Mahony calls for 'Year of Prayer for Vocations'
Cardinal Roger M. Mahony is calling upon the Catholics of the Archdiocese to observe a "Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations," which is to last from November 1, 2005 until October 31, 2006.
The Cardinal has composed a special prayer for the occasion.
Frankly, I wonder sometimes if Mahony might be suffering from MPD, multiple personality disorder, because it is often impossible to reconcile what he says at any given moment with what he might say next.
Case in point: Declaring a year of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Who can argue with that? But how does this square with everything else he has done and is still doing to usher in a new and even "exciting" era of parishes without priests?
In the latest TIDINGS, we have yet another article extolling the glories of PLD's or PARISH LIFE DIRECTORS. The title of the article?
'New ways of being church with fewer priests'
The Cardinal has composed a special prayer for the occasion.
Frankly, I wonder sometimes if Mahony might be suffering from MPD, multiple personality disorder, because it is often impossible to reconcile what he says at any given moment with what he might say next.
Case in point: Declaring a year of prayer for vocations to the priesthood. Who can argue with that? But how does this square with everything else he has done and is still doing to usher in a new and even "exciting" era of parishes without priests?
In the latest TIDINGS, we have yet another article extolling the glories of PLD's or PARISH LIFE DIRECTORS. The title of the article?
'New ways of being church with fewer priests'
posted by Quintero at 10:17 PM
4 Comments:
I think I've got it sussed.
The Cardinal could be just trying to deflect criticism from his new initiative:
"Hey, sure I might have referred to the exciting new ways of being church with fewer priests, and that the early church functioned in a very creative way with few priests, and that, YEE-HA, WOO-HOO, it's a VERY EXCITING TIME. But how dare they interpret these comments as me saying having fewer priests is not a disaster? Can't they see I started a year for priestly vocations? Why, I'll sue them or find a Canon Law provision to silence them. Geez, next they'll be saying I tried to shut down Mother Angelica."
I can imagine his Eminence's comments a year or so from now:
"Uner the guidance of the Holy Spirit we tried two approaches. We moved in wonderful new creative exciting ways in the parishes, and wow it's exceeded my expectations. And we prayed that, if the Spirit allowed, we would get new vocations. We whould not be alarmed that this has not succeeded. After all, it is perhaps a sign from God that we must move in new directions."
I read recently an overview of US seminary numbers. The LA Archdiocese ranks #163 out of 176. ie 93% of dioceses are doing better in providing priests for the future. http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2005/print2005/ziegler_seminarians_aug05.html
He's had a nun in charge of the vocations office for many years.
That speaks volumes about his "desire" for more priestly vocations.
And they ordain four or five men in a good year. In an archdiocese of 5 million Catholics.
And he wants us to start praying for more priests?
When he himself has characterized the priest shortage as a wonderful sign of God's love for the Church?
Makes my head spin!
He did not say he was asking for MALE priestly 'vocations' did he?
Actually he does in the prayer.
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