The following comes from a December 23 San Diego Union-Tribune article by Peter Rowe:
San Diego’s Bishop Robert McElroy would like solar power for every parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego; more priests to serve the 1.1 million souls he shepherds; a compassionate approach to Catholics who are divorced and remarried; a welcoming attitude toward gay parishioners; more stability and fewer worries for the immigrants in his flock; more money to underwrite Catholic school tuition for poor and working class children.
Pope Francis, McElroy predicted, will reaffirm church teaching that marriage is a lifetime commitment between one man and one woman — but may also welcome divorced and remarried Catholics into the life of the church, allowing them to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.
He also expects “new outreach and initiatives” toward gay Catholics. While the church does not recognize same-sex marriage and regards sexual activity outside marriage as sinful, McElroy stressed that church membership is not determined by a single litmus test.
“In Catholic thinking,” he said, “it is absolutely wrong to reduce someone to their sexual identity or their sexual life.”
Instead, McElroy said, the church needs to be equally welcoming to all members, gay or straight. He noted that some parishes within the diocese have shown an openness to families led by same-sex couples, baptizing their adopted infants and enrolling their children in parochial schools.
“I wish there was more of this welcoming,” the bishop said, “but there is a lot of welcoming going on.”
“but may also welcome divorced and remarried Catholics into the life of the church, allowing them to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.” Then Francis will be changing doctrine which by canon law he cannot do, he will be defying the words Christ himself. Francis should then declared a formal heretic… With all this reaching out by the new Church crowd I wonder if anyone single one of these “shepherds” once gave thought to the Catholic who striving to life their lives according to God’s will. Wait we are neo-pelagians are we not ?
I wonder that too. He seems to ignore those Catholics who are striving to be faithful. Also there seems to be no compassion for first families and first children. Something just doesn’t seem right.
I agree!!
I recommend rereading the parable of the Prodigal Son.
I agree!
“Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I agree!”
I meant this reply to be for Canisius.
Merry Christmas to all! God Bless us all! Pray for us Jesus, Mary and Joesph!
Amen
I would like the Catholic Church to return to the practices of the 1950’s. I would also like the entire world to acknowledge Christ as the King, and to be baptized into the one true faith. But, I doubt if this will happen, at least in my life time. God IS in charge, and He is purifying the Church. She will be much smaller, but also more holy. A Joyous and Holy Christmas to everyone.
Bad language = bad theology. Welcoming, inclusivity, openness, compassionate approach undermine the truth of identity as men and women, wounded by sin, coming to church for salvation from sin, not wallow in sin. You cannot be welcoming, inclusive, open, compassionate, or merciful without the truth about sin and the redemptive power of Jesus to free us from it. I don’t want a God like that, and I don’t see Jesus as that type of God: mercy without repentance. I need a church that frees me from sin not traps me in it. No man would want to be a priest in this kind of church. I can’t wait for retirement, and I’m sure there are those who agree that it is time for me to go so they can promote this agenda. God help us!
Father, Thank you for your clear words. Something seems so wrong. I pray for wisdom.
Thank you, Father. I pray for you every day.
Fr.Richard, please don’t retire and please don’t stop speaking the truth. We NEED priests like you!
Prior to moving to San Diego County 3 years ago, I was a parishioner in the Archdiocese of San Francisco (pre-Ab. Cordileone) and I am not surprised by Bp. McElroy’s “wish list”. My goodness, do we need to retreat to the catacombs??
Amen!
Bishop McElroy, I know that you do not condone sin and that you have preached from the pulpit that sinners should repent, are forgiven, and should sin no more. Can you give me examples of your new outreaches and initiatives towards homosexuals who repeatedly engage in sodomy particularly those in same sex marriages who obstinately continue to engage in such practices. Also, how do we as Catholics “welcome” such homosexuals.? In your response, if you quote Pope Francis (“Who am I to judge?”) please also include his subsequent explanation of the statement and that of the Jesuit Cardinal Lombardi. Of course, you remember, “if someone is repentant, truly seeks God, etc.”
Father Richard, I know what you are going through. I have retired early, so I do not have to put up with the garbage that I am supposed to embrace and promote. The bishops will try to persecute you, but canon law is on your side. Perhaps by being retired, you can do more good, and be freed from the nonsense that is so common today. You already know it, but offer up your sufferings, to purify your own soul and to make reparation for the sins of the world. God bless you.
and for my own sins too. Thank you, Fr. Karl.
A Blessed Christmas to everyone at California Catholic Daily.
Bishop McElroy is an example of the new bishops being installed by Pope Francis throughout the world. Who am I to judge except on air conditioners, solar panels, divorced, gays and illegal aliens?
As the bishop lied: “In Catholic thinking,” he said, “it is absolutely wrong to reduce someone to their sexual identity or their sexual life.”
Mercy without repentment is the new Francisplan to adopt the values of the world.
Dear Fr. Perozich:
Just want to pass along my admiration for your consistent good sense, publicly expressed, in this time of spiritual fog and deceit.
Thanks, Fr. Michael. The “replacement” theology of recent years has developed its own new vocabulary to promote its new agenda. Everyone is welcome at my parish to join me as I repent of my sins, confess them in Penance, pray at Mass and privately, and do the corporal and spiritual works of mercy at each opportunity given by Jesus. No one is turned away, although all are not yet repentant and thus not at the same level of mind, heart, and will. Still, Holy Church is open to receive their repentance, their confession of sin and faith, and their lives of service to God and man whenever Jesus convicts their hearts.
And I wish for Bishop McElroy and his Diocese – that the Bishop and his Priests start encouraging all literate Catholics to read both
a Catholic Bible, and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition” (aka CCC; 1997; dark green cover in USA) at home.
So they will know the TRUTH rather than error.
I also wish that they will teach about the 4 Last Things – Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.
And work to Save Souls for eternity.
Church definition of Heresy – CCC: 2089 …. “Heresy is the obstinate post-baptismal denial of some truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or it is likewise an obstinate doubt concerning the same”
.
The Bishops is wrong.
Condemnation for Receiving Holy Communion unworthily – 1 Cor 11:27-30.
Requirements for receiving Holy Communion – CCC # 1415; 1451; 1355.
There is much irony here:: “In Catholic thinking,” he said, “it is absolutely wrong to reduce someone to their sexual identity or their sexual life.” Yet this is exactly what the LGBT crowd does– their sexual identity it the focus of their lives. And now the good bishop would validate that focus?
Is the Bishop not busy enough running the diocese? It seems to me that
subsidiarity would indicate that solar paneling is the decision of the pastor
and not that of the Bishop.
Did you notice that Bishop McElroy’s first priority is solar power in every parish?
I re-read this article. Nowhere in it did I find the Bishop asking us, or wishing for anything outside of Catholic teachings. He simply indicated a wish/need for us to be a bit less judgmental ( I find that difficult to do) and to be more welcoming of everyone. Yes, that would mean having a homosexual or a few attending Mass on Sunday, it would mean divorced folks coming to church on a regular basis and being part of the parish. Is that so awful? Or should we have guards at the door to keep all sinners out of the Church? How can a Priest counsel some one if they are not part of the parish? How can we attract people to God if we are not welcoming?
Bob One, you are really being silly. No one keeps anyone from attending Mass.
No one asks anyone what their sexual preferences are, or their marital status.
It is not your or my business.
BUT anyone receiving “Holy Communion” while in the state of Mortal Sin, commits the additional Mortal Sin of Sacrilege.
– – – ” but may also welcome divorced and remarried Catholics into the life of the church, allowing them to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.” – is clearly Sacrilege. Those choosing adultery – having a sexual relationship with the valid spouse of another – violates the explicit teachings of Jesus.
Oh please Bob One can you not even read. He said “so welcome divorced and remarried Catholics into the life of the church, allowing them to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.” What is it about this statement you do not comprehend. He wants to defy the words of Christ Himself. You want to attract people to God, start preaching the hard truths that will get souls to heaven, if people aren’t interested then its on them not the Church. I wish to God the Church would end this obsession with gays, they either need to convert or be kicked out the Church they are destructive force in the Church and Society as a whole
Sorry Canisius, but I read too quickly. I agree that communion is still an issue as you point out. I was dwelling on the welcoming and involvement part of the Bishop’s wish list. I do believe that we should welcome gay people, divorced people, single people, cohabiting people and married people and any other group I may have left off the list. They and/or their priest can judge their readiness for communion. But, let’s welcome everyone to learn about Christ.
Bob One please answer without the typical liberal nuance, be clear … should the Church welcome those sinners who are obstinate and persistent in their sin, with no intention of confession or repentance??? And to correct communion is NOT an issue Our Blessed Savior already spoke on it, the case is closed, its only an issue for those who wish to defy Him
Yes, Canisius, we should welcome them. The Catholic Church is a place for sinners. If one does not consider him/herself a sinner, they cannot be Catholic. We cannot teach, admonish, etc. anyone who is not a member. If they are not welcomed into the Body of Christ, how will we evangelize them? I know too many people, myself included, who are continually sinning, yet we are welcome at Church. I know many who dislike, even hate, those with whom they disagree, yet they are always welcome. Many mean to repent, but fail, yet they are welcome. Christ wants everyone to come to Mass.
Well Bob One you are wrong as usual. So you honestly believe that a person who WILL NOT REPENT and NOT CONFESS should be welcomed into the Church ??? This is typical of liberal mind… All are welcome except the Faithful Catholic…. Lets just have schism and get it over with.
Hey Bob One its Pro Multis not for all……
Learn about Christ? Stop the BIG FAT LIE Bob One. The Catholic Church has ALWAYS been the welcoming refuge of all types of sinners. Homosexuality is a disorder. This is no different than a tantrum throwing two year old who wants his or her own way. This scourge upon society has been given in to inch by inch and now homosexuals want the mile of Church validation for their disordered acts. Stop pretending that you don’t realize that many shepherds also think that Christ approves homosexual acts, therefore they are welcoming in those sinful acts too. Only love and Christ’s REAL Truth changes hearts.
Please define “welcome”
At Mass I do not know if the person next to me is “gay” or divorced and remarried or cohabiting. At least I don’t know until we become acquainted and they brag about it, flaunting their life choice.
If they stay away it is out of guilt or obstanance, not because parishioners ran them out.
Or perhaps they were offended when Father pointed out that they needed to be in a state of grace before approaching for communion.
Bishop McElroy….have you heard the expression “if wishes were horses….
beggars would ride”? Wish away!. I would wonder why Bishop McElroy would have such thoughts when there or so many things he could be doing to improve the lot of those devout and faithful Catholics living in his Diocese. Bishop McElroy might be extremely intelligent but this does not make him practical. I for one am happy he is in San Diego and no longer in San Francisco.
Frs. Richard, Karl, Michael and all the wonderful priests who uphold and teach the Truth — God Bless you all!! Please do not ever refrain from speaking out. Jesus prophesied wolves in our presence…
“I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them”. Acts 20: 29-30.
“In Catholic thinking,” he said, “it is absolutely wrong to reduce someone to their sexual identity or their sexual life.” I agree. But isn’t exactly what the gay rights movement seeks? They identify themselves exclusively by their sexuality. In fact, that’s all they seem to think about. I really couldn’t care what people do in their bedroom, but that’s all they seem to care about and how they distinguish themselves. I am really tired of hearing about everyone else’s sexuality. It’s boring.
I once read this response to a TIME magazine cover story on homosexuality, and I think it is priceless: “Homosexuality used to be called ‘the love that dare not speak its name’. Now it won’t shut up.” Amen.
“Welcoming.” So that’s what they’re calling it now. Another ruined word for the lexicon.
Bishop McElroy IS to be FEARED (see Matthew 10:28 below) as the chosen bishop of San Diego but as faithful Catholics we are taught to still mercifully pray for his total conversion. A fostered climate of disobedience, (not weather climate) IS responsible for the shortage of faithful priests. Compassion = TRUTH!
“Welcoming” Solar Power, Adultery Power, Gay Power and Women Power – Latest Tools of erosion flying happily under the banner of a false mercy and a scheming guise of social justice to the planet. Don’t drink the poisonous Kool Aid.
“And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28
McElry—another devastating Francis appointment, probably promoted by Abp Gomez.
Will San Diego Catholics speak up and demand his removal?
Everyone-
PRAY for Bishop McElroy!!!
Yes I agree! And write to him your concerns too.
Innominato…. I reallly liked your letter politely asking Bishop McElroy some perceptive questions that do need straight answers. You should definitely send those questions directly to our Bishop, possibly even expanding on them. Since he made the statements to the public in our local newspaper they do need clarification. Would you also consider making it a letter to the editor in the U.T.?
Joan
Thank you, Peggy, and may God reward you for your kind and thoughtful comments to Father Michael, Father Richard and myself.