The hierarchism and clericalism that characterize the Roman Catholic Church ( and other Christian churches! ) are not matters of the positive will of God nor the command of Jesus, and have done enough damage to the church historically to lead reasonably to the conclusion that they are blocks to the life of Christian communities under their thrall. They should be eliminated, and the social shape of the Catholic communities restructured Read more
Hold your own child or grandchild close for a moment and imagine how you would feel if she was separated from you and left to fend for herself in a freezing concrete cell (referred to as “iceboxes” by the migrants we met) without blankets, showers, clean clothes, nutritious food, and comfort Read more
Every reform movement in the Church has been assimilated by the clerical culture with varying degrees of success, including the early monastic movement East and West, the Western reform movement of the medieval religious orders, the Reformation of the sixteenth century West and even the reforms decreed by Vatican II. Read more
Remember: Judas was an apostle and a bishop according to their own interpretation of the Johannine account of the Last Supper as the first ordination and consecration. Judas’ spirit lives on, and none of this is new. It has been going on for ages in various forms exposed by the particular shape of papal power in each age. Read more
As long as this accusation goes uninvestigated, as long as the hierarchy continues to ignore the letter from the plaintiff, the process of canonization of Fulton Sheen ought to be put on hold. Read more
None of the men who failed me are being held accountable. Most are still alive and in ministry. Read more
If the conclusion that the church needs restructuring cannot not be warranted, it seems to me that at least the question should be raised and a church wide discussion take place. Read more
The church has not let me down but popes and bishops have, too often and too deeply. I wish I could say that the difference between them and me is a minor matter of policy or practice but it is not. At bottom, they believe they are special instruments chosen and appointed by God and I don’t think they are special in the least. Surely they are no more special than Bridget, my greyhound. Read more
Their leadership has been exposed in the past century and previous centuries as devoid of the Holy Spirit, of courage and even decency. I'm not speaking here of peccadillos or venial sin. They have decisively messed up the churches and the system that supports them needs to be eliminated. Read more
Catholics who wish to take a stand against Senator Warren’s plan are free to do so, of course, but they should be aware that in so doing they are not only openly proclaiming their willingness to sentence their fellow citizens to a life of fruitless toil; they are also in open dissent from the teachings of the church. Read more
suspended in her jar
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