Overblown
SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- Reaction to San Francisco Archbishop George H. Niederauer giving Communion to two men in mock nuns' garb during an Oct. 7 Mass has been overblown, said the pastor of the church where the Mass was celebrated. "It is most unfortunate this incident has clouded the fact the archbishop came to meet with his people and celebrate a beautiful and reverent Mass together -- and that is what really happened," said Father Stephen Meriwether, pastor of Most Holy Redeemer Parish. "This incident has been blown way out of proportion," he told Catholic San Francisco, the archdiocesan newspaper. Reaction has run the gamut from some who insist the "sisters" had set out to embarrass the church and the archbishop to others who felt the unannounced visitors who videotaped the Mass were more of an intrusion than the costumed men.
Last year after the sex toy bingo at Most Holy Redeemer hit the news Fr. Meriweather was said to be placed "on leave" by the archdiocese. This bingo being held in the parish hall was also run by The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. After all the hoopla died down Fr. Meriweather returned to the parish. Earlier this year the BBC broadcast what turned out to be prayer service (or in reality a homosexual pep rally) at MHR by Fr. Donal Godfrey, S.J. who said about homosexuality" It's simply another gift from God who created us as rainbow people." Every year MHR has maintained a presence at the areas gay pride events and the parish web site has shown pictures such as men kissing.
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Why aren't these the types of churches that Bishops close when they need to consolidate parishes?
The closing/consolidating of parishes is largely (though not exclusively) an East Cast/Midwest thing. Out West, because of immigration and somewhat larger families, we can't build them fast. The only thing that keeps it in check is the priest shortage.
I agree with you, though. If and when we do start closing parishes, MHR should be moved to the front of the line. In fact, why wait?
Continued scandal with impunity and the mocking of God and Holy things. When will it end? Probably at the end of time.
We must use all the spiritual weapons at our disposal to counter these evils--prayer and FASTING and the sacramental life. Nothing else will do. We can only fight the evil with good.
Ave Maria!
Ah, yes. "A beautiful and reverent Mass" that includes a deliberate, public sacrilegious communion. And weren't the videotapers part of the "Sisters" organization? Seemed like they planned to have it videoed, hoping for a confrontation.
St. Michael the Archangel....
The more I read about this parish the more I am convinced that it needs to be suppressed.
CNS has now posted a longer story.
From John V's link:
Asked about reaction he had received, Archbishop Niederauer expressed concern about the impact of Web logs, or blogs.
"The blogosphere is a kind of dangerous, endless recess in a global schoolyard," he said, "where the bullies with the biggest bullhorns can shout whatever they want."
Apparently the archbishop hasn't heard JPII's thoughts about the value of modern media.
If the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence weren't looking to politicize the Eucharist and make a statement, then I suppose they just reached into their closets and their bizarre clothing just jumped out and they were miraculously dressed. They washed their faces and never noticed that the water had painted their faces white. Of course, their mirrors were all broken and they never looked down. They thought they were dressed in khaki slacks and dress shirts.
Aaron didn't get by with that argument--neither will they. What is the Bishop thinking? I prefer to be charitable, but his comment about the internet makes me think that he preferred a time when he would not be held accountable for what he permits and does.
Something is definitely overblown, but I don't think it's the adverse reaction of Catholics who love Jesus Christ, and fear for the souls of those who receive communion unworthily, those who now believe that an active homosexual lifestyle is a perfectly fine lifestyle, as well as the shepherd who is accountable for their salvation.
With prayers for the entire Church of Most Holy Rosary, and the Bishop as well.
Vince,
Archbishop Quinn closed 8 S.F. parishes back in the '90s. Former parishoners of St. Brigid's, a landmark that survived the 1906 earthquake, are still campaigning to save it:
http://www.st-brigid.org/
What say we give them their church back and close MHR instead?
It's overblown alright. Only problem is who's doing the blowing!
Badabing!! I'll be here all week folks!
Apparently the archbishop hasn't heard JPII's thoughts about the value of modern media.
Somehow I doubt those thoughts contained a guarantee that a very nasty culture would never develop on the Internet, so they really aren't relevant.
Besides: the value of modern media is not a matter of faith or morals (nor even of Church discipline) so I don't see a problem with the archbishop disagreeing. I mean, Catholics ARE allowed to have SOME independent thought now and then.