AXIOS

My friend and seminary classmate, Archbishop William Skurla (I should say, His Eminence), just received the Pallium today from Pope Benedict XVI along with Archbishop William Lori (Baltimore), Archbishop Samuel Aquila (Denver) and my own Metropolitan, Archbishop Charles Chaput (Philadelphia)

Vatican declares Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be Venerable

Vatican declares Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be Venerable | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Uncle Fulty one step closer to becoming Saint Fulton Sheen.  
A role model for all bishops, priests and deacons.  
orthodox and reverent at all times.

Ego te benedico EWTN

who says real men can't wear gloves?

love those Pontiff 12's 

Suscipe (and ad orientem, too!)

Father Pavone

Priests for Life

6/26/2012
     

We are happy to announce that the Vatican has upheld Father Frank Pavone's appeal and has declared that Father Pavone is not now nor has ever been suspended. Father Pavone remains a priest in good standing all over the world.

We were confident all along that a just decision would be made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy. While we fully agree that Bishop Zurek has rightful authority over the priests of his diocese, we also see the urgent need for Father Pavone to be allowed to conduct his priestly ministry outside the diocese of Amarillo for the good of the pro-life movement. 

by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek

June 20, 2012

In its decree of May 18, 2012, the Congregation for the Clergy has sustained Father Frank A. Pavone’s appeal of his suspension from ministry outside the Diocese of Amarillo and his appointment from me on October 4, 2011 as Chaplain of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in Channing, Texas.  Father Pavone is to continue his ministry as chaplain until further notice. As a gesture of good will, I will grant permission to him in individual cases, based upon their merits, to participate in pro-life events with the provision that he and I must be in agreement beforehand as to his role and function.

All other matters are outside the purview of this statement.

Amarillo, Texas, June 20, 2012

+Most Rev. Patrick J. Zurek, STL, DD
Bishop of Amarillo

I express my personal and professional gratitude that Father Frank Pavone is not suspended from his priestly faculties.  He is a faithful and loyal son of the Church and I am confident he will continue to respect, honor and obey his diocesan bishop. The work he does as National Director of Priests for Life serves the common good of all the dioceses and parishes and faithful in the United States. It makes sense that he inform his bishop of his activities inside and outside the diocese, which every priest should do. If every bishop kept vigilant on everyone (clergy, lay and religious) who speak in their diocese AS LONG AS the criteria is fair and universal. Specifically, the litmus test must be orthodoxy. If what they SAY and WRITE conforms with the Magisterium (namely, the Catechism, Ecumenical Councils and Papal Encyclicals), then they should be allowed to speak on any church property. 


Dissidents who preach or teach personal opinions which contradict official doctrine and dogma of the Catholic Church should be barred from every Catholic church, school and seminary. When it is a matter of PRUDENTIAL JUDGMENT or private opinion on something not already defined, then DE GUSTIBUS NON DISPUTANDUM EST. Like an imprimatur which does not mean the local bishop agrees with all the opinions of the author, he does verify that what is in this particular book does not conflict with defined faith and morals.  Bishops may not always share the same perspective or they may have a different prudential judgment but as long as the speaker does not say or write anything that contradicts official Magisterial teachings, they should be permitted to speak. 


I am confident that anything Father Pavone says and writes does conform and therefore keeping open communications with his bishop is sensible and proper. As long as all speakers and public persons are treated equally, i.e., they are scrutinized with the same criteria (the measure you measure with ...) then there is justice and fairness. If only certain people are singled out to be examined for their orthodoxy credentials, that would be unfair and improper. God bless Father Pavone and Bishop Zurek and all priests, deacons and bishops so we can be better sons of the Church. As ordained clergy, we should be working together and on the same side, that of TRUTH and GRACE. Preaching and teaching orthodox doctrine and celebrating valid, licit and reverent divine worship is what the People of God deserve and nothing less.

Kresta In The Afternoon: Vatican faces 'urgent' need for priests with new v...

Kresta In The Afternoon: Vatican faces 'urgent' need for priests with new v...: VATICAN CITY ( CNS ) — In an effort to respond to a "clear and pressing" need for priests, the Vatican released a set of guidelines for new vocations ...

HERE IS SOMETHING INTERESTING:

"Some reasons men say "no" to or ignore a call to the priesthood, it said, include:


-- having parents who are reluctant about their son's choice because they have different hopes for their child's future;


-- living in a society that marginalizes priests and considers them irrelevant;


-- misunderstanding the gift of celibacy;


-- being disillusioned by the scandal of priests who abused minors;


-- and seeing priests who are too overwhelmed by their pastoral duties to the detriment of their spiritual life."




Priests who find satisfaction and fulfillment in their vocation are the best advertisement.  Sadly, many good priests and deacons slowly but surely become discouraged and disenchanted, not with their vocation but with the often prolific and oppressive diocesan politics and bureaucracy which can make clerics feel like employees more than as disciples.  The corporate business paradigm must GO once and for all. We clergy NEED a familial model where clergy are treated as BROTHERS not as employees and bishops act like FATHERS and not as corporate executives. Then pastors can be shepherds rather than branch managers. 

Monsignor Escriva

Happy Feast of Saint Josemaria Escriva

founder of Opus Dei

O God, through the mediation of Mary our Mother, you granted your priest St. Josemaría countless graces, choosing him as a most faithful instrument to found Opus Dei, a way of sanctification in daily work and in the fulfillment of the Christian's ordinary duties. Grant that I too may learn to turn all the circumstances and events of my life into occasions of loving You and serving the Church, the Pope and all souls with joy and simplicity, lighting up the pathways of this earth with faith and love. Deign to grant me, through the intercession of St. Josemaría, the favor of ... (make your request). Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father.

Collect:


O God,
who raised up your priest Saint Josemaría in the Church
to proclaim the universal call to holiness and the apostolate, grant that by his intercession and example
we may, through our daily work,
be formed in the likeness of Jesus your Son
and serve the work of redemption with burning love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

Beloved Pastor Blessed by Gift from Parish

A very good friend of mine and fellow member of the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy just told me some remarkable news. His parishioners chipped in and spontaneously of their own initiative collected funds so that their pastor could travel to Rome for his 35th anniversary of ordination to priesthood. He was flabbergasted by the gesture and expression of affection and appreciation for his many years of service to his people. Often, it is easy to focus and remember the few harsh words a few disgruntled parishioners may utter in moments of weakness or highly stressed situations. Sadly, the many kind words and actions of a majority of people can be temporarily forgotten or ignored since our pride likes to zero in on the negative rather than build on the positive. Envy is also the chief temptation among clergy. Favors, honors and esteem of the bishop when given to others are rarely viewed with joy for a brother.

Nevertheless, when you see something like this, which has nothing to do with ecclesiastical politics, it is indeed heart warming to say the least. I am genuinely happy for my friend just as I was with another priest friend who was recently made a Monsignor, a Knight of Malta and Vicar General in his respective diocese. It is refreshing and encouraging to see worthy people being recognized and rewarded for their love and loyalty to Holy Mother Church rather than seeing cronies being repaid for their collaboration and unconditional support of local regimes and administrations.

Sharing in the joy of someone legitimately honored is wonderful. Hope to experience more of it, soon.