Posted on 07/30/2004 12:31:48 PM PDT by Convert from ECUSA
PORTLAND, Ore. - As a lay liturgical minister and a cantor, Wilma Hens was a leader at her Roman Catholic church in Bend for years.
But then Bishop Robert F. Vasa of the Diocese of Baker, headquartered in Bend, issued a two-page "affirmation of faith" that he requires all lay ministers and cantors to agree to.
Hens said she couldn't accept the document, which repeatedly states "I affirm and believe" the church's teachings opposing abortion, contraception, homosexuality and other issues. So she quit. Publicly.
She stood at a microphone at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Bend last month and told the congregation she was quitting her roles in the church because she could not accept the bishop's requirement.
"I could no longer pretend that I could ascend to some of those articles of faith any more than others can," she said Thursday.
The affirmation singled out issues that many American Catholics have struggled with, such as the sinfulness of contraception and "the church's teaching that any extramarital sexual relationships are gravely evil and that these include premarital relations, masturbation, fornication, the viewing of pornography and homosexual relations."
"I happen to believe that many of the teachings on human sexuality are just plain faulty," said Hens, one of at least six lay ministers to quit because of the affirmation. "I don't want to be held to those teachings. I cannot give my full assent. I don't want to pretend to do so in order to be a lay minister."
The Rev. James Logan, spokesman for Vasa, said the bishop was simply making his expectations for the lay ministers clear.
He said they would be expected to have read and agreed with the affirmations before resuming their jobs when it goes into effect next spring.
"What he's asked for is not a public proclamation but an internal checklist they would read through," Logan said.
The Baker Diocese is not the only one putting a new emphasis on making sure that lay ministers are following church teachings.
In Chicago, Cardinal Francis George sent a letter to Chicago-area pastors reminding them that a policy on fitness for lay ministry established in 1994 is still in effect, Catholic News Service reported this week.
James Dwyer, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Chicago, wasn't surprised by the Baker Diocese's new policy.
"I don't understand why the secular press is so surprised the leader of a church would expect a lay minister to support church teachings," he said.
But Tom Dolezal of Bend said it's not a matter of supporting church teachings, it's the blind adherence to dogma.
"If he (the bishop) is going to exclude any one who has any doubt about a church teaching, he's going to exclude 100 percent of the membership of the church, including himself. He has to be a human being, the same as me, and I have doubts about some of the church teachings," Dolezal said.
Dolezal, a communion minister and lector, has not resigned from his positions. He said he plans to confront the bishop and see if the bishop forces him out of his job.
The Rev. Thomas Reese, editor of the Jesuit magazine America, said it was normal to expect lay ministers to follow church teachings. But he said the affirmation was unusual.
"Typically what occurs is it's general policy that people involved in ministry to the church are to be loyal and faithful members of the church.
If they find someone who's communion minister who's leader of Planned Parenthood and running an abortion clinic, they tend to get fired. But this is unusual," Reese said.
The policy wasn't controversial for at least some priests in the Baker Diocese.
The Rev. Rogatian Urassa of Sacred Heart Church in Klamath Falls said it was too soon to tell how the policy would affect the people of his church because it doesn't go into effect until next spring.
"It's only in specified ministries. It will not be mandated to everyone who works in the church; people working in non-faith activities will not have to sign," Urassa said.
"But you cannot have a lay minister who is not vested in the faith and think that person will be able to direct the religious education programs. I think it's just an affirmation of what we're doing."
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
"But then Bishop Robert F. Vasa of the Diocese of Baker, headquartered in Bend, issued a two-page "affirmation of faith" that he requires all lay ministers and cantors to agree to."
Another case of too little, too late?
It seems some well-meaning bishops are now slowly starting to close the stable-door 40 years after the horse has bolted. Archbishop Lefebvre, on the other hand, clearly saw the writing on the wall decades back - but was "excommunicated" so the revolution could continue, and continue it certainly has. The liberals of yesteryear are now billed as "arch-conservatives", heretics are considered "compassionate progressives", and traditionalists are branded "schismatic".
Yes and the 3 I see on line every week surely represents a good percentage of the 200 hundred who recieve the next day. Of course the young woman who brings up the Gifts to the altar in her mini skirt cut below the cheeks really helps the young guys stay in the State of Grace for the Euchrist.
On one hand you say be careful of the door on the way out but on the other, we will pray for you.
Now here this! This is God! All Catholic Bishops must do likewise ASAP. I would rather have a few believing Catholics than Millions who pick and choose what they want to believe and spread scandal every where. Either you are for me or against me. A maybe or a somewhat is the same as a NO!
1 down, 10,000,000 to go.
"I happen to believe that many of the teachings on human sexuality are just plain faulty," said Hens, one of at least six lay ministers to quit because of the affirmation. "I don't want to be held to those teachings. I cannot give my full assent. I don't want to pretend to do so in order to be a lay minister."
The Catholic Church has NO "lay ministers", none. This Bishop is doing the right thing. He needs our prayers, as I assure you, he will be attacked by the vicious coven of feminazis that had been used to running the Diocese.
Today is my lucky day. For the Trifecta, let's pray for more Bishops with spines, more holy priests and more holy religous vocations.
"How many hours per day do you spend praying for the Holy Spirit to make you pure."
About as many as I spend praying to not have to go to the bathroom, i.e. zero.
The difference between us here, I think, is that you see idea of thinking about sex as somehow impure, whereas I see it as a natural bodily function.
"The difference between us here, I think, is that you see idea of thinking about sex as somehow impure, whereas I see it as a natural bodily function."
I would add that I am not in support of ACTING upon every sexual impulse, nor am I in support of extramarital sex, but I can't be convinced that masturbation, esp. by a priest (since a priest has no other outlet given his Vows) is an evil, impure act, nor a grave sin.
I should buy a lotto ticket. :)
So you think St. Paul is an unhelthy, bad role model? As well as Jesus?
So if a man was yunable to find a willing partner, then rape would be okay?
The difference between us here, I think, is that you see idea of thinking about sex as somehow impure, whereas I see it as a natural bodily function.
Sex is a natural function with a natural purpose. Like all of life, it also has a supernatural function, reserved by God to the marital act. Sexual continence is not unhealthy, else we would provide all of us who travel with health release workers (prostitutes). The fact is, many of us are aware that "thinking about sex" can be moral or not moral depending on who we are thinking about and what we are thinking about. Our Lord was very clear, looking with lust upon a women not our wife is adultery, a mortal sin. Acting on that lustful look either in solitary abuse or in physical adultery is sinful. You may not be Christian, in which case you may disagree, but if you are Christian, you truly cannot disagree and be faithful to Our Lord.
"I would add that I am not in support of ACTING upon every sexual impulse, nor am I in support of extramarital sex, but I can't be convinced that masturbation, esp. by a priest (since a priest has no other outlet given his Vows) is an evil, impure act, nor a grave sin."
I can't remember the exact chapter and verse, but Our Lord told us in Scripture "he whosoever looks upon a woman with lust in his heart commits adultery". I would take this to mean if a man looks at a woman to excite himself sexually, even without touching, he is committing a sin which God equates with breaking the 6th commandment (and 9th).
St. Paul also exhorts men to "control their vessel" and be chaste according to their state in life. I find it difficult to justify when masturbation would be ok based on these few Scripture passages. What would convince you it is a grave sin?
To me it seems most people have no control over their passions and/or let them run wild, which is the philosophy of our modern society. Look at how gluttony is afflicting our society! Don't most of your non-Catholic friends think it somewhat odd to have to fast and obstain on Fridays and during Lent? Why curb our passions?
Our intellect is supposed to lead us, not our lower appetites. We should be pure in thought, word, and deed. Pray to St. Joseph!
From the article:
"I happen to believe that many of the teachings on human sexuality are just plain faulty," said Hens, one of at least six lay ministers to quit because of the affirmation. "I don't want to be held to those teachings. I cannot give my full assent. I don't want to pretend to do so in order to be a lay minister."
WOW!!! One wonders how many "Catholics" there are if this is what lay parish "leaders" believe - "to Hell with what the Church teaches, I want it MY way!" Sounds like the Modernist philosophy of all too many clergymen is coming back to haunt them.
You may get mad at this, but you are the one who brought it up: what a hypocrite.
narses,
Just a quick note to say thanks for being such a faithful son of our Lord and Lady. You are a trooper on these boards and we are better for your presence here.
Keep up the great work my brother.
Kevin
Thank you.
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