How can I claim to be one who #knows that the following actions in certain places within the Diocese of Amarillo undermine “The bonds that shape the unity of the Church” ❓
- A memorial remains standing, erected by a convicted pedophile priest in honor of a bishop who made the “serious mistake” of granting that priest “a second chance,” a decision that ultimately led to the destruction of the innocence of youth.
- A letter still present on the diocesan website rebukes “a few” who reported abuse at St. Mary’s Cathedral, casting them aside instead of pursuing justice, healing and reconciliation.
- The abortion of daily Masses at St. Mary’s Cathedral, justified under the guise of fostering “an incredible sense of Reverence for the…Priests and especially for the Bishops“, effectively weaponizes the Eucharist as a tool of power and control—resulting in the exclusion or exile of members of His Body.
- The construction of another bishop’s residence, symbolically reinforcing hierarchical dominance and putting our next bishop “in his place” before his arrival.
By voicing these concerns that I see and hear, am I being a childish knows-it-all, or am I being childlike, as reflected in Luke 10:21-24❓
XVI ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS
How to be a missionary synodal Church
Instrumentum laboris
Part III – Places
The bonds that shape the unity of the Church
98.
Bishop Zurek, for his part, called what Matthiesen did a ‘serious mistake,’ yet the memorial still remains.”
“Convening Continental Assemblies across all regions was an innovation of the current synodal process and a way of more coherently implementing the conciliar instruction to honors the particularity “of every great socio-cultural area” in search of “a more profound adaptation in the entire area of Christian life” (AG 22). ” However, can anyone who knows about a memorial erected by a convicted pedophile priest in honor of a bishop who made the “serious mistake” of granting him “a second chance“—a decision that ultimately led to the destruction of innocence—truly claim that it honors such particularity in a way that fulfills the vision that “the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD❓
This experience, as well as the journey of the Churches in some regions, raises the question of how we might give synodal and collegial dynamism more appropriate institutional expression, for example, through ecclesial assemblies and Episcopal Conferences. These bodies can be entrusted with the coordinated tasks of continental or regional consultation and decision-making. Therefore, when such spaces for listening and dialogue are firmly in place, will it not show that the Church knows my concerns regarding the decision to abort the daily Eucharist at St. Mary’s Cathedral, rather than judging them as not being “faithful and loyal disciples that the Lord Jesus desires”; furthermore, wouldn’t anyone who truly knows the importance of justice, healing, and reconciliation question how, in such a case, we can say “Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever“❓
Alleluia, alleluia, “Discernment methods can also be developed to include diverse ecclesial actors in drafting documents and conducting decision-making and taking processes. Furthermore, it is proposed that discernment should also include spaces for listening and dialogue with civil institutions, representatives of other religions, non-Catholic organizations and society at large, in forms adapted to the diversity of contexts.” Therefore, when such spaces for listening and dialogue are firmly in place, will it not show that the Church knows how deeply my concerns about the decision to abort the daily Eucharist at St. Mary’s Cathedral—for the sake of the priest’s health and spirituality—for the sake of the priest’s health and spirituality—reflect a longing to hear the cry, “Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.“❓
Alleluia, alleluia
Finally, while the Church knows that on many concrete questions there is no reason to offer a definitive opinion, she knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, respecting divergent views, especially in places that, for me, embody “The bonds that shape the unity of the Church“; however, if “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”—persist, should I remain silent; conversely, shouldn’t I speak out, trusting that…
On many concrete questions, the Church has no reason to offer a definitive opinion; she knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, while respecting divergent views.
From paragraph 61 of ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME