The secular events of 2016 have led to increasing skepticism about the conventional narratives that people want us to believe. Over the past several weeks, I've heard and seen a lot to discredit the conventional narrative about Our Lady of the Atonement. Here are some highlights:
- The comments at the Texas Public Radio site suggest that the parish is no more unified than any other, and disunity seems to focus on members who are also members of the Opus Dei prelature. According to Wikipedia, "Opus Dei has been described as the most controversial force within the Catholic Church." Without giving a definite opinion on it, I would say that qualities have been ascribed to it that suggest cliquishness, secretiveness, and elitism, which do not lead to parish harmony.
- The archbishop appointed Fr Wagner, an OCSP priest, as pastor of Notre Dame Kerrville in 2016, suggesting he has no bias against the OCSP.
- Although the parish is portrayed as united in grieving for the late Archbishop Patrick Flores, who led the archdiocese from 1979 to 2004, Mr Wilson said in the Save Atonement public meting that Abp Flores attempted to remove Fr Phillips as pastor of OLA, but this was thrwarted by Cardinal Law in his role as delegate for the Pastoral Provision. This attempt, on top of Msgr Steenson's abortive attempt in 2012, would make Abp Garcia-Siller's invocation of Canon 1742 a third attempt to remove Fr Phillips. The practical effect of Canon 1742 is to begin a formal investigation, which in light of this history does seem warranted.
- There are other puzzling events in the parish's history, including major controversies over the school. At one point, I'm told, an order of sisters connected with the school departed "in the dead of night". According to Mr Wilson at the public meeting, this led to Abp Flores's attempt to remove Fr Phillips. (My regular correspondnet notes that the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in San Antonio seem to remain on good terms with Fr Phillips. They are not a teaching order, and they were not affiliated with the school. Fr Phillips appears to have lent them a house when they first arrived in San Antonio but they are now living elsewhere and hoping to open a retreat house as you can see on their website.) At another point, there was a battle royal over the headmaster.
- Although media accounts of the controversy portray the parish as united in its wish to retain Fr Phillips, there is no good way to divine the intent of the rank and file. OLA is not a "continuing" group and does not vote its wishes. The parish council, which was cited in the decision to reverse the 2012 move to the OCSP, is not an elective body, unlike an Anglican vestry. At OLA, every vacancy has been filled by appointment for the past 15 years.
