Of Puffery and Pulchritude: White-washing the Bad Bishops!

Have you ever noticed that diocesan "newspapers" are filled with puffery and pulchritude to make the diocese and the bishop look good? I usually glance at the headlines of The Arlington Catholic Herald and, every now and then, read an article, but for the most part, it's not worth the time. A standing joke with our previous bishop was to count how many of his photos graced the pages. Well, after all, the diocesan paper is the Catholic version of the celebrity fan magazine. Make the bishop look good.

The Disgraceful Appointment of a Clergy Abuse Enabler to the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.

Robert McElroy

No doubt self-described "devout Catholics," Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi, are delighted with Pope Francis' shocking elevation of Cardinal Robert McElroy to the episcopate of the nation's capitol. They need not fear any criticism or call to conversion from a man who enabled clergy sex abuse and covered it up. That Francis would do this fits with his enabling of sexual immorality, but, in view of the public exposure of McElroy's unfitness, it simply adds to the lack of respect for the Vatican and the office of the pope. 

But perhaps that's the idea. Looking at it from the perspective of those who hate the Church, anything that reduces respect for the the man who sits in the chair of Peter and the successors of the apostles may be seen as a big plus. Reduce the papacy and the episcopate to a dirty joke! McElroy certainly fills the bill in that regard.

Put on Your Black Arm Bands, D.C. Wilton Gregory is Coming to Town!

Pope Names First African American to Highest Post

Well...it's official...another member of the homosexual subculture is promoted and will take over the most important see in the country. Many in Washington mourn today that another member of the McCarrick/Wuerl clique is coming to D.C. Haven't they suffered enough?

This is an unmitigated disaster for both Gregory and the flock.  When these men gain power they tend to abuse it and the flock along with it. That certainly can't be good for a man's soul. I hope every Catholic will commit to pray for Gregory and for the faithful of D.C. who live in the midst of a political world so filled with corruption.

Poor Archdiocese of Washington, D.C.: Wilton Gregory Reportedly Gets the See!

CNA is reporting that the assignment is imminent.

Now let's take a hard look at Gregory and the insanity of sending him to follow disgraced Cardinals McCarrick and Wuerl.

Gregory is well-known for being a man who promotes and advances the gay agenda. Check out this article from The American Spectator:

Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory was a protégé of the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, who played a leading role in the Gaying of the Catholic Church in America. In a nod to that legacy, Bernardin requested the Windy City Gay Men’s Chorus perform at his funeral. As an auxiliary bishop under Bernardin in Chicago, Gregory witnessed the spread of homosexuality within the priesthood and hierarchy up close. Bernardin’s seminary was known as the “pink palace.”

The CCHD Collection Begins in Some Dioceses: Get Ready to SAY NO LOUD AND CLEAR!

In many dioceses the CCHD (Catholic Campaign for Human Development) collection is taken near Thanksgiving, but in some it is earlier and the name has been changed in order to confuse the patsies in the pew. 

Fr. Guarnizo Gets the Boot from Archdiocese of Washington

A CNA story has the update on Fr. Guarnizo's relationship with the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. Well, Cardinal Wuerl has a reputation for coddling the gay cabal and this episode indicates nothing's changed since his days in Pittsburgh. Shame on him and may God bless Fr. Guarnizo. Let's all pray for him. God promises that all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and serve according to His purpose. I claim that promise for Father. As for Cardinal Wuerl, his action makes it likely the gays will go after other good priests. Meanwhile, Barbara Johnson is the sweetheart of the local lavendar lobby. How do you suppose that will play on Judgment Day? What do you suppose God thinks about the action of a woman who destroys the ministry of one of His Sons because he attempted to protect the Body and Blood of Christ from sacrilege? I think on that great and terrible day I'd rather be Fr. Guarnizo than either Barbara Johnson or Cardinal Wuerl.

An Open Letter from a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Washington

Dear practicing Catholic families,

Here is a thought for those who support Father Marcel. Years ago, a wonderful pro-life priest returned about 5,000 dollars to Chris Dodd (a very pro-abortion politician), who had donated to his parish, because it was blood money-raised on the back of aborted babies. Across the country, word got out to pro-lifers that this pastor was removed by his Bishop because of this action. Many pro-life folks sent small amounts of money to this priest. Anyway, he received over 15,000 dollars of donations. http://www.breakpoint.org/commentaries/5187-thanks-but-no-thanks

Since I am aware of other faithful priests, who have operated in good conscience and had their priestly faculties removed--how about, instead of giving to the Cardinal's Appeal, that we donate money directly to Father Marcel. What about a monthly stipend of $25 a month per family? Just a thought.

Money gives people power. Why give money to those who appear to use their power in questionable ways? Since I do not know all the facts....for those who want to continue giving to the Cardinal's appeal---more power to you...but how about,also, supporting Father Marcel. These men who have offered up their very lives to serve are persecuted beyond measure when trying to live out the Truth of the teachings of the Church.

I believe St. Louis de Montfort was kicked out by his Bishop as well, and lived in poverty for years. St. John of the Cross was imprisoned by the Calced Carmelites for trying to reform them.

Does anyone out there have Father Marcel's address. I know he is at St. John Neumann parish. BTW, Father Fran Peffley, who I think is most holy, has also recently been disciplined by Bishop Paul Loverde. Father Haley is living in poverty in Virginia- for years ago bringing to Bishop Loverde's attention the pornography that homosexual priests were viewing at Father Haley's assigned parishes as well as the affair that one of the pastors was having with a parishioner who the pastor later married.. "When there is an imminent danger for the Faith, Prelates must be questioned, even publicly, by their subjects." ~ St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica II, II, q. 33, a. 4

"It is better that scandals arise than the truth be suppressed." ~ Pope St. Gregory the Great

"When circumstances make it necessary, it is not prelates alone who have to watch over the integrity of the faith." ~ Pope Leo XIII

"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of erring priests, with bishops as their signposts." ~ St. John Chrysostom (347-407), Doctor of the Church, generally considered the most prominent doctor of the Greek Church and the greatest preacher ever heard in a Christian pulpit.

"The floor of hell is paved with the skulls of bishops." ~ St. Athanasius

"The road to hell is paved with the skulls of bishops." ~ Saint John Eudes

Prayers,

Carol Shute

No Letup in Fr. Guarnizo Persecution

(Sigh...) It goes on and on. An article on the Washington Post Blog on Sunday discussed the Archdiocese's letter suspending Fr. Guarnizo for actions "unrelated" to refusing Communion to Buddhist lesbian Barbara Johnson at her mother's funeral Mass last month. Fr. LaHood, pastor at St. John Neuman where Fr. Guarnizo was serving before his removal read the letter on Sunday at Mass; then, according to the Post, said, "I realize this letter is hard to hear. Please keep mind that this is a first personnel issue, dealing with issues of ministry in the church. Father Guarnizo will have every opportunity to present his position."

Really? Excuse my cynicism, but I've seen how bishops allow priests to "present [their] positions." Fr. Guarnizo is now being accused of "intimidating" somebody at the parish. Wow! Nice little two-step there. All the revelations coming out about lesbian activist Barbara Johnson has made it hard to hoist Fr. Guarnizo on that petard, so the Archdiocese chooses a more general accusation that is hard to define or refute. What was his "intimidating" behavior? Did Fr. Guarnizo lose his temper and make somebody feel bad? Gosh, I've had priests' "intimidate" me with angry responses when I gently challenged their liturgical abuses. One leaned over and contemptuously said in my ear, "You're full of it, Honey." He then stomped off giving me the single digit salute over his shoulder. Hmm...I should have accused him of sexual harassment, but it didn't occur to me. Do you think his bishop would have suspended him?  So what did Fr. Guarnizo do, roll his eyes at some loony-tune comment? Did he kick a can in the parking lot that scared a liberal wimp? -- They have such tender feelings.

As one who's been accused of "violence" by liberal dissenters for daring to disagree with them,