you have here and just let and allow the People of God to just read the letter?  You may be from the south, but your common sense needs work.  Doing everything soooo correctly causes people to get depressed.

God does love His People. They are competent enough to read this letter themselves. 

It is amazing that you cannot see that because you do it sooooo correctly and at a feverish pitch of self satisfaction.  The Pharisees did everything sooo correctly and St John the Baptist yelled at them.

I believe he is the right Archbishop for the work that needs to be done.
He needs to be able to count on our prayers and support and we need to pray for him as often as possible and especially through a one hour/week commitment to pray in front of Christ’s True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.  The Eucharist is THE antidote to all that is evil.

The Archbishop has my prayers.

cw

I know this will get a mixed reaction but it is better to close schools than parishes.  Like it was suggested though, give Chaput the benefit of the doubt.  At the same time I always thought the various dioceses across the country should adopt the model used here in Los Angeles for years, “Together In Mission.”  This is a yearly campaign wherein all the parishes in the Archdiocese try to get as many parishoners to pledge X number of dollars to the campaign.  Each parish, however, has a stated goal given to them by the Chancery.  If a parish does not meet that goal, the parish must make up the difference.  This is the part I don’t care for.  It’s a shakedown!  On the flip side, we have not had to close a parish church or a school because this funding helps infuse what it needed for them to keep going.  Even these poorer parishes/schools have goals to meet to help in their fair share but it works.  Why the other bishops haven’t picked up on this or implemented their own similar model is a big question.  How much do they really care about keeping their institutions alive?

Thank you Sr. Terese for saying it like it is. 
Gene:  I found your comments interesting.  As the mom of a priest though, I could not disagree with you more than I do.  The Episcopalians/Anglicans have found out the hard way that a married priesthood has a huge set of problems.  Episcopal ministers experience divorce, adultery, child-support, and juvenile problems with their own spouses and children.  Even delayed vocations can have a chilling effect in a Catholic rectory if the formerly-married, older priest has problem children and/or grandchildren that visit or need to stay with grandpa in the rectory.  Priests work for a minimum pittance in most dioceses.  The church is straining to provide that pittance.  Imagine the parish providing for a minister’s wife and children… the medical, food, education and housing for a family!  Most importantly, Catholic families do have a calling, a vocation… and it is to be a light in the home for their own children and spouses.  The priesthood is a consecrated, set-apart calling that requires great personal sacrifice on the part of the priest and hopefully more Catholics will develop an appreciation for that sacrifice.

@irishsmile,  well said. bravo!

This message might be difficult to hear, however, We as catholic and people of God can see that we need to do what we need to do to repair the damages that was done in the past. With that said, I can see and feel the hand of God touching and guiding the people of Philadelphia with the leadership of a true shepherd of Christ under Archbishop Chaput. May the Holy Spirt give him the courage and strength to lead the Church to a new beginning, a new hope for a new life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A couple of comments:

To JMJ:  Yes, I wear a full Benedictine habit and am in total agreement with our Holy Father and the Magisterium.  I love wearing my habit as it is not just a sign/witness to Christ, but it is also very practical and inexpensive.  In addition, I don’t have to go shlepping myself through these awful stores to buy clothes that are too expensive and too ugly to spend my hard-earned money on.  I cannot tell you how many times I have been approached in public from people who are so happy to see a sister in a habit again.  Just the other day, as I was winding my way through a hellish Wal-mart (buying things for school), a woman approached me and said, “Sister, I’m not Catholic, but I just want you to know how nice it is to see a sister in a habit.  It reminds me that Christ is the most important person in my life.”  What a wonderful experience for me!  Not only that, but people approach me to ask for prayers!  If I were not in a habit, there would not be prayers offered for them or their family members. Some years ago, as I was leaving a grocery store a woman with 6 small children in the back seat of her car, screeched to a halt in front of me.  She was a young, black woman and she approached me.  She asked me if I was a nun and I said yes.  She then said to me, “Please pray for my father who is fighting for his life in the hospital right now.”  I told her that I would and would she like to say a little prayer together.  She was stunned and said yes.  We said a short little prayer and she went off with her children.  If I were not in a habit, this woman would not have approached me.  I don’t know what happened to her or her father, but I can tell you that for that moment, Christ was in our midst.

As often as I can, I attend the EF of the Mass.  It is a great privilege.  As Bishop Sheen once said, “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven.”  God bless you and keep me in your prayers!

Gene:  The Church already accepts married men as priests, but under very special circumstances.  The man must be a priest of one of the Catholic rites wanting to enter the Roman Church (for example, a married orthodox priest). There are other requirements which I cannot remember at this point.  As for men who are married who are not already a priest/minister, he can become a Deacon but not a priest.  You need to read up on what the whole priesthood is truly about.  It’s not just some exclusive Catholic club that men join.  It is a vocation from God.  Like women, it is impossible for married men to become a Catholic priest. What people don’t seem to understand, or don’t WANT to understand or accept is that the Church cannot change this.  This is the way our Lord set up the Church.  He didn’t take poll to see how many would agree with it and how many would not.  One either accepts the teachings of the Church in totum, or one does not.  It is not a multiple choice game.

Matt:  In hundreds of years gone by, it was commonplace for a Catholic school to open before the Church/parish did.  It was a way of drawing parishioners/families to the parish.  Besides, they had lots of nuns to run the schools and it took lots of money and effort to build a Church.  So, the schools prospered while the Church was being built, thereby receiving support from the families/parishioners. 

Hope this helps.

Very good to have new eyes look at this problem. He can go “outside the box” to reframe the issues and prevent future abuses.

I would hope for your sake you are not a Catholic. I couldn’t even imagine continuing to read your dribble. I have never read anything regarding the scandals that seemed more like the writer was enjoying the church hurting during this crisis than Y O U !!!  You may want to read St Paul’s conversion story and hear the words Christ spoke to saul.  “I and MY church are ONE”.  You seem to be lacking in all ways that reflect a caring and compassionate person and care basically only about sensationalism.  God help you .....really.

If there is a recording it is likely to be with Archbishop Chaput’s homilies, at http://archphila.org/archbishop-chaput/homilies/homilies.htm . It is also available on iTunes, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

As an Australian I was struck by the forthright and sensitive way in which Abp Chaput has tried to address this issue. It seems an issue that has been a blight in western countries. How did we get there? I was struck by the article’s comment - which is spot on:

‘...it was in significant measure a desire on the part of bishops not to confront the sex abuse problem for so long that allowed it to grow to the proportions it did and cause the enormous amount of suffering it has.
Frankly, we need more bishops willing to confront painful issues.’

However, remember that some bishops consulted psychologists in good faith and those psychologists recommended therapy and then return to work. Psyhologists did not fully understand that this kind of pedophilic and ehebophilic attraction is not really open to change. So the pychologists gave bad advice at the time, which they would not give now. The bishops would have done better to follow their spiritual instincts which would have resulted in informing police of the crimes committed and just telling offending priests to leave.

I feel that these measures will contribute to the unity of those living in the archdiocese.

Jimmy Akin it looks like the article is all about your erudite comments on the Archbishop’s letter.  We are sufficiently literate to understand what the Bishop has said and the only WHAM! is your expounding.  In charity to the readers please refrain in the future from your literary disections.

Archbishop Chaput may be a short man in stature but he is fearless and deeply in love with all of God’s people.  It is true that Philadelphia is blessed to have his guidance during their turmoil because he will tell it as it is even if his message is hard to stomach.  How would Christ handle it?  All of us Catholics need to listen.  Whether we live inside or outside of the Philadelphia diocese, and do what is right. And this is not easy.

Love this Archbishop, more need to take on his clear way of getting things across. Bravo,Archbishop Chaput! God bless you.

We should not be surprised that Catholic schools are closing. This is the first, and arguably most critical, step for those who wish to destroy the Church. Ask any college teacher (and I know many) or employer, and they will tell you they can spot the Catholic school graduates immediately. In college classrooms the Catholic school graduates as a group (I Know, you can always find an exception) are articulate, do their homework, are prepared, take part in class discussions, etc., while graduates of even the best public schools seem lost. This is an area where the Catholic Church clearly is superior to the state, and anyone who works in education knows it. This annoys the state beyond all telling, and that is why they are trying to allow for frivolous lawsuits (e.g., from 40 years ago) against the Church. they hope to destroy the Church, and wish to begin by attacking an area where the superiority of the Catholic approach is measurable and objective.
A further reason for attacking the Catholic schools is because they hand on the traditions and practice of the faith. While I agree that the schools are not as catholic as many (including me) would like, they still hand on the living faith. If they are destroyed, in the long run the Church will be greatkly weakened.
The bottom line: The state tries to enact laws which allow for virtually unlimited lawsuits against the Church, knowing this will weaken or destroy the schools, and ultimately the Church itself.
The answer: prayer, political activism, and an unwillingness to let the devil have his way.

The selection process cries out for more good men like Bishop CHAPUT !  The “seamless garment”  author bears the responsibility for promoting the homosexual-agenda, corrupting the USCCB & every Diocese in the USA.  Until these weak, spineless, effeminate leaders are replaced or denounced it will continue to fester unabated.  The CCHD scandal is as bad as the one run by the arrogant German Bishops, profiting from porn !  Those that defend it are the ones that need to be replaced.  During the last USCCB election, 111 Bishops actually voted for a man who ordained a rabid, homosexual, who molested numerous children.  This arrogant Bishop then proudly claims he did nothing wrong & that he would do it again !!!!  Bishop Dolan only defeated him by a slim margin.  That is precisely the problem, the “bernardin” followers are still in positions of authority, spreading corruption !

I try to evangelise lapsed cradle Catholics, a very difficult job.
Archbishop Chaput is the most effective leader you can have in your midst.
Only converts can bring new members through RCIA. This is the way to rebuild the body of Christ.
Too many leave a bad example and tear down the faith of others through dissenting. These Catholics voting for Obama we have the likes of Pelosi, Sebelius and Biden.
Watch Randall Terry’s YouTube video and you will see why the Church and the country is in a mess.

Just one Bishop speaking out in a strong, courageous voice has lit a fire under our Catholic commentators.  Imagine how we would get behind other Bishops who were brave enough to give us the truth.  Let the fire begin!!
Come O Holy Spirt!

Pope Benedict XVI needs to mandate that all claims of sexual abuse reported to a diocese be reported to outside authorities if the diocese cannot determine within 30 days that the claim is not credible.

We need more bishops like Chaput.  Another thing we often overlook—and this happens especially with the marxist modern elitist media is that sexual abuse is not indigenous of the Catholic Church.  As a matter of fact, there is far more sexual abuse in protestant churchs/schools, AND in public schools!  Our society is on the fastrack to persecuting Christianity most particularly the Catholic Church.

Another reason why I pray for Archbishop Chaput by name—every morning (and sometimes at Vespers if I get around to Vespers).  Really wanted him for L.A., but God’s will be done in Philly through the good Bishop.

“Be not afraid!”

A couple of comments:

To JMJ:  Yes, I wear a full Benedictine habit and am in total agreement with our Holy Father and the Magisterium.  I love wearing my habit as it is not just a sign/witness to Christ, but it is also very practical and inexpensive.
As often as I can, I attend the EF of the Mass.  It is a great privilege.  As Bishop Sheen once said, “The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most beautiful thing this side of Heaven.”  God bless you and keep me in your prayers!

Gene:  The Church already accepts married men as priests, but only under very special circumstances. Other married men can become Deacons but not a priest.  You need to read up on the meaning of the priesthood.  It’s not just some exclusive Catholic club that men join.  It is a vocation from God.  Like women, it is impossible for married men to become a Catholic priest. Even if a rogue Bishop (which has happened) were to “ordain” a woman, she is NOT a priest and never will be.  It is like saying, “I want to be a tomato.”  Then dressing up like a tomato, changing your name to tomato and painting your skin red. No matter what you do, you are not a tomato.  You cannot change what you are.  What many people don’t seem to understand, or don’t WANT to understand or accept is that the Church cannot change this.  This is the way our Lord set up the Church.  He didn’t take poll to see how many would agree with it and how many would not.  One either accepts the teachings of the Church in totum, or one does not.  It is not a multiple choice game.

Matt:  For many centuries including the 20th, it was typical for Catholic schools to be built BEFORE the parish church.  It was a wise method because it attracted Catholics to join the parish because they wanted their children to have a Catholic education.

Another Philadelphia Bishop heading for the ALTAR OF SANCTITY as the 4th Bishop of Philadelphia—-St. John Neumann
May God bless you our dear Archbishop Charles Chaput !!!

Sometimes Truth is hard to listen to, but it needs to be listened and addressed. Being open and honest is the only way problems can be solved. My prayers are with Archbishop Chaput and the People of Philadelphia.
God Bless to all.

Mr. Akin,
Why did you write your own commentary throughout the good Archbishop’s letter?  We are thinking readers and can form our own conclusions without your commentary.  I would have gladly done without your distracting commentary.

That’s leadership. How or why would any Catholic in Philly have a problem with the Archbishop’s letter? Did he get a standing ovation? If not, he should have.

He simply spoke the truth in love.

Great Bishop. May the Lord give us more like him.

I’ve been impressed with Archbishop Chaput since I along with thousands of other scandalized Catholics complained about Notre Dame’s awarding of an honorary degree upon Barack Obama at one of their recent graduation ceremonies at which they also allowed him to speak.  Google Chaput for his letter of concern as he joined the list of church fathers who opposed this action. Would that more had joined him and other church leaders in their righteous protest!  It was another well written and truthful assessment of the situation.  I also enjoyed his ecumenical participation with a Baptist university in Houston, Texas.  This was an intelligent dialogue which shows the man’s depth and understanding of American culture.  Philadelphia is fortunate to have him.

Sister Terese and Irishsmile,
Pope John Paul II said, “Celibacy is not essential to the priesthood”.  Nowhere in scripture do I read that priests or leaders of the Church are required to be celibate.  Many of the early apostles and disciples were married.  Jesus, to my knowledge did not tell them they were unfit to minister.

As one who lives in a diocese that has been through some of these painful changes and still goes through some of these I know that the Diocese of Philidelphia and their Bishop are in need of prayers and fasting.

Sounds like Archbishop Chaput is prepared to take the tough steps involved in managing a decline.

What is needed, of course, is a remedy for the decline.

But one must first have an accurate diagnosis.

That will be the actual “Wham” letter.

It is coming, but not soon, alas.

Jeanne and Charles and Mary,

He posted a link to the full letter at the beginning of the post. He didn’t hold a gun to your heads to read his comments. But thanks for sharing anyway.

How many of those complaining actually are praying for their priests & bishops on a daily basis?  The abuse scandal can be reduced in simple spiritual terms to a lack of Faith. On everyone’s part, not just the abusers.

Archbishop Chaput was well respected in Denver where I’m from. We are deeply saddened that he is no longer here, but his impact here was deeply felt. I started going back to church, and only attended his masses at the cathedral. Whatever issues Philedelphia faces I am confident he will grab the evil by the horns, and show the people in his new home what he brought us here in Colorado. He is truly missed, and give him time he will show you all what good he can do just give him a chance. God bless.

I applaud the archbishop for his zeal to clean things up.  More bishops are doing so and that is always good.  The commentary is out of place, should have just let the letter speak for itself.  This is what happens when media folks want to impress everyone else with their supposed erudition.  This is the kind of thing that happens whenever someone wants to derail any effort to reform things.  The commentary is more akin to poisoning the well first before anyone gets to read the letter.  Sad.

To people complaining about Jimmy’s commentary:

1) Jimmy linked to the complete letter near the beginning of this blog post.

2) Reading Jimmy’s commentary rather than the original letter is entirely voluntary.

3) If you understood 1) and 2) and continued reading, why complain?

Abp Chaput…wow. It’s such a blessing to have such wonderful Bishops -not just in Philly, but NY, Louisville, and many more places-leading the flock, and inspiring us outside of their dioceses.
But he’s in for a fight that he should be commended for taking on. Unfortunately, since Philadelphia had such large immigrant influence, I have a feeling that people, even if they are barely practicing Catholics, will fight about attending a parish that doesn’t share a history with their ancestral group (Italian, Irish etc). It has happened in most dioceses.
Sister Terese, that’s awesome.
Fr Moran, that intrigues me, but ultimately doesn’t surprise me.

As a Philadelphian with a child in Catholic school, I applaud Archbishop Chaput and look forward to him righting our ship….full speed ahead!

Agreed, David. Hear, hear!

Heaven forbid that Jimmy Akin’s blog include something Jimmy Akin says.

We shouldn’t quibble about tone or phrasing?  My goodness, what’s been happening in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and all across the Church in North America, is not just complacency.  Archbishop Chaput has only been in Philadelphia for three months, so maybe he hasn’t grappled with the thick East Coast bureaucracy long enough, but the challenges are much more serious than complacency.  What’s been happening in the Church has been criminal, incompetence, and unfaithfulness.  The closing of schools and parishes is a first step to right-size the infrastructure to serve the reality of the local church, and the failure of the past several ordinaries to make those closure decision has been complacency.  But that which has caused a vacuum of Catholic faith and life in the Church’s leadership and families, our parishes, schools, and communities is a more serious sin.  That which caused the leadership to cover-up abuse cases and allow abuse to continue wasn’t complacency.  That which caused archdiocesan counselors of alleged abuse victims to reveal counseling sessions with archdiocesan attorneys wasn’t complacency.  There is a humerus and tragic account of when Pope John XXIII was once asked how many people work in the Vatican. His Holiness allegedly answered, “About half.”  The reality in chanceries, parishes, schools, and other Catholic agencies is that there is a staunch environment of incompetence that is smothering the life and fidelity out of the Church.

I liked reading this entire piece and love the comments from Sister Terese. Not only do we need more bishops like Archbishop Chaput, we could use dozens more Sister Terese too. God bless them both!!

JennM brought up an excellent point: Tithing! That can be a first step in restoring a spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice. The same generosity that led to families having children, young people answering “yes” to the call to religious life.
And yes, Sister Terese, thank God for your habit and your vocation. I live in Miami and see habited religious sisters all over the place. What a welcome sight.
We need to keep praying, and adoring Jesus. Precious Blood of Jesus, save us and the whole world!
jmj

Mamma mia, now dat’s a spicy arch-a-bishop!  What a wonderful, courageous bishop.  God Bless him and may he be an inspiration to his fellow bishops.

What many Catholics do not know is that part of their weekly parish cash or envelope contribution may automitcally be claimed by the diocese. The percentage is typically in the mid-20s. So, of your envelope or your cash offering at Sunday Mass of $100, $20%+ will automatically be sent to YOUR diocese/bishop.
Personally, the only criterion I have for my support of the Church in its current crisis, and for any hope in my Church’s future, is to discontinue all support through the customary offertory and envelope collections and give, as often and as generously as I possibly can, to the individual priests whom I know and whom I know personally and turst. Neverthelese, I also continue my support of certain communities and ministries within and without my diocese.
Jedesto

Gene:  I’m not sure where you found this quote from B. John Paul II, but I’m positive you took it out of context.  Please read the following link: www.ewtn.com/library/PRIESTS/CELIBACY.HTM.  It explains in easy, complete language the constant teachings of the Church on priestly celibacy as taught from our Blessed Lord (from the Scriptures) and upheld by all the popes, including John Paul II.

Regarding Catholic schools, one must ask why their numbers have so declined since 1965, and of course, the flight of the sisters from their historic mission was one major cause.  Why did they run away?  Their had, to be sure, been exploited by the Church in that many Bishops and priests took them for granted, as husbands often take their wives for granted, and for that the clergy should be faulted, but the major reason was something more horrific: the false teachings that came afflict the Church based on the radical egalitarianism of the age, which lead many sisters into thinking that their mission
was somehow degrading to women. Likewise, many priests came to believe that their subordination to the bishops was wrong, and even that their vows submitted them to personal degradation. That conclusions was based in fact.  Men in the prime of their life had to wait until their forties in order to exercise any independent authority.  Sometimes, a rectory would have a half dozen priests who had to submit to the dictatorial authority, as if they were monks and the pastor an abbot.  A better use of these men might have been as missionaries in the local communities rather than as men consigned to menial tasks, or at least to be treated as brothers rather than as boys.

The irony is that many priests did in fact react to the reforms in the Church as boys rather than men.  They fled from their duties like boys on the last day of schools and followed their own whims and took occupations they fancied were more suited to their talents. Time and again they were disappointed to learn that the world is a hard task-master

But my point is that every sort of ministry suffered when they abandoned their commissions, and left the work to the not disheartened men .women who remained, and to
inferior persons now coming into the seminaries.  With the ranks of their “army” depleted, the bishops often resorted to expedients that ill-served the Church as a whole.

Gene:  Here’s another one:  http://www.zenit.org/article-9224?l=english.  From Bl. John Paul II’s own mouth.

“In GOD WE TRUST”! Everyone else we POLYGRAPH! The truth sets us free. In the end ALMIGHTY GOD OUR FATHER will win. Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth (BIBLE)has all the answers.  Peace! Pray, Hope, and Don’t Worry! BLESSED AND HOLY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE! AMEN!

The wise decision by our Holy Father to appoint Most Reverend Charles Chaput Archbishop of Philadelphia is evident in this heartfelt and honest letter to his flock.  Archbishop Chaput is a brilliant role model for all bishops entrusted to care for the faithful.

I seem lately to be a daily recipient of mass e-mailings from law firms anxious to provoke medical malpractice lawsuits.  Physicians carry extensive insurance coverage, as we all know, and their pockets are seen by attorneys and patients as being especially deep.  I wonder whether, and to what extent, “victims” of clerical sexual abuse have materialized out of the blue because the Catholic Church, too, has ample means to pay damages. The same phenomenon may well be occurring now in the Sandusky scandal at Penn State.

No one can really be surprised by this.  These sad happenings are the result of decades of refusing to teach the faith boldly.  From contraception to sacraments to practically everything authentically Catholic.  Michael Voris of realcatholictv.com hammers this theme frequently in his internet broadcasts and he’s right.  What’s done is done and the situation must be dealt with as it now stands, but the issue is more than the dealing with the current cleanup.  Its the continued lack of teaching the entire truth of the faith.  in the face of all this mess and blood letting and shrinking, there is still NO addressing the ROOT problem - too many weak-kneed, liberal, don’t rock the boat types still have too much say in how the faith gets disseminated.  Until they are gotten rid of, this continual shrinking of the Church is going to go on and on and on and on ...

There is a story in the Bible that when the Israelites during their exodus they had to fight against the Amalekites and to help the fighters of Israel Moses went to a high place to pray for God’s assistance with arms raised and as long as he was able to keep his arms raised they kept on winning but when his arms faltered the same happened to the fighters as a result they put two men one on each side to keep his arms up as long as needed assuring them of a total victory. Reflecting on this I learned that wether or not we like a priest or if he is a good priest or not we must remember that they are like us, they have their strengths and weaknesses,faults and gifts and they influence us, our families and neighbors and are targeted by the enemy of our souls to the end that when they fall the sheep are scattered and we become the prey. To prevent such a disaster we’re all called to rally around them and put them at the head of the list and pray unceasingly God to strengthen them in their ministry and not cave in to the temptations that inevitably come. What really bothers and befuddles me is that when I explain this to other faithfuls for the most part I get a blank stare and just a few who are surprised at first and then agree that the we really need and must pray for them daily not just for their good but ours too.

Barb wrote, “I would sacrifice anything to keep my kids in Catholic school.”

You’d run screaming from the Catholic schools in this town. We need men like Archbishop Chaput to turn us away from the precipice.

This Bishop is courageous and faith filled. We all have to make decisions and be affected by decisions we don’t like. I continue to pray for all our clergy and the difficult jobs they do.

I have one thing to say about sexual abuse. Any sexual abuse involving children is horrific and yes the Church has to get a handle on it. Let me ask you this, “can you imagine being abandonded by your own mother, who turns her back on you under her own roof while a family member sexually abuses you?” The situations are different, however the outcome is the same. Let’s not forget that this is really all about power and control and it damages for life. It also doesn’t mean you have to let it run your life forever. So, let’s pray for the abused and the abusers, all of them.

I grew up in Philly.  When I was 16 I dated a young man from Northeast Phila., and he told me of how when he was an altar server a priest told him and his fellow server to stand and take their pants down so he could take a picture.
The picture this conjured was so dreadful that I thought maybe my boyfriend was making it up.  Now I know it was true!!!! 

They didn’t comply, thanks be to God.

Last night while “channel surfing” using the television “flipper” with the family idiot box, I came across a taped recording on CSPAN of a show honoring Abp. Chaput’s neighboring Gov. Chris Christie, (R-NJ). I’m not one of the governor’s biggest fans for ideological reasons, but he said something that should have everybody sit up and take notice:  in so many words, he said while he has lots of critics for his views, he also has lots of followers, and some of those followers are the same people criticising him for x, y, z, stands on the issues of the day.
  Why is that so? It’s simple: People may not like the views or steps you take when you’re in a position of elected or assigned/earned leadership, as in the case of Abp. Chaput ... but they will follow you because you have the guts to take the ugly, difficult and unpopular steps necessary to make changes. In the case of Gov. Christie, to his credit, even he admits he’ll resort to having taking the uglier way to perform or say an equally unpopular task.
  It happens every day in every household led by a leader, be it the Dad, or if he’s not around or physically or mentally incapable of being the leader our Christian and Judeo traditions and teachings have assigned him to be…it’s the Mom.
  General Patton was supposed to have told a British counterpart that he didn’t give a rip if his men loved him, but rather that they respected and feared him. Well, that might sound terribly or unnecessarily harsh; and in some cases, at least one notable instance in Sicily where he slapped a shell-shocked GI in a temporary sick-ward among Purple Heart winners, surprisingly, his harsh “method as message” so-to-speak,” reverberated and actually did wonders for the American Army’s morale. Let’s not forget how less “professional” our Army was compared to the much more harshly and methodically lead Prussianized German Wehrmacht. Patton was no social democrat. Heck, he was far more enthusiastic in running the Bonus Marchers into the Potomac in 1932 under Gen’l MacArthur; something that his colleague David D. Eisenhower was appalled at. History at best rewards results reached by temporarily-applied harsh methods; but it lastingly rewards those who recognize it for what it is, a risky “bandaid” of sorts. And haven’t we learned this lesson from all the water boarding of George Bush’s adminsitration when getting a driver to rat out bin Laden did the trick under his successor. 
  Today’s Bundeswehr has gone a long way to resemble its nation’s relatively newly adopted democratic traditions, and that sometimes runs the risk of inviting the devil of complacency; a risk we have to run every day in our society which has been the world’s truly freest and most “small d” democratically organized Republic for the longest period in the history of humankind. (It ruined Germany’s earlier ill-fated Weimar Republic.)The German elite, which included its then-ridiculously reduced and unnecessarily humiliated army, grew so complacent of their place they took the fateful chance that Hitler would protect them and restore order so they could go on with their lives while the nation would recover. It did alright, but under a different management and conditions. How costly was that deal to preserve their complacent situation?)
  So often we take this fact for granted that it’s child’s play for this devil to worm his way into the very fabric of our once most vaunted religious, social, educational, cultural, commercial and even athletic institutions. We’ve come to tolerate things and behaviors with a whisk of a hand in the name of “tolerance” when even after being warned that behind every possible loosening of the reins of authority in each particular area I’ve listed, not just “power for its own sake,” and when the trains of life derail, with relatively little loss of damage to property, limb, life or worst of all, our souls ... yes, that IS the worst, we rush to express our “outrage” and all sorts of other tardily registered and sometimes outright feeble, attempts at venting otherwise wholly legitimate questions.
  And don’t we love using “power expressions” such as “... Well, so and so’s got to be held ‘accountable,’ and if we only had more ‘transferabliity in government’ or our respective chanceries, parish rectories, superintendents’/principals’/masters’/deans’/proctors’/coaches’ offices ... who knows, none of this abuse, corruption, whatever, would’ve happened.”
  Words like “accountability,” “transferability,”  ... how cheap they sound the more they’re used. They’re cliches and little more to cloud the fact that people in places of moral, legal, fidicuary, educational, political responsibility were more interested in applying to themselves their own short-circuited and watered-down versions of what being “responsible” for the acts committed on their watches really meant. And the saddest, no…the most pathetic aspect about this situation in Philadelphia, or add your locality or one you know about, perhaps even our own homes…nobody’s perfect….least of all, myself and my wife, hard as we and other spouses and parents try (and the same can be said for our kids in their own ways and levels of behaving more responsible)... we all know better, or can learn to know better, and behave as if we know better on a regular second-by-second basis.
  That’s a lot on the plate to think about some of you might be saying. Is it really? Do we have to endure derailments or colossal train wrecks, or even major national breakdowns when they can be avoided by leaders taking the gutsier and more unpopular stands and following them based on the trust we give them according to our electoral laws for a given period of time based on their constitutional duties, etc.?
  We have instances of moral, social and all sorts of other breakdowns in our so-called superior western civilized society; and yet we shake our fists and tut tut about the “intolerance” and “arrogance of tax n’ spend politicians” as if they were members only of the other guys’ party, not of our own.
  We decry our religous leaders’ “judgmentalism” and “harshness” for their openness to say things that have been spelled out in ink for centuries in our Tradition and the Bible, but when asked to go to Confession or even admit to ourselves more how we can improve our own lives by checking in with our spiritual authorities as well as educational leaders, (and I’m not referring to the trendier than thou showboaters whose “we’ll tolerate anything that doesn’t sound or smack of’intolerant views’” have been wormed into and throughout academia) ... or do we throw up our hands and accept the easier path of complacency and not be willing to at least acknowledge now and then, however inconvenient to the hilt it’ll appear at first, that we sometimes have to swallow our pride and accept the reality of the responsibility held by the more unpopular men and women of history, our present times and accept the likelihood of following these duly assigned and elected persons of authority when necessary and required?
  This is the crux of what both the Archbishop and Governor have been saying lately. They could be both non-Catholics and be rightfully saying the same thing because of the moral authority invested in their respective offices, and those who choose to live in their states or accept membership in their churches, are required to at least shun the easiest path of complacency which also registers its ugly presence in pouting for the sake of pouting and appearing to be making a “moral and principled stand” when in fact the pout is nothing but a bloviation.
  I’ve been guilty of this many a time so I’m pretty familiar with this easy way out. But, and not to sound morally superior, I’ve also run for elective office, got the heck beaten and still lived to breath the next morning; while not despairing on our form of government due to my defeats. For every person taking out papers and knocking on doors, and willing to put his or her life at our service, there are a thousand would-be letters to the editor scribblers.
  And for every responsible religious reporter, columnist, editor, publisher, (one working for a recognized publication/or radio/TV channel)Deacon, Minister, Preacher, Priest, Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal and Pope in the Church’s long history, there, too, are legions of the complacent or the momentarily piqued outraged parishioners. And finally, there are the ultimate victims, long suffering, silent and sometimes just plain fearful of what they’ll face in return, victims of our moral and/or other many forms of complacency. What these people may fear more, than even having to publicly risk humiliation for speaking out, is the shrug of yet more complacency by a society grown cold to what it really knows, or should know—by gut instinct if for no other reasons—is wrong to the very core of what it means to be truly human.
  We hear critics of the very concept of “exerting moral authority” snip and sniff at such concepts as instigating social facism or repeating the errors of the Nazis, whipping up the public, using demagoguery, etc. to achieve powerful places. That does happen. But it happens most often when the people who know better eschew Edmund Burke’s sage advice against the evil of social complacency, or worse, allow a self-picked elitist group of rightist/leftist, or sometimes worse, purposefully opaque middle-grounders hiding behind a deliberately constructed wall of “respectablilty” due to their openly professed “sound moderate views” ... when in fact, they’re anything but moderate in temperament and desire to pass on the temptations of power-grabbing for themselves.
  We just have to be more deliberate in our decisions to be more on guard against the evils of today’s wolves by foregoing our more complacent desires of momentary urgence, and follow through on those teachings and be humble and certainly more sensible enough to recognize the duly accorded authority earned by those who occupy our higher offices be they in the religious, political, and other more secular sections of society.
  The “Good Guys” can’t do what we want if we’re not willing to swallow our own pride more often and pay more attention to what they’re asking from us. If that means we have to close parishes to pay for the damages brought on to the Church, for which it is morally, and socially as well as legally responsible for paying ... so be it. Remember what Jesus told the Apostles about binding and loosening? That includes paying bills we’d rather not.
  When it comes to our public and other sectors: if taxes need to be paid to meet all of our Constitutional requirements as spelled out clearly in the very Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and those of our respective states, muncipalities, it’s time for our leaders to lead and the rest of us, including the very well financially heeled and protected folks, of which only a miniscule handful possess half the wealth of our 300 million-strong population. And, it’s high time for some of our leaders, especially elected leaders to remember whom they asked to serve first, foremost and only: the citizens of all levels, ages, genders, religious and ethnic and of course, religious backgrounds; Notice what’s missing; K-Street and other special interest groups of rightist, leftist or capitalist bent, and I’m especially including the likes of Grover Norquist or another others like him in any facet of life.
  Imagine a guy like him sitting in your local diocesan or parish pews, organizing campaigns to deplete this or that diocesan ministries funding based solely on ideological grounds? It’s selfishness, plain and simple. That selfishness can be manifested in even a desire not to spend a dime to fire a certain popular coach or lay teacher because he or she’s of a preferred ideological leaning or has a superb win/loss record, notwithstanding perhaps also a long sordid history of abuse or abuse enablement. Or the selfishness could manifest itself in seeking to deny funding for more religious training in medical ministerial work in favor of putting more funds into a dusted-off “peace n’ social justice” campaign to designate a diocese or archdiocese as a “nuke-free zone.” How nice. But where will they be when a group of conservatives are straining their liberal bishop to drop a food pantry mission in favor of buying more books published by the Acton Institute for mandatory reading in CCD classes?
  See, though, if we don’t get off our duffs, or at least pay attention to what we hear when we do surf our channels and urge others to do likewise, the snake of complacency which Abp. Chaput pointed to will trump the good intentions made by folks with wider rumps every time. As for Gov. Christie, yes, gets a lot of ribbing or his wide rump, and I have castigated him for his ideas and will in the future if I disagree with them; but this I can say, as well as anybody who’s watched him with a fair mind, his rump isn’t wider than most of ours due to channel surfing whilst our society has been crumbling around us. He might agree in principle with Norquist on the necessity of higher taxes, but you can be damn sure he won’t be bound by any scrap of paper that lobbyist has in his file cabinet. Leaders don’t pay attention to scraps of paper signed whilst standing on soap boxes. And they earn followers who respect what they don’t respect: scraps of promises that the true moral necessities of hard and unpopular stands/actions taken by responsibly behaving elected leaders hold worthless against the greater public good.
  See, this is how we avoid hearing our Archbishops having to drop unpopular shoes and elected but sometimes gruff and unpopular officials having to verbally slap some sense into anotherwise cowed, or worse, jaded, public.  Choice is pretty clear, the Devil’s wine of complacency, well aged and potent, or the challenges of real men like Abp. Chaput and Gov. Christie. Pick wisely; or the hangovers will continue getting longer and even harder to endure.

OMG! In my second to last paragraph, I should have said the public doesn’t respect what their leaders won’t respect, scraps of paper. Oh boy: Leaders are certainly not going to earn followers by respecting “what they don’t respect.” My apologies for any confusion caused by this flub in wording. /s

Archbishop Chaput is a man of proven integrity and compassionate Christian leadership. May God bless him with strength, perseverance and success in cleaning up the mess in Philadelphia. I don’t envy him the task before him but he has always worked for the Lord first and foremost. I can see why Pope Benedict entrusted him with this unpleasant job in Philadelphia. The Pope knows that if it’s possible that anyone can clean it up, Archbishop Chaput can.

Gene—you have incorrect information about celibacy.

For those who think Chaput will be any different than his predessors, don’t be fooled.  It is just a different message to achieve the same result-protection of the church financial coffers.  He remains committed to protect the statute of limitations which results in the many years of church coverup and abuse remaining unpunished.  Unless he is willing to allow the victims justice against their abusers, and is willing to open any church files for review by the civil authorities, any message of “reform” remains hollow.  I only hope that the recent Penn State scandal and probably others to follow will wake up our legislators from the pressure I am certain they are getting from the church hierarchy to bury the SOL revisions and finally do the right thing.

That was not so “stunning.” Is this a case of creating an inflated headline to get people to read the article? I was looking for more and left unfulfilled.

This article is another case of total focus on the sex abuse scandal. This is the church that offers the fullness of the faith and a path to heaven for all of God’s created souls. It is time to prompt our bishops to get to the real problem, the root of the problem. What is the problem?

The problem is a pervasive luke warm faith, cafeteria catholicism, schismatic priests and bishops, heretical lay and consecrated religious ministers, and a church that fails to pass on the faith to the next generation. In a word, the problem is the great heresy of Modernism.

Archbishop Chaput, his predecessors and his priests have betrayed their schools and their churches by consistently ignoring warnings from people like Father Tom Doyle, O.P., and many others.  Now he’s trying to shift blame to “media hostility”  as did ex-Cardinal Law in Boston.  And as with Bernard Law, Philadelphia’s accused and indicted priests will be treated as innocent even after they’ve been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  Just what will it take to shake church and papacy out of deep denial?

It is always easy to condemn.  Most of the time, we condemn without knowing all the facts.  Many times, we have no right to the facts.  And, many times, the facts are obscured by lies and greed.  We know this all too well from the state we are in in this country and elsewhere.  Rick is absolutely correct in his assessment of the problems that exist within the Church.  However, the Church is not a democracy nor a republic.  It is unique and there never has been nor ever will be another entity like the Catholic Church because her Founder is God.  Men exist within the Catholic Church, and men are flawed—from Original Sin. 

My own assessment of what has happened in the Catholic Church since Vatican II is that the major problem has been that many bishops and clergy abdicated their responsibilities as Defenders of the Faith along with all the nuns who left the classrooms back in the 60’s.  In addition, the seminarians who were allowed into the priesthood were predominately active homosexuals.  What is more scandalous is that the rectors and priests of seminaries in the U.S. KNEW and approved these sinful ordinations.  Now, these priests and the Church is reaping what It sowed.  There is a saying, and I don’t remember who said it, but it is apropos even for the Church: “Evil flourishes when good men do nothing.”  Pope Benedict and Abp. Chaput et al are making inroads into turning the tide.  It will be a slow and painful process, but the Church will always triumph—we have Our Blessed Lord’s promise on that.  What we need now is SAINTS. We all must be willing to risk all—even death to defend the Truths of the Catholic Church.  That day will soon come the way the societal climate of our country is going.  We elected two marxist communist presidents, one in which I am convinced is a closet Muslim and anti-Christian.  What does that say about the values and principles by which we Americans live by and believe?  Do Americans have any values or principles besides the quest for money and power?  In Isaiah God says, “Woe to those times when evil is perceived as good and good is perceived as evil.”  We are in those times right now.  God help us all.

So what is “stunning” about this Pastoral letter from our Archbishop? It didn’t take clairvoiant powers to see this content needed to be revealed.  We are blessed that Bishop Chaput has the courage to speak the truth and not worry about upholding the “reputation” of the Catholic Church.

To Sister Therese.  Thank you for all your good words. I just had a concern about a comment you made in one of your posts about it being “impossible” for the Church to ordain married men in the same way that it is impossible to ordain women.  I don’t know if you intended to convey your thought like that, but the Church can ordain married men and has done so often in the past.  The present reservation of Holy Orders to celibate males is a disciplinary choice of the Church - one that I agree with - but arbitrary none the less.  With women it is different since the sacrament unites a man to the humanity of Jesus which is male.  While men and women are both human beings, they are different kinds of human beings and the sacrament of Holy Orders cannot be conferred upon a woman for this reason - anymore than a man can be a mother.

As regards men with same-sex attractions in the seminary I can personally testify to the validity of your comments.  I was in the seminary during most of the 1980’s and was harassed many times by a man who was flagrantly gay so that I had to leave the seminary on one occasion. The faculty would do nothing when his pursuits of me became public.  I was told I had to learn to be more compassionate toward him.  The vast majority of sexual abuse by priests is homosexual in nature since those abused are generally in their mid teens and very vulnerable.  Genuine pedophilia does occur, but if the Church would deal with the flagrant homosexuals in the seminary and priesthood, a great deal of the problem would be solved.

Child abuse is not only a clergy problem but also in the sports world, teaching world and from what I understood from our news media here Hollywood is full of it, so it is a world problem. Maybe we need to bring back the legend of decency like we used to have.  People are out of control.

The necessary step to permit God to clear away the dross of human failure is for us to admit that it is there and we can’t clear it away unaided. God bless Archbishop Chaput and the people of Philadelphia.

Sigh. I miss you, Archbishop Chaput. Dear Lord, send us in the Archdiocese of Denver another shepherd as amazing and faithful as this servant!!!

Philadelphia, I hope you know how blessed you are. Having met him on several occassions, I can say without doubt that he is one of the greatest bishops in (dare I say it?) the entire Church.

To Mark:  You said EXACTLY what I had tried to say.  My words are often poor and don’t convey what my mind or heart is trying to say.  Thank you!  Yes, I know that the Church, in very special circumstances, has and will continue to ordain married men.  There are also conditions that the married man and woman must agree: if the wife dies, the priest cannot marry again; they must live chastely (as we are all called to do); and they must abide by the laws of marriage according to the dictates of the Catholic Church. 

Again, thank you for clarifying my sentiments.  I am so very sorry that you had to experience such a terrible situation in the seminary.  Those situations are not confined to the seminary as the “convents” have also been infected. “Religious” today (at least a great number of them) have literally lost the Faith.  I know of what I speak.  I have had experience where I was in the company of “sisters” who openly talked about their homosexual experiences with other “sisters”.  I’ve also experienced these same women proclaim their pagan beliefs in “WomynChurch”, yoga, tai-chi, and everything in between.  As long as it didn’t have a hint of Christianity (especially Catholicism), it was ok with them.  I was in a situation in which I was persecuted and harassed about wearing my habit.  I am not old, either.  I am a fairly young woman and most of my harassers were women much older than I.  I remember one of them saying to me that she felt that sisters who wear habits do so out of a feeling of entitlement—in other words, we wear our habits because people will go out of their way to be nice, to give us money, etc.  It was awful.  We live in very scarey times—and times which need many, many prayers and sacrifices.  God bless you!

May God bless Archbishop Chaput in the difficult task ashead! May God have mercy on those bishops, priests and members of the laity that embraced the so called “Spirit of Vatican II” that has done so much damage to the Church of Christ. Those who allowed homosexuals in the seminaries and novitiates, and who allowed that they be taught a sexual morality contrary to the teachings of the Church, bear a terrible responsibility for the sexual abuse sacandal.

I had read this letter yesterday on this site but hearing it read today at the conclusion of Mass was like a huge kick in the gut.  I can’t say that I’ve been thrilled that Jimmy printed this ahead of time (I’m really not sure why he felt there was a need) and I can’t say that it lightened the blow.  Hearing our Priest read it tonight was so troubling.  I know there are very important issues at hand and that the Diocese is going to be struggling mightily in the months to come.  As the Archbishop said, there is going to be a lot of pain.  I question, however, why this pain had to pushed up to the next degree right in the middle of Advent when families are trying to anticipate the joy of the Christmas Feast.  When we are adjusting to the changes in the liturgy in these first precious weeks, when we are headed into welcoming our brothers and sisters who are not regular attendees this season, when we are facing all of the troubles, stresses, etc., that society brings upon us as we still attempt to focus on our Lord—well, I’m troubled at how stunning this was—and indeed, it was stunning to hear that the schools our children are in may close (we have two in the local parish school—I’m hoping this will not happen as we have a fairly strong school and certainly well attended).  I think our parish is safe as well.  However, I don’t know why this couldn’t have been held off just 3 more weeks, when we’re post-Christmas, and when we’ve entered into the year where the turmoil will most be felt.  The “Blue-Ribbon Commission” has certainly made their findings and these are ready to be implemented—wouldn’t delaying the pain a few weeks while we celebrate Advent and Christmas have been a bit more compassionate?  When the letter was read, the final closing words hit the hardest.  It was almost like, “Here’s some tough new—now, go and celebrate”.  That was hard to take.  However, having said that, I support my Archbishop, I know the trials will be tough, I hope our school hangs on, and I wish him and all a blessed Advent and wonderful Christmas.  May we all grow as certainly our Diocese faces very tough times.  I pray for all making decision—and most of all, I pray for our children and for the families that are going to have to find a way to make it through this with the Lord’s help.  The totally innocent may hurt terribly in these upcoming days.

I can not WAIT for the entire Catholic Church to collapse. I was raised Catholic and my father was abused by a Jersey City priest. When he got drunk he abused us sexually physically and emotionally. I WENT to their schools and told the teachers and my mother said it was me and my sister were acting up. HE went to jail for sexually absusing my niece and nephew. AND it didnSt have to be like thisM nor should I had to live in my car at 16 to get away from them. YOU cannot change the past and these priest should be in jail with people who will give them a harsh lesson in life, not leave. The government is just as bad for not separating church and state. I was smart and got good grades in school and watched a scholarship float away because my parents emancipated me for TELLING THE TRUTH. Where did they get it from the church and the sickness of covering things up. My kids go to IHM and I WILL THROW A PARTY WHEN IT CLOSES. By what. My custody agreement statesI HAVE to pay for them to go there. Great school not . Good teachers well except for the one who allowed my child to walk around for hours with pus and blood coming up of their ear, which I handled maturely and was told by the principal that I did not act upset because I didn’t flip out. (I worked as a medic and saw worse) AND its cliquey with nothing at all to offer no band no orchestra, nothing at all to help children maybe get a scholarship. Ooo and the principal wouldn’t let the kids eat brownies in their lunch and rang a cow bell at parents during a back to school night. AND you wonder why people would rather flush their money down the toilet then to contribute to this madness. It makes me sick to see a priest hugging a child. NEVER should they be near one. AT ALL. I will never go to a catholic church for these reasons and when I tool my daughter atPalm Sunday mass when she was a baby she cried and I got dirty looks for the elderly women with their hats on. And this was after looking or trying to look past the wrongs this church did. Well they can have their church and I want my tax money back for paying for their medicare and social security. They are miserable and my children feel more at home in a Baptist church then IHM. My friend took my daughter with her and she learned and had fun. She wasnSt alienated for not having a ipod or ds she was treated like a person. So YAY close ALL of the churches. The world would be a better place.

(And yes there are misspellings. My phone is horrible to type on)

God Bless and protect Archbishop Chaput and the handful of church leaders who will speak and teach the truth to the spoiled children of the Church.  Yes, we are spoiled children, every one of us.  We want it our way, we want to win at any cost and we don’t want to exert effort or pay the price. I am a parent of four children and a grandmother of 12 so I recognize children who are out of control.  The last thing a demanding spoiled child wants is a parent who steps in, takes charge of the situarion and brings the situation back to center where it belongs.  When we read the Old Testament we witness the many times God intervened in the life of spoiled Israel, the insolence of Israel, and the final outcome when they were marched into captivity.  It seems we humans are difficult to teach.  We prefer to read about a gentle Shepherd named Jesus, but in truth, His teachings are not soft and fuzzy and warm.  We don’t want to “take up our cross” but we want the Resurrection.  Sorry, it dose not work that way.  Each one of us must look in the mirror, admit our weakness, rid ourselves, with the help of God’s Grace, of our love of self, and get to work. We must challenge our pastors, Bishops and our fellow laity to teach the true faith, to make the difficult decisions and to live the life that Christ invites us to when he invites us to “Come, follow Me.”  He is not asking us to skip along with the crowd of the world, He is asking us to live a life of sacrifice and true joy.

All of this commentary over just a piece of paper.  I live in Cleveland, and used to live in Philly.  In Cleveland we’ve been going through the actual closing of Parishes and Schools for a few years now.

Philly, you have no idea what kind of storm is about to be unleashed upon you.  I’m talking about a Bishop traveling with armed guards!  And Clevelander’s are actually NICE people. 

Believe me, come back in two years and tell me what you think of your Bishop Chaput after he’s carried on in his arrogant, aloof style - while the deeply faithful beg to be heard.

Archbishop Chaput is a good and faithful man, a strong and compassionate leader, no doubt about it. I lived in Colorado for several years. Mass attendance and vocations surged. He reinvigorated and expanded the seminary, even moving his residence to the seminary. Regarding the posts about Catholic education, I do think many are fooling themselves. The vast majority of Catholic schools, from elementary and secondary on to higher education, are simply private schools. The best way for our children to be educated in the faith today is through a solid Catholic home-schooling program, and there are several available. The only Catholic colleges and universities worth a damn are those listed by the Cardinal Newman Society as “faithfully Catholic.” This is a challenging age we are living in, full of anxiety. Let us pray that the Lord will raise up other bishops of the temperment and caliber of Archbishop Chaput to shepherd us through it!

Christine, I am sorry for what happened to you. No one shold ever have to be subjected to that. I will keep you and all victims in my prayers. Most especially, I hope that you will come to a healing and to a revelation that the Catholic Church is no institution or earthly organization. She is the Bride of Christ and His presence on earth. And She is a Body of healing, hope, and love. Yes, many people have abused their standing and authority in every corner of the earth. No place or people is immuned to this. No matter how much we want to rail against our persecutors, just remember, Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for their persecutors. Your freedom is at the foot of the cross. Your continued slavery is hatred and anger.

Andrew, I can say in total honesty that the last thing that anyone can say Archbishop Chaput is that he is arrogant or aloof. Meet him sometime. Stand in his presence. It won’t take more than a few moments to reognize that he is a most personable, humble, compassionate, and beautiful soul. I have emailed him several times in my life. He always personally responded within a few hours. And he always remembered me when we met face to face. I can’t even say that about most of my relatives.

While I sympathize with many who have experienced cruelty and/or “abuse” at the hands of some in the Church, we still have to recognize that the Church is, as the catechism teaches us, the visible embodiment of Christ with the Pope as the visible head of the Church with Jesus Christ as the invisible Head.  I just finished watching one of the episodes of “Catholicism” on EWTN with Fr. Barron.  Marvelous stuff.  I highly recommend everyone to watch this series.  It will lift your mind and heart to knew heights in the knowledge and appreciation of God’s Presence on this earth in His Church.  Scholar and newbie will reap abundant gems of knowledge from this series.  This part was on St. Katherine Drexel, St. Therese of Lisieux, and Edith Stein.  I missed the part on St. Katherine Drexel, but watched the rest of it on St. Therese and Edith Stein. I have a special devotion to both.  Amazing what one can learn even after reading and studying for many years!  When we think we’ve learned all we can about the Church and our Holy Faith, God presents us with more.  Watch it, it is wonderful!

For over 40 years I have been a practicing Catholic in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. I know personally several of the priests who were named in the sex abuse scandal. Some I thought to be good priests. One accused priest baptized my son. He stopped by for a Christmas visit 5 weeks before he was, too named. When I read of his accusations I wept bitterly and prostrated myself before the Holy Eucharist. I have two family members who were even more directly affected by abusive priests. This letter was balm to my soul. It has been a long time coming. If this healing is to be painful, then bring it on and let’s get to it. We have good work to do and cannot be held back by this evil any longer. May God and Mary help us.

Regina:  My heart goes out to you.  But, you are a testament to what we are all called to be: faithful warriors of Christ and His Church.  There have been and always will be cracks in the Church’s outer structure because it is made up of men.  But it’s inner core: the Holy Spirit, can never be cracked. As St. Paul said, “We must fight the good fight.”  You are an example of fortitude in action.  God bless you!

There’s nothing to praise in this letter: there’s nothing positive in it. If an American bishop were to stand forth and promise to teach; to revitalize the schools; to insist on valid liturgy; to ensure that his seminaries were in full orthodoxy: that would be remarkable. This is nothing but more covering, and describing the further decay of our Church. Read it! This is the result of the American Schism. Remember, too, how bishops are chosen: it’s not the most exemplary priest, but a man selected from a list of candidates chosen by the bishops of the province.  And now fully 90% of our bishops have been directly implicated in civil and criminal courts for the most obscene crimes imaginable. It’s the same men and their hand-picked successors. Nobody who’ll set anything right can get on the list. Now they’re choosing good communicators, but as we see not one thing has changed. Chaput and all the rest are there to facilitate business as usual: destruction of our parishes, closing of our schools, and, yes, enabling of the obscene lifestyle that every single one of our bishops is involved in—by public court records—or directly enables.

It causes my heart to grieve that the term sexual abuse was used several times in this letter.  As I sat at Mass and heard it read to my 4 and 10 year old, I thought, why do they have to hear this?  There is no reason to further the damage of the abuse scandal by talking about it in front of children.  We are so careful in our family to protect innocence and then they hear their pastor talk about these things.  The children ask “what is sex abuse?”  and then their innocence is eroded.  There are better ways to address this.  Even if schools and parishes must be closed, and should have been “pruned” many years ago, the timing is horrible in relationship to the abuse issues.  I fear we will loose many Catholics who although perhaps weak in their faith, could have been loved and catechized.

This is the first time that I can honestly say I like this Cardinal.  He seems to be a straight-shooter who is looking out for his entire flock.  In the past, I have ALWAYS felt that our leader was one who enjoyed his higher up position and really wasn’t too concerned w/the rest of us.  Cardinal Chaput seems to be different.  God Bless him and may the Good Lord give him all the strength that he is going to need to do his job.

I’m sometimes tempted to think something along the lines of “be careful just how holy and good you are…you might end up handed a job like this”. :)

I am not and never have been a Philadelphian. But I pray for Archbishop Chaput (long known as one of America’s best bishops) in this difficult and trying task. If these things must be done (and it seems from the evidence that they must), then it is all the better that such an excellent leader be given the job.

I’m a ‘practicing Catholic’ who for 60 of my 68 years resided in the Archdiocese of Phila. I now reside in the Allentown Diocese. I thought CELIBACY was a gift from God to a select few who followed His call to minister in and to His Church. Moreover, I applaud Abp Chaput, for his courage and honesty and his search for TRUTH. I also wish to honor the nuns and priests who I was fortunate to come in contact with through my 12 plus years of Catholic education in the Archdiocese. There were a few I didn’t like as much as the others, but I thought OBEDIENCE was at the heart of ALL true Christianity…AND I respected their authority. Would that our society would learn respect. Wishing blessings on Abp Chaput and his flock, he is in the right place at the right time, and he and his fellow bishops and archbishops will lead the faithful to where the Holy Spirit wishes, both in Phila and throughout the United States. May God Bless Them all and Strengthen them in their Priestly ministries.

It has been known for decades that half of the children who attend Catholic school don’t make it to Mass on Sundays and holy days because their parents don’t bother to go. Why keep them in the school? Why not require the parents to attend monthly classes on the TRUTH and Beauty of the Catholic Faith, including the dignity of man and woman, which precludes using artificial birth control, etc. etc.? Plus the necessity of a regular, daily prayer life that includes the family rosary around a family altar. A local pastor requires all parents of children in CCD to attend a monthly class on the Faith, or the child will not receive First Communion or Confirmation. It’s well known that 2 generations of Catholics have not been catechized, nor converted. It’s way past time to educate and to spiritually nourish families with devotions, saints’ celebrations, encouraging monthly confession, etc. Yesterday our new administrator had a celebration of St. Nicholas, with a parishioner dressed up as Nicholas the Bishop. Awesome! Children and adults learned about the real meaning of giving gifts at Christmas, and secular Santa Claus was the loser. A parishioner offered to pay for a brunch for everyone, but that could be handled with a pot luck in the future. Priests have to become creative (with help from parishioners) in catechizing not only the children but their parents. Pray for holy priests every day!

Cowalker and Rick DeLano - I’m interested to hear about your in-laws, and their dereliction of the faith due to this scandal.  It’s perfectly understandable, but I have to ask the question: are you aware of the history or the people of God?  From Adam and Even, humanity has been characterized by sin and misgiving.  That includes even great “heroes” of the faith: Moses, David, Peter, Paul.  Where are you looking for perfection cowalker?  If there is sin among the members of the Church, it is a sign of her divine prediliction, and not the reverse.

Also, if you want to locate the cause of scandal in the hierarchy, Rick, look first in the laity.  While you can safely say that clerical sexual abuse and episcopal collusion is a misdeed, how about the widespread apostacy of the laity regarding their principal avenue of holiness: marriage and family life?  When you see the pathetic SNAP victims, and feel impelled to rise up in indignation, shine a little light on your own complicity - just to get a full picture of the crime.

Abp. Chaputs message is hardly tough measures.  It’s merely the least that can be said.  A fuller accounting would leave most laity red-faced and red-handed.  And whether it’s delivered by Chaput or Dolan or the Pope himself - or left to your imagination - it’s coming.  Believe me, it’s coming.

@John E Dean

> What many Catholics do not know is that part of their weekly
> parish cash or envelope contribution may automitcally be claimed
> by the diocese. The percentage is typically in the mid-20s. So, of
> your envelope or your cash offering at Sunday Mass of $100, $20%+
> will automatically be sent to YOUR diocese/bishop.

Different diocese do it differently. Here in St. Louis the Cathedraticum (think of this as the Bishop’s Tax) is 3%. But then there is the quite voluntary, separate from parish contributions “Archdiocesan Catholic Appeal” that brings in another $12MM. Here’s a link, look in section 12:

http://archstl.org/finance/page/financial-management-and-control-manual-parishes

Here’s where it goes:

http://archstl.org/stewardship/page/2011-financial-goals

I remember reading some place that a bishop is authorized to “tax” 20%, but I think that’s the upper limit. Maybe some of them do, but I haven’t heard of a specific example. Maybe you could find us two examples in the USA where the Cathedraticum is at least 20%.

In Christ,

  t

Surely you don’t think “changes” will be restricted to this bishop’s Diocese? I believe our Pope has made his intentions to “clean house” very clear! Thank God for him!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

I think that patience, obedience and trust are especially difficult in trying times. Often I’ve read article about Archbishop Chaput. My reaction is that is a good and holy priest and now Bishop of Philadelphia. After the storm of change is finished in the next few years, I believe that you will see the goodness of Archbishop Chaput. Apparently your situation has been frustrating for many Philadelphia Catholics over a number of years. There’s an old cliche that was mentioned to me shortly after I returned to the Catholic Church :“Rome wasn’t build in a day and Philadelphia will not be healed in a week” Please give your Bishop time to do his job before the media sends out a lynch mob for this good priest. You are indeed graced to have a strong bishop. Please join me in prayer for repentance and healing your diocese.

Tom
Missionary of Mercy

May God Bless and Keep you in HIs Loving Arms
JMJ

God bless this man!  We need more bishops like him, men who are willing to step up & DO GOD’S WILL!!

He’s young, smart, and doesn’t hesitate to take stands that most of us would rather fade into the far, far distant corners of our memories. Wait’ll he gets his Cardinal’s cap. Oh, just think of the reaction to Abp/Cardinal Chaput’s election as the first American Pope. Watching how the fourth estate and our more liberal brethren reacted to the elevation of the former “Grand Inqusitor,” JPII’s “Panzerkardinal,” and whatever Joseph Ratzinger was zinged with ... will be well worth the time enduring the public displays of tolerance and forebearance Abp. Chaput’s long time detractors should he be called to fill Peter’s shoes.

@Stephen
> just think of the reaction to Abp/Cardinal Chaput’s
> election as the first American Pope.

You know what you’ve gone and done?!? JINXED it!

Wow…that would be very cool! Now I have something else to have my students pray for during Mass tomorrow! Not only would he be the first American pope, but he would also be the first NATIVE American to be elected pope!  That would be so very awesome!

People are always afraid of change….and because of this fear, they lash out.  Obviously things cannot continue in the Philadelphia diocese as they have…things MUST change.  Archbishop Chaput was placed in that diocese to affect that change…do not attack him, do not attack what he UNFORTUNATELY has to do.  Remember the angel’s words to Mary “Do not be afraid.” - Luke 1:30 Also remember, “Nothing is impossible for God” - Luke 1:37.  Therefore, do not be afraid.  Give Archbishop Chaput the benefit of the doubt…he is doing God’s work.
Christ sacrificed his life for us…we must make sacrifices,too -  if schools or churches that are not economically sustainable must be closed.  While it is truly disappointing the people may lose their jobs, take heart that God will help you find another opportunity.  I know that is easier said than done, but again, have faith.
Lastly, remember that Archbishop Chaput cannot put new ideas into practice within an old structure.  Change is inevitable.  To quote from Matthew (9:17)...“People do not put new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise the skins burst, the wine spills out, and the skins are ruined. Rather, they pour new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” While there may be loss in the short term while change happens, what may result from this process may be something more beautiful, more productive than what is in Philadelphia now.  May God be with all of you.

I hope that many of the wrongdoings under Rigali will be made right and that Philly as a whole will be turned around.  I want to beleive that Archbishop Chaput will be forthcoming with the families of the abused and not give then a runaround.  Clergy who abuse should be removed immediately and put out to pasture to repent and do penance for their victims. 
Remember, pedophilia is a disorder and sickness.  It knows no boundaries. There are more teachers accused of pedophilia than priests, but we seldom hear about them.  Both occupations are entrusted with the well being and future of our children. Unfortunately, for one to be disillusioned with God and alienated from God, the pain is beyond comprehension.  We must remind that victim that God did NOT direct the abuse and that He cries over this as much as he does abortion.  Both come from disordered self-love. 
When you bring back morals to the family, stop the practice of artificial contraception, respect the woman and the family unit, and frequent the confessional on a monthly basis, if not more, then you will see a rise in Catholic attendance.  we are called to be peoople who are counter-cultural.  Are we really fulfilling that? or are we conforming to society and giving up on our children?
To have a great parish, the priest must be a strong and just leader full of prayer and humility.  He should emulate the greats, like John Bosco and John Vianney.  But WE also should pray for our priest and be like Catherine of Sienna.  Are we willing to do that?

I know nobody is going to want to hear this.  But, I see in these comments that people are raising Chaput to a level “cult of personality.”  Keep in mind the Bernie Law’s, John Corapi’s, Tom Eutenauer’s, etc., etc., etc.

@Lilly - “Lastly, remember that Archbishop Chaput cannot put new ideas into practice within an old structure.”

What structure is he changing?  He’s making it smaller, but everything else is still the same old wineskin.

I wish you were correct, but nothing’s really changing.

In my experience with large metro cities, they are overbuilt with churches and schools. The churches were started based on ethnic background and are within blocks of each other. In today’s age, they are unsustainable. It usually has little to do with the abuse crisis. It has to do with the year to year budget of the church and school. The registered members are lower. The costs are higher with all lay faculty. People can’t afford the real cost of tuition. Thus, it would be better for the diocese to consolidate schools. Our diocese just went through this same process. The remaining schools become better and better funded institutions. The teaching becomes better because the best teachers are kept. This allows the diocese to build in the areas of the diocese where there is more growth of population.

Mark:  As a Catholic teacher for over 25 years, I cannot agree with your assessment of Catholic schools today.  The remaining schools DO NOT become “better and better” funded schools because unless the parish is huge and 85% of the higher income bracket, these schools still face the same old problems: higher paid, but less effective teachers, high operating costs, and, worst of all, a curricula so mediocre and unchallenging as to meet the lowest common denominator.  Catholic schools are mere shadows of what they used to be.  This is all does not include the continued watering down of the teaching of the Faith.  Catholic children, from all levels of the academic and socio-economic strata, are less and less cognizant of the truths of the Faith each year.  This is what I have experienced—and it doesn’t get better by closing and consolidating schools.

I don’t think any Catholic who is remotely engaged in the Church at this point in time has any illusions about the state of the Church relative to getting thumped for mishandling almost everything to do with sex-abuse cases, schools that are not viable because we can’t afford to compete with public sector salaries and no one is willing to pay $10k per year to send their kid to elementary school, or 2 parishes within walking distance of each other having to become 1.

We need to rebuild the faith, get people re-engaged, evangelize the Good News which is the point of all of this to begin with…and to end with. People such as Archbishop Chaput are the people we need front and center, along with loving and spiritual priests, women religious, and most importantly, lay people. For too long people have sat back and Archbishop Chaput knows this and speaks to it well. Good for him. Good for us.

Well so much for fair play.  Andrew warns that Archbishop Chaput is just another cult personality….really?

Some say he can’t make change within an old structure so nothing will really change. Archbishop Chaput was installed as Archbishop of Philadelphia on September 8, 2011.  So he’s been there for 96 days and people are calling him a failure….really?

Time for people to get behind Archbishop Chaput and judge him by what he does and help him get the job done instead of sowing the seeds of discontent.

@Mike Malone - I did not say he IS a cult personality, I caution that this kind of adulation is what drives that particular phenomenon to occur.

I also didn’t say he was a failure at all.  I was commenting that the poster was citing this letter as evidence of the kind of structural change we need, but in my reading I don’t see anything changing in this letter - it’s just recognizing that the buildings need to compress.

I’m in Cleveland, home of the “one ethnic church on every corner.”  We’ve been enduring this pain for some time now.  Certainly in today’s “structure,” we have little choice.  But that’s the tragedy in so far as we’re abandoning our mission to the areas that most need us.  You close down a Catholic school in downtown Cleveland, and you leave these children no where to go but to the worst city school district in the nation.

I don’t think anyone here is calling Archbishop Chaput a failure. But it is good to remember that our priests and bishops are humans just like us and not begin to think that the whole future of the Church turns on one man, and not to canonize them too soon.
.
The best thing we can do for our clergy is pray for them. Here in St. Louis at St. Francis de Sales Oratory, we pray for the Archbishop of St. Louis after every Mass. Maybe groups of faithful in the parishes of Philadelphia could get something started there. They can’t excommunicate you for praying after Holy Mass, even out loud. They may look at you funny. Anyhow, it goes like this:
.
LET US PRAY FOR OUR BISHOP
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V. Let us pray for our Bishop Charles.
R. May he stand and shepherd in Thy strength, O Lord, in the sublimity of Thy name.
V. Save Thy servant.
R. O my God, who hopeth in Thee.
.
Let us pray.
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Charles, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church in Philadelphia. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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You know, we may be in such a situation where there’s only one thing we can do and that’s kneeling down after Holy Mass, praying the OREMUS PRO ANTISTITE out loud so everybody can hear you proclaiming all those un-proclaimable t-forms. And then get up and walk out.
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You know, You know, if one person, just one person does it they may think he’s crazy and just ignore him. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony, they may think they’re a couple of confused Episcopalians and have a nice chuckle. And if three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people kneeling down after Holy Mass, praying the OREMUS PRO ANTISTITE, then gettin’ up and walking out? They may think it’s an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people in every church, I said fifty people people kneeling down after Holy Mass, praying the OREMUS PRO ANTISTITE, then gettin’ up and walking out?  Friends they may thinks it’s a movement.
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And that’s what it is, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Pray for the Archbishop Movement, and all you got to do to join is pray it the next time it come’s around at a church near you. All together now…
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With thanks to Arlo Guthrie, with apologies to those too young to know how exactly to read the foregoing and in Christ,

@Andrew, Your comparing the praise given Archshop Chaput to that given Father Eutenauer and Father Corapi, with all due respect, is like comparing birds to helicopters.  The only thing they have in common is that they all can fly (are priests).  Archbishop Chaput has never sought recognition as a national Catholic figure as has Fathers Corapi and Eutenauer.  Father Eutenauer publicly admitted his errors and has submitted in humble obedience to his ordinary.  You will notice he has disappeared from the public scene. John Corapi decided to leave the priesthood rather than reform his life and submit in humble obedience.  Archbishop Chaput on the other hand has spent the last 14 years posting an amazing record in Colorado.  His public recognition has been earned his courageous decisions and the successful record he posted while archbishop of the Archdiocese of Denver.  Birds and helicopters my friend, the archbishop deserves the praise and praise is not adulation.

As for your thoughts on infrastructure; he’s been there only 96 days…cut him some slack! Turning around something as large as the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will take years not days and it will be painful. In addition, specific infrastructure changes are not something you telegraph in the press before it is announced internally.  That is why the archbishop did not provide more specifics.

I sympathize with you views on Catholic schools but changes need to be made.

Andrew:  I agree with you wholeheartedly.  I just moved to Akron so I do not know how things “work” here.  (I don’t even know how to get from one place to the other without using my GPS!)  But, I am originally from Chicago which was the model, I think, for the “one church for each ethnic group” structure.  There are still areas of Chicago where this still remains.  But, the faithful seem to have adjusted even though the ethnic breakdown of our neighborhoods has changed since the 50’s and 60’s.  There is only one observation that I would like to make regarding your comment:  “...you leave these children nowhere to go but to the worst city school district in the nation.”  Obviously, you have never experienced the Chicago Public Schools run by the infamous Chicago Skool Bored (misspelling intended) which should have been dismantled, prosecuted for gross incompetence and theft against the school children of Chicago and the buildings burned to the ground in order to remove the stench, have you?  Not only does the closing of Catholic schools expose Catholic children to the worst possible “education” (more like, INDOCTRINATION), but also places these children’s souls into the hands of equally incompetent “catechetists” and heretical catechesis.  These are the children who grow up into what I call the “Jesus loves me” Catholic adults.  We have suffered 40+ years of this horror and still can find this to a lesser degree, but still insidious, in the remaining existing Catholic schools.  There is much work to be done, but every change begins with one step at a time.  May our Holy Savior and His Blessed Mother continue to provide the Church with fearless Shepherds who are willing to take those first steps toward a true renewal of the Catholic Faith.

“Did he need to take on the subject of the schools, of possible parish closing and budget cuts?”

The key to the “New Evangelization” is: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH. Or, to use the words of Pope Paul V1: “Modern people listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if they do listen to teachers, it is because they are Witnesses.” For an example, the following should apply to our Catholic Schools:
A “preferential option for the poor” should be maintained in our Catholic Schools. If we find that we cannot afford to keep our schools open to the poor, the schools should be closed and the resources used for something else which can be kept open to the poor. We cannot allow our Church to become a
church primarily for the middle-class and rich while throwing a bone to the poor. The priority should be given to the poor even if we have to let the middle-class and rich fend for themselves.
Practically speaking, the Catholic Schools must close and the resources used for “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine” and other programs which can be kept open to the poor. Remember, the Church managed without Catholic Schools for centuries. We can get along without them today. The essential factor is to cultivate enough Faith to act in the Gospel Tradition, namely, THE POOR GET PRIORITY. The rich and middle-class are welcome too. But the poor come first.

Ahhhh William Horan - you’ve touched upon the 3rd rail of Catholic education!  There is a very good case to be made that says close ALL Catholic grade schools - put the entire system out of business.  Then take the resources and put them behind Parish-based education (in poor and wealthy neighborhoods alike) and MAKE the parents get involved in their children’s formation - not just drop them off at the door of St. Agnes’ school in the morning and wash you hands of any responsibility.  And FUND the STAFF adequately to do what needs to be done!

RIght now some folks see a Catholic grade school in the suburbs with a waiting list and a new gym being built and think - wow, of course Catholic education is thriving, just look at this one!  While behind their backs 30 schools are closing and another 30 are on the brink.  To make those schools succeed requires a commitment from ALL Catholics.  But the truth is that 95% of us don’t see why we need to support anything beyond our own Parish (if that!).

By the way, I have 1 kid in Catholic university, 1 in Catholic high school and 3 in Catholic grade school - so believe me, I have no desire to see any of them close!

Catholic High Schools are a different story.  The strong ones with outstanding academics, sports and alumni participation will continue to thrive as independent institutions.  A bunch are closing now, but there will exist a strong core of excellence that will thrive.

I am TOTALLY against the idea of closing all Catholic grade schools.  If you pour all of these students out of our schools, the effect on the public schools would be overwhelming.  Taxes would go through the roof, students would be poorly served, educational standards would drop, the environment for our students would be drastically changed, subjects would not be taught from a Catholic perspective—-every details of education would be wrong for what we, as supposedly concerned Catholics, would want for out students and the younger generations.  Have you had a good look at the Public School Curriculum as of late?  How about the health classes and their curriculum?  That’s just the beginning.  We need to keep our schools—-in a consolidated manner or whatever.  But don’t destroy something that is good for something that would certainly be far less than that.

Parish based education is indeed something that needs a strong look—-and Parish education needs the strong support of ALL the parishioners. 

And I must take exception to an earlier comment that says that much of this is due to the nuns being out of the classroom and the “non-religious” being the teachers.  The teachers in my children’s school are OUTSTANDING teachers and give the children a very fine Catholic education—-but on the Catholic curriculum and the non-sacred subjects.  I don’t think that just because one is a Nun that they can teach any better.  Just because one might be a Nun or a Priest doesn’t necessarily make them a “better” Catholic, a better teacher, a better whatever.  That is not written to be disrespectful in the least.  But let’s not assume that our teachers in the classroom are not well trained in their field and can’t do an outstanding job (which they do).

Mr. Akin -
Not sure why you’re so ‘gun ho’ on this letter.  Catholic schools are being closed to pay for lawsuits.

Alan:  I think you missed my point.  When I said that the problem in Catholic schools was due to nuns leaving their teaching positions, I was NOT referring to the quality of teachers in lay people.  I know very well that most people who teach in Catholic schools are outstanding both academically and spiritually.  The point I was making is that when nuns ran Catholic schools (both private and parochial, the nuns were paid very, VERY low salaries (a stipend to the sisters’ communities) and therefore the schools were able to operate on a very low budget.  When the nuns left the Catholic schools for their “careers”, this left Catholic schools only one other alternative: hire lay people.  In order to do that, the Catholic schools had to offer lay teachers a comparative salary with benefits, etc. Those are things that schools/parishes never had to worry about years ago.  The whole issue seems to be centered around finances and I was merely making a point that had the nuns stayed in the schools instead of running around getting advanced degrees and working in secular jobs (I know a number of sisters who are real estate brokers and have been for almost 20 years…how is that serving the greater need of the Church?).  THAT is what my point was. 

I stand by what I said and in no way was I criticizing the qualifications or professionalism of lay teachers. I have worked side by side with many lay teachers over the past 25 years. They are, for themost part, dedicated and outstanding teachers.

JimmyV, would you have preferred:
“Dear Catholics of Philadelphia,
Sunshine, roses, kittens…
And plenary indulgences for everyone!!!”
????

Why is anyone surprised that there might be some uncomfortable ground ahead for the Church?
Did I miss the part in the Gospel where Jesus said, “Hey guys, follow me. It’s going to be easy. And no one will EVER cast a bad light on you or my Church.” ???
Just a thought, JimmyV, this is hardly the first time in our faith history when someone innocent had to suffer for the sins of others.

To Donna Ballentine.  I agree that the hierarchy is still hiding its sins.  Instead of saying the first priority is to “protect children”, the first priority should be to clearly state to every priest and every seminarian that same sex attraction is incompatible with the priesthood. If grace has not overcome this sin, then the person is not called.  It is so totally incompatible with the teaching of Christ that His apostles would be bound to a disordered sin of the flesh!

Sister Terese—-thank you for clarifying your point.  As you’ve written it now, it is easier to understand.  However, one should also recognize that the teachers that are teaching in the schools are doing so at a greatly reduced salary “scale” than what is found in the public school.  They are committed to Catholic Education.  Many could have taught in public schools for years and have far better benefits.  However, their loyalty and commitment should be greatly admired.  I’m glad you feel the same way.

Lisa-Marie—-I think the point that Jimmy was trying to make (and one that I share) is that there seems to be a bit of “hype” (hopefully unintentionally) to all of the strong adjectives used by Jimmy.  Was this letter “stunning”?  “Wham (used often)”, “Dramatic”—I have to admit, I had some of the same reaction that Jimmy had.  I would have preferred to have first heard the letter directly from the pulpit which I then got the next day without all the editorial comment.  Of course, I didn’t need to read this letter on the blog the day before—-but it was certainly there and as a member of this Diocese, it was only natural that I would read it.  But, the added emphasis was a bit much.

Alan: We are definitely on the same page now!  Yes, I know very well the sacrifices the many lay people make when making a commitment to teach in Catholic schools.  I have met many who have families to raise and bills to pay and situations they have to deal with daily who selflessly choose to teach in a Catholic school when they clearly could teach in a public school.  It is a great sacrifice for many, many people.  God bless them!

thank you for your comments and please continue to pray for the Church.

Our Lord told Peter that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church.  Not Archdioceses,not museums, not buildings, the Body of Christ.  Our pathetic leaders have left their primary mission of feeding the sheep, that’s us, the average Catholic knows little more than he did when he was in school. Why are we content with so little from these leaders.  I wish they would see and think like Christ and not the world.  They are just men, no better than the rest of us, we are all sinners saved by grace.  When they sin, be honest, deal with it don’t cover it up.  Stop playing silly games, acting like they are holier than mere mortals,they don’t need entourages, the heirarchy is top heavy, disconnected from the people. It is not necessary to be a priest to be holy, the good nuns who taught us well, told us there are holy married people too, certainly we know by now just being a priest or a nun does not guarantee holiness. They need to go back to basics, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Read the Bible, it is not too difficult, it is wonderful.

Jimmy’s melodramatic commentary was extremely distracting and inappropriate.  Archbishop Chaput is entitled to have his letter presented without Jimmy’s embellishments.  Also, we are not children.  The letter does not have to be spoonfed to us, and, as adults, we are capable of reading it ourselves and coming to appropriate conclusions.  But such conduct by Jimmy is consistent with the condescending holier-than-thou attitude he always displays, so I am not surprised.  Archbishop Chaput’s plea draws no sympathy from me.  I am very glad that the Roman Catholic church, in Philadelphia and elsewhere, is finally being called to account, financially and otherwise, for its criminal actions.  I fear we have barely scratched the surface of this corrupt organization, and we need to keep kicking until the entire rotten edifice comes down.  The Roman Catholic church is not deserving of contributions from anyone, and if the schools are closed, that is fine, because the children of Philadelphia are going to be a lot safer.  To the person who says he would sacrifice “anything” to keep his or her children in Catholic school, I have a question:  Does “anything” include your child’s virginity?

Pointing out that no one is perfect and that others have sinned is not going to cut it with me.  An organization that claims to be exclusive gatekeeper on the path to eternal salvation is not going to be excused by stating that “everyone else is doing it.”  That excuse is for little children, and it does not work for them, and it is not going to work for the Roman Catholic church.  I also dispute the idea that nuns did a better job in teaching.  How can a cloistered nun possibly have enough education or world experience to educate young children?  The “true faith” that they taught is a cramped, simplified version, and most of their students never went beyond it, cannot think for themselves, and are trapped in a culture of unquestioning obedience to an organization that has been shown to be criminal and corrupt.  Yet, many times, I will read a letter from someone that starts “I went to Catholic school for 12 years, so . . .” and it is obvious this person thinks he has all the knowledge that is needed to reform the world.

We probably deserve the prelates that we get but what did Philly do to get this Americanist who jumpstarted Chris West’s sodomy career and calls traditional Catholics cafeteria Catholics?

As for the “Bishop’s Tax,” or “Bishop’s Appeal,” each diocese does it a little differently, but it works something like this.  The Bishop typically wants about 20% of a parish’s revenue to fund the activities of the diocese.  One way to do this is to levy a 20% tax on parishes, and require then to send the amount each week.  This, obviously, is a serious drain on the parish’s finances, and starting about the 1970’s, many parishes sought a different method of financing for the diocese.  The bishop said that’s okay, but I still want an amount of money that is equivalent to 20% of your annual collections.  So, they came up with the annual bishop’s appeal.  Each parish is assessed an amount equal to about 20% of its previous year’s collection.  If the parish can raise that amount, it will get to keep all of its own weekly collection.  If it collects more than its assessment, it will get to keep the excess.  If the parish cannot raise the total assessment made by the bishop’s appeal, the bishop will keep drawing from the weekly collections until the assessment is met.  Chaput’s statement that the assets are owned by the people is, legally speaking, incorrect.  All property of the church is, in effect, owned by the bishop, in his capacity as a corporation sole, and, for the time he is in office, he has the same power over it that he would have if he were its individual owner.

John—-your comment is uncalled for concerning what the “anything” might mean.  Of course, the parent didn’t mean that was was willing to sacrifice his child’s virginity.  How distasteful and disgusting.  Please keep things civil. 

I do agree with you that Jimmy’s hype was perhaps inappropriate when presenting this letter (and way over the top)—especially as he released it before the Diocese members (of which he is not) had a chance to hear it straight from the pulpit.

@Pam

> the first priority should be to clearly state to every priest
> and every seminarian that same sex attraction is incompatible
> with the priesthood.
> If grace has not overcome this sin, then the person is not called.

Same sex attraction is not a sin (CCC paragraph 2358). I think you’re confusing a personality defect with an action.

However, there was the instruction Religiosorum institutio circulated in 1961 warning against accepting into religious orders homosexuals and others who “suffer from morbid or abnormal sexuality, especially sexual hyperesthesia or an erotic bent of nature, to whom religious celibacy would be a continual act of heroism and a trying martyrdom”.

http://www.adoremus.org/ReligiosoeumInst.html#anchorri30

You can argue the instruction wasn’t addressed to diocesan bishops, but good luck with that. Besides, there were plenty that were, well before 1961. This one is particularly forthright. These instructions address CURRENT problems, and this particular instruction had an antecedent: Quantum Religiones (1931). As you can see, the problems of unchastity among clergy wasn’t solved at Trent.

As for John, he says he will “keep kicking until the entire rotten edifice comes down.” His words. He is not looking for reform, he is a revolutionary.

WRT Catholic Education—where I was at least, there wasn’t any. What my mother got for me out of paying tuition was “Jesus was nice, you be nice too.” It ended up a line in a play:

http://youtu.be/t1FOOto-JpU

Enjoy.

As I said above, the rest of us should pray for our bishops.

John:  “How can a cloistered nun possibly have enough education or world experience to educate young children?  The “true faith” that they taught is a cramped, simplified version, and most of their students never went beyond it, cannot think for themselves, and are trapped in a culture of unquestioning obedience to an organization that has been shown to be criminal and corrupt…”

First of all, cloistered nuns don’t and never have taught children—they are cloistered.  You might want to check in a dictionary about the meaning of the word.  Since “they” never taught children, your statement about it being the “...cramped, simplified version…” is a moot point.  If you, however, are referring to the nuns who DID teach in elementary schools, you can hardly call what they taught as “cramed and simplified version.”  There is no such thing.  And believe me when I tell you, and I know of what I speak, that what is taught in the majority of “catholic” schools today can hardly be construed as remotely Catholic.  We have lost 4+ generations of Catholics since Vatican II and the CRAMPED SIMPLIFIED (so simplified, in fact, as to be almost totally devoid of anything Catholic!).  I call these folks “Jesus loves me” Catholics. And, sadly, this includes both of my younger sisters.  Secondly, I am a product of those days and many of my friends are as well.  I don’t know what statistics with which you refer to in your comment, but I would compare those statistics to those which were taken not long after the maxo-exodus of Catholics after Vatican II.  I’m sure you will be edified. If anyone has chosen to leave the Faith it is because they have made that choice.  We must some day accept responsibility for our actions and our choices.  Until such time, it is not just the Catholic Church that will suffer, but all of free society.

Sister—I can assure you, my children are receiving a very fine Catholic education in their Catholic School.  It is far more than “remotely Catholic”.  Please be careful in your generalizations.

Alan:  I qualified my statement with “majority” of Catholic schools.  Perhaps I should have said the majority of schools in my experience.  Sorry.  But, I am also going on what I have been told my numerous parents, friends, and other acquaintences.  However, your point is duly noted.  Thanks for the reminder.

@ John Thanks for your comment. Same sex attraction is a temptation to sin and it is a grave sin. And someone who suffers from it and puts themselves in a totally same sex environment, the brotherhood of the priesthood, the seminary, is increasing the occasions of sin - especially since those men will be more innocent, kinder, etc. Why do you say same sex attraction is a personality defect?  How do you define personality?  Someone’s personality may be outgoing or withdrawn, but the ego, not the personality is tied into this disorder. And is one of the reasons it should be a red flag that the person is not called. Our priests are our spiritual shepherds.  In humility and truth someone disordered and not healed by God’s grace is not the holy shepherd Christ called his apostles to be. Christ healed those He called. With an ego condition and the power and influence on the vulnerable of the priesthood and the attacks that are sure to come by Satan this is just an accident waiting to happen. Also it is testimony AGAINST the truth of God’s grace.  It is saying, “I have a temptation to sin that God can not overcome.”  And that is just a lie.  So I believe if we are honest we have to say that “embracing” this defect as “just who I am” is a sin.  It is being complacent instead of turning to God and trusting in His power to overcome anything.  Mary Magdalene, for example, would say she HAD been a prostitute, but the desire or temptation was gone once she met Christ. Christ had her in the upper room with men who were away from their wives because she was a new creation. This is the same idea.  A man could say I had suffered from same sex attraction, but I have been blessed and received God’s grace and no longer feel an attraction - THEN they may be someone called to the priesthood, but while they have the attraction it is just obviously unsuitable - especially in a time when homosexual activists are trying to force society to reject the idea that it is at all disordered. The communist party actually wanted to destroy the priesthood by putting homosexuals in the priesthood intentionally.  This is not something to fool around with. Christ is light and in Him there is no darkness.

Pam:  Your points are right on the mark.  I guess I’m a little more old-fashioned than most folks here.  I see homosexuality as a deeply engrained obsession, for want of another term.  For whatever psychological/emotional/spiritual reasons, it is, nonethless, in my mind, an obsession.  I also believe that any kind of obession is something very difficult to overcome—if not impossible.  We have to learn to live with this like we do other occasions of sin on a daily basis with God’s grace, as St. Paul’s “thorn in his side”.  That is with much prayer, fasting, and sacrifice.  I deal with one such non-sexual obsession myself, and I can tell you, it is not easy to remain “abstinent”.  It has been a part of my struggle of life for the better part of my life.  Obsessions are exactly that: all-consuming obsessions: some people in the past have called them “fetishes”.  They consume your every waking moment of everyday…unless you place yourself in God’s merciful hands and surrender yourself to His will.  Without that, without accepting the reality of the “condition”, there will never be any resolution except to engage in whatever obsession/fetish it is that consumes you.  The Church, in her centuries old wisdom, realized these things early on through the guidance and protection of the Holy Spirit and set up ways to protect the Church and faithful from the sexual obsessions of others, particularly men, who were and still are the only possible candidates for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.  I’m not even sure if the Sacrament can be or has been duly received by those active homosexuals and/or pedophiles in the past or present.  I don’t know the official Church teaching on this-or even if there is one.  But, as you wisely noted, this is no small matter.  Look at what has happened to the Church in the last 40+ years since seminaries and those in charge of them have allowed this “smoke of satan” into their seminaries? Look at the far-reaching implications opening this “Pandora’s box” has reaped upon women religious?  I can’t tell you how many women religious I’ve met who are not just open about their sexual exploits with other women religious, but are PROUD of them.  We have much to pray, fast, and sacrifice over.  But, the Church will not be destroyed, as Christ promised.  I hope I have note offended anyone—it was not my intention.

@John, you seem to think you have most if not all of the answers with regard to Catholic education, faith formation of children, the suitability of nuns to teach children and have proof that the Catholic Church is a criminal and corrupt organization.  Sadly you are wrong on all counts. 

First, Catholic Schools save pubic education $40 billion per year.  Nearly by every measure Catholic school students outperform their counterparts in public schools.  Those are facts and that’s today.  When nuns were the predominate teachers the scores were even better.  These nuns were trained educators and were well formed in their faith.  The proof of the pudding is in the eating.  I went to Catholic schools, I was taught by nuns and I came away with both a great education and a great grounding in teachings of the faith.  These women worked tirelessly, were dedicated and effective.  Your notion that these women were cloistered is also wrong.  The Poor Clare Nun’s are cloistered.  They are a contemplative order that live in a monastery and spend a great deal of time in prayerful reflection.  They have chosen to separate themselves from society to do so. Teaching nuns are completely different.  In the day they may have lived in convents but they interfaced with the world every single day!  They met with parents regularly, organized graduation ceremonies, dances, prepared yearbooks, they went shopping in groups, attended social functions, read the paper, listened to the radio and watched television, followed politics and world events, went to public functions and on and on. Catholic’s and Catholic schools are poorer now that the nuns no longer teach.

@John,

Let’s talk a bit about today’s faith formation of Catholic Children.  Those children who don’t attend Catholic schools are more at risk than those that do.  Parish based catchecism and catechetics, in most places, doesn’t teach the faith.  Religious Ed Directors teach that conscience rules over doctrine.  They don’t teach the sacraments…..they don’t teach the commandments….they don’t teach sin…..don’t stress chastity….etc.  It is better in most Catholic Schools but it is still a far cry from when the nuns taught the immutable truths of the faith. Overall Catholic children are being shortchanged by progressive/liberal/relativistic Catholics who themselves were poorly formed following VII. If you want proof; since VII Catholic believe in the Real Presence has fallen from 70% to less than 30%; Catholics contracept at the same rate as our protestant cousins; Catholic divorce as the same rate as non-Catholics; Mass attendance is less than 30%; acceptance of homosexual marriage is held by nearly 1/2 of all Catholics.

I think one needs to differentiate here (and, as well, we agains should take a broad swipe at so many C.C.D., RCIA, other Parish educational methods, or Catholic Schools).  Churches could very well be teaching the very things that you say they aren’t.  They could be teaching them very effectively.  However, the Church can not force someone to believe those things or to practice them.  They can’t moderate the morality of those they are teaching when those people leave the school, classroom, or Mass.  The influences outside of the teaching platform are LIGHT YEARS away from what they were a mere 15 years ago—let alone, 20, 30, 40, 50 60, 70 or hundreds.  The ways to reach youth and adults has changed drastically.  The battle the Church faces in reaching people, teaching them, and holding onto them has never been tougher.

@John,

Finally…the Church has prooven itself to be a corrupt and criminal organization.  Now that is something I’d expect Bill Mahr an athiest who hates the Church or a comedian like Jay Leno to say to get ratings.  Your accusation is just plain false.  What are you talking about?  Are you suggesting that the Church, ranked in the top 10 charitable organzations in the world, is criminal and corrupt?  How about the tremendous missionary work the Church does around the world; is this criminal and corrupt.  I’m betting you’re talking about the abuse scandal that has causes the Church so much grief.  If you are, you are wrong yet again.  The U.S. abuse scandal is old news.  Read the John Jay Colledge of Criminal Justice report (summary can be found @http://www.philvaz.com/apologetics/PriestAbuseScandal.htm).  Since 1990 abuses within the Church had fallen to unprecidented lows.  The Catholic Church as taken vigorous and effective action to fix this problem, paid out hundreds of millions to victims, purged the priesthood of offenders, opened it’s doors for examination etc.  In short abuse is old news.  The safest place for a child today in the U.S. is inside a Catholic institution of any kind.  Overall there have been about 11,000 complaints leveled from 1950 through 2010.  Only 4.3% of 100,000 priests in active ministry were accused.  That means that 95.7% of all Catholic priests are innocent but continue to be vilified by the uninformed.

Criminal and corrupt organization my foot.

Alan:  If your assessment is to be correct, then there has to be some kind of statistical proof, not to mention a keen knowledge of the textbooks and curricula of CCD programs.  Let me say that I taught CCD for over 30 years.  I stopped teaching CCD 15 years ago because of the poorly written, and, in MANY cases, heretical teachings in the textbooks used.  There are only a few textbooks used for CCD/Religion classes that I would trust.  One is the “Faith and Freedom” religion series from Ignatius Press. The rest such as the formerly Catholic Benziger Press, Loyola University Press, and many others aren’t worth the paper that they are printed on.  With what series are you familiar? How can you make such sweeping statements?  How can you compare the knowledge of the Catholic faith as proved by regular Sunday Mass attendance, the numbers of active Catholics, and the fact that so many former Catholics leave the Church to attend protestant or other churches is evidence of their ignorance of the Truths of the Faith, and so many other indicators from pre-Vatican II to post-Vatican II, especially today?  One does not have to have a doctorate in theology to see what is evident before one’s face!  I have a feeling that you are not who or what you seem to be.  I could be very wrong, but I have a feeling that I am not.

OOPS!  I meant my comments for John, not Alan!  Sorry!

And I need to make a correction (typo AGAIN) in my last post—-I meant to say “we again SHOULDN’T take a broad swipe”

I’m not sure why my fingers just aren’t working during this Advent season…

Alan:  It’s from all the sacrifices you are making during the Advent season! :)

@ Sister Terese: I am glad that someone else sees the problem here. Thank you. I don’t know about obsessions, but bad habits or indifference to certain sins,yes.  And as your namesake would say, “Everything is grace.”  And so many saints have told us how much Christ wants to give it but no one really wants to receive it. (It is a big step to say you NEVER want to commit whatever sin ever again in your life! Most of us would like to hold on to the possibility of committing our ‘pet’ sins ONCE in a while! And once the grace is received you realize it’s now in your hands to foster it and that might not be what we really want if we weren’t sincere when we asked!) If we truly believe Jesus is who He told us and that He loves us as much as He showed us, we wouldn’t doubt that He wants to heal us.  If we have the faith of a mustard seed….believing that we HAVE received….if we do all that He will give us the grace.  So why do you think you have to live with an obsession? Has He made you believe it is a cross He wants you to carry?  Each time it pops in your head if you turn to God He will help and eventually as you are turning to Him more and more it will happen less frequently don’t you think?  Sorry that you suffer with that.  God bless!

Pam: Thank you for your words of encouragement.  I have lived with my “thorn” since I was about 11 years old.  For whatever reason, God has seen fit to allow this to be a part of me.  Perhaps I am working off my purgatory!  Who knows?  Some days are better than others.  There are days and weeks and even months where my “thorn” subsides and I have relief to some extent.  But, it is always there—it is part of the result of our broken nature.  I get through it for the most part by attaching myself to the Foot of the Cross and allow His cleansing and soothing blood run over my hands.  Sometimes I follow Him as He carries MY Cross to Golgotha.  Sometimes I help Him carry MY Cross, but I know it is He Who is doing the carrying.  As long as I keep His Passion ever before my eyes, I will get through it.  With His Grace, all things are possible.  And yes, “Everything is a grace.”  Another favorite of miine from her is: “To ecstasy, I prefer the monotony of sacrifice.”  If only we could all follow her example!  God love you!

If only the Errant Individual Priest Abusers had to pay to the church all the $$$ that the scandal has cost the church:  having faithful communities go under because of the cost of priest misbehaviour is really irresponsible…

Years ago “First Things” had a review of a book about a bishop in the Low Countries who after the Council of Trent was appointed to reform his diocese.  He had a devil of a time, was hated by half the priests in his diocese and many of the laymen. This was sixty years after Luther began his revolt. When you start weeding a garden….

The culture of the Catholic Church on the East Coast must change and Archbishop Chaput is the one to change it.  The man is exploding with pastoral skill and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  He’s approachable, yet firm.  Brilliant, yet an amazing teacher.  He would make an incredible father (spouse) which is why he’s such an amazing father (priest).  I hope he flips East Coast Catholicism on its stagnant head.

Archbishop Chaput is telling it as it is and as a Catholic, yes I’m hurt because it is hard to stomach.  I asked the question before on how Christ would handle it?  Well, the last time I heard that Christ got angry, he was turning over a whole bunch of tables at the Temple.  Archbishop Chaput’s approach was a little kinder.  All of us Catholics need to pray for one another because we are all sinners.  Whether we live inside or outside of the Philadelphia diocese.  I pray for Archbishop Chaput.  He is a brilliant man with a very heavy burden and the East Coast is blessed to have him.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/archbishop-chaputs-stunning-letter-to-philadelphia/#ixzz1hEbCruLM

Who knows how bishops interact when they get together, but I have got the impression that many of them have in the past shunned Archbishop Chaput because he has dared to say hard things,although in the softest voice possible. Now that he is installed in a major see, they will have to defer to him, maybe listen.

@John Schuh - Ha-Ha-Ha!  That’s a good one!!  One Bishop deferring to another?  Ha-Ha!  You must be kidding.  Have you ever heard of herding cats???

Come on people.  If we truly follow Christ we know that this back and forth volley is not the way of Jesus. Do your best to DEFEND the church with the eternal truths God has taught us through the Holy Spirit. Then leave that truth to God to move individuals with His Grace.  For many who are enemies of the Church there is nothing you can say as they revel in the Churches errors and rejoice in attacking Holy Mother Church. They fail to see that in attacking the Catholic faith they attack Christ Himself as revealed to us through St Paul/Saul when Christ told him,“I and My Church are one!”. Be at peace at this joyful time as,“In the end….God Will Reign”.

Amen, God does rule to the end.  And unfortunately, the devil also roams the world.  In the meantime, I love and believe in Christ’s Church because it is one, holy, catholic and apostolic and pray that by the power of God He rebuke the devil.  I am proud to be a Roman Catholic and yes, I love all of Her teachings.  No, I am not proud of the wrong doings of some of its Catholics within the walls.  Christ tells us to love one another as ourselves.  I love the sinner, but I do not love the sins.  I also pray for the victims.

Yvonne: I agree with you wholeheartedly and like you, I am proud to be a Catholic.  Not only am I proud to be a Catholic, but more and more I realize what a GRACE it is to be blessed to be a Catholic.  Not all who have eyes can see.  It seems so simple, so easy to understand why the Catholic Church is right and is founded upon the Rock—St. Peter.  But, when I hear of people, usually very intelligent and intellectually gifted folks, talk about their unbelief or their opposition to the truths of the Catholic Church, I realize what a GIFT the Catholic Faith is to me.  I have deserved none of it, but God has deigned to bestow upon me His Gift of the possessing the love for the Truth which resides in His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  I pray every day for the Grace to continue to always remain faithful to His Church.  That is not to ignore that the Catholic Church is made up of human beings, flawed by Original Sin and easily prone to sin.  We must pray for those in the Church—especially those who have been given the awesome responsibility of being shepherds.  God bless Abp. Chaput and others like him.  We must pray for the conversion of all shepherds and priests of the Catholic Church who are being lead astray by their pride and concupiscience.

Mary Ann,

Your right about this back and forth is not the way of Jesus.  Here is the big BUT….if the Catholic faithful don’t take up the pen to defend the Church and it’s teachings….who will?  Since Vatican II we have many generations of poorly formed Catholics who know little to nothing about the faith, a look at the posts tells the story. So I think you have to stand up and speak out as often as you can in defense of the faith.  It’s time for the faithful to fight back against the ism’s; progressivism, relativism, modernism, atheism and secularism.  Get in and stay in the fight.

God Bless,

Absolutely, the discussion is great.  Inspired and active Catholics are a must!!!  However, one needs to be accurate in their posts as well as not over the top in hype or characterizations.  There has been much of that in this thread-beginning with the post itself.

Alan, I think that’s the whole point.  The inaccuracies or just plain wrong interpretaton of Catholic beliefs is amazing, that’s where faithful Catholic’s come in.  It is not hard with all of the sources available to ‘fact check’ before posting.

Mike: You are absolutely correct!  It is not the first time that the faithful has been called to restore the Church and her truths!  I see a huge resurgence in the younger Catholics coming up, especially the younger seminarians!  It is a very hopeful time.  There has been a quiet revolt going on within the Faithful over the past 20 years, but particularly in the last 10.  There are more better-educated Catholic laity, young seminarians, and college students.  There are a number of very solidly Traditional Catholic convents cropping up all over the place almost monthly these days.  Even my own community, though very small, has retained our traditional roots (and habit!).  So, there is lots of hope.  But, like our Holy Father keeps saying, the key here to further success is EVANGELIZATION.  We need to evangelize those Catholics who were robbed of their faith through “feel-good” liberal catechesis.  I call these four plus generations of Catholics “Jesus loves me” Catholics.

Sr. Terese, Thanks for the great reply.  One of the nine ways a person can be complicit in another person’s sin is through silence.  Catholic’s who know the truth are obligated to speak out, sitting in silence is not an option.  Speaking out can cost a person. It can cost you friends, impact your social life, cause quiet conflict within the family, cause marital conflict etc.  To experience these problems a person doesn’t need to be a bible pounding, verse quoting know-it-all either.  Just try saying grace before a meal at a nice restaurant surrounded by Catholic friends, can you say uncomfortable?  I recently attended a family gathering.  In passing a family member said a Jesuit priest friend told him that going to Sunday mass was optional.  When I quiently reminded him that attendence at mass on Sunday’s and Holy Days of Obligation is mandatory under penalty of mortal sin and this requirement is the first of the Seven Precepts of the Catholic Church it was not well received. Since people watching and listening and I felt obligated to speak out; it kinda killed the discussion of religion.

Mike:  Ah!! But how many of those folks went home and thought seriously about what you said—INCLUDING the Jesuit!!??  You are correct in saying that we sin by omission just as much, if not more, than by comission.  Our whole society has been pablum-fed this “It’s not my business..” mentality?  I can’t tell you what a chore it is to undue this terrible plague of “no tattle-tale-ing” amongst our children!  What this does is teach children that to “tell” is somehow wrong and that the “teller” is more at fault than the person observed doing the wrong thing.  There is a saying and I have forgotten who said it, but it is particularly apropos for milque-toast Catholics, “Evil thrives when good men do nothing.”  The saints, particularly the martyrs did not keep silence, to the detriment of their own lives, but to our betterment.  We MUST somehow revitaize this great virtue.  You are in good company!!  God bless your courage!  I found myself in a similar situation in CONFESSION more than once.  I was asked once after confessing an obvious mortal sin by thr priest, “Well, what about greed?  What about racism?  What about sexism?” and on he went.  I listened very quietly and my reply was, “Father, may I please have my penance and absolution?”  He complied with the absolution but tried to argue with me about a penance.  We finally agreed on a more politically correct penance—but I would argue the definition…

Mike:  Ah!! But how many of those folks went home and thought seriously about what you said—INCLUDING the Jesuit!!??  You are correct in saying that we sin by omission just as much, if not more, than by comission.  Our whole society has been pablum-fed this “It’s not my business..” mentality?  I can’t tell you what a chore it is to undue this terrible plague of “no tattle-tale-ing” amongst our children!  What this does is teach children that to “tell” is somehow wrong and that the “teller” is more at fault than the person observed doing the wrong thing.  There is a saying and I have forgotten who said it, but it is particularly apropos for milque-toast Catholics, “Evil thrives when good men do nothing.”  The saints, particularly the martyrs did not keep silence, to the detriment of their own lives, but to our betterment.  We MUST somehow revitaize this great virtue.  You are in good company!!  God bless your courage!  I found myself in a similar situation in CONFESSION more than once.

...cont’d from above…

I found myself in a similar situation in CONFESSION more than once.  I was asked once after confessing an obvious mortal sin by thr priest, “Well, what about greed?  What about racism?  What about sexism?” and on he went.  I listened very quietly and my reply was, “Father, may I please have my penance and absolution?”  He complied with the absolution but tried to argue with me about a penance.  We finally agreed on a more politically correct penance—but I would argue the definition…

Sr. Terese, I do think things are changing as you observed earlier.  But it is just starting.  I left my current NO parish because of a lack near total lack of reverence for the Eucharist, confessions are heard 30 minutes each Saturday or by appointment and bad music is played/sung non-stop during mass….I could go on.  I began going to a parish that is a photo negative of the one I just described.  Unfortunately most of my family and friends are into the social aspects of the parish.  They don’t openly criticize me for my choice but I do believe they think I’m the proverbial red-headed step child :-)With respect to your quote.  I think it is by Edmund Burke (I Googled it); “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”.  God Bless

Mike: Thank you for finding one of my favorite quotes! I will copy it to my computer so when quoting it in the future, I will quote it correctly. And, who is Edmund Burke? Would that perchance be the EdWARD Burke from Chicago? Only kidding, of course! I don’t blame you for leaving your NO parish. I was in a situation not too long ago where I was compelled to attend Sunday Mass at a very unCatholic Church. It was a brand new, $5 million dollar plus parish. It was built like a theatre—in the round with the altar/sanctuary (?) at the bottom of the circle. The “pews” were linked chairs, with, of course, no kneelers. There were no Stations of the Cross, no statues, no votive candles, no Crucifix, not even a Cross, no confessionals, and worst of all, no Blessed Sacrament. There was a “Eucharistic chapel” down the hall, but no indicators where it was—plus, it was used for “CCD” children during Sunday morning Mass, so I couldn’t even escape to the chapel. BUT, it did have one HUGE part in the Church: the ORCHESTRAL PIT. Oh yes…an almost full orchestra to play very loudly music I’d never heard before, but which reminded me of the kind of music you’d hear at a Broadway musical. The priest was musically gifted, therefore the Mass was a performance not the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The faithful were not the faithful, but the AUDIENCE. Not to forget the troops of extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers marching around with trays of Jesus and His Precious Blood. UGH! It was AWFUL! I try to attend the EF as often as I can. I am very blessed right now to have the EF everyday and on Sundays and holy days of obligation. So, I know of what you speak. What is even sadder is that my experience is not an isolated one. This happens at many, many parishes throughout the U.S. and Europe. The Holy Father and Bishops like Chaput are trying desperately to pull in the reins from these horrible abuses. They all need much prayer.

Mike: Thank you for finding one of my favorite quotes! I will copy it to my computer so when quoting it in the future, I will quote it correctly. And, who is Edmund Burke? Would that perchance be the EdWARD Burke from Chicago? Only kidding, of course! I don’t blame you for leaving your NO parish. I was in a situation not too long ago where I was compelled to attend Sunday Mass at a very unCatholic Church. It was a brand new, $5 million dollar plus parish. It was built like a theatre—in the round with the altar/sanctuary (?) at the bottom of the circle. The “pews” were linked chairs, with, of course, no kneelers. There were no Stations of the Cross, no statues, no votive candles, no Crucifix, not even a Cross, no confessionals, and worst of all, no Blessed Sacrament. There was a “Eucharistic chapel” down the hall, but no indicators where it was—plus, it was used for “CCD” children during Sunday morning Mass, so I couldn’t even escape to the chapel. BUT, it did have one HUGE part in the Church: the ORCHESTRAL PIT. Oh yes…an almost full orchestra to play very loudly music I’d never heard before, but which reminded me of the kind of music you’d hear at a Broadway musical. The priest was musically gifted, therefore the Mass was a performance not the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The faithful were not the faithful, but the AUDIENCE. Not to forget the troops of extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers marching around with trays of Jesus and His Precious Blood.

Sr. Terese,

Well your description of the NO parish you went to is similary in more ways than not.  I too have been lucky enought to have joined an EF parish and so I can enjoy the EF every Sunday, Holy Days and whenever else I can get there.  I can feel the Holy Spirity sweep over me when I enter that Church…and the priests….oh the priests, they are the best.

God Bless.

Mike: What is an EF parish?

“Defending” is the key word here. Just state the true facts. It has an enormous impact on a soul (especially a catholic) when you hear them state a heresy or blasphemy, and you tell them lovingly but point blank, “May God have Mercy on your soul for what you said”.  Or, ” I pray for you on judgement day for the error of your statements or behavior”.  We should then actually, sincerely pray for that person that God, through His Grace, enlightens them to His Truths.  I understand that this is not an “intellectual” answer but I learned from reading the lives of the saints that we, as followers, with too much of our own “Opinions” do more harm than good when “defending” the faith. We must plant a few seeds humbly and let God, through the power of the Holy Spirit do His work.  Often times these blog conversations become “noisy Gongs”.No one really listens to each other because a wall of disagreement is already erected. God can topple that wall, not us.

Yvonne:  An EF parish is one in which the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (the Tridentine Mass) is offered.  You can find them by googling your area’s diocesan website. If there is no EF parish in your diocese, you have every right to ask/demand for one.

Mary Ann,

Some people are very hard of hearing and it takes a ‘gong’ to get through to them.

Sr. Terese:  Thank you.  The Extraordinary Form of the Mass (EF).  This is the first time I see it addressed as an acronym. Great!

But Mike, that’s satisfying our own desire to be heard it is not really Gods way for us. It can be more about pride than evangelizing.  It’s hard to hear but most blogging is based on self-pride.  We have great examples of quiet faith from St Joseph and the Blessed Mother.

Mary Ann:  I’m not sure I understand what you mean.  Are you saying that blogging, which to me, is nothing more than sharing the Faith with others, is somehow sinful?  I would caution you to think this over carefully if that is what you are saying.

Mary Ann, Your entitled to your opinion but that is not my motivation.  I am doing this for the good of my soul.  I cannot sit by when I know with certaintly that someone is mistating, distorting or lying about Catholic teachings.  To sit by silently and allow others to be mislead because I lack the courage to speak up…..that’s a serious sin.

God Bless

You omitted what might be the most significant part of AB Chaput’s letter.  He identified St. Charles Seminary as underutilized.  He makes that comment almost immediately after commenting that the AD has in some situations multiple parishes on once city block. 

Seminaries are to bishops and clergy what Catholic elementary schools are to many parents.  For a bishop to include his own seminary in virtually the same category as schools and parishes that need to close is remarkable.

The effect of vatican II on the priesthood and the religious in the Church was quite unlike the effect of Trent.  Jacques Maritain, a favorite of the Liberals, shocked them when he published a book denouncing what came to be called the “Spirit of Vatican II” just as the Council was ending.  What happened was a modernist revolt, led by the clerics who had felt repressed by previous popes.  It was all too consistent with the revolt of the young in 1968, which was a repudiation of any restraints on them.

And look at what both those revolts have resulted in…  The soul of our country is dying.

AMEN SISTER!!

Yes Sister, I do believe it is the rare person who “blogs” for the good of the Church and evangelizing.  For the most part,blogging has created a generation of people who have much more to say that what actually needs to be said.  There is a reason that facebook subscription has gone down dramatically. It is because the people that “unsubscribed” got tired of listening to the vast majority, who find it necessary to give us all a blow by blow description of “every” minute detail of their livesI It is not good or healthy and feeds ones ego and causes narcissistic behavior which is ramped !  I believe Our Lord calls it being a “noisy Gong”!  Unfortunately, the ones who are the gongs don’t seem to realize it…and so on they blab!

Mary Ann are you preparing to join a teaching convent—it seems you want to instruct others?

Mary Ann:  When did our Lord use the terms “noisy Gong”?  And, I still disagree with your position.  I don’t know where you are getting your information, but I suspect it is from a spurious source.

Uh, actually, that would be Paul who used the metaphor concerning musical instruments.

It is a free country and even Catholics are entitled to voice an opinion—or does that not apply?  Check out the 10 Commandments and if it isn’t sinful, proceed. Making comments here is not wrong and we are quite free to do so—without the approval of another.

Your responses all prove my point…...  Live the faith.  Enough said.

You people make me sick, crying over closed school, parishes. What about the ABUSED? The dioceses hid it all,CHUPUT IS A JACKA$$ . He fought everything in him to not help the abused in CO. now hes here to do the same.A WOLF IN SHEEP SKIN.

“So, I have no faith, I have no hope, in Archbishop Chaput’s desire for truth and justice in Philadelphia. I pray for his repentance and for him to have new openness concerning these victims.”

—Wow! Give the guy a break.  He is just beginning to take over at this diocese.  His letter wasn’t that bad.  To me, he sound a bit honest regarding the situations.

Poeple in our country claim to be so libral and open-minded, yet when it comes to faith and the church, it’s far from the truth.

Abusing children is a gut-wrenching thing.  BUT, not all priests do such things and it is not proper to for poeple to leave the church because of it.  If this controversy has been overly used by poeple who are immoral, immature, lazy and uneducated in their faith.  I also do not believe all these claims of abuse.  I feel it’s poeple either that have had ideas put into their heads by incompetent counselors & poeple out for a buck.

Unfortunately, molestation happens in ALL fields—And is being proven so by the oh-so-loved game of football.  So? since molestation happened at Penn State, I guess we should all hate colleges and football coaches?  Teachers have molested kids—should we no longer send children to school?  Parents have been known to abuse their own children—Should we hate all mothers and fathers?  Let’s get real and be reasonable! 

Good and bad is everywhere.  The good of what the catholic church has done in regards to missionary work, education, medical assistance, helping the poor and poeple that have experienced natural disasters, in my opinion, outways the sick deeds of these priests that have been proven guilty of molesting children.

Fantastic zer eta da definitly bat comment from me merezi.  duzun Irabazitako leialak fan bat.

Archbishop Chaput was my close friend in high school.  To read of his burden and the comments made by those who don’t know him is surreal.  I was beaten by the nuns regularly (because I couldn’t remain silent in class)yet still felt the calling.  Then came the pederasts.  After four years of trying to deal with priests taking advantage of my innocence, (I even had to repeat a year, trying to come to terms with my nightmare) so I finished high school at a Catholic co-ed high school. I even went on to my first year in college at a Catholic institution. But ultimately I became alienated, lost my faith, entered the military (during the Vietnam era) and struggled to understand what had happened to me.  To no avail. I have lived in non-Catholic surroundings, with non-Catholic friends ever since. Reading the whiny comments from pretend Catholics about Archbishop Chaput’s intentions, I detect a selfish wish for the miraculous (a fairy tale ending).  People, there are no miracles.  We are here to experience hell and to live honest, Christian lives, whether or not we agree with the Church’s stance, benefit or suffer from its policies.  If you haven’t lost your faith, quit your complaining!!

I appreciate the letter being provided here. It would have been a lot easier to read without the constant, somewhat juvenile, commentary inserted throughout. The average Register reader can no doubt read interpretively for themselves.

AMEN

This site would help financially if viewed and I was called here in Canada at 519-451-0958, London Ontario N5Y 5M8

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