It is such a familiar proceeding. Bishop Fernandez seems to be making the mistake of presuming good will, or at least a respect for justice, on the part of his enemies. How many priests I have seen have similar conversations with their bishops! "But this unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary."
The superiors never respond directly to any of the claims, for their action was indeed unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary. Instead they call it "disobedience". "How dare you disobey my unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary orders! Your very disobedience is all the evidence I need!"
We have then the absurd situation that the humble bishops and priests who actually believe in something are removed and prevented from working, while the Hoeppners and Stikas of the world are subject to 18 month investigations that may or may not end with a retirement party. Let alone the McCarricks and Cupichs of the world!
The continued presence of Stikas - not even asked to take a sabbatical or leave of absence - juxtaposed with the dismissal of Bishop Fernandez - who no one seems to know what he did wrong - added to the Zanchetta treatment - allowed to stay in Vatican with nice job till his abuse trial (at which he was found guilty) has led me to believe that a certain amount of blackmail is happening in the Church. I add to this the number of Cardinals and Bishops of Northern Europe who are supporting changes in church teaching that would lead to schism. Their sudden outspokenness, like that of Marx, often labeled somewhat conservative (and now embroiled in German abuse crisis) feels like a puppet show with blackmailers pulling the strings.
There is way too much authority vested in diocesan bishops. It appears that some who are seemingly guilty of cover up are not being sanctioned and those innocent and falsely accused priests are being not prosecuted but persecuted by bishops who are trying to cover their own imperialist derrières. Sad.
Maybe he (Cupich) should issue a call for an investigation into how such a failure of procedures could have happened.
Because he's so often involved?
It is such a familiar proceeding. Bishop Fernandez seems to be making the mistake of presuming good will, or at least a respect for justice, on the part of his enemies. How many priests I have seen have similar conversations with their bishops! "But this unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary."
The superiors never respond directly to any of the claims, for their action was indeed unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary. Instead they call it "disobedience". "How dare you disobey my unreasonable, unjust, and unnecessary orders! Your very disobedience is all the evidence I need!"
We have then the absurd situation that the humble bishops and priests who actually believe in something are removed and prevented from working, while the Hoeppners and Stikas of the world are subject to 18 month investigations that may or may not end with a retirement party. Let alone the McCarricks and Cupichs of the world!
The continued presence of Stikas - not even asked to take a sabbatical or leave of absence - juxtaposed with the dismissal of Bishop Fernandez - who no one seems to know what he did wrong - added to the Zanchetta treatment - allowed to stay in Vatican with nice job till his abuse trial (at which he was found guilty) has led me to believe that a certain amount of blackmail is happening in the Church. I add to this the number of Cardinals and Bishops of Northern Europe who are supporting changes in church teaching that would lead to schism. Their sudden outspokenness, like that of Marx, often labeled somewhat conservative (and now embroiled in German abuse crisis) feels like a puppet show with blackmailers pulling the strings.
Sitka remains a Bishop in "good standing" and Bishop Fernandez is removed for reasons no one can explain. This is sinful.
There is way too much authority vested in diocesan bishops. It appears that some who are seemingly guilty of cover up are not being sanctioned and those innocent and falsely accused priests are being not prosecuted but persecuted by bishops who are trying to cover their own imperialist derrières. Sad.
Be that as it may, what has that to do with this??