To the Heterodox in the Hierarchy of the Diocese of Rochester,
We have a great deal of respect for you as people and for your positions. It is not my intent to tear you down, but rather to tear down your ideas that go against the teaching of the Church. It is you who have put your faithful in this unenviable position. It is you have asked us to go against Holy Mother Church. But this we will not do. This is not a condemnation of you or your duties, but a request to change and stand with rest of the Church. The people in the Diocese of Rochester have come to realize that the Diocese of Rochester is way to the left in comparison to the rest of the world wide Catholic Church.
The dust has settled from Vatican 2. It is no longer acceptable to push your personal agendas onto your flock in the name of Vatican 2. Enough time has passed for much reflection on the council and the verdict is in – Vatican 2 stands firm with the previous 2000 years of Church history. It is not a break, but a continuation. Given the availability of technology today, you are no longer able to pull the wool over the people's eyes.
To those outright opposed to Church teaching – the Catholic Church is not your platform. The Church is not your tool. The Church is Jesus Christ's elongation through time and space. Please respect this and stop trying to shape her to what you want her to be.
To those who would side with orthodoxy, but have become complacent over the years, we ask you to please stand with us. We need your help.
We ask specifically to change your tune on the following issues:
- Uphold the Church's teachings on the proper morality of human sexuality.
- Uphold the Church's teachings on the question of ordaining women to the priesthood.
- Uphold the Church's teachings on objective truth – there is but one true faith.
- The history of the Catholic Church should be celebrated. We should not accept the modern mis-portrayal of the Catholic Church. They tell us the Church has suppressed science, humanity, etc. These claims are simply not true. We must tell the truth that the Church has been the backbone of western civilization and that the world is better for it. Stop bowing down to the modern culture.
- Restore reverence in the liturgy.
- Stop liturgical abuses (many of us in the diocese have become so desensitized that we don't even realize how many abuses go on at nearly every mass).
- Stop pretending there is only one valid side on political issues that are open for debate (immigration, public health care, welfare, SCHIP, etc).
- Be stronger on political issues in which there can be no debate (abortion, ESR, same-sex marriage or unions)
Truth is truth. We cannot shape reality to what we want it to be. Either what you say is true or what the Magisterium says is true. It cannot be both ways. Teachings should be shaped by truth. However, it can be encouraging to look at some practical advantages of orthodoxy.
- Studies have shown that the fastest growing religions are those that ask the most of its followers - not the least. Stop trying to make the Christian life easy enough so that people will follow you. When you make it “easy enough”, you don't speak the truth, people will not respect you and will find no reason to be a part of your organization.
- The priest shortage is not being felt equally across the various dioceses in the United States. Studies have shown that those dioceses that are more orthodox are producing many more priests.
We pray for you daily as we know you do for us. We are in difficult times, but Christ remains with us always. We ask that you consider whether pushing your teachings, which are opposed to the official teachings of the Church, build up the Church or tear her down.
Sincerely,
The Orthodox of Rochester
Posts
1 comments: