Posted on 05/02/2002 7:48:10 AM PDT by history_matters
That raises the question, What name would you suggeest JR take upon assumption of this high office?
patent
For most of my life I wished I had a nice singing voice, but since I've lurked on FR, I've changed my mind - I wish I could write with clarity and meaning!
That said, I do think that some needed conservative reform will take place in the Catholic Church in America. It's terrible that it took things this shocking and grotesque to get the cardinals', bishops', and Vatican's attention, but at least the focus has arrived to some degree.
I have contributed to FR and would assume that others on this thread have too. I will continue to do so as long as I am able (and as long as I don't get booted for being such a burr under the saddle, or "self pitying pouter," as some would have it). As contributing members of a forum do we have the right to make suggestions, or even complain at times?
This forum runs by the contributions of its members, right? As such, I think they do need to provide something for at least the contributors.
Or am I incorrect in assuming that most regular FReepers do donate?
It's not in the interest of conservatives nor Christians for such repugnance to occur. Yet, Christians and conservatives both tend to take a position of cleaning up the mess and returning to righteousness.
An adversarial position would naturally attack when the chips are down for their opponent. I'm not witnessing a constant unrelenting attack by the Adversary nor by unbelieving men against the Church, nor attacks by Democrats incessantly, where they may perceive it their advantage without risk.
This lack of attack is what causes me to suspect that perhaps the vice is more confined to a very limited number and the extent perhaps is less than alleged. Those guilty are ashamed and remain mute, the Church being conscientious to the obvious heineity remains steadfast, comes out against sin, but doesn't immediately throw out all the mid to upper echelon members accused, and those who oppose the church are actually attacking as far as they believe they might reach without risk.
Again, this is pure speculation, but discernment of character and nature of the persons involved seems to indicate there is more than what is evident.
But seriously, thank you for your kind remarks.
In regard to the current revelations - and I'm affected by them with some immediacy because I live in the Archdiocese of Boston, and attend a parish in the Diocese of Manchester (NH) - it must be pointed out that publications like The Wanderer have been pointing out these potential problems for years. Now, I'm of the opinion that a steady diet of The Wanderer gives an unnecessarily negative opinion of the state of the Church, but they seem to be right on this aspect of things.
We're also seeing everyone with an agenda on the right ("It's all because of the Second Vatican Council!") and on the left ("It's all because of the celibacy requirement!") within the Church, and our enemies without ("It's all because they're pagan idolators who don't know the Bible!" or "It's all because they're sexually repressed!") piling on. Moreover, some of the victims' allegations are fairly transparent attempts to cash in on an apparent bonanza, though I'm inclined to believe that most of them have some merit. So, as usual, it's difficult to get to the truth, which is probably that there's a significant problem, though not a universal one, which would be best solved not by radical changes to Church structure, but by the hierarchy exercising its legitimate authority with greater vigor.
There's a well-balanced article by E. Michael Jones on this issue that I will try to post tomorrow, but now it's time for bed.
My position on this subject is that I pay my dues in the insults I must endure. When that behavior stops, I will resume my financial support of FR. In the meantime, there are any number of Catholic charities more deserving of my generosity.
But since I do not donate to FR, I also rarely post. It's just a personal decision, really.
Much as I hate to disagree with the good archbishop, whom I greatly admire, I've come to the conclusion that that are plenty who would hate us anyway. Bigotry is not a rational thing.
Thanks, but honestly, I know what is in my brain and what I want to say, but somehow, it usually doesn't translate well to paper.
Teach your children how not to become victims.
Teach them to talk to you about anything and everything even if it is uncomfortable for you.
Give them lots of love and attention so they don't need to find love and approval from others outside your family.
Supervise their activities and be as involved as you can be.
Know where they are at all times
Show up at odd times so no-one can ever be sure when you might show up.
Just a few things off the top of my head.
Yes, much of it may be independent sin of man, not influenced by demon or angelic involvement. But for it to have gone on for a decade and for NAMBLA founders to have any association, sure tends to be too great a scandal for the Adversary not to have devised a more sinister strategy around the whole affair within high reaches of the Church.
If these sins were several bombs falling at Pearl Harbor, it's as if the Japanese Fleet made a simple flyover, dropped only 5% of their bombs and then returned to base and the command simply acknowledging an enemy in the area and conducting business as usual. Situations like these make me nervous.
I hope you get the chance to post the article by E. Michael Jones, I look forward to reading it.
I just subscribed to "The Wanderer" and in fact, received my first copy a few days ago. I'd not heard of it until several posters mentioned it. This issue contained a nice column by Cardinal Fabian Bruskiewicz, now there is a man for our times! I pray for more like him.
What I like about the give and take on FR is the exchange of information and resources. The sense of collegiality you see in instances such as this.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.