The May 2010 Euthanasia Prevention Coalition Newsletter can now be found at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/Newsletters/Newsletter108(May2010)(RGB).pdf Bill C-384 was soundly defeated by a vote of 228 to 59. Check how the Members of Parliament voted at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/HowTheyVoted.pdf On June 5, 2010, we are co-hosting the US/Canda Push-Back Seminar at the Radisson Gateway Hotel at the Seattle/Tacoma Airport. The overwhelming defeat of Bill C-384 proved that we can Push-Back the euthanasia lobby in the US and Canada and convince people that euthanasia and assisted suicide are a dangerous public policy. Register for the Seminar at: http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/2010SeminarFlyer(RGB)(LetterFormat).pdf The Schindler family are being attacked by a Florida television station and Michael Schiavo. The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is standing in solidarity with the Schindler family. My blog comments: http://alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2010/05/att
Reflections from the pastoral ministry of an Evangelical Catholic Priest.
Great article! I was thinking the same thing the other day when I saw the executive of the CCCB getting a tour of the Senate at parliament hill. The opportunity to warmly congratulate Thomas Cardinal Collins is a nice gesture - it would seem however that it is now time to end the parties and get back to work!
ReplyDeleteAnother stat that is of concern is an unofficial tabulation completed by one of our priests concerning the average length of time most of our Canadian Bishop's have spent actually ministering in a parish setting. If I recall correctly, the answer was something like 2 years or less! Many have been academics, with little parish experience. How do you effectively shepherd, if you do not know the challenges of parish life? You may be able to administrate, but what about shepherding the flock, including the deacons and priests ?
If the Catholic laity had approval over who got sent to be their priest and elected Bishops from among those, you would see a very different type of Catholic hierarchy. Alas, it will never be, huh Stevey?
DeleteThe question of approval is a tricky one dog as we see among our Protestant friends.
ReplyDeleteAnd so a priest or minister preaching the gospel - at times strong and challenging - becomes disliked because the congregation does not to want to hear it? And so he should be tossed? There are many such examples one could use. The other interesting question: what exactly constitutes a good or great pastor? The committee type man? Socialite? Humble servant? Could the system you propose not lead to considerable infighting and disunity?
The bottom line dog is that our church's life is not dictated by the 'congregational' model that we see in other churches. It is clearly hierarchical.
I have to agree with you Fr Steven. One just has to read a few of the blogs that some bishops produce to see that they love the fluffy,furry clothing and have wonderful pictures of themselves in complete regalia.
ReplyDeleteWould be nice if they did a "Cardinal Leger" and went about in simple cassock and actually spoke to people instead of preaching-and preaching for 15-20 minutes about..about....how wonderful the church is .That parade on Parliament Hill was sponsored by the Speaker and they surely looked as if they enjoyed the high snd the mighty.Would have b een better had they gone to a few soup kitchens
Yes! While I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Cardinal, he taught me and was my spiritual director, I do fear that the Canadian Bishops have embraced the executive/boss model, as opposed to the shepherd model. One need only cimpart the US Bishop's website vs the CCCB website to see considerable differences in pastoral vision. The CCCB gives the appearance that it's existence is kind of a inner backslapping club which is inwardly focused to the point of being narcissistic as opposed to an outwardly focused group of shepherds providing a prophetic and pastoral vision for the country.
ReplyDeleteIn no way directed at you anonymous, but others.
DeleteAs indicated in another place, while I respect the energy of Fr. Tim to engage in this forum, I shall take my leave. There are the typical church haters, crazies and wacky ones who do not want to engage in serious discussion.
Life is too short!