Monday, August 25, 2008

Truth in advertising: There is no other way of finding Jesus except in the Church

Archbishop John Bathersby in Brisbane, Australia, has drawn the line in the sand; be a Catholic parish, or be closed. (Click the extract for the full text)



We would like to think that Episcopal oversight would prevent something like this long before this stage is reached, yet, here it is. Refreshing to see action, even late, taken. May all parties who have "kicked against the goad" (Acts 9:5) return to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic faith. Wake up, folks.

Hat tip to Fr. Z, Brisbane: Renegade parish to fly right or be shut down at What does the prayer really say

5 comments:

  1. It sounds pretty open-ended as to just exactly what the archbishop is going to do.

    Violence to souls has already been done. Almighty God can "lance the boils" in our souls, but even He requires our cooperation. For a human pastor, this is a frightfully difficult task. (But putting it off doesn't help either.)

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  2. This sounds like the same situation they're having in the Archdiocese of St. Louis with St. Stanislaus Kostka parish, right down to the priest who entered formal schism by abandoning his post without leave.

    I'm glad the archbishop here is taking action, but I cannot help contrasting his performance and his statement unfavorably with those of Abp. Burke, who acted promptly and decisively. I find this letter, frankly, mealy-mouthed. There is really nothing inspiring about the "social justice" concerns of a parish in schism, when it comes right down to it; and what good can a parish "undoubtedly" do when it has severed communion with Rome? All "good" works are dead when performed by those in the state of mortal sin.

    P.S. What is "wrong" with destroying a pagan idol set up in a Catholic church?

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  3. Prompt and decisive? That situation dragged on for years, if memory serves.

    Also, please consider that a statue of Budda is no more an "idol" than a statue of Jesus, Mary, or the saints, don't support the protestant claim about us.

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  4. I don't think Abp. Burke dinged around about dealing with St. Stanislaus; remember that he only became Archbishop of St. Louis in 2004.

    I must disagree that a statue of Buddha is analogous to a statue of a saint.

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  5. I stand corrected. I was unaware of the perversions of Buddhism that are out there.

    thank you.

    Catholic Encyclopedia article on Buddhism and Idolatry

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