Of the Glenn Enterprises

Will We Prepare to Welcome Our Next Bishop?

This week posts are focusing on the implications for the Amarillo Diocese” of a synodal process that looks to hear from voices on the margins of the church. Implication #2 is based on Bishop Zurek’s birthday…

Implication #2- Bishop Zurek may not be willing to undertake the “journey, which follows in the wake of the church’s ‘renewal’ proposed by the Second Vatican Council“, because his approaching retirement makes it more of a task than a gift…

The synodal process is “a two-year process that culminates in the Synod of Bishops in October 2023.” Bishop Zurek turns 75 in August of that year and since Canon 401 §1 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law states that archdiocesan/diocesan bishops (including cardinals) are requested to submit their resignation to the pope on reaching that age, he may not be the bishop representing the Diocese of Amarillo at the Vatican. So…

Is Bishop Zurek Catholic enough to do all of the preparation for the 2023 Synod even though “the destination of his journey” is not Rome…
if not, is he Catholic enough to inform the Holy Father of his unwillingness, and submit his resignation now?

**A Reflection on Christian Life**
*by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek*
Click to read Bishop
Zurek’s Letter to St. Mary’s Cathedral

Bishop Zurek will need the support of “the few” if he is to answer Pope Francis’s call for, “the church to practice synodality, that is listening to — and hearing — one another in all facets of church life“, because calling down an “airstrike” on “the dome” would be adding on to our “serious mistake“.

In the #GospelOfTheDay Jesus exhorts us: instead of judging everything and everyone, let us be careful of ourselves! Indeed, the risk is that of being inflexible towards others and indulgent towards ourselves.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 26, 2021

TOP: Twenty years ago this building was named by John Salazar (an already convicted sexual abuser) after Bishop Matthiesen, who gave him a “second chance”. Salazar used that chance to land himself in prison for sexual abuse again at the parish of which this Religious Education Center is a mission.

Matthiesen, a Catholic bishop from 1980-1997, campaigned for acceptance of clergy sexual abusers. (Photo by Douglas Kirkland/Corbis via Getty Images)

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow (whom Bishop Matthiesen labeled as a “congenital liar”) during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Preventing Whoever is “Casting Out” Your Vacation Plans

This week posts are focusing on the implications for the Amarillo Diocese” of a synodal process that looks to hear from voices on the margins of the church. The first implication is rooted in a historical fact that when Pope Francis has called, “the church to practice synodality, that is listening to — and hearing — one another”, Bishop Zurek has literally gone on vacation…

Implication #1- It will take at least “a few” “to be co-creators with the Spirit” to make this synodal process a “spiritual exercise,” and “not just a bureaucratic or ecclesial exercise“, which afterwards Bishop Zurek takes what he will consider, “a well deserved vacation”.

In 2018 Pope Francis suggested that U.S. bishops take part in a retreat, “after a summer of shocking news” about Theodore E. McCarrick and the release of a Pennsylvania grand jury report, with which the Diocese of Amarillo’s “serious mistake” was connected, and of which Bishop Zurek’s was in personal denial.

I cannot comment on the history of Pennsylvania, I simply do not have any facts;
From a statement from Bishop patrick j. zurek, august 29, 2018

During my meeting on 13 September last with the officers of your Conference of Bishops, I suggested that together you make a retreat, a time of seclusion, prayer and discernment, as a necessary step toward responding in the spirit of the Gospel to the crisis of credibility that you are experiencing as a Church.
LETTER SENT BY THE HOLY FATHER
TO THE BISHOPS OF THE UNITED STATES CONFERENCE
OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS

The retreat was held in January of 2019, and even though a “crisis at the Cathedral” was brewing, Bishop Zurek, instead of taking some time for, “seclusion, prayer and discernment, as a necessary step toward responding in the spirit of the Gospel to the crisis of credibility“, went on vacation instead.

While on vacation His Excellency took the opportunity at a Mass which he was con-celebrating to label as “persecution” the consequences that has occurred in the United States due to clergy sexual abuse.

“Every once in a while, the ugly head of bigotry against Catholics raises its head even in the United States. Even now that ugly head is popping up every once-in-a-while. It certainly did the latter half of last year…part of Christianity is suffering, and we suffer here, even right now with what happened with the sexual abuse of minors. I don’t want to get into that, but there is a certain amount of angst against the Church that just does not pertain to other civil entities where the same difficulty may exist.”*
from “Persecution or Consequences?”

Unless we answer Pope Francis’s call for, “the church to practice synodality, that is listening to — and hearing — one another in all facets of church life“, “the ugly head of” our “serious mistake” will keep raising “its head”.

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow (whom Bishop Matthiesen labeled as a “congenital liar”) during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Left in the Camp, but Still Speaking Out

Bishop Zurek doesn’t seem to be a bishop who tolerates any “prophesying in the camp“, or one who listens to “the cries of the harvesters“. He is more intent on preventing “the few“, whom he does not consider as “followers”, from “driving out demons” in the Amarillo Diocese”…

We lose the capacity to realize “I, as a lay person, do not always have all the knowledge”; while it is quite probable that the deacon, priest or bishop has a much fuller picture of what is actually happening.
A Reflection on Christian life
by Bishop Patrick J. Zurek

Our local bishop may be on a collision course with the Holy Father because, “Pope Francis is inviting Catholics both in the mainstream of church life and on the margins to voice their dreams, ideas and concerns in preparation for the Synod of Bishops in 2023″. The implications of this process in the Amarillo Diocese for the current signs of our “serious mistake” will be the focus of my blogs for this week…

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Writing Straight With Crooked Lines

The good for this last day of a week’s worth of posts dedicated to focusing on things Bishop Zurek has done for the Amarillo Diocese is an example of how God writes straight with crooked lines; but first I have a couple of honorable mentions…

Catholic Charities of Texas Panhandle hosts dedication, blessing of new building

The Catholic Charities Buildings are a major good for our diocese; I’m just not sure if it came about because (or despite) of Bishop Zurek.
The United Catholic Appeal has the potential for being a good if Bishop Zurek would do away with the “quota”.

Good #7-Removing me from Diocesan Ministry

It didn’t feel good when Bishop Zurek removed me from catechetical (40 years), prison (15 years) and ACTS (15 retreats) ministry for speaking out about what I considered current signs of our “serious mistake“. However it seems to have been God’s way of telling me to, “stop being content with a peaceful present and start working for the future”.

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

A Good End With Bad Means?

The good for day six of a week’s worth of posts dedicated to focusing on the good things Bishop Zurek has done for the Amarillo Diocese is a bit iffy…

Good #6-the Pastoral Center

Undoubtedly a new Diocesan Pastoral Center was a good end, but were the means all good as well:

Was the Preparing the Way Capital Campaign-a Ponzi scheme?
Is the location isolated and too far from the Cathedral?
Was the size and architecture overbuilt for our needs?

If the answer to any of those question is yes, then the “ends does not justify the means“, but for now I have no answer to those questions and will put the Diocesan Pastoral Center down as a good.

Having enough priests to have a Mass in every parish each Sunday is a good end, but hiring priests like John Salazar is a bad “means” and a “serious mistake“.

TOP: Twenty years ago this building was named by John Salazar, a already convicted sexual abuser , after Bishop Matthiesen who gave him a “second chance”. Salazar used that chance to land himself in prison for sexual abuse again at the parish of which this Religious Education Center is a mission.

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Moving Forward While Looking Back

On day five of a week’s worth of posts dedicated to focusing on the good things Bishop Zurek has done, let’s look at something that can remind us of the past and yet, keep us from going backwards…

Good #5-the Diocesan Museum

I suggest that the sign below be moved to the Diocesan Museum as a reminder of the “serious mistake“. If that is not possible then perhaps it can be sent COD to John Salazar since it was important to him

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Pastoral Outreach

On day four of a week’s worth of posts dedicated to focusing on the good things Bishop Zurek has done, I propose the bringing to the Amarillo Diocese a tradition that dates back to the High Middle Ages as…

Good #4-the Red Mass

Ladies and gentlemen, help us to dream again. Create an environment in which we can have visions. Be the ones who cry out today, “I have a dream!”
From Bishop Zurek’s homily from the second Red Mass in 2012.

The tenth Red Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 6:30pm at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1200 South Washington.

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Calling Out a Sinner for the Righteous

I am on day three of a week’s worth of posts dedicated to focusing on the good things Bishop Zurek has done for the Amarillo Diocese. In previous posts I wrote about the mess that Bishop Yanta inherited from Bishop Matthiesen, however today’s good started out as a mess that Bishop Yanta created for Bishop Zurek…

Good #3-Dealing with Father Frank Pavone

Ever since September of 2018 when a man brought firearms into St. Mary’s, there has been an armed police presence at the Cathedral on Sundays; however this was not the first time protection of this sort was deemed necessary. In 2011…

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek: What Have We Come To?.

Bishop Patrick J. Zurek of Amarillo, Texas suspended Fr. Pavone from public ministry outside his home diocese, beginning Sept. 13. He cited “deep concerns” about the financial stewardship of Priests for Life ministries and said Fr. Pavone had disobeyed him. Fr. Pavone had failed to audit the financials of all the Priests for Life ministries, he said.
Some supporters of Fr. Pavone organized protests in Amarillo. An airplane and large trucks featuring graphic images of aborted babies circled St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral and school in Amarillo, the Amarillo Globe News reports. One demonstrator, Gregg Cunningham, also was outside the cathedral, carrying a sign asking Bishop Zurek to “free” Fr. Pavone.
From Fr. Pavone asks supporters to be respectful and prayerful, 2011

Then prior to the presidential election in November of 2016…

Father Frank Pavone has posted a video on his Facebook page of the body of an aborted fetus, which is against the dignity of human life and is a desecration of the altar. We believe that no one who is pro-life can exploit a human body for any reason, especially the body of a fetus.
Statement from Bishop patrick j. Zurek

Once again in September of 2020 Bishop Zurek drew national attention (and much angst) from pro-lifers…

Recently Father Frank Pavone has posted a variety of messages and statements in regard to the General Elections in November, 2020. These postings on Social Media as videos concern the serious sinfulness of voting for candidates of a particular political party (with refusal of absolution if confessed) and the use of scandalous words not becoming of a Catholic priest. These postings are not consistent with Catholic Church Teachings. Neither the Catholic Church nor the Diocese of Amarillo condone any of these messages. Please disregard them and pray for Father Pavone.
Diocese of Amarillo Issues Statement Regarding Father Frank Pavone

Over the years in all these dealings Bishop Zurek has acted like a shepherd on insisting that “abortion is homicide”, while avoiding himself “with political life, on political problems”. This is how the Holy Father would have him act, and that is why it is my good #3.

Has not Bishop Zurek lived in a “manner worthy of the call (he has) received” by proclaiming the pro-life message “out through all the earth“, thus avoiding another “serious mistake“ to “acclaim (God) as Lord” while showing us “the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice“; bringing about “a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good“?

Feast of Saint Matthew, Apostle and evangelist

“Follow me where I go, what I do, who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me.
Follow me up and down,
All the way and all around,
Take my hand and say you’ll follow me.”

I agree with our bishop, Patrick J. Zurek, in putting forth in his Holy Week homilies this year the Encyclical of Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, as the standard for love and unity in our diocese. Today, let’s reflect upon paragraph #154 in that regard:

CHAPTER FIVE

A BETTER KIND OF POLITICS

154. The development of a global community of fraternity based on the practice of social friendship on the part of peoples and nations calls for a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good. Sadly, politics today often takes forms that hinder progress towards a different world.

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Changing Conflict Into an Honest Discussion

This week I have resolved in these posts to focus on the good things Bishop Zurek has done for the Amarillo Diocese. The good for today is one that I didn’t think was destined to affect me as much as it has, and honestly I can’t say I was comfortable with its effects…

Good #2-Moving the Cathedra

Read a letter from Bishop Patrick J. Zurek to the Faith Community at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Amarillo.

Bishop Yanta felt that he had a canonical opinion that would support his request to Rome of naming St. Mary’s new church a co-cathedral. Because of Bishop Yanta’s retirement at the age of 75, that was not affected. Bishop Patrick Zurek became the next ordinary of the diocese, and it became clear that he had an appreciation for the new St. Mary’s Church. He mentioned the possibility that it could and should become the Cathedral.
From Cathedral History

When the announcement was made that the cathedra was coming to St. Mary’s in Amarillo, Monsignor Waldow told a group of parishioners not to worry because this was not his first rodeo in being rector.

“What was there to worry about in the first place? After all, the only major change that would occur is that there will be an empty chair in the sanctuary most of the time.”
My thoughts after hearing that the Cathedra was coming to my parish

The first few years seemed to confirm my thinking. Then Monsignor Waldow retired. The subsequent years culminated in what was called the “Crisis at the Cathedral”, and brought an end to the St. Mary’s with whom I had grown comfortable. This bringing to an end of my “comfortable Catholicism” is another good for which I am grateful to Bishop Zurek.

When “the Lord inspired (Bishop Zurek)
to issue this proclamation throughout his (diocese),
“…he has also charged me to build him a house“, was it not another example of how “The Lord has done marvels for us” despite our “serious mistake“ , and a call to “Let (our) light shine before others“; so that “there is nothing hidden that will not become visible“, and thus bring about “Authentic reconciliation (which) does not flee from conflict, but is achieved in conflict“?

Memorial of Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs

“Just like a blind man, I wandered along
Worries and fears I claimed for my own
Then like the blind man that God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light”

CHAPTER SEVEN

PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER

THE VALUE AND MEANING OF FORGIVENSS

The best way to move on

244. When conflicts are not resolved but kept hidden or buried in the past, silence can lead to complicity in grave misdeeds and sins. Authentic reconciliation does not flee from conflict, but is achieved in conflict, resolving it through dialogue and open, honest and patient negotiation. Conflict between different groups “if it abstains from enmities and mutual hatred, gradually changes into an honest discussion of differences founded on a desire for justice”.[228]

“Inasmuch as there could be serious legal implications for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles if we do fully disclose to you our concern regarding the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P., by this letter I am informing you that the Reverend John Salazar, Sch.P. would never be allowed to minister as a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in any way whatsoever given the circumstances of his case.”
From a 1991 letter for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to the Diocese of Amarillo prior to Bishop’s Matthiesen’s bringing of John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo. Bishop Matthiesen ignored this warning. Later he defended the “serious mistake” by stating that he never conducted his own checks of the priests – which included the Rev. John Salazar-Jimenez, and that it wasn’t until 10 years later that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”

Extinguishing Jealousy and Ambition

In these posts I have pointed out all that I believe is bad with Bishop Zurek’s episcopacy in the Amarillo Diocese. Whether that is a good thing is a question I daily reflect on in my conscience.

Bishop Zurek certainly has done some good, but I rarely write about those things; and after reflecting on this Sunday’s readings my conscience is convicting me of the capital or deadly sin of envy.

In the Summa Theologiae, Aquinas offers an adept account of the capital vice of envy as
“sorrow over another’s good.” In this week’s blogs I intend to make amends for the “sorrow” I held for Bishop Zurek’s good by pointing out those things that affected it.

I’ll begin with the “serious mistake“. For years I tried to get Bishops Matthiesen and Yanta to make the statement that Bishop Zurek made in 2013:

A serious mistake was made in bringing John Salazar to the Diocese of Amarillo for ministry.
A reply to the Associated Press story regarding John Salazar

Even though I speak out about the follow-up to his statement, the fact is I could not speak of it the way I do if Bishop Zurek had not spoken of it first; and for that I am grateful.

Does Bishop Zurek keep preaching “communio or the coming into unity of all the Faithful with their bishop and the Pope“ to “beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our” “serious mistake“ when he says that “they set not God before their eyes“; or am I a soul “Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist“, not listening to how my bishop “has called (me) through the Gospel“ to stop spending all my time “discussing…who was the greatest“, while protecting “a little flame deep in my heart that needs to be extinguished before it turns into a great blaze“?

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Don’t you know, I’m just ambitious
I’m not a bad man, just ambitious
I’m not a bad man, just ambitious
Woah, yeah, just ambitious”

CHAPTER SEVEN

PATHS OF RENEWED ENCOUNTER

THE VALUE AND MEANING OF FORGIVENSS

Legitimate conflict and forgiveness

243. To be sure, “it is no easy task to overcome the bitter legacy of injustices, hostility and mistrust left by conflict. It can only be done by overcoming evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21) and by cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace”.[225] In this way, “persons who nourish goodness in their heart find that such goodness leads to a peaceful conscience and to profound joy, even in the midst of difficulties and misunderstandings. Even when affronted, goodness is never weak but rather, shows its strength by refusing to take revenge”.[226] Each of us should realize that “even the harsh judgment I hold in my heart against my brother or my sister, the open wound that was never cured, the offense that was never forgiven, the rancour that is only going to hurt me, are all instances of a struggle that I carry within me, a little flame deep in my heart that needs to be extinguished before it turns into a great blaze”.[227]

Matthiesen, a Catholic bishop from 1980-1997, has campaigned against nuclear weapons and for acceptance of clergy sexual abusers. (Photo by Douglas Kirkland/Corbis via Getty Images)

“I think that people trusted me. I guess I had some respect on that point.”
From “Bishop Accountability” in which Bishop Matthiesen defended the “serious mistake” by stating it was not until 2004 that he learned some priests were not the first-time sex offenders that they purported to be when he agreed to hire them even though he was warned not to assign them to parishes by other Church officials.

A Memorial in the Grotto of St. Mary’s Cathedral raised by Monsignor Waldow during Bishop Yanta’s episcopacy. Monsignor Waldow wrote:

“In memory of the death of innocence of the victims of clergy sexual abuse. When innocence dies…a life stops. It is essential that we never forget.”