The headlines are depressing: a bishop resigns who defrauded an elderly widow of six figures, and no mention is made of this fact in the official Vatican announcement. A cardinal admits to abusing a 14-year-old girl when he was a young priest, conveniently just after the statute of limitations seems to have expired (and it seems the French bishops conference was aware of this fact for at least the last nine months).
If there is some small glimmer of hope, it’s the fact that these men are leaving office. Yet that is cold comfort, as they appear to be departing into cushy retirements, still technically clerics in good standing. Does not justice demand the loss of office, or at least being remanded to a monastery to spend the remainder of their lives in prayer and penance?
We read these stories and are rightly infuriated. And since anger is the passion by which we summon the energy to correct injustice, we want to know what to do with it. How? How do we stop these things from happening?
One thing is clear. To paraphrase the Dread Pirate Roberts: there is no quick fix; anyone who says differently is selling something.
The temptation towards a simple solution is an enticing one, because the enormity of the problem seems beyond the scope of our ability to handle it. So, when a sly, smooth voice whispers to us, “You know what will make this all go away…,” it can be difficult not to entertain whatever is proposed.
Some will say, “We just need a Vatican III to address these things,” and then present their laundry list of changes to Church teaching or practice that will supposedly solve the problem. However, that list looks suspiciously like the one that a certain segment of the Church had been advocating for decades prior to the abuse crisis even coming to light: optional celibacy, female clergy, desacralizing the priesthood, and so forth. A generous interpretation would assume they truly believe these changes would help; a cynic would say they are using this crisis in order to further an ideological agenda.
Others will say, “We just need to return to Tradition,” including everything from an emphasis on stricter moral teaching to Tridentine liturgy. Of course, this ignores the fact that cases of abuse took place prior to the Council, and that many cases of abuse documented after the Council were committed by priests who were formed in the precise milieu for which these voices advocate. Even if one were to stipulate that there is some sort of connection between tolerance of abuse within the hierarchy and tolerance of bad liturgy (which is tendentious at best), thinking that a liturgical crackdown would result in fewer cases of abuse is like thinking that Nyquil will cure your cold–you’d be treating a symptom, not the disease itself.
The fact is that the pre-conciliar Church was hardly a golden past. At the time the Council was called, Mass attendance was already starting to dip, and the social forces which would cause such upheaval were already starting to swirl. We think of Fr. Patrick Peyton’s rosary crusades of the 1940s and 50s as an idyllic movement of families praying together and staying together; yet Peyton started the movement precisely because he saw the family in crisis.
Still others propose that what is needed are tough canons severely punishing acts of abuse or their concealment. Yet even when attempts at such laws, such as Vos estis lux mundi, are put into place, we quickly see that a policy is only as strong as the will of those who are meant to enforce or carry it out. A law doesn’t do much good if it’s only occasionally implemented.
There is no quick fix. The problems in the Church are generational. And because our problems are generational, the solutions in the Church must therefore be generational: they must have an eye toward slow, steady progress. We are creatures of habit: habits take time to form, and time to change. Any problem in the Church is, to some degree, a problem of a habit that needs to be changed, and the challenge there is inertia.
Both habits and inertia build over time. Habits are formed generationally: we learn from our parents and those who precede us how to act, what to prioritize, what works and what doesn’t. For so long, the habit of hierarchs has been to sweep things under the rug, shuffle priests around, offer settlements for silence. We are now at the stage where at least rhetorically our bishops deem this unacceptable. We are apparently not yet at the stage where they consistently match their words with consonant actions.
It will take time to form a Church that does not accept abuse and takes appropriate action in response to it. It will take time to form the right habits. This is, to put it mildly, frustrating. But the sad fact is that we human beings learn slowly, and change slowly.
This truth is demonstrated by the ways in which God has dealt with humanity. The economy of salvation took thousands of years to unfold; the prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah centuries before He came, precisely because God knew it would take humanity that long to be prepared. Jesus Himself said that the Kingdom of God would grow like a mustard seed—slowly, gradually, from a tiny thing to a sprawling one.
Looking at the acts and words of God Himself as our template should remind us the process of becoming God’s holy people has two facets: God’s grace and our cooperation with it. We should take neither a quietist attitude of “God will sort it out in the end,” nor should we form action plans based entirely on our own efforts with no emphasis on prayer or sacramental renewal. God will indeed sort it out, but through us; yet for Him to work through us, He first needs to work on us. And that takes time. This is why the Church “thinks in centuries.”
I think this is what a synodal Church is: a Church that understands that she discerns and moves together, and “together” often means “slowly”—or at least, more slowly than we might like.
While we’re tempted to click on the banner that says, “this one amazing church hack that will fix your problems!” we must remember that the only sure method of becoming a holier Church is to tend the tiny mustard seed growing in the garden.
In this case, the mustard seeds are the young people being raised in the Church suffering from the abuse crisis. It is these Catholics who can become the laity and clergy who are willing to put the safety and well-being of the vulnerable ahead of institutional prestige—that is, if the hypocrisies and inconsistencies do not drive them from the Church all together.
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“It will take time to form a Church that does not accept abuse and takes appropriate action in response to it. It will take time to form the right habits.”
The laity don’t accept abuse and would take more appropriate action if they could, in addition to what they are already doing. The problem is within the presbyterate and episcopate, and entrenched clericalism. Fake “synodality” isn’t going to fix the problem of clericalism.
Real synodality might well help solve it if church governance and oversight is always done with lay people. Baptism is the mark of church engagement and leadership, not orders.
And yes, while most abuse happens in families, the deeper scandal–institutional cover-up–occurs in the clerical system.
Which lay people? The lay buffoons who dominate parish life today, who push themselves to the head of the line to be heard, insisting that the Church embrace the sex revolution and stop being “obsessed” with things like sin and “peddling guilt” while refusing to get with the times? Catholic anti-Catholicism is not limited to fallen away clerics.
On one hand, good point. But we need to eject the clergy and bishops from governance too. Let’s just leave it to the Holy Spirit.
On the other hand, your comment shows an overconfidence in transactional leadership. I suspect a few prelates actually fear sharing leadership with the laity. They know we will be a lot more firm and disciplined than they.
No. Self-deluded sinners are self-deluded sinners. And there is no “we.” A mob never solves anything. There is only truth.
You are right, dear Sol. Little point in re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic!
As faithful Catholics who think about actual realities – are we able to discern between the POWER-UNDER way of truth & self-giving trust in God we inherit from Jesus Christ and His Apostles, and the POWER-OVER (frequently abusive and evasive) organizationalism we inherit from the ancient Roman Empire.
This is a time when clear thinking, ordinary Catholics must speak up, loud & clear.
Stay safe; keep well everyone.
Always in the love of God in King Jesus Christ; blessings from marty
While not discounting the vital need to address all of this, it is also important to remember that looking to the laity is also not a “fix”. Most abuse happens in the homes…the homes of the laity.
We read: “I think this is what a synodal Church is: a Church that understands that she discerns and moves together, and “together” often means ‘slowly’—or at least, more slowly than we might like.” But, let us be clear not only about a “synodal Church,” but also the risk of churchy synod-ism…
FIRST, apart from the cover stories of sexual and financial scandals, synodality can be a genuine effort to discover the Church as a FABRIC of the entire family of the faithful. So far, so good…
SECOND, within the fabric and in actual practice, does synodality also nurture tapeworms set on replacing (!) the “hierarchical communion” among the episcopate and the papacy (the recent Vatican Councils—both halves) with a flattened PLEBISCITE? A plebiscite that abrogates the Natural Law and especially human sexual morality?
THIRD, what then, will be the real difference between the flattened Catholic Church and, say, egalitarian Islam where guidance is in the hands of non-sacramental and even relativistic imam facilitators? Radically sectarian Islam where each sect (synodal continent?) regards the others as heretical, but all still submit to a single oracle of sorts—the sola Scriptura Qur’an?
In the long arc of history, might we notice sola Scriptura Protestantism as the half-way house toward the current turmoil, as now re-stirred by Germania’s “synodal way”? And, more broadly under global synodality, as when all of the Successors of the Apostles are typecast “primarily as facilitators”? And, when legitimate intentions toward decentralization are then accompanied by (accompaniment!) apparent acquiescence at the center, the discounted Magisterium?
FOURTH, so yes to the “fabric” within the Church, and even to pragmatic “fraternity” across the board—as the perennial Catholic Church navigates or even tries to “leaven from within” the centrifugal forces of a post- and even anti-Christian landscape.
But, we do not construct any “project Church.” Instead, from the Last Supper and Pentecost, the Church is already (!) ASSEMBLED, by/in the Incarnation and the Eucharistic Presence. So, a larger yes to this Deposit of Faith including (inclusiveness!) moral absolutes handed-on in the Catechism and Veritatis Splendor—the “Splendor of the Truth”…
Truth, what’s that?
Before any group of peoples could have a form of discussion about any topic, there must be a basic mutural understanding of that SUBJECT! If not, it could be most difficulty to form a mutual agreement for a clear Conclusion about those ISSUS! The define of TERMS must be the first aggrement! Why should we accept GENDERS THAT ART NOT WITHIN OUR BODY’S BIRTH ANATOMY? Are we not: “One nation under GOD?” Is HE NOT the CEREATOR OF ALL THINGS, EITHER THOSE WHICH NEED OXYGEN TO STAY ALIVE OR THOSE WHO ARE LIFELESS, THEY DO NOT NEED OXYGEN? We the AMERCIANS, we all pledge our ALLEGIENCE to the Flag of our beloved U. S.A. that we are: “One nation under GOD, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all!” GOD is the Creator of all things, those are in need of oxgen and those do not within this universe that HE CRETED!
Imagin to live ten minutes without OXYGEN which we do not pay for, nor could we aford to manunfacture IT for the needs of each living breathing thing within the universe? If there is NO GOD; try to live without OXYGEN, just for TEN MINUTES! Could you live without Oxygen for ten minutes? I could not! I must. have OXYGEN EVERY SECOND IN MY LIFE! I need MY GOD WITH ME AN WIHTIN ME! For those who do not have God, PLese, stop breathing, plug yoiur nose with a clipper! “There is NO GOD! But ME, I AM AN ALL MIGHTY and POWERFUL HUMAN BRING! I DO NOT NEED ANY GOD… I AM MY OWN GOD!!!! LOOK AT ME!!! HOW GREAT I AM”
God bless our beloved United States of America! We are: “One Nation under GOD!
Indivisisble, with Liberty and Jut ice for all!” Thus,BE JUST TO HIM WHO gives all of us FREE OXYGEN FROM BIRTH TO DEATH! WHY?
Please STOP with all the capitals. It’s like you’re shouting at people.
When I was a boy, in the shelter of the overhang on the other side of Vatican II, I used to wonder what Jesus was talking about when He said, “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
I thought He must be speaking in another one of His heightened figures of speech — allegorical, metaphorical, whatever. I couldn’t imagine that He might be speaking straightforwardly. I mean, what could happen to all of those good Cardinals and bishops and priests and sisters, all those good parents like mine and my friends’?
Now, as I begin my eighth decade on this earth, I keenly miss the country and Church and family I was born into.
I miss being able to not have to question the faith of my Church leaders, my parish priests, my parish’s grade school teachers.
The pope.
Now, I see that poor Jesus was wrestling with the very real possibility that His work would be swept away by the sinfulness and vanity of us all.
It seemed clear to me that what we need — as a nation, a Church, a people — is faith.
We need leaders who actually believe what Jesus teaches, priests who actually believe what Jesus teaches, sisters and teachers and parents and people — all who actually believe what Jesus teaches.
And, yes, we need a pope who actually believes what Jesus teaches.
Enough of these Hollerichs, Bergoglio’s, Martins, Gregory’s, McCarricks and Pflegers.
Enough Pelosi’s, Bidens, Kapturs and Kerry’s.
Enough synods on synodality.
Enough pontifical associations on stuff they don’t really believe in anyway.
What is needed is faith.
Lord, we beg you…
Please!
Send us your Holy Spirit! Before it is too late!
If the Church survived one of its first episcopal candidates contracting the murder of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, and the first Pope thrice denying that he knew who Jesus was…both occurring within hours of each other, to boot…She can survive anything.
Dear ‘Brineyman’, what a great cry from the heart of a true believer . . .
AMEN, AMEN
The Precious Blood devotion, said to be specially given for our times in which our Lord asks for a more intense focus , such as the ‘mystical prayers ‘ – for the grace to be united to the Agonising Lord .
The need for effective means to live in purity including for success in NFP and as a Prolife issue , for grace to forgive – to be set free from life long victim hood and for deliverance as well as protection against the flood waters of identity confusions of our times – all these as urgently needed graces that our Lord desires to provide for The Church – as in being united to the Agonising Lord ..? which might be the mulberry tree to be ‘planted ‘ in the ocean for its roots to reach far down enough to break the mill stones around all who would have caused ‘scandal ‘ to ‘little ones ‘ , by also watching any programs that deserved the eyes to be plucked out – at a time when ? many of the children’s programs would fail the test !
http://www.queenship.org/product/devotion-to-the-most-precious-blood-3041a.html
A sample of the prayers here –
https://www.preciousbloodinternational.com/prayers_11.html
Interesting mention in above for the Reign of Kingdom , thus in line with the Divine Will devotion .
The Synod might be meant as a means to bring wider focus on all these areas – as well as cleansing The Church of any ? generational effects of all sorts of anathemas handed down through various councils and such in the past – in case its confusing remnants still around such as how there are Sts who are venerated in some , yet condemend in others who are still seen as in ‘communion ‘ and if this Synod does not reiterate the existing condemnations , would they no longer be valid ..
and allow The Spirit to have a deeper role all across ..
FIAT !
Apologies – having come across the Precious Blood devotion as mentioned above through the ministry of a well known exorcist priest only rather recently , had not bothered to check into its background , to find that there are controversies on same as noted in some articles on line ; unsure if such have been cleared up , since find it hard to believe that same would be promoted with enthusiasm by a good ministry . Looking forward to hear clarifications if available and meanwhile ,grateful that there are other approved devotions such as the 24 Hour Passion meditations –
http://www.preghiereagesuemaria.it/DV-inglese/THE%20HOURS%20OF%20THE%20PASSION%20FINAL%20EDITION%202014.pdf
Blessings !
“The fact is that the pre-conciliar Church was hardly a golden past. At the time the Council was called, Mass attendance was already starting to dip, and the social forces which would cause such upheaval were already starting to swirl.”
No. It wasn’t a golden past. It hadn’t been for a long time. By the 1940s…. make that 1920s or earlier, the heresies of Modernism and Liberalism were firmly entrenched in the Church’s “elite.” A Church that espouses heresy will never flourish. One need only look at the putrid desiccated fruit of the Protestant Revolt.
A Church that does not espouse the One True Faith as taught and upheld unchanged for centuries will die. Sadly the majority of the Catholic Church is among them. Only that Church which remains faithful will enjoy the promise of Christ that the gates of Hell will not prevail.
” One need only look at the putrid desiccated fruit of the Protestant Revolt.” Could you provide an example of this dehydrated fruit which you ascribe to the protestant?
Holy Scripture will undoubtably come to your aid on this one!
The word of God is unchanging, the vernacular will be a accurate translation and have impact.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Matthew 18:1-At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, …
Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
As we fight for the church, proclaiming the word of God, people will be attracted to her excellence which is a reflection of Jesus Christ. Those who love the Lord will speak and do according to the gifts (talents) God has given. To be productive servants gives us the comfort and assurance of salvation, which is another gift from the Lord.
A great essay that is spot-on in every way. Bravo!
There is a quick fix at least at a basic level: Stop admitting homosexuals to seminaries abruptly and without compromise. If not a 100 percent solution, it is at least 90 percent. Conversely, if this measure is not taken, the problem will prevail through all the ridiculous attempts (never successful) to just manage and cover for homosexuality better while by all means keeping the good times rolling. Homosexuality is the baseline problem. Acknowledge it and deal with it.