Fortitude

As I imagine many Catholics did, I spent a good part of yesterday trying to absorb the meaning of Abp Viganò's letter. Much of it is simply above my paygrade as a new Catholic, and it's only tangential to the scope of this blog. But there are concerns in the letter that echo my concerns about Anglicanorum coetibus and its implementation.

Certainly one issue is that Anglicanorum coetibus was a pet project of the prior generation's disgraced cardinal, Bernard Law. Another issue is the allegation of unholy hidden agendas high in the Church, and I think this leads to legitimate questions about who in Houston is trying to bring what into the Church by systematically and deliberately bringing in men who, irrespective of marital status, would not be ordained by any but the most corrupt diocesan bishop.

I recognize that Our Savior was fully aware that one of His first group of bishops was working for the other side, and He allowed this. I think we may assume that He allowed this in part to present an example of what the faithful must contend with. I also thought of Matthew 7:15-20:

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. 18 A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will know them by their fruits.

The level of scandal and creepiness we're seeing in the OCSP in just a short period of time should be a matter of serious concern. The lack of growth -- indeed, what seems to be a pretty furious effort in Houston to avoid the appearance of decline -- in the OCSP should be another.

One of my favorite priests on YouTube is Fr Mike Schmitz. He had this to say after the Pennsylvania report came out but before Abp Viganò's letter (and I don't know if he'll comment on that).

His remarks beginning about 5:30 on how he, an ordinary priest, simply never experienced anything like what is being alleged in the reports, brings to mind our own diocesan priests. At about 7:30 he talks about the good priests and good bishops he knows, including two bishops who are fully capable of refusing to ordain men about whom there can be any question.

I'm sorry to say that Bp Lopes is not one of these.

What's incumbent on me for now is to continue with prayers, sacraments, and devotions. I'm beginning to think that what may be incumbent on sincere, thoughtful Catholics who may find themselves involved in OCSP activities would be to distance themselves from a part of the Church that strikes me as being corrupt and, however new, due for a thorough housecleaning.

The best thing anyone can do is seek out a real diocesan parish with real, conscientious, hard-working priests and laity and undertake a real program of prayers, sacraments, and devotions.