In response to the news that broke today in The Pillar that some bishops are attempting to intervene to shut down the dialogue on Eucharistic coherence at the USCCB’s June meeting, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone released the following statement:
“When I was still a new bishop I remember a conversation I had with a priest from Germany, an old classmate of mine from Rome; he told me about how bishops in Germany would criticize each other in public through the media. I remember being scandalized by that and also being grateful for being an American bishop: while we have our differences, I told him we respect one another and would not do anything publicly to disrupt unity in the Church.
“I’m deeply grieved by the rising public acrimony among bishops and the adoption of behind-closed-doors maneuvers to interfere with the accepted, normal, agreed-upon procedures of the USCCB.
“Those who do not want to issue a document on Eucharistic coherence should be open to debating the question objectively and fairly with their brother bishops, rather than attempting to derail the process.
“I thank Archbishop Gómez for his integrity in assuring that the procedures of our bishops’ conference are followed, which is the only way to ensure respect and equality for all. I look forward this June to the serene dialogue to which Cardinal Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, exhorts us in his letter to Archbishop Gómez, so that we may discern ‘the best way forward for the Church in the United States to witness to the grave moral responsibility of Catholic public officials to protect human life at all stages.’”
From Benedict XVI Institute.
the judas tactic. if you don’t like the eucharistic discussion, call in the romans.
To our American Bishops: Do not allow a few behind-closed-doors tattletales derail a timely discussion topic already scheduled in compliance with USCCB procedures and apparently approved for discussion by 80% of United States Bishops. These objecting few want to rule the roost; open discussion appears to be foreign to them. They seem to prefer the back-door approach.
Concerning Cardinal Ladaria’s statement. Can it be as binding as the Cardinal claims? One may legitimately question whether it exceeds the CDF’s authority. After all, it is a statement of policy and procedural preferences. It is not a declaration settling a question of faith or morals. That is the CDF’s mandate. Moreover, the logic of the Cardinal’s statement is at war with itself. First, it requires indulging in the naive hope that a consensus of how to apply c. 915 can be reached by all the various Bishops Conferences in the Catholic Church, and no statement by USA bishops should issue until this is achieved. Does any informed observer believe that the African Bishops Conferences, for instance, will ever reach agreement with the German Conference, given the latter’s hi-jinks? Even more fatal to the Cardinal’s prerequisite of unity is his unambiguous affirmation that each individual diocesan bishop retains the right to apply c. 915 according to his own judgment and deny Holy Communion to the faithful subject to him, irrespective of the policy adopted by his Bishops Conference. Thus world-wide unity as to the application of c. 915 will be always remain impossible, realistically speaking.
And so there is no reason why the USCCB should defer discussing and debating the application of c. 915’s crystal clear words, right out in the open. After all, these Bishops are the most knowledgeable about the USA situation and have been entrusted by the Holy See with the spiritual care of USA Catholics. Let each one stand up and be counted.
So sad for Abp. Cordileone! Typical post-Conciliar “Catholic mess!” Now– are all these “Judas” bishops scared of Biden, Becerra, Pelosi, etc. laughing at them, and publicly tearing up their little letters of excommunication on TV and social media?? Is that what they are all scared of?? What if these men were in great, big, secular jobs, in very high positions of leadership– and had to get very stern with good, honest decision-making, highly necessary– to stop dishonesty and crime in their business or government jobs?? I do not think any of these “Judas” men could ever be trusted– regardless of what job they were in.
Maybe the bishops should use this discussion as an opportunity to lead and teach their flocks. They can be transparent and television their discussion.
Maybe some can explain why they think Holy Communion should be given to those who are promoting and funding the killing of innocent babies and the violation of their mothers. (I’m sure they won’t say “We’re just trying to provide political cover for Mr. Biden, Ms. Pelosi and those Catholics who aren’t really convinced that baby killing is a bad thing.”) Maybe they’ll also explain why the Archbishop of New Orleans was wrong when he excommunicated a couple of leading, public racists. And, as far as I know, not many are asking for the President and Speaker to be excommunicated. In mercy, they simply should not be given the Body and Blood of Christ and eat and drink judgment upon themselves. Maybe the bishops could publicly and in unison pray for the conversion of all political leaders. Let us hear from our bishops (and not only in a Confirmation homily or some crafted statement approved by a lawyer).
The USCCB won’t and can’t issue a conference document if 60 bishops vote no on it. The USCCB will do nothing. Let that sink in.
I think we ought to aim higher than to use a picture of a USCCB meeting that shows Cardinal McCarrick in the front. Sheesh.
No, it’s totally appropriate as ex-cardinal McCarrick was the liberal king maker responsible for many of todays worst bishops. His awful legacy cannot be denied and must be exposed at every opportunity.
Bishops Olson (Fort Worth) and Paprocki (Springfield) and Archbishops Aquila (Denver) and Sample (Portland, OR) have publicly spoken in support of Archbishop Cordileone and having the discussion as previously agreed upon by the bishops. Some of these men are leaders and understand that they must speak publicly, as the Apostles did during their tumultuous times.
Anyone want to speculate about the position(s) of these bishops?
I’m almost certain they support Catholic teaching. Only those who don’t stand with Christ and His Church feel compelled to operate in darkness, behind closed doors.
The “smoke of Satan” certainly has a strong grip on the Catholic Church.
“The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals and bishops against other bishops. … The Church will be full of those who accept compromises, and the devil will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.” Our Blessed Mother at Akita, Japan in 1973.
The alleged miraculous events and supernatural messages at Akita do not enjoy the approval of the church. What may or may not have happened in Akita should stay in Akita until such time as the church makes a definitive pronouncement on their authenticity, which is looking less and less probable as each year passes. No one should use alleged messages from Akita to interpret or understand current events.
The apparitions of Akita are officially approved. It is the local ordinary who approves or does not approve of apparitions. Bishop Ito did so in 1984.
The local ordinary approved it for local veneration. Do you live in Akita? It has not been approved by higher church authority for the rest of the faithful.
You don’t have to live in the diocese. It does not have to be approved by anyone but the local ordinary. The Vatican can intervene like at Medjugorje but you do not have to have higher church authority for people outside the diocese to venerate Her.
From what I understand Bishop Ito asked the Vatican to give formal approval to the Akita message but the Vatican declined. That’s sort of like a vote of no confidence.
When the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on earth?
Among this crowd, not so much maybe.