We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog posting for a sidebar blog post, “Stop the Madness.”

             It seems The Church that has lasted 2000 plus years, with the ebb and flow of events, between wars, Martin Luther, three men, all claiming to be pope at the same time, as well as the sex abuse scandal has, as Christ spoke, “The gates of hell will not prevail against it…”  The words of Christ to Peter, quoted in and through scripture, dictated by history with all that has taken place, The Church continues, as she has been, is guided by The Holy Spirit.


I know first hand and understand what it is like to be a human being, we are all fallen, not without sin, struggle and often times fail miserably, to follow and imitate Christ.  I cannot understand those in the church, lay people, priests and in religious orders that attempt to defy the doctrines and teachings of The Church.  Such, would indicate a mental disconnect in the thought processes of now retired Arch-Bishop of Los Angeles Roger Mahoney, Arch-Bishop of Miami John Favalora and now auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala?  Was it somehow, when or before they were ordained as priests they believed they were going to change within the clergy, The Church and its’ teachings on sexual conduct, marriage and children?  Were they hiding out, waiting for the church to change such doctrines and then bring about a renewal in the church, to bring Her into the 21st century, sort-a-speak? I know first hand, no one is beyond temptation, sin and concupiscence.  The question that is begging to be asked and needed, were these men not aware and understood what the term “celibacy” means and how it applies to the priesthood in the Roman Rite, Catholic Church?  Would it not stand to reason, that a man that fathered two teen age daughters, serving as an auxiliary bishop falls outside the parameters and teachings of The Church...?  Is it possible that a person can be living such a life and it not occur, not only to him but others around him? 

Father Alberto Cutie, known in the secular world as “Father Oprah,” in Miami, made the mental connection even though he argued to some degree with The Church, after he realized he was in love with a woman, left The Church.  He understood being a Roman Rite Catholic priest, and having a wife and children are mutually exclusive.  It is hard to disagree with his philosophy and mental connection, “If….then…”   While I understand discerning God’s will for our vocational is not easy, fun nor simple and discerning the priesthood and, or religious life can be even more intense and difficult at times.  This further indicates that such discernment should be done with careful guidance and support of those that are learned and understand what it means to serve as such.  While we all are human, no one is perfect, we all must discern and strive to do the will of God, regardless, how difficult and painful it is and may become, even to the point of death.  Our actions and thoughts must always be wholly and fully turned to God in order to follow His will.  We must strive to align our thoughts with our actions, in order to follow Him, "Do good and avoid evil" and let our "Yes mean yes and, no mean no."

The Church has been around since Christ gave the keys to Peter, it has survived many encounters with evil brought about with and through our fallen human nature.  It seems to me, The Church stands as a steadfast sign which contradicts the ideas of people that attempt, with warped philosophies and theologies to infiltrate The Church in order to spear-head an effort to bring about a change from within in order to support their personal ideologies.  There seems to me to be a mental disconnect that if a person does not like what The Church teaches for whatever reason, they attempt to forward a crusade to force the church to change in order to fit their own personal feelings and beliefs rather than Christ’s and His Church... 

"Stop the madness" and simply stop pushing hidden, or in this case, not so hidden agenda’s in The Church.  If you do not agree or like what Christ and His Church teaches, there are a plethora of other beliefs and churches out there to choose from that may fit whatever your personal philosophy and theology is.  The last time I checked there was nothing in the Catechism of the Catholic Church that states we as Catholics must force the teachings of The Church on anyone.  If I am not mistaken, the late Pope, John Paul II in a homily, officially asked for forgiveness and mercy for the crusades of the middle ages. 

 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/homilies/documents/hf_jp-ii_hom_20000312_pardon_en.html