Pope takes action: Cardinals ordered to Vatican over scandal

The Boston Herald ^ | Tuesday, April 16, 2002 | Jack Sullivan and Eric Convey (with Tom Mashberg

[ELS]

Yes, it could have been a shot across the bow.

[sinkspur]

I would imagine it leaves many wondering if and when the other shoe will fall(when the big cheese in the Congregation of the Clergy ratifies it.)

He's not going to ratify it because it is theologically incorrect to say that a gay celibate cannot be validly ordained.

If you want to keep gays out of the priesthood, then don't ordain them. But you're going to have to wait for the current crop to die off or be laicized because nobody's going to retroactively invalidate a valid ordination.

Plus, if a gay priest is celibate, how would you know he's gay?

[Romulus]

Excellent! I hope your letter will stimulate and inspire many more. Thanks.

[Gophack]

Wow. That was a powerful and respectful letter. The Holy Spirit was definitely with you!

God bless.

[Domestic Church]

That's why I said if and when...I'm not a theologian. As far as the gay celibate issue, I think the religious vocation to that individual, carrying the Cross of that particular disorder, would be the brotherhood, not the priesthood...it comes down to finding the ordo for the individual. I don't think gays belong in the priesthood at all but I don't expect this to really change for at least a century.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Great!

You just needed to 'upper case' the "he" refering to Christ in the final sentence. (picky, picky, picky)... otherwise, excellent work!

[sinkspur]

As far as the gay celibate issue, I think the religious vocation to that individual, carrying the Cross of that particular disorder, would be the brotherhood, not the priesthood...it comes down to finding the ordo for the individual.

What an odd thing to say. What if the celibate gay doesn't feel called to the brotherhood, but to the priesthood? Or is it just the thought of a celibate gay getting his hands on the Eucharist that bothers you? You think it bothers the Lord that much?

[nofriendofbills]

Considering the recent history of the Christian Brothers of Ireland; well, I shudder at the thought of Gays becoming Brothers.

[desertcry]

Why is there a sudden increase in sexual abuse charges against the Catholic Church, and why is the media fanning this flame at this time? This issue against the Catholic Church have been formenting in the background for sometime. Why is it flaring up intensely now? Who are behind this attack, the islamic extremist, the pro abortion group or the homosexuals?

[malakhi]

Ummm, maybe the problem is that a few of the priests are molesting boys? Just a thought.

[caddie]

Your post is interesting.

I think part of the reason these Cardinals and Bishops acted so scandalously and with impunity, is that they are just treated too deferentially by the laity.

I would write to Mr. (Fr.) Montalvo:

Dear Most Excellent Dude,

The jig is up. The decades of arrogance, hypocrisy and condescension of the high-level clerics toward the Word and toward the true Church and faithful, is about to come to an end. And none too soon. You guys have been read the riot act, over and over again, for the past THIRTY years, by the Wanderer folks and other orthodox Roman Catholics. You totally blew them off (sic).

My advice is for you to resign, and have about two-thirds of the hippie, heretical, cathedral-destroying, homo-enabling, American Cardinals and Bishops do the same. Likewise any of the multitude of priests who want to get out before the indictments start rolling off the assembly line. And, can you guys please pay for your own lawyers, like I do? I'd like my Sunday offering to go somewhere besides down a rathole.

Asking for Dude's Most Excellent Blessing,

Respectfully, caddie

I think that letter has the appropriate tone.

[Romulus]

In case you're asking, you have my permission to send that letter. He'll get the message.

[caddie]

Man, I hope dude reads your letter before he reads mine (v.inf.).

[caddie]

(v.inf.) = (v.sup.)

My bad.

[caddie]

I wonder if JP 2 is not being kept in the dark by the Vatican higher-ups.

Last week there was this "statement" from "the office of JP2" that the US Cardinals will be handling the crisis all on their own, "without the involvement of Rome".

Then the news today, which is a total about-face.

Methinks the kids were trying to fix the broken lamp themselves before Dad came home from work.

Man, they are looking bad, the high muckity-mucks.

They need to put a call in to St. Arthur of Anderson.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

BUMP for Fr. Corapi!!!

[desertcry]

problem is that a few of the priest are molesting boys Yes, but this has been known far longer than I have live on this earth, and I'm an old man. So, why is this being brought to a fever pitch at this time? I'm not defending the actions of a few evil priest who molest young boys, they are no better than Cops who rob or kill people they are supposed to protect. Again, why now? There is a saying: "TIMING IS EVERYTHING". So who gains most from this issue if pushed hard now?

[ELS]

LOL!

[chatham]

Of the cast of characters that will travel to Rome to see the Pope none of this group should return to the United States of America.

If Bishop Gregory thinks this is much ado about nothing and that it is a media hype,but certainly not a crises for the church,He should leave with the rest of the Cardinals.

They all seem to be operating in a parralel Universe.

These guys making the trip are directly responsibility for the Crisis our church is in.

[history_matters]

I agree with you absolutely.