Friday, September 14, 2012

Obdurate officials of the ordinariate

Ten parishes in the Cleveland Latin-rite diocese that were unjustly forced not to meet have now been operating with official episcopal acknowledgment. An eleventh one has been impeded by the overbearing ordinary. A twelfth has been denied a real explanation of their status.

In Kansas City a bishop has been convicted and put on probation for his role in a pedophilia coverup. Robert Finn, a politically active bishop, has spent over a million dollars of diocesan money trying to avoid that conviction. He is a public disgrace. He still is bishop and continues to operate as before. Now, many other bishops could be convicted on similar charges if government wanted to exercise vigilance. Of course, those who agree with his politics and church polity will vigorously defend such criminal bishops, and bash those that do not.

Bishops have been removed from office throughout history. But the hierarchy loathes to have one of their number to be driven from office, or removed. In Finn's case a life of private prayer and penance would be appropriate.

Now, in Cleveland, we have Richard Lennon. Lennon would not pass scrutiny. Fortunately for him, he is not going to be investigated. Records and evidence will remain secreted. He was transferred from Boston, which he and his sponsor, Bernard Law, left in shambles. Although his office in Boston was considered temporary, Boston was more prestigious than Cleveland. The management of the entire local press will not allow a censure or investigation in Cleveland. The national, and international press are far more interested. There has been "pervasive commingling of accounts" where monies from the sale of parish properties, and supposedly dedicated funds fall into general funds, which in turn can be used for anything.

The people who have their parishes back, are only interested in their parishes now. Two groups of local faithful that made up Endangered Catholics, and Code Purple are spent and involved in their parishes, and personal lives. Local government is filled with Catholics not willing to chance their positions at the ballot box, and social circles.

Now we have parishes trying to rebuild. By accident and by purpose, no parish received the same pastor they had had. Lennon did not want that sort of continuity. Lennon wants these parishes run by these new men alone. Now, some parishes were lucky and got men whom like their communities. This was seen at the Homecoming Masses in which there was a great celebratory presence, and the intentions and words of praise the priest had for the parishioners whom fought for their parishes. In others, the contrary absence of celebration and admiration for the people, coupled with praise and concern for Lennon was also indicative, but adversely so. At St. John the Baptist in Akron, many parishioners made it known that they do not care for the administrator appointed, for he had worked for the parish's closure. St. James Lakewood also received a lennonist.

Lennon has avoided coming to the Homecoming Masses. He is making a point of coming to the parish to 'install' the pastor. Of course, these Masses will be attended not only by a fraction of those coming to the Homecoming, but also a fraction of an average Mass, even though the pastor will encourage the Christians to come. While St. Mary Akron had their Homecoming, Lennon installed the pastor at St. Mary Bedford.

One priest who said good things at his first re-assignment said troubling words at his second. A second newspaper journalist shared some of those words with the public, a first reporter judiciously did not. The Amish are a forgiving, and pacifist people; but as circumstances were, they do not have to see Charles Roberts. To counsel people to forgive an unrepentant Lennon, is the same as counseling a battered woman to stay with her man. Lennon is just like a wife beater, and will continue to abuse.

Many people thought Richard Milhous Lennon could not stay after the parish debacle, and the low morale of his priests. He has had these unusual 'meetings' with groups of priests. Yeah, they know he is vindictive, and a mental case, and very few have shown any courage before in speaking. Why would they feel free to speak now, especially when after six years they certainly know him? Has there been a public disclosure of the outcomes of those meetings?

Lennon has had at least three emissaries come to town to ask him to remove himself, he has not. Lennon has been to Rome several times and has been advised and scolded, and told of his problems. Unlike Martino of Scranton, he did not take a hint. Such bishops have pushed away an altogether too numerous a number of individuals from the faith, and therefore their families, and generations yet to be born. To keep the faith is, at times, a very trying task. Jesus promised us [Matthew xi. 30] His yoke was sweet, and His burden light. We have been assigned a pharisaic faro whose yoke is harsh, and burden heavy.

I had always thought at least some of the Cleveland parish appeals were going to be successful. I was certain most, if not all would have been successful after the Allentown decisions. But we never did find out how many were in play. There was at least one occasion when Lennon's departure would have had a good cover story (his operation). I have heard many people say that they can not see him continuing as bishop in Cleveland. I can.

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postscriptum 6 pm 21 April 2015: Finn has resigned as bishop. [click] and {click}

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