Orange Diocese's Retraction
Good news: The official site of the Diocese of Orange is carrying a statement (click on this post's title; note that the page is a pdf file) entitled, "Kneeling or Standing Are Not 'Mortal Sins'" and subtitled, "Father Martin Tran's Retraction."
The key sentences say, "Fr. Tran regrets any concern or hurt caused by the misuse of the term 'mortal sin' in this context. The Diocese concurs with Fr. Tran's retraction."
Obviously, this statement is a retraction by the Diocese; after all, a spokesman had said only a week ago that the Diocese stood by Fr. Tran's "mortal sin" judgment.
The Diocese's statement mentions the L.A. Times front-page article of May 28 about the situation at St. Mary's by the Sea Parish in Huntington Beach; so that unwelcome (from their standpoint) publicity no doubt figured in the decision to make the retraction. But no one can deny that the parishioners' defense of their rights and of the Church has not played a part, too.
The key sentences say, "Fr. Tran regrets any concern or hurt caused by the misuse of the term 'mortal sin' in this context. The Diocese concurs with Fr. Tran's retraction."
Obviously, this statement is a retraction by the Diocese; after all, a spokesman had said only a week ago that the Diocese stood by Fr. Tran's "mortal sin" judgment.
The Diocese's statement mentions the L.A. Times front-page article of May 28 about the situation at St. Mary's by the Sea Parish in Huntington Beach; so that unwelcome (from their standpoint) publicity no doubt figured in the decision to make the retraction. But no one can deny that the parishioners' defense of their rights and of the Church has not played a part, too.
posted by Quintero at 9:18 PM
7 Comments:
Well, the retraction may have saved face, but some letters written by Fr. Tran indicated he was ready to penalize those who kneel. See the Cafeteria is Closed blog for more details.
Dear Clayton,
Thank you. At least the Diocese has reined him (and itself) in somewhat.
Imagine the uproar it would cause if they ever once came down as hard on dissenters as they like to do on orthodox Catholics.
Read carefully, this is a non-retraction. They're saying that disobeying the norms of the bishop by kneeling is STILL a mortal sin. They are deliberately mis-stating both the GIRM and the relevant guidelines from Rome. By these, people are allowed to kneel if they wish.
I've heard that his excellency Bishop Brown has closely overseen this whole fiasco. Fr. Tran continues to dismiss parishoners from participation in his parish.
Do you think it is a coincidence that Bishop Brown indirectly advocated gay marriage by opposing Prop. 22?
The liberal Episcopalian clergy did the same things he seems to be doing: Target the conservatives. Drive them out. Then say that the Holy Spirit is doing a "New Thing" and implement the Zeitgeist as a substitute for God. I hope I'm wrong, but based on other things I've seen Bishop Brown do, or not do... I'm not so sure.
Dear Dave C,
Clearly they are still angry at orthodox Catholics who kneel, and they will continue to be.
There is much more to say about the Diocese of Orange's statement, and I will get to it as I can.
For example, the Diocese referred only to Fr. Tran's "misuse of the term 'mortal sin'" and did not retract his terms "rebellion" and "grave disobedience."
Here's some more recent info, apparently the Bishop has agreed to a meeting:
http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/2006/06/meeting_of_mind.html
Dear Dave C,
Thanks for the info!
Meetings with bishops do not always work out well, as we know. Bishop Brown should recall that L.A. allows kneeling.(I've written a new post on this).
Someone really ought to send a note to Kenneth Fisher about the etiquett of Commboxes.
He may be Catholic, but he's still a rude spammer.
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