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Posted on 11/20/2010 5:57:24 AM PST by gocatholic
A troubling headline at the Cincinnati Enquirer: Schism develops over Catholic campaign
A 'schism' is a clear break in the Church as a response to heresy. 'Heresy' is a clear rejection of a dogma of the Church.
Rich Leonardi, of Ten Reasons, is quoted:
"The groups funded are consistently highly political and always political in one direction."And...
"You end up with these very hard left groups with a very partisan agenda."Does that indicate a charge of 'heresy'? It's debatable.
Tony Stieritz, director of social action at the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, whose office Mr. Leonardi claims "sponsored a talk by a pro-abortion 'loud and proud' lesbian" (thereby suggesting Mr. Stieretz has been flirting with heresy?), is quoted:
"They are very selective about what parts of church teaching are important."And...
"We see them give one unfounded allegation after another unfounded allegation. It suggests they have another agenda: They oppose the bishops' support for social justice."Does that indicate a charge of 'heresy'? Well, if it's not, it's pretty close.
Stieretz also said:
"These kinds of polarizations can be magnified in the church. We're talking about people's belief in God."Does that indicate a charge of 'heresy'? Maybe. Certainly, they're very strong words. Opposing CCHD funding of a troubling organization (one you'll read about below) is, according to Stieretz, a threat to "people's belief in God". I don't think it could be called a charge of 'heresy'. It seems too ludicrous to fall into the category of being a clear charge of 'heresy'.
Michael Hichborn of American Life League is quoted:
"They are funding political action committees instead of actually helping the poor. When you get into these coalitions, you end up making bedfellows with groups with ideologies that are in opposition to the church."Does that indicate a charge of 'heresy'? No, it's a warning that CCHD is engaging in behavior that could lead to the loss of souls...or perhaps to heresy.
I looked up the Contact Center mentioned in the article and the first thing I found was a video of one of their meetings in which a great deal of time is spent asking people to help support legislation to actually increase a program that pays grandparents to care for their own grandchildren. Why is it necessary to pay grandparents to care for their own grandchildren? Maybe you're thinking, "Well, they're poor." No. The eligibility requirements include those who make up to 300% of the federal poverty guidelines. The federal poverty guidelines show that the poverty level for a family of three is $18,310. Three hundred percent of that is $54,930 which, frankly, is MANY MANY THOUSANDS of dollars more than I receive in a year for my family of FIVE.
In other words, there's a lot of money being wasted in the program, the Contact Center is asking their members to engage politically to ask for an increase, it's done in the name of helping 'poor' people, and the CCHD has funded the Contact Center in the name of helping "poor" people. But here's the froufrou on this already heavily-iced cake the Contact Center is offering up. In Part Two of the video from that same meeting the members get to hear a speech from a city councilman, Mr. Cecil Thomas, promising that he supports their agenda.
Now, here's the thing. I didn't even try to dig into what else this group is doing. I'm just posting the first thing that came up in my search results. Really. And the thing is that a lot of people (Catholic and non-Catholic) are struggling financially right now. Many people are completely out of work. A lot of this is due to community organizing in defense of "the poor"....the giving of loans to people who cannot afford to pay them...because of what is called "economic justice" and the "right" to own a home. (Note: I can't afford a home, either, but thank goodness I have a FAMILY who loves me and my kids, so I'm not homeless.)
It is not reasonable for the Church to ask "Joe Catholic" in the pew to shell out money to fund groups that are asking for what is arguably socialism and the replacement of the family with government.
To basically charge someone with heresy (again, read the headline) because you dare to protest the kind of thing the Contact Center is doing with Catholic money, and to label people as being disobedient to the bishops really points to delusion on the part of Mr. Stieretz. It appears to me that he is irresponsibly wielding the office of the bishop to condemn fellow Catholics in the press of disobedience in a very uncharitable manner.
Will the Archbishop do anything about it? In an interview earlier this year with National Catholic Reporter, Archbishop Schnurr had this to say about the Pope.
There were these stories out there … the Rottweiler and all that. These are people who did not know Cardinal Ratzinger. I had the privilege of meeting with Cardinal Ratzinger on a regular basis, because I accompanied the officers of the bishops’ conference. He was a man who always listened very closely and had great pastoral instincts. I can remember discussions where we had sent our concerns in advance, and the answers had come back in writing. If the officers thought the responses were not correct, they would go in to meet with Cardinal Ratzinger. There were a number of occasions where Ratzinger said, “Ah, that was not clear in the correspondence. We will have to rethink this.” That’s the Cardinal Ratzinger I came to know.Good deal. The Archbishop is appreciative of shephards who listen. Maybe he will have a talk with Mr. Stieretz, and maybe he will step up to the plate and support direct service to the poor instead of this political work that supports the left's agenda. Let's pray for Archbishop Schnurr and Mr. Stieretz. Maybe Mr. Stieretz has just had some bad days? Okay...a LOT of really bad days. Either way, something really should be done about diocesan officials claiming in the newspapers that parishioners who are concerned about such things are heretics.
DON”T GIVE TO CCHD!!!
Put a NOTE in the collection basket as to WHY you aren't giving them a dime!!
Is there really anyone left who still gives to the CCHD, or a priest who recommends giving to the CCHD? Silent Tea is passing through the Church as the People of God are now better stewards of their giving, and fully informed of the chicanery of the Lefties who reside in the Church. The smoke of Satan has blurred the conscience of man with politics and the Church has not been spared. We know who the enemy is, both in the air and on the ground, and we are engaging him. Many are repenting of sloth in matters of faith, returning to a prayer life and speaking out with voice and wallet.
Don’t bother, it is probably counted by people who rarely talk to the priest or the bishop. Instead, write a note to the priest and the bishop and the chancellor telling them of your concerns and ask for an accounting of the money.
Whoever wrote this article has absolutely no idea what “schism” is. It is remarkable to me how politics determines orthodoxy in Western Christianity. It is not remarkable to me how politics distorts theological and eccelsiological understanding.
I have the distinct pleasure of being in this diocese. Archbishop Schnurr is a good bishop, and I am very pleased we have him, really. Mr. Stieretz, on the other hand, is a bureaucrat. I won’t cast aspersions, as I do not know him. My charity is rather meager, I’m afraid, mostly due to having five kids. But I direct it where I wish. That it may not agree with Mr. Stieretz’ desires is perhaps regrettable (to him). As I’ve said before, though, being a devout Catholic means that I cannot give to groups who promote things or lifestyles that go against Church teachings. Historically, CCHD has given to groups that promote homosexuality and abortion. No matter how one chooses to phrase it, those are completely, utterly, against Church teachings. Because the list of groups to whom this year’s collection will be disseminated will be published AFTER the collection this Sunday, I cannot take a chance. I am not able to risk a Mortal Sin in this way. I will say a prayer for those who do, and I will give more next week, but I cannot support a proverbial pig in a poke.
You got that right. A “schism” implies someone breaking away from the mother church (the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church). Insofar as I can tell, no one in this article in communion with the Catholic Church has threatened to leave the Church over this issue or has done so, nor has any such person taken a considerable number of others with him or her.
This article also errs in its ridiculous accusations of “heresy.” Heresy entails assertion of false doctrines or dogmas or other rejection of the Magisterium and its teachings. CCHD is an initiative of a council of bishops, not a doctrine or dogma of the Catholic Church.
The debate over CCHD concerns tactics, not schisms and heresies. CCHD presumably purports to engage in corporal works of mercy and ministry to the poor. The debate concerns the issue of whether other persons, organizations, and tactics can perform such ministries more effectively while better avoiding entanglement with grave sin (particularly killing innocent babies).
Some persons involved in the debate and within CCHD and other organizations may fall into venial (or even mortal) sin. As long as they do not repudiate the teaching of the Church, however, they do not fall into heresy. As long as they retain their bonds with the Church, they cannot fall into schism.
Yes, the author is an idiot. But that’s no reason to lambaste the whole Western Church is lunatic because one goofball in Cincinnati doesn’t have the faintest idea what constitutes schism and heresy.
“A “schism” implies someone breaking away from the mother church (the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, the Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church).”
Its even less than that. A schism occurs when one bishop (not lay people or priests) breaks communion with another. There are of course schisms at the Patriarchial level and they occur not infrequently. They are usually not long lived at all, though the Great Schism has lasted for nearly 1000 years.
“This article also errs in its ridiculous accusations of “heresy.””
Exactly! Like I said, politics, if allowed to, will distort theology.
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it has been going on for decades..first figured it out in the late 60’s or early 70’s don’t remember which and hubby and I had big time discussion on it...finally got his 50 dollar once a year donation down to 5 dollars a year...he couldn’t quit cold turkey....they always gave to leftists org.
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