The following comes from a May 22 story in the National Catholic Reporter (online).
When Jesuit Fr. Michael Barber is ordained as the fifth bishop of Oakland on May 25, he will assume leadership of a large, multi-cultural diocese with a $114.7 million debt and clergy who are frustrated that plans to tackle fiscal problems and administrative inefficiencies had to be put on hold….
The May 3 announcement of Barber’s appointment came as a surprise, especially to priests who had been called to a May 6 meeting, believed by many to focus on administrative reorganization of the cathedral complex and some aspects of the Chancery. That meeting was cancelled May 2. “While we have been anxious for a replacement to be named, the priests of the diocese were told this would not happen until the fall,” wrote Fr, Robert McCann to his parishioners at St. Theresa Church in Oakland in the May 12 parish bulletin.
McCann questioned the quick scheduling of the episcopal ordination, just a month after Barber accepted the appointment. “This is amazingly fast,” McCann wrote, noting that Father Peter Loy Chong, who has been living at St. Theresa’s while earning a doctorate at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, will not be ordained Archbishop of Fiji until June 8, though he was named a bishop last December.
Others, speaking to NCR on the condition that their names not be used, said that they fear that some in the diocese pushed the Barber ordination forward quickly to stall implementation of the reorganization.
Some saw the reorganization as a partial response to an undercurrent of discontent about [Bishop] Cordileone’s leadership in Oakland that surfaced during a convocation of priests in October 2011, two and one-half years after he came to the diocese.
In two workshops, 59 priests identified issues that they presented to Cordileone. Summary documents obtained by NCR reveal that these included a perception that collaboration and consultation were undervalued in his administration, that an “ascending ecclesiology of the church” was being imposed on religious education training programs that “does not foster a broader ecclesiological framework and theological perspective,” and that morale had deteriorated among Chancery staff and parish priests.
The priests also expressed concern about a “lack of awareness, lack of attention, and a lack of resources to the pastoral and multicultural reality of the diocese.“
To read the entire story, click here.
Ecclesiological = means the branch of theology that is concerned with the nature, constitution, and functions of a church.
“……collaboration and consultation were undervalued in his administration, that an “ascending ecclesiology of the church” was being imposed on religious education training programs that “does not foster a broader ecclesiological framework and theological perspective,” and that morale had deteriorated among Chancery staff and parish priests.”
First of all those talking to the ‘National Catholic REPORTER’, are talking to a heretical group who support women Priests, married priests, Obama, Nancy Pelosi, LCWR, etc. The ban in the 1960’s against the ‘Reporter’ imposed by their Diocese Bishop has never been lifted, and we were reminded of that in 2013 by the current Diocese Bishop.
Secondly, any Priests who think they have the right to broaden any Church teachings are heretical and schismatic as well.
Everyone, including Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Nuns and Laity – all must adhere to the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”, “Code of Canon Law”, and GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal).
PETE,
Thanks for using PETE so we can easily tell even before reading that we are not dealing with the heterodox pete.
“ascending ecclesiology of the church” was being imposed on religious education training programs that “does not foster a broader ecclesiological framework and theological perspective,”
That would be something to complain about if I understand it right. A descending ecclesiology is the traditional way of seeing the Church. Jesus Christ as the Head, the Pope his vicar, the Will of God descends from Christ through the Pope to the Bishops to the clergy to the people. An ascending ecclesiology has the Holy Spirit telling the people and clergy in the local parishes what He wills them to do and the bishops and Pope watch that to discern the Will of God. I suppose in a perfect situation they both work together to accomplish God’s will. However, I lived in a parish where the pastor really believed that the Holy Spirit would guide the parishioners and it ended up a disaster. We still have blue Advent decorations because the liturgy committee “anticipated” the Church would change the color to be the same as the Episcopalian church down the street. So if the religious education training program is teaching them that the Holy Spirit will tell them what they need to teach instead of stressing the True Teachings of the Church, I would complain too. I don’t know if that was what it meant.
Sadly ecclesiology has morphed into bureaucracy.
Adherence to the CCC takes a second place to adherence to Jesus Christ.
Being faithful to the CCC is being faithful to Jesus Christ. He is the Head of the Church. Please find a good priest that can explain the Faith to you. God bless you, Skai/JLS.
When Diocese Priests fight for power, rather than adhere to their vows of obedience to their Diocese Bishop, there is a huge smell of sin in the air.
The only exception is when a Bishop does not completely adhere to the CCC, Code of Canon Law, and GIRM. (In other words, if they can PROVE the Bishop is not adhering to Church teaching.)
Lynn, it is important to remember that a diocese has many priests who need to be “as one” as much as possible. It is the job of the Bishop to lead the priest rather than just dictate to them. Good leadership creates a climate in which the priest want to be part of the solution. That did not happen under the last Bishop. He was a wonderful person, good sense of humor on occasion, very smart and well educated. But, he did not have good leadership skills. The priests (some of them) just got to the point where they gave up because no one would listen to them, help them with their pastoral duties, or even empathize with them. Can a Bishop just tell people what to do? Of course. Is that the best leadership skill to use? Not often, in any organization.
I hear what you say Bob One but be careful of hypocrisy. In my experience I often find that leaders who are the most vociferous in demanding “collaboration” from their superiors are the ones who are the most dictatorial when it comes to asserting their own power.
Bob One,
Have you ever communicated to Archbishop Cordileone how much disdain you have about his leadership abilities?
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Did I communicate my disdain to Archbishop Cordileone? No, because there was no disdain. I admire the man, his teachings, and his efforts. I didn’t write anything that would sound/look like disdain. Did I discuss his leadership style and that of the chancery with him? Yes, when the time was right and no one else was around. Keep in mind that he had very little pastoral experience prior to becoming the local Bishop. I pray that he learned a lot during his time in Oakland that will stand him in good stead in San Francisco.
Bob One, when you give your life to Christ, then you can criticize good Bishops.
Dissident Priests can submit their concerns to their Bishop for consideration. Those who take their heretical and schismatic beliefs public should not be supported. Those Priests who want power and control over the teachings of Church are NOT adhering to their vows of obedience.
I have, while he was in Oakland, and, to be expected, nothing happened , not even an acknowledgement of my communication – In his couple of years in Oakland he showed very little leadership qualities and has now been in San Francisco for 7 months and the same lack of leadership is oblivious – Leaders are needed and frankly we are in trouble –
Holiness is the quality required, Bob One, in a bishop. Most of them do not enjoy this quality, and thus fail to ward off the devil. This in turn causes souls to be lost … “If anyone harm any of my little ones”, a millstone awaits him, which may be used to turn his skull which lines the floor of Hell into powder.
You don’t know any bishops.
Anonymous, the Pope knows many bishops and told them to begin practicing what they preach because their hypocrisy is damaging the Church. I’ve met at least a half dozen bishops including Mahony, and the only good one of the lot is the late Bishop John Ward. I have not met the bishops who are talked well of on this site though, but I trust those who speak well of them.
He did not say that, but he did say that both clergy and faithful undermine Church teaching when there is an inconsistency between what they say and what they do. Our manner of life should be consistent with the Word.
All diocese Priests take a VOW of obedience. This gives us the “oneness” throughout the Universal Church.
If a Priest has a suggestion for the good of the Church, Diocese or his Parish, he has every right and should contact the Diocese Bishop for serious consideration.
If a Bishop has dissident Priests, he has no obligation to adhere to mob rule.
(The NC REPORTER promotes disobedience and dissidents.)
There is no evidence at this time that the new Bishop Barber will not actively try to get the Diocese out of debt. The appointment now, will give the new Bishop the opportunity to review any “reorganization” prior to it being put into place, and then possibly having to dismantle it.
As an FYI – the Oakland Cathedral Complex was contracted for and completed, years before Bishop Cordileone was installed in the Oakland Diocese on March 23, 2009. This so called “reorganization” was being put into place since Abp Cordileone left Oakland.
In 2005 some of the current debt was due to the Diocese having to pay out $56.4 million settlement with 56 sex abuse victims.
The “REPORTER” tries to discredit Bishops who are deemed to “conservative” by them.
I know one person who moved to Oakland specifically to be able to enjoy the Traditional Latin Mass daily. Pray this does not change.
This may just be the National Catholic Reporter making something out of nothing. It would be pretty unusual for an apostolic administration to make any innovative changes in a diocese. They are limited by canon law on what they can do.
If the National Catholic Reporter is correct about the reaction of these ‘priests’, then it is time for these clerics to find another job.
If they do not understand that their role is to teach the Faith in conformance with the Magesterium, and to be obedient to their Bishop, they do not belong as priests in the Church.
They could, however protest by refusing the financial support they receive from their Bishop and refuse any retirement benefits.
As someone said, “Put your Money Where Your Mouth Is”.
God bless you, bishop. From the sophistry proclaimed of “ascending ecclesiology” and comments regarding standardizing religious education, you have a group of map formed priests sowing discontent. May the Holy Spirit be with you.
I assume, Fr. Perozich, that unless you are assigned to the Oakland Diocese that you are not really in a position to say, one way or the other, what is sowing discontent among the Priests – We have had very bad luck with leadership in our Diocese for several years and I do not know if this Diocese will survive – A good start for the new Bishop would be to close and sell the Cathedral – I, for one, intend to give the new Bishop a chance for a few weeks to see what he will do – One does not need months to take charge only weeks – Time will tell –
Eric, your posts tend to admonish others for expressing their views. Why is this, do you know?
Because people like you Skai get things wrong ALL THE TIME!
I just keep telling myself “It’s a comment box, not a catechism class and not a seminary.” Hopefully, people will know the faith, or at least look it up in a reputable source, when someone posts something that is incorrect.
At ordination, priests vow obedience to their Bishop. Period. Too bad NCReporter (which is not really Catholic) doesn’t recognize this simple foundation to the priesthood.
Bishops have to obey God, and they don’t, alice, which is why Pope Emeritus told them to get holy, and why Pope Francis told them to practice what they preach. Jesus told his followers to practice the words given by the Jewish priests but not to live the way they lived … because they were hypocrites. What does this tell you that Jesus is telling us about obedience to bishops?
Skai, the majority of Bishops are not bad, and are holy. They give their entire life to Christ.
Unfortunately those in error seem to be in the media the most. In addition, it is wrong if you expect human beings to be as perfect as Jesus and His Mother. (Even Jesus’s appointed Apostles were all sinners.)
You must obey your Diocese Bishop in matters of Faith and Morals unless he is in error – whether YOU personally believe he is Holy or not. – – – – – – **** How do you know when a Bishop is in error – by reading the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” – a gift from the Magisterium of the Church.
“….the Catechism has raised throughout the world, even among non-Christians, and confirms its purpose of being presented as a full, complete exposition of Catholic doctrine, enabling everyone to know what the Church professes, celebrates , lives, and prays in her daily life.” – Pope John Paul II (CCC page xiv)
Read the AWESOME POWER that Jesus gave to HIS Church – Mt 16:18-19.
For some reason it appears you always want to ignore this passage.
We need to call an exorcist for this site. You read AND quoted the real NCR?
What next? A good confession with the firm amendment to not sin like this again will be a good start.
McCrea, “if you can’t stand the heat, then get outta the kitchen” (Harry Truman).
Catholics should take comfort from this article. Fr. Barber is a great appointment. When the National Catholic Reporter is unhappy, that’s a good sign. I do believe the author of the piece, Monica Clark, is an ex-editor of Oakland’s Catholic Voice, appointed by Bishop Cummins.
I don’t think the NCR was unhappy. It was simply printing the news, and in this case, the truth. There is a huge deficit and many of the priests are unhappy, not with their jobs/vocations, but with how they perceive they have been treated and engaged by the former Bishop(s) and the head office. Keep in mind, however, that it is an undercurrent not a rebellion.
Bob One, The problems with the Oakland Diocese are the priests. You say many priests are unhappy, well tough, they have no one to blame but themselves with their heterodox faith and disobedience. If these priests are so unhappy, then they can leave; too many should never have been ordained in the first place. As someone said on this site, going to Mass at most parishes in the Oakland Diocese has become a form of penence.
Don’t Priests take a VOW of OBEDIENCE any more, or is that gone?
Last I heard it is not up to Lay Theologians and Priests to write the rules.
There is one big exception regarding a priest’s obligation of obedience to his bishop, and that is when his bishop is trying to lead him in SIN!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
You are correct, Mr. Fisher.
And how do we all know when a Bishop (or Priest) is in error – by reading the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” for matters of Faith and Morals;
and reading GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) for rubrics of the Ordinary Form of the Mass.
LOL, some may be mad Cordileone didn’t also include a “[des]cending ecclesiology”! LOL….they can have their descending framework and God help them!
Hopefully it turns into a “sending” ecclesiology of the Gospel being sent forth through the faithful.
“I, for one, intend to give the new Bishop a chance for a few weeks”
That’s really big of you. Sheesh.
Quercopalitanus, thank you for your comment but I say again, unless you live in the Oakland Diocese, I do not think you really know what has been going on the last few years – Any leader, in any profession, needs 30 to 90 days to make his mark and let individuals know what his plans are – This is also true of any religious leader –
Well, it seems to me that EVERY Bishop nowadays has a rough job.
He has to deal with the child abuse mess, the schism in the Church, people clamoring for changes (women’s ordination, gay marriage, and so forth), and those who are disobedient even if he asks them just to breathe air.
I pray for our Bishops and hope they will be men of good faith and also strong to deal with the challenges…
I hope those who could not attend the Installation Mass of Bishop Barber in Oakland, had the opportunity to watch it on EWTN today.
He addressed the issues (in the article). He appears to be a good and holy man with a great sense of humor.
We should all pray for his success.
What a wonderful ordination and instal. Very traditional and holy, with a gental mix of humor.
To the complaining priests of Oakland: an ascending ecclesiology aint bad. If the Church’s outlook ascends it does so all the way up to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which is where the orientation of the Church should be!
jon, you seem to be caught up in the duality of “Christ from below; Christ from above” controversy. Why don’t you get with the power and authority in the Sacraments instead?
Skai, you don’t understand what you are saying. The Sacraments themselves orient us upwards—to God! It’s an ascending ecclesiology. You have thereby sided yourself with the ridiculousness in the Oakland diocese. It figures, Skai. It figures.
jon, you display no knowledge of any catechesis other than the shallow “Christ from below, Christ from above” deelybob that started with the Protestants over a century ago and was taken up by modernist leaning Catholic theologians later. Catholicism made most of her gains in souls for twothousand years without this Enlightenment type fad that you preach.
Skai, you really don’t know what you’re talking about.
Some people really should lose the privilege of owning an internet connection and a keyboard. Having such things only reveal the vacuousness of their thoughts and the heresy in their beliefs.
jon – God’s grace flows from Him. It does not go from us up to Him.
In addition read Mt 16:18-19. Jesus did not give the same authority to all of his Priests. Jesus knew that everyone can not be running around with leadership authority.
Who said anything about grace going from the Church to God?? No one! Except you!! Like Skai you have totally missed my point. It figures. Some people here are just interested in spewing their falsehoods instead of actually READING what they are commenting on!
Why does anyone pay attention to the National Catholic Reporter? It is a schismatic if not outright heretical rag. I read it online mostly to see what outrageous bilge the enemies of our holy mother church are polluting their readers minds with. May I mention that articles from the so-called “Catholic” publication occasionally appear in our diocesan newspaper? By the way, I pay little attention to what our diocesan paper has eo say, either…
Anton, please HELP stop the teaching of heresy and schism within your Diocese.
There should be no use of, promotion of, or advertising of the “National Catholic REPORTER” in your Diocese newspaper.
Contact your diocese Bishop with a copy to the US Papal Nuncio in Washington DC.
Addresses can be found on the internet.
Include the following for best results:
– – –
1) Copy of the text of Bishop Helmsing’s condemnation which has never been lifted by any of the St. Louis Diocese Bishops (where the Reporter is headquartered).
It includes but is not limited to: “In fairness to our Catholic people, I hereby issue an official condemnation of the National Catholic Reporter. Furthermore, I send this communication to my brother bishops, and make known to the priests, religious and laity of the nation my views on the poisonous character of this publication.”
On the net search: “Bishop Helmsing heresy Reporter 1968 – GREENSPUN”.
– – –
2. Current Diocese Bishop’s statement in full which includes:
“….editorial stances of the Reporter: officially condemning Church teaching on the ordination of women, insistent undermining of Church teaching on artificial contraception and sexual morality in general, lionizing dissident theologies while rejecting established Magisterial teaching, and a litany of other issues.”
and
“…From my perspective, NCR’s positions against authentic Church teaching and leadership have not changed trajectory in the intervening decades.”
On the net search: “Bishop’s Role in Fostering the Mission of the Catholic Media KEY 2013”
– – –
“Can. 216 Since they participate in the mission of the Church, all the Christian faithful have the right to promote or sustain apostolic action even by their own undertakings, according to their own state and condition. Nevertheless, no undertaking is to claim the name Catholic without the consent of competent ecclesiastical authority.”
Code of Canon Law can be found on the internet.
NCR is not in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.