Dan Stollenwerk’s assertion (NZ Catholic, Nov 5), “the
hierarchical Catholic Church has lost some of its moral authority” is something
of an understatement. “Contemptible” (Mal 1,7) in the eyes of the world, more like it - basically
for failing, since Vatican II, to preach God’s word.
“Thou shalt not have strange gods” (Deut 5, 7) Not the god of feminist
ideology, nor the god of “new insights” proposed by Bishop Charles Drennan (same
issue), for “Jesus Christ is the same for ever” (Heb 13, 8). Changes never
mandated by Vatican II, foisted on hapless congregations (the most egregious
being Communion in the hand), have severely vitiated reverence for the Blessed
Sacrament in lay and clergy alike.
Obviously +Charles has difficulty with compound sentences, but
difficulties are a grace. And the
core business of the Church - working out our salvation “with fear and
trembling” (Phil 2:12) – will be served in the Mass, the summit and centre of our faith, not by dumbing it down, but by raising minds and hearts from the mire of
quotidian life to gaze upon eternal realities.
“What happens next?” asks
Bishop Charles. If the bishops have their way, the answer is many more
desertions from the ranks of what used rightly to be called 'the Church
militant' by disappointed, disgruntled, disillusioned Catholics.
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