Will I receive the same condemnation from God as I do from Bishop Zurek for “putting in my two cents” about the Diocese of Amarillo‘s transparency, accountability, and evaluation regarding:
From Mark 12: 38-44
- The protection of a memorial erected by a convicted pedophile priest for a bishop whom Bishop Zurek acknowledges made a “serious mistake“;
- The Maintaining of a letter on the diocesan website rebuking “a few” who reported abuse at St. Mary’s Cathedral;
- The aborting of daily Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral, citing the need for “an incredible sense of Reverence for the…Priests and especially for the Bishops“, effectively leveraging the Eucharist as a means of power and control;
- The building of another bishop’s residence, effectively putting our next bishop “in his place” before he even arrives ❓
XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
How to be a missionary synodal Church
Instrumentum laboris
Part II – Pathways
Transparency, accountability, and evaluation
76.
Bishop Zurek, for his part, called what Matthiesen did a ‘serious mistake,’ yet the memorial still remains.”
“If the synodal Church wants to be welcoming, then accountability and transparency must be at the core of its action at all levels, not only at the level of authority.” Indeed, if a convicted pedophile priest can receive a second chance, and be allowed to erect a memorial for the bishop whose “serious mistake” led to a spiritual drought from clergy abuse, do I not have the responsibility to demand transparency and accountability in the Diocese of Amarillo, “‘until the day when the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’“❓
“However, those in positions of authority have a greater responsibility in this regard.“(of transparency and accountability). Yet, in his letter, “A Reflection on Christian Life,” doesn’t Bishop Zurek rebuke “a few” who report clergy abuse at St. Mary’s Cathedral, rather than receive transparency and accountability by exclaiming, “Praise the Lord, my soul!“❓
“Transparency and accountability are not limited to sexual and financial abuse.” For example, have certain priests at St. Mary’s Cathedral become “fascinated by the seductions of the ephemeral, by mediocrity and habit, by the temptations of power and social influence,” even to the point of leveraging the Eucharist to obtain “human glory and personal well-being.”❓ Is this truly how we are to receive Christ, who came not as a source of clout, “but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him.“❓
Alleluia, alleluia, “They (those in positions of authority) must also be concerned with pastoral plans, methods of evangelization, and how the Church respects the dignity of the human person, for example, regarding the working conditions within its institutions.” Accordingly, does Bishop Zurek’s directive on where and under what conditions our next bishop will live truly respect the dignity of working conditions within our institution❓ Can it be said of the way Bishop Zurek will receive our new bishop, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“❓
Alleluia, alleluia
Finally, doesn’t Christianity, in fidelity to its own identity and the rich deposit of truth which it has received from Jesus Christ, continue to reflect on these issues of transparency and accountability in fruitful dialogue with changing historical situations in regards to our “sins against synodality“—which now place our new bishop in a position where he must “Just Say NO❣️” to being “put in his place”❓ Isn’t this why I must “put in my two cents” or else I, along with…
“They will receive a very severe condemnation.“❓
We need to develop a new synthesis capable of overcoming the false arguments of recent centuries. Christianity, in fidelity to its own identity and the rich deposit of truth which it has received from Jesus Christ, continues to reflect on these issues in fruitful dialogue with changing historical situations. In doing so, it reveals its eternal newness.
From Paragraph 121 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME