SUBJECT: RELIGION!!!
But most engaged in these most recent discussions (both on this blog, CEC Healing, and various internet forums) are missing the point.
The point is this:
The situation cannot -- CANNOT -- be fixed with the current leadership in place. (I'm referring to the leadership in the United States. Overseas, the situation might be different -- I just don't know.) The system is broken, and cannot be fixed by re-arranging the same broken pieces. The remaining bishops in the CEC were ALL complicit in the disaster of last year; many have been complicit in various issues since Manila in 2004. Even today, the truth has not been told in many places, and people continue to be hurt and misled. Those bishops which tried, in whatever way, to effect change or to demand accountability were marginalized, attacked, denounced, threatened, and forced out.
The laity can "demand" accountability; they can "demand" participation; they can "demand" anything they like -- but until the bishops admit that they are broken; that they have failed in their charge; that they have not been the good shepherds God called them to me -- nothing can or will change. A sick person cannot begin to get better until he acknowledges the sickness. And that's what this is -- a deeply-rooted sickness. "Retiring" Adler won't heal the sickness. Blaming blogs and forums won't heal the sickness either. It's often been said that sometimes, healing cannot begin until the parties involved hit "rock bottom". One would think that lessons should have been learned last year -- but apparently the remaining bishops have not yet hit "rock bottom".
For the sake of the souls still left in the CEC, I pray that the remaining bishops do hit "rock-bottom"; do come to terms with their own sickness; and earnestly and truly repent.
Papa Z
Labels: CEC Issues, Christianity, Ethics
posted by David Zampino | 11:18 AM
6 Comments:
David, You have hit the nail on the head, once again.
"The laity can "demand" accountability; they can "demand" participation; they can "demand" anything they like -- but until the bishops admit that they are broken; that they have failed in their charge; that they have not been the good shepherds God called them to be -- nothing can or will change."
Apparently, this has happened in San Clemente. Let us pray this is the beginning of a trend.
Something like this does seem to have happened in San Clemente -- at least, to a certain extent. I'm withholding judgment for the time being. Your comment, though, does lead me to two further thoughts:
1) It is possible for a particular parish to experience healing while the denomination around that parish remains sick.
2) Kessler's stated desire to resign as General Secretary in the near future may well be a moot point. He may still carry that title -- but does the title mean anything anymore? Bates in New York is Acting Primate (a position I personally believe he has coveted for years -- and has actively schemed for) and he's calling the shots. Regardless of whether Kessler holds the title, does he currently have any authority behind the title?
Again, let's wait and see. Some may think that it is too soon to bury the CEC; by the same token, it is certainly too soon to deem it healed.
Check out what Matt Cuthbertson and Kevin Barry (former CEC priest) have been up to since they left St. Michael's in San Clemente at: http://iconnewmedianetwork.com/?p=35
They just recorded their first podcast.
Peace +
Icon New Media Network
David,
I do not know all that is going on with the CEC, it doesn't sound good. I gratefully got out before this trouble, because I suffered enough of my own trouble. However, I have moved on and I am grateful for the exposure to a side of the church that I was unfamiliar with. I still use much liturgical, sacramental forms in our worship at Word of Life. the problem with the CEC as I see it is that they adopted an old wine skin and the instead the streams broadening out at the mouth of the 3 streams, it narrowed and brought control and death. It is not by yoru government but by your love that men know that you are disciples.
Pastor Michael Welchert
former CEC Priest and Canon to the Ordinary
the control tactics where tried against me, but I never lose to jezebel's spirit. That is why I left Ash Wednesday night March 5, 2003.
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