Do the scandals never end? Where are the shepherds?
Today at Mass we had the reading of the prodigal son. The father is the image of God who watches and waits for the repentance and return of his beloved son. Our shepherds are supposed to be like that father urging those in sin to repentance. But no, many of our shepherds are urging the prodigal son to revel in his sinful lifestyle.
Here's an upcoming example. St. Simon and Jude Catholic Parish in Huntington Beach (Diocese of Orange under Bishop Tod Brown) is hosting the infamous Fr. Richard Sparks on September 17 (They're advertising him on their website). For those unfamiliar with this disgraceful excuse for a priest, you can read some of his blasphemies by visiting the websites linked at the end. These outrages include suggesting that Mary and Joseph may have "fondled" each other and Jesus may have necked with Mary Magdalene. He also tells audiences he likes women's breasts and he's got a bigger thing than Mel Gibson. He says, "I'm not anti-choice," which in my interpretation of the English language means he's pro-choice! He calls the Catholic Church a "denomination" and idolizes dissenters Fr. Charlie Curran and Fr. Richard McBrien.
Even worse than his blasphemous talks to adults is his sex ed series, Growing in Love, which is aimed at children. It includes teaching third graders about mutual masturbation, fourth graders about oral sex, and seventh graders about sado-masochism, sex toys, anal sex, and bestiality. Fr. Sparks' fixation on sex and his desire to teach children about its most depraved practices is chillingly reminiscent of the actions of priests engaged in child abuse. If a dirty old man in a raincoat gave children the information in Fr. Sparks' books, they could be arrested for abuse.
Please take action by protesting this upcoming talk:
Bishop Tod Brown 714-282-3000
Pastor – Fr. Michael Harvey 714-962-3333 mharvey@ssj.org
Nancy Cunningham – Director of Parish Faith Formation 714- 963-0014, x223
Check out these sources:
Mothers' Watch
Catholic Citizens of Illinois
Texans for Life
Women for Faith and Family
And while you're at it, you can write to Archbishop Joseph Di Noia and complain about Bishop Tod Brown's liturgical abuses.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Todd Brown the bishop where the woman who knelt for communion was either refused or dragged to her feet?
ReplyDeleteFor an extended list of problems in the Diocese of Orange under Bishop Tod Brown see http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/abbott/060420
ReplyDeleteWhaaaa? Why would one even need to SPECULATE on any kind of intimacy, sexual or otherwise, that Mary and Joseph and Jesus and anyone else may or may not have engaged? That's just the musings of a pervert, IMO. And his children's series, are you kidding me? With all the trouble the Church has had with the sexual abuse scandal, someone is really allowing him to publish material like that? I'm surprised he hasn't been accused of abuse himself (I wouldn't trust him alone with my kids!)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, Ellen. When a priest engages in all kinds of sex talk, there's something seriously wrong. And I think the bishops who allow them a platform in their dioceses are allowing the spiritual abuse of their people.
ReplyDeleteI don't say this lightly, but Father Sparks is a disgrace to the collar he wears.
ReplyDeleteWhy is this man still a priest?
ReplyDeleteWhat collar? (sarc/ off)
ReplyDeleteI have actually heard Fr. Sparks speak on several occasions. Contrary to most of the accusations against him on this blog, I have found him faithful to our beloved Church and committed to the life, health and growth of the People of God. His talks have been uniformly inspiring and helpful in deepening my own faith and commitment to our Church. I encourage you all to listen to him and judge for yourself.
ReplyDeleteYour "unknown" speaks loudly
DeleteI've heard his tape from the L.A. Religious Education Conference and all the disgusting comments posted here are fully documented. I don't care how many "inspiring" talks you've heard. He revealed his true colors and they are black as sin.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons for the First Saturday devotion of atonement is because of outrages against the Blessed Mother through speech. Fr. Sparks' blaspemous statements about the spotless Mother of God need atonement.
Calls to the pastor (Fr. Michael Harvey) don't get thru to him. His receptionist claims "you're taking this out of context... have your HEARD the recordings?"
ReplyDeleteOthers are simply being hung up on.
Calls to the Bishop (Tod Brown) taken by his Secretary, Deb McGrath - are being met with, "He has been approved to speak" . "By whom" is the obvious question, and..the response is "the chancellor's office"
-Well, the chancellor's office says, if it's a priest speaking, then Msgr Tuan Pham would be approving.
Contacting Maryanne Buncag (Sec to Fsgr TuanPham) results in , "We have no paperwork on him," and "He is not in our database." and "Well, we can't know everyone who comes to speak..." and "If the pastor doesn't let us know...I can't help you, he's not in our database..."
Well, Maryanne, whose job IS it? or better still, besides Fr. Michael Harvey and Bishop Tod Brown, WHO ISN"T DOING THEIR JOB!
The answer is all of the above. The pastor is accountable, but the bishop is where the buck stops. He's got an entire chancery of people to do checks on speakers.
ReplyDeleteBut Tod Brown is a bad bishop. Check the Renew America report on him. I give the url in my comment above. (Sept. 13, 8:19 AM).
One thing that the laity can do is what happened in Oakland a number of years ago. The people there were sick to death of the scandals committed in their diocese under Bishop Cummins. So they put together a DVD with documentation including: letters, photographs, videotapes, etc. and sent copies to many dicasteries in Rome. The feedback was very positive. A priest told me he went to Rome and was being asked, "Do you know those people in Oakland?"
Cummins' resignation was accepted post haste when he reached retirement age and Oakland got Bishop Vigneron. Among the things he accomplished was (TA DA!) getting rid of Fr. Sparks who was campus minister at the Univ. of CA Berkeley. http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=fb0fc5a3-96e2-4269-9e5d-75c3b2481803
Some people in the diocese would have liked to see Bishop Vigneron move more quickly; it was four years before Fr. Sparks' exit. I vaguely recall reading or hearing a comment from Fr. Sparks saying he was moving on because the atmosphere in the diocese had changed and wasn't friendly. He went to the Paulist Center in Boston which is a cesspool, exactly the kind of place he fits right in. So now he is Cardinal O'Malley's problem; but in view of the Kennedy gala funeral it seems unlikely he will do anything to crimp Fr. Sparks' disgusting style.
Ultimately, however, there is Judgment and those who enabled the scandal, especially bishops who could have stopped it, will be lined up for millstones.
The answer is all of the above. The pastor is accountable, but the bishop is where the buck stops. He's got an entire chancery of people to do checks on speakers.
ReplyDeleteBut Tod Brown is a bad bishop. Check the Renew America report on him. I give the url in my comment above. (Sept. 13, 8:19 AM).
One thing that the laity can do is what happened in Oakland a number of years ago. The people there were sick to death of the scandals committed in their diocese under Bishop Cummins. So they put together a DVD with documentation including: letters, photographs, videotapes, etc. and sent copies to many dicasteries in Rome. The feedback was very positive. A priest told me he went to Rome and was being asked, "Do you know those people in Oakland?"
Cummins' resignation was accepted post haste when he reached retirement age and Oakland got Bishop Vigneron. Among the things he accomplished was (TA DA!) getting rid of Fr. Sparks who was campus minister at the Univ. of CA Berkeley. http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=fb0fc5a3-96e2-4269-9e5d-75c3b2481803
Some people in the diocese would have liked to see Bishop Vigneron move more quickly; it was four years before Fr. Sparks' exit. I vaguely recall reading or hearing a comment from Fr. Sparks saying he was moving on because the atmosphere in the diocese had changed and wasn't friendly. He went to the Paulist Center in Boston which is a cesspool, exactly the kind of place he fits right in. So now he is Cardinal O'Malley's problem; but in view of the Kennedy gala funeral it seems unlikely he will do anything to crimp Fr. Sparks' disgusting style.
Ultimately, however, there is Judgment and those who enabled the scandal, especially bishops who could have stopped it, will be lined up for millstones.
Fr. Sparks had a workshop at Sacred Heart parish. I protest in front of the church. People drove in and said nasty thing to me. But when they drove out they apolized to me.This man is sexually sick in the head.
ReplyDeleteBr. Christopher B.P.P.
Brothers of Padre Pio
Thank you, Brother, for being there as a witness to make reparation for the blasphemies of Fr. Sparks. We need more like you.
ReplyDeleteFr. Sparks is now on the speakers list at this years Religious Education Congress in L.A.
ReplyDeletePlease write to Archbishop Jose Gomez and urge him to stop this known dissenter. God bless,
Br.Christopher Sale B.P.P.