Bishop Vasa: "The State is not free to ignore our rights."(Photo from Press Democrat)
In San Diego diocese, Bishop McElroy in a Feb. 6 letter to parish priests: “Bishop Dolan, Bishop Bejarano and I will be praying for you this week as you carry out the decision-making and implementation steps.”
Santa Rosa Bishop Vasa on Feb 6 explains court’s ruling, gives priests the go-ahead for restricted indoor worship: “The State is not free to ignore our rights and the rights of our people to both assemble and worship.”
In Sacramento, Bishop Soto in a Feb 6 release said, “Catholics in the Diocese of Sacramento continue to be dispensed from the Sunday obligation.”
Oakland‘s Bishop Barber in a Feb. 6 release: “I am grateful to the Harvest Rock Church and South Bay Church for fighting these cases to uphold our right to worship, guaranteed by the US Constitution.”
Indoor services had already been allowed in Los Angeles since Dec. 19, high court ruling permits limited indoor worship in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, according to a Feb. 6 release.
Just speak with brother bishops and priests in other western states that have had indoor Masses for months…no problems, no drama…just the Mass. What does everyone think is going to happen? Making way to big a deal out of this…and the wise bishops know it…
Nothing will happen. it was all for nothing. the chance of getting infected is slim. oh, wow, infection numbers magically dropped in half after Biden was inaugurated. geee, wonder what’s going on?? we’re all being played. don’t give in. maybe the only good thing to come of this will be that Newsom gets recalled.
Catholic bishops leading from behind. Going with the flow. Jumping on the bandwagon. Taking no risks. Issuing statements. Is statement writing a course in seminary? Trying to appear out in front and bold, but really just waiting and doing nothing on their own. Thanks for nothing, bishops. Oh, I’m sorry, thanks for all your statements.
Not one bishop had the courage to join in the lawsuit. I’m very disappointed in our hired men. It’s like they don’t even believe themselves what they feebly preach. Oh, they’ll thank God and give the usual platitudes to seem holy, to seem like men of God. But what did God have to do with it? What did they have to do with it? And it’s still only 25% capacity. If the bishops don’t wise up and take action like a corporate CEO would to save his business, they’re going to find that they preside over dead, lifeless bones of a church.
I agree with “Anonymous. For centuries, the Catholic Church has been the leader against oppression, even against great odds. Now our Bishops can’t even agree on our fundamental rights. How many young people are we going to lose after the curtailment of our religious freedom — a freedom that is guaranteed in our Constitution. As Bishop Barber says — many thanks to the churches that had the courage to stand up for us all. It is our great shame that most of our Bishops were in hiding.
Nicholas Michaels February 9, 2021 at 10:14 am - Reply
Well, Bishop Barber thanked Harvest Rock and South Bay, just after making an outrageous statement on racism which was so offensive to every American by pandering to those who seek division in our country. Shame on him.
Your Fellow Catholic February 9, 2021 at 11:28 am - Reply
What was Bishop Barber’s outrageous statement on racism that causes you so much heartburn?
VALOR OF IGNORANCE February 10, 2021 at 12:31 pm - Reply
YFC— You make an excellent point: the article above, which provoked “Nicholas Michaels” to such nonsense, contained no racist statement by Bishop Barber. Let me make a point which may clarify things. These days, if you disagree with a point made by someone, there’s no need to refute it by logic. Just call that person “racist”. That settles the matter. We all need to “woke” up to this new style of argumentation. Dear God, please enlighten Nicholas Michaels and all others who stridently “speak with the valor of ignorance”. [credit to the late John F. Kennedy for the quoted phrase]
I believe Nicholas’ point, however badly made, was that Bishop Barber is an ineffective and weak leader with the wrong priorities.
Your Fellow Catholic February 10, 2021 at 3:36 pm - Reply
Valor, FWIW, I didn’t understand Nicholas Michaels to be saying that Bishop Barber made a racist statement. I just am not clear what the Bishop’s statement on race he was referring to and was seeking a clarification.
Bravo for Bishop Barber. He gives credit where credit is due.
Just speak with brother bishops and priests in other western states that have had indoor Masses for months…no problems, no drama…just the Mass. What does everyone think is going to happen? Making way to big a deal out of this…and the wise bishops know it…
Nothing will happen. it was all for nothing. the chance of getting infected is slim. oh, wow, infection numbers magically dropped in half after Biden was inaugurated. geee, wonder what’s going on?? we’re all being played. don’t give in. maybe the only good thing to come of this will be that Newsom gets recalled.
Catholic bishops leading from behind. Going with the flow. Jumping on the bandwagon. Taking no risks. Issuing statements. Is statement writing a course in seminary? Trying to appear out in front and bold, but really just waiting and doing nothing on their own. Thanks for nothing, bishops. Oh, I’m sorry, thanks for all your statements.
Not one bishop had the courage to join in the lawsuit. I’m very disappointed in our hired men. It’s like they don’t even believe themselves what they feebly preach. Oh, they’ll thank God and give the usual platitudes to seem holy, to seem like men of God. But what did God have to do with it? What did they have to do with it? And it’s still only 25% capacity. If the bishops don’t wise up and take action like a corporate CEO would to save his business, they’re going to find that they preside over dead, lifeless bones of a church.
I agree with “Anonymous. For centuries, the Catholic Church has been the leader against oppression, even against great odds. Now our Bishops can’t even agree on our fundamental rights. How many young people are we going to lose after the curtailment of our religious freedom — a freedom that is guaranteed in our Constitution. As Bishop Barber says — many thanks to the churches that had the courage to stand up for us all. It is our great shame that most of our
Bishops were in hiding.
Well, Bishop Barber thanked Harvest Rock and South Bay, just after making an outrageous statement on racism which was so offensive to every American by pandering to those who seek division in our country. Shame on him.
What was Bishop Barber’s outrageous statement on racism that causes you so much heartburn?
YFC—
You make an excellent point: the article above, which provoked “Nicholas Michaels” to such nonsense, contained no racist statement by Bishop Barber.
Let me make a point which may clarify things. These days, if you disagree with a point made by someone, there’s no need to refute it by logic. Just call that person “racist”. That settles the matter. We all need to “woke” up to this new style of argumentation.
Dear God, please enlighten Nicholas Michaels and all others who stridently “speak with the valor of ignorance”. [credit to the late John F. Kennedy for the quoted phrase]
I believe Nicholas’ point, however badly made, was that Bishop Barber is an ineffective and weak leader with the wrong priorities.
Valor, FWIW, I didn’t understand Nicholas Michaels to be saying that Bishop Barber made a racist statement. I just am not clear what the Bishop’s statement on race he was referring to and was seeking a clarification.