“…those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt.“
From Today’s Gospel, Mark 10:42
By the authority of Fr. Tony there was no 7am Mass this morning at St. Mary’s Cathedral;…
…accordingly, by his same authority, Wednesday afternoon confessions have once again been canceled…
…moreover, Father Tony is using his authority in this way so that his 20th ordination anniversary can be recognized this evening with a special Mass and meatloaf…
…but why does he need Mass and meatloaf to be recognized as our ruler when in the middle of last school year he used Bishop Zurek’s clericalism to abruptly terminate Lydia O’Rear who had forsook a comfortable public school career so that she could dedicate the next 20+ years of her life as principal of the Cathedral School;…
…subsequently, wasn’t it enough that he lorded it over us by releasing Pat Alfaro of her contract just days before her stated retirement as the Cathedral School cafeteria manager with no recognition or celebration of her almost 20 years of service to Catholic education in the Diocese of Amarillo;…
…furthermore, didn’t he make his authority felt when he informed us that he wouldn’t go into the details of why he made such life altering decisions “as if the reception of holy orders or the exercise of sacramental ministry was something magical, individually possessed and independent of the rest of the baptized“;
…however, because my Catholic faith tells me that nothing but good can come from breaking eucharistic bread with others, I will go to Father Tony’s special Mass even though is seems that Fr. Tony is exercising his authority for personal aggrandizement and not like that of Jesus in service to others (Mk 10:45);…
…but considering that when Fr. Tony used his authority to cancel confessions in order to go to a ballgame, and the game ended up being a rainout;
…I hope that Fr. Tony will understand that I’m afraid of what consequences may come from sharing meatloaf with him;…
…after all, did the “Son of Man” use his authority “to serve” meatloaf, or “to give his life as a ransom for many”… ❓
St. Paul VI, pray for us!
51. There is a special case of human dignity violation that is quieter but is swiftly gaining ground. It is unique in how it utilizes a mistaken understanding of human dignity to turn the concept of dignity against life itself. This confusion is particularly evident today in discussions surrounding euthanasia. For example, laws permitting euthanasia or assisted suicide are sometimes called “death with dignity acts.” With this, there is a widespread notion that euthanasia or assisted suicide is somehow consistent with respect for the dignity of the human person. However, in response to this, it must be strongly reiterated that suffering does not cause the sick to lose their dignity, which is intrinsically and inalienably their own. Instead, suffering can become an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of mutual belonging and gain greater awareness of the precious value of each person to the whole human family.
PARAGRAPH 51 of Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity
Will we ever sort through the confusion that is particularly evident today in discussions surrounding euthanasia without dealing with the confusion caused with authority by way of clericalism;…
This vision of “might is right” has engendered immense inequality, injustice and acts of violence against the majority of humanity, since resources end up in the hands of the first comer or the most powerful: the winner takes all. Completely at odds with this model are the ideals of harmony, justice, fraternity and peace as proposed by Jesus. As he said of the powers of his own age: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.
From Paragraph 82 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
…for doesn’t clericalism promote the vision of “might is right”, which is completely at odds with model of authority as proposed by Jesus❓