Thursday, May 1, 2014

FATHER FRANCIS WALSH: "CHURCH DOESN'T RUN LIKE A CORPORATION"


I would like to thank Fr. Francis Walsh for standing up for our Church today in the local news. It is always heartening to see a priest take a public stand. He is sure to get a lot of blowback, especially for his comments about Church teaching on homosexual acts, contraception, and abortion. So pray for him. Been there.


And while I'm sure he did not intend to, Father Walsh also backs up a point I have been making on this blog in recent days. As you know, the Neocatechumenal defenders are no longer denying their unauthorized liturgical practices. They are simply responding with "So what?" or "the pope hasn't stopped us." 

Fr. Walsh makes it very clear in today's op-ed that the pope is not a CEO and the Vatican doesn't have an NSA or a police force; and if there is to be any "policing", it is the duty of the local bishop:
Each diocese (local church) has its own bishop, who is responsible to care for that local church. The pope, who is pope because he is the bishop of Rome, has the responsibility to ensure the unity of the church. But he cannot substitute himself for the local bishops at will. They have their own authority within their local church. The pope cannot interfere without good reason. 
The Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way places the NCW "at the service of the bishop as one of the forms of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith." (Art. 1 §2) Thus, in the Catholic Church, the buck stops with the bishop. 

This is why Archbishop Apuron could put an end to this entire conversation by simply clarifying the permission for the NCW to celebrate differently than the rest of the church in ways that are not already authorized in the Statute. The archbishop is well versed in his use of decrees and avisos and he has every pulpit at every Mass at his disposal as well as a whole newspaper and a radio station. On any given day, especially Sunday, he can reach more of Guam's population than the governor.  

Not doing so has provoked division and scandal long before JungleWatch. And WHY he has not done so is what all this is about. 



5 comments:

  1. The Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way places the NCW "at the service of the bishop as one of the forms of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of ongoing education in faith." (Art. 1 §2) Thus, in the Catholic Church, the buck stops with the bishop.
    Why does it feel like for this diocese, it is the only way, and that it is being rammed down our throats? If you are not in the way, better get out of way...
    everybody else has to support the child that wastes so much money acting like a jettsetter, thats gets all of Daddy's attention, while the rest have to forage for themselves.
    Way to go sheperd...

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  2. Wow. Maybe you should try the bishop position out, let's see how you handle you church.

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    1. I like these kind of comments. They make my point better than I can.

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  3. Janet B - MangilaoMay 2, 2014 at 9:09 AM

    Tim - I also noted with great interest what Fr Francis had to say about the hierarchy of the Church. All the NOW Kiko's point to Pope Francis (and Benedict, and JPII) lack of action as justification for their errant ways. But here is a professor at the Blessed Diego Institute who clearly states that the buck stops with our bishop, Benedict Apuron.
    Always so refreshing to have one of their own concur with what the non-NCW have been saying. I hope and pray the Neos will listen to Fr Francis. I know the die hard Kikos will find ways to refute what one of their own has said, but the truth will penetrate even the hardest of hearts over time.
    But Tim, I must respectfully disagree with what you have said on several occasions. You say "All the Archbishop has to do is tell us that the practices of the NCW are within the liturgical norms and this all goes away." Conversely, if he finally goes a ball sack and forces the liturgical abuses to stop we will go away.
    Please remember that there are many, many issues that must get resolved, as you will be pointing out in your response to the challenge laid upon you. Merely fixing liturgical abuses does not address administrative problems, financial mismanagement, clergy abused by the Archbishop, the division of the haves and the have nots. So many other issues.
    You have been challenged by a Kiko and you are responding.

    I hereby throw out a challenge to Benedict Apuron to start addressing all the issues you know exist but have been afraid to address up to this point. If you are a man you will rise to the occasion and I will start to show a little respect for the efforts. The more you address the more you will earn my respect. If you are not a man and own up to your duties, then I will continue to taunt you and disrespect you for your lack of shepherding.

    Benedict Apuron, the people of Guam await your response to the challenge!

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    1. Thanks for the opportunity to clarify. What I mean is that the question of the validity of the liturgical practices would cease because the Archbishop, the guardian of the liturgy in the diocese, has spoken. It would mean that he is aware of some special permission that the rest of us are not aware of because no bishop can change the liturgy without first having that changed approved by Rome.

      As for the other items on the agenda. Yes. It's open season. And there's plenty to do.

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