Today, will I choose to belong to the #kingdom that testifies “to the truth“ about the “places” in the Diocese of Amarillo which for me constitute the “Local Church in the one and unique Catholic Church”❓
From John 18: 33b-37
Or will I align myself with the kingdom of “this world” that:
- Protects a memorial erected by a convicted pedophile priest for a bishop who made the “serious mistake” of granting that convict a second chance, ultimately leading to the destruction of the innocence of youth;
- Maintains a letter on the diocesan website rebuking “a few” who reported abuse at St. Mary’s Cathedral;
- Aborts 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;
- Builds 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 III – Places
Local Churches in the one and unique Catholic Church
89.
Bishop Zurek, for his part, called what Matthiesen did a ‘serious mistake,’ yet the memorial still remains.”
“By its very nature, the local Church is where we most immediately experience the missionary synodal life of the whole Church. ‘” However, doesn’t a memorial erected by a convicted pedophile priest for a bishop who made a “serious mistake” in a rural parish over a decade ago challenge this understanding❓Does it not compel me to reflect on whether the Diocese of Amarillo truly embodies a manifestation of God’s kingdom in the present time, a kingdom of which it is said, “his kingship shall not be destroyed.“❓
“The contributions submitted by the Episcopal Conferences speak of Parishes, base and small Christian communities as contexts of communion and participation in mission.” Conversely, doesn’t the letter, “A Reflection on Christian Life,” instead of embodying the characteristics of God’s kingdom through love, compassion, justice, and forgiveness, reveal a reality in which “a few” who reported clergy abuse at St. Mary’s Cathedral are excluded from living as “faithful and loyal disciples that the Lord Jesus desires”❓Does this not stand in contrast to the proclamation, “The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.“❓
“As the parish priests gathered in Sacrofano stated: “The members of parishes are and become missionary disciples of Jesus gathered in his name for prayer and worship, service and witness in times of joy and sorrow, hope and struggle.” God is at work in these ecclesial realities.” Truly, God is at work in these ecclesial realities. Therefore, let us proclaim: “To him…who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.“
Alleluia, alleluia, “At the same time, we are aware that we must do more to harness the great flexibility of the Parish, which is understood as a community of communities in the service of missionary creativity.” Consequently, how does the decision to abort the daily Eucharist at St. Mary’s Cathedral actively proclaim the kingdom of God to the world, inviting others to become part of it through faith in Jesus Christ of whom we say: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!“❓
Alleluia, alleluia
Finally, if I am to pray, “O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future, for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty” within the “places” in the Diocese of Amarillo—which, for me, constitute the “Local Church in the one and unique Catholic Church”, but remain affected by “sins against synodality (the very sins that now place our new bishop in a position where he must “Just Say NO❣️” to being “put in his place.”)—should I not pray this while recalling that…
…”‘My kingdom does not belong to this world‘”❓
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
From A Christian prayer in union with creation of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.