My question this morning, as I stumped around the neighbourhood to kickstart my serotonin, was "What can we do?" The current regime in Rome will apparently do just about anything and then play whack-a-mole when any faithful bishop gets up to protest. The laity will become more and more splintered. I am snoozing conservatives on Facebook just for reminding us all that for all his faults Pope Francis is our "father."
My answer, which came after reading Fr. Longenecker's even-tempered take, is as follows:
We can be better spouses (or work on becoming marriageable). We can live more chastely according to our station in life. We can do more to protect children and young people from ideological poison. We can do something beautiful for our own small community of believers, whoever that may be. (Our household. The parish. The Altar Guild. The local Juventutem.) We can pray for the good orthodox, orthoprax priests we know personally, and tell them we hope they aren't put to the test.
I foresee a long work day of shame ahead, but when it comes to my own personal and spiritual life, I can now say a hearty "Bye, Fiducia!"
I am on the edge of truly and openly stating that he is not the pope Seraphic. I dislike him intensely and wouldn't trust myself not to redden his ear if I met him in person. Charlatan. And I don't think I'd regret it, because how can he be pope? His perfidious nature has shaken my faith so much these last few years. I am shook. The moon is in the sky, the Pope is in Rome and there's always milk in the fridge. Three things the Irish child that was me always counted on growing up. Gone now.
ReplyDeleteIf this comment may get you in trouble at work then delete, I don't mind. My thoughts though, as I'm sure you know from all the years and blogs I've followed you on now, are in earnest, not to stir the pot. Rudderless I am. Sinéad.
Well, Sinéad, these are frankly confusing days, and when I woke up this morning, I had the oddest sensation that there was no floor to stand on. However, I am comforted that for the first 18 centuries or more, the pope was a hazy figure to the average Catholic living more than a three-day journey from Rome, and it was the bishop or the abbot (or abbess) who counted. of course, we clearly live in a particularly stupid time, with certain people seemingly acting out Protestant stereotypes about their roles. Still, our age has its Athanasius; how amazing if an Augustine pops up, too. (Mrs McL)
DeleteI hope you're right, Seraphic. I'm presently choking on the dirt of the whatsits. (I can't come up with a name for them at the moment.) I'd like to see them all dead. Ahem. Erase if you must.
DeleteThe Japanese Christians could hold on their faith undre persecution for 250 years without priests, I wonder how they passed it on to their children.
ReplyDeleteSometimes living without leaders is easier than living with them. Dear dear, a painful truth.
ReplyDeleteI wish he was a hazy figure yonder. Hold on to the truth not murkied by Fr. Disappointment Japanese style. I usually bypass the Vatican news but this is RIDICULOUS.
ReplyDeleteSo I pray my Rosary and my other little prayers, read a chapter or two of Scripture and listen to Frances Hogan being a good laywoman seeing me straight on Scripture. Buy a book on a saint for Christmas is my plan and then going back to ignoring Rome. Terrible isn't it?
I coddle my sanity where I find it and it's in prayer, the saints and Scripture not him over yonder. I wonder should I fast for the conversion of Fr. Jesuit you know who. Sinéad
I do know who, and he's not universally loved among his own. Well, we in Ember Days, so you might as well today and Saturday. And then have the jolliest, most old-fashioned Catholic Christmas possible!
DeleteThank you for your serious prayer and fasting. I feel bad repeating "This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." (and not by declarations), when I do not do it myself.
ReplyDeleteYou ladies are correct of course. Fasting and praying is always the way. Brass tacks. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've been working my way through Scripture and yesterday John Chapter 10 verses 3-5 struck me. The shepherd walks in front of his sheep and they follow him. There are wolves and hirelings but if I focus like a dumb sheep on the shepherd in front of me then I will live. Eyes ahead, blinkers if necessary and concentrate.
I'm not smart and can't do apologetics but I can focus on someone in front of me. Everything else is just a distraction. Eyes ahead. If 10000 Catholics focussed the way we ought to we could probably drive Legions out of the Church. Anyway enough moaning from me. Sinéad
The traditional Catholics not in union with Rome much be especially worked up. Lots of people already have a hard time with Pope Francis. I'm not fond of all of his choices. We're allowed to criticize The Holy Father when necessary without leaving The Church, like St. Paul did to St. Peter in Galatians 2:11-21. St. Catherine of Siena got the pope to return to Rome.
ReplyDeleteSome bishops have publicly stated that they won't allow priests to give these confusing blessings.
I left the parish I grew up in years ago for another one because of a priest who got assigned there. I couldn't take the liturgical abuses, liberal homilies, and whatnot. I have family. I've argued and look like the rigid one for wanting reverent masses. Yes mom, it's good that he's a recovered alcoholic, but he doesn't have the right to change the words at the liturgy to inclusive language or make jokes throughout the hour. My aunt thinks that I shouldn't attend Christmas Eve mass without any other family members, so I reluctantly go then.
Whenever I get a husband, we'll go elsewhere. I'm not exposing any future kids to the place. The parish I belong to is good and offers some Tridentine masses.
Thérèse if you can get to Midnight Mass and home safely then go to the Mass you love. I have no husband and nobody in my family attends Mass. It's absolutely ok and in my case, necessary, to go alone. Sinéad
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