No matter what one's opinion of ObamaCare, this kind of rhetoric is dangerous and borderline Protestant. I have as many complaints as the next guy with the USCCB and the way the Bishops are handling things, but the virtues of prudence and humility requires that one practice obedience and deference to the Bishops. At the very least, one shouldn't put oneself up as a personal magisterium telling the Bishops what they can or can't do.
Bishops can and have been wrong, you know? I don't think either prudence or humility would have been epitomized by obedience and deference to Arian or Nestorian bishops.
That being said, I am surprised that Santorum chose to attack the bishops for poor past decisions in not taking a firm stand against Obama in 2008, instead of standing with them now that the government has done something so egregious that they can't possibly keep their heads in the sand. I would have thought more could be gained by embracing new possible allies in the American episcopate instead of wagging a finger and saying "I told you so" (even though we, especially traditionalists at least, are justified in saying "I told you so").
Our bishops need our prayers and not our criticisms. Let's pray that they find the humility to admit their long alliance with liberal secularism, the courage to defend the Catholic faith from all error, and the obedience necessary to carry out the duties of their office in communion with the holy pontiff and fidelity to the mageserium.
I suppose I am as sick of Episcopal cowardice, indifference and treason as any other Catholic who wants to see the Church awaken from this long nightmare, and I have often, with justification, criticized the Bishops - even the head Bishop in Rome. But now that some of them appear to be growing a backbone in the face of a growing tyranny - a tyranny that Mr Santorum, I am afraid, seems not to have any substantial problem with - is no time to speak like the Senator has.
As much as I detest some of the past actions, and current actions, of some of our Bishops the best thing to do now is to support the courageous ones LOUD AND CLEAR, in every medium that we can. God sometimes chooses the strangest people to do good. So when these hitherto sleeping Bishops are now wiping the sleep out of their eyes let us encourage them as best, and I mean, as best we can.
St. Nicholas slapped Arius at the Council. We have to stop being nice or we shall find ourselves under a tyranny, as we all had the chance to stop Obamacare. Read my blog. I am much harder on the bishops than Santorum.
This is not a Protestant approach, this is the Church Militant. I am tired a weak men. We would never win a crusade today.
The bishops have been doing nothing all these years. That's not Protestant, that's Catholic. Protestants have nothing to reform, so it's ok if "Christians" become smug where they are. Catholics don't have that option, when souls are in jeopardy and society going to hell, we have to have courageous men.
Sadly, most bishops are weak and have not been taking active strides to teach even basics or correct abuses. But Providence has a way of sending a wake up call, and this latest news could be just that.
If even half the bishops in the U.S. who stumped for government involvement in health care had stood up, admitted "Ich war ein dummkopf!" (or the equivalent in English or Spanish), apologized to their congregations, and vowed to never be tempted by political expediencies again, then Sen. Santorum would have been out of line. They didn't and he ain't.
When I referred to being Protestant, I was responding to Tomas who said criticism was Protestant. No it is not. That the Bishops are finally acting is a sign of repentance, which is very Catholic. However, I am not sure most of the Catholics in the pews are behind them at this late date. And, I think Obama knows he can bully and get away with it.
Bishops suppose to TEACH! Clearly, they have done very little teaching loh these past 40+ years. Just look at that "voting guide" they issued and are set to re-issue. Thanks God there are a few powerfully good bishops out there (more now than have been for a quite a long while), but the USCCB and its agencies still lean more Democrat than Catholic.
No matter what one's opinion of ObamaCare, this kind of rhetoric is dangerous and borderline Protestant. I have as many complaints as the next guy with the USCCB and the way the Bishops are handling things, but the virtues of prudence and humility requires that one practice obedience and deference to the Bishops. At the very least, one shouldn't put oneself up as a personal magisterium telling the Bishops what they can or can't do.
ReplyDeleteBishops can and have been wrong, you know? I don't think either prudence or humility would have been epitomized by obedience and deference to Arian or Nestorian bishops.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I am surprised that Santorum chose to attack the bishops for poor past decisions in not taking a firm stand against Obama in 2008, instead of standing with them now that the government has done something so egregious that they can't possibly keep their heads in the sand. I would have thought more could be gained by embracing new possible allies in the American episcopate instead of wagging a finger and saying "I told you so" (even though we, especially traditionalists at least, are justified in saying "I told you so").
Our bishops need our prayers and not our criticisms. Let's pray that they find the humility to admit their long alliance with liberal secularism, the courage to defend the Catholic faith from all error, and the obedience necessary to carry out the duties of their office in communion with the holy pontiff and fidelity to the mageserium.
ReplyDeleteBC
I suppose I am as sick of Episcopal cowardice, indifference and treason as any other Catholic who wants to see the Church awaken from this long nightmare, and I have often, with justification, criticized the Bishops - even the head Bishop in Rome. But now that some of them appear to be growing a backbone in the face of a growing tyranny - a tyranny that Mr Santorum, I am afraid, seems not to have any substantial problem with - is no time to speak like the Senator has.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I detest some of the past actions, and current actions, of some of our Bishops the best thing to do now is to support the courageous ones LOUD AND CLEAR, in every medium that we can. God sometimes chooses the strangest people to do good. So when these hitherto sleeping Bishops are now wiping the sleep out of their eyes let us encourage them as best, and I mean, as best we can.
St. Nicholas slapped Arius at the Council. We have to stop being nice or we shall find ourselves under a tyranny, as we all had the chance to stop Obamacare. Read my blog. I am much harder on the bishops than Santorum.
ReplyDeleteThis is not a Protestant approach, this is the Church Militant. I am tired a weak men. We would never win a crusade today.
http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2012/02/are-priests-afraid-of-hell-do-some.html
The bishops have been doing nothing all these years. That's not Protestant, that's Catholic. Protestants have nothing to reform, so it's ok if "Christians" become smug where they are. Catholics don't have that option, when souls are in jeopardy and society going to hell, we have to have courageous men.
ReplyDeleteSadly, most bishops are weak and have not been taking active strides to teach even basics or correct abuses. But Providence has a way of sending a wake up call, and this latest news could be just that.
If even half the bishops in the U.S. who stumped for government involvement in health care had stood up, admitted "Ich war ein dummkopf!" (or the equivalent in English or Spanish), apologized to their congregations, and vowed to never be tempted by political expediencies again, then Sen. Santorum would have been out of line. They didn't and he ain't.
ReplyDeleteWhen I referred to being Protestant, I was responding to Tomas who said criticism was Protestant. No it is not. That the Bishops are finally acting is a sign of repentance, which is very Catholic. However, I am not sure most of the Catholics in the pews are behind them at this late date. And, I think Obama knows he can bully and get away with it.
ReplyDeleteBishops suppose to TEACH! Clearly, they have done very little teaching loh these past 40+ years. Just look at that "voting guide" they issued and are set to re-issue. Thanks God there are a few powerfully good bishops out there (more now than have been for a quite a long while), but the USCCB and its agencies still lean more Democrat than Catholic.
ReplyDelete