Love what the Pillar is attempting to do. My concern is how do you effect change in Dioceses’ where injustice takes place? How do you get rid of a Bishop who is unable to perform his duties and is enabled by traditionalists who have a mind of their own. How do you inform an apathetic laity. How do you survive as a follower of Jesus and Vatican 11? Everyone has theories but no concrete suggestions for those hanging by a thread. What about good priests unjustly accused? How does any priest survive after this terrible abuse situation. Looking for answers not a rehash of what has already been established ad nauseam. Sorry for the rant.
I remember +Weakland was visiting my parish and I had asked my pastor if he could get me the archbishop's autograph. Well he did, but the autographed prayer card perished in a fire at the parish office over the weekend.
Having seen now, as an adult, what his reputation and actions did to Milwaukee makes me appreciate that 'happy little accident.' I have a feeling his experimentation in the order of reception of sacraments and involvement in church music is a big contributing factor to why so many pews are empty here.
I'm wondering what our Cardinal Pell is thinking about Becciu's claims of reinstatement? Becciu was front and centre in getting rid of the Cardinal just trying to sort through the dodgy dealings in the Vatican finances. So many money transfers to Australia unaccounted for and not explained by Becciu during the unjust trial of Pell. I'll be keeping an eye on any musings that Cdl Pell might make about this turn of events.
The fact that they still call him Archbishop Weakland is a slap in the face to faithful Catholics, hypocritical, and continues to harm those who are victims of clerical and church related sex abuse. Can you tell us why he was not laicised?
I have been incredibly happy to be a subscriber to The Pillar, and plan on offering a subscription to a priest I know who enjoys your work.
Thanks to you and Ed and the rest of the team for your important work - and for always being a truthful, faithful and charitable voice despite all the partisan rancoeur that seems to permeate the Church these days.
I will admit to doing what I try never to do - commenting while emotional; as well as the additional sin of indulging in whataboutism. However, as to the latter I can at least make the weak excuse that I am responding to the Nate's Mission spokesperson's use of the superlative. Before diving in, I echo all of the very positive comments that The Pillar is literally doing God's work in its reporting. I'll note that pointed criticism often comes from loved ones. On that note --- I don't think there is another prelate who was so pervasive and aggressive in his covering up of priestly sexual misconduct as Bernard Cardinal Law. Perhaps McCarrick and Weakland are up there on the podium with him, but I don't believe either were more protected by the Vatican than Law. JPII gave him a promotion if memory serves. Additionally, the connection of sexual abuse to doctrinal development/reform or liturgical reform is unnecessary and could be misleading. Lefty priests and Bishops are no more likely to abuse and cover up than their conservative counterparts (See, Cardinal Law). This sort of erroneous connection reminds me of the USCCB report on the causes of the scandal that basically said it was the 60s and greater societal acceptance of homosexual relationships. The report ignores the fact that the vast majority of sexual abuse perpetrators are heterosexual and that homosexual individuals are up to four times more likely to be the victim of sexual abuse. I do not have the study links ready at hand, but a few minutes of research bears this out.
Right on J.D. Thank you for the work that The Pillar is doing. Much needed. Whether it is appreciated by some in the Church, maybe not, but you aren't working for them anyway. Keep up the good work.
"Conspiracy-minded folks will soon begin to say that Francis is “reinstating” Becciu because he is concerned that Becciu will speak openly..." Count me in that crowd.
But, is Beccui still on trial? 🤔
Love what the Pillar is attempting to do. My concern is how do you effect change in Dioceses’ where injustice takes place? How do you get rid of a Bishop who is unable to perform his duties and is enabled by traditionalists who have a mind of their own. How do you inform an apathetic laity. How do you survive as a follower of Jesus and Vatican 11? Everyone has theories but no concrete suggestions for those hanging by a thread. What about good priests unjustly accused? How does any priest survive after this terrible abuse situation. Looking for answers not a rehash of what has already been established ad nauseam. Sorry for the rant.
Weakland: very sad - but true!
I remember +Weakland was visiting my parish and I had asked my pastor if he could get me the archbishop's autograph. Well he did, but the autographed prayer card perished in a fire at the parish office over the weekend.
Having seen now, as an adult, what his reputation and actions did to Milwaukee makes me appreciate that 'happy little accident.' I have a feeling his experimentation in the order of reception of sacraments and involvement in church music is a big contributing factor to why so many pews are empty here.
I appreciate your sincere approach to institutional reform. Working in the system.
I'm wondering what our Cardinal Pell is thinking about Becciu's claims of reinstatement? Becciu was front and centre in getting rid of the Cardinal just trying to sort through the dodgy dealings in the Vatican finances. So many money transfers to Australia unaccounted for and not explained by Becciu during the unjust trial of Pell. I'll be keeping an eye on any musings that Cdl Pell might make about this turn of events.
The fact that they still call him Archbishop Weakland is a slap in the face to faithful Catholics, hypocritical, and continues to harm those who are victims of clerical and church related sex abuse. Can you tell us why he was not laicised?
I have been incredibly happy to be a subscriber to The Pillar, and plan on offering a subscription to a priest I know who enjoys your work.
Thanks to you and Ed and the rest of the team for your important work - and for always being a truthful, faithful and charitable voice despite all the partisan rancoeur that seems to permeate the Church these days.
I will admit to doing what I try never to do - commenting while emotional; as well as the additional sin of indulging in whataboutism. However, as to the latter I can at least make the weak excuse that I am responding to the Nate's Mission spokesperson's use of the superlative. Before diving in, I echo all of the very positive comments that The Pillar is literally doing God's work in its reporting. I'll note that pointed criticism often comes from loved ones. On that note --- I don't think there is another prelate who was so pervasive and aggressive in his covering up of priestly sexual misconduct as Bernard Cardinal Law. Perhaps McCarrick and Weakland are up there on the podium with him, but I don't believe either were more protected by the Vatican than Law. JPII gave him a promotion if memory serves. Additionally, the connection of sexual abuse to doctrinal development/reform or liturgical reform is unnecessary and could be misleading. Lefty priests and Bishops are no more likely to abuse and cover up than their conservative counterparts (See, Cardinal Law). This sort of erroneous connection reminds me of the USCCB report on the causes of the scandal that basically said it was the 60s and greater societal acceptance of homosexual relationships. The report ignores the fact that the vast majority of sexual abuse perpetrators are heterosexual and that homosexual individuals are up to four times more likely to be the victim of sexual abuse. I do not have the study links ready at hand, but a few minutes of research bears this out.
Fantastic reporting and commentary!
Right on J.D. Thank you for the work that The Pillar is doing. Much needed. Whether it is appreciated by some in the Church, maybe not, but you aren't working for them anyway. Keep up the good work.
Not a typist. Sorry. Vatican 2
You guys are doing God’s work. Keep it up!
"Conspiracy-minded folks will soon begin to say that Francis is “reinstating” Becciu because he is concerned that Becciu will speak openly..." Count me in that crowd.
Why isn’t this in the national and world news?
Thank you all ❤️🙏