The Vatican can rebuke a priest though…
Posted by Terry Nelson on Mar 23rd, 2007
Today Spirit Daily had a link to a story concerning two priests from the Archdiocese of Boston recently suspended by the Vatican as a result of homosexual abuse. One case involved a 30 year old mentally disabled victim - pretty sick. (Now that’s a priest a person could reprimand!)
St. Peter Damian’s words concerning homosexual priests seem to be taking effect in the reign of Benedict XVI:
“Unless immediate effort be exerted by the Apostolic See, there is little that, even if one wished to curb this unbridled evil, he could not check the momentum of its progress.” - San Pietro Damiani
It’s about time.
March 24th, 2007 at 3:21 am
It is time also for souls to unite themselves with the Blessed Virgin Mary to the sacrifice of Christ Eternal Priest and Immaculate Victim for the sake of priests, in reparation for the wounds inflicted on the Mystical Body of Christ, and for the sanctification of priests.
There are some who have deluded themselves into thinking that the answer lies in the studies carried out by highly paid sociologists, psychologists, and others in the human sciences. The root of the problem is the abandonment of prayer and the absence of a heart to Heart relationship with Our Lord in the mystery of the Eucharist. The grace of intimacy with the Heart of Jesus is given to priests through the Blessed Virgin Mary.
I have never known a priest faithful to prayer — especially to the simple childlike prayer of the Rosary — who has fallen into grave sin, and I have never known a priest, having abandoned prayer, who has not fallen into grave sin.
Our Lord speaks of demons that can be cast out only by prayer and fasting. The whole priesthood needs to be washed in the Precious Blood of the Lamb. The root of the crisis is spiritual; so too is the remedy.
In the last century the Holy Spirit raised up any number of souls with a mission to and for priests. Most of these — significantly — were women. I am thinking of Blessed Marie de Jésus Deluil–Martiny and the Venerable Servant of God Mother Marguerite Claret de la Touche, among others. Their mission to and for priests is as valid today as when it was first given.
It is not enough to denounce the sin. One must also announce the infinite mercy of God and the power of the Blood of Christ to repair, heal, and purify.
If, every time one hears of a priest having sinned or given bad example, one would say with faith and compassion the Litanies of the Precious Blood for him and for all priests, what a difference it would make!
March 24th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Thanks Father for your good counsel.
March 25th, 2007 at 3:24 am
It is noteworthy that Pope John Paul II beatified Mother Marie de Jésus Deluil–Martiny and that Pope Benedict XVI beatified Maria della Passione Tarallo. Louise–Marguerite Claret de la Touche has been declared a Venerable Servant of God. All three women had a special grace of self–oblation for priests. Are we listening to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church through these events? The saints teach us that when we are tempted to point the finger we should, instead, beat our own breast.
I wish that someone would write about the 19th and 20th century mystics graced with missions to and for priests.
March 25th, 2007 at 3:27 am
Maybe Maria Elena Vidal will read this and decide to write the book!