Association of Catholic Priests – An Evaluation

The Association Of Catholic Priests has recently published a statement of its Objectives. See

http://www.associationofcatholicpriests.ie/objectives/

They would give most Catholics good cause to be very doubtful that these objectives are consistent with the Catholic Faith. Acting as missionary to one’s own clergy is not a task that any layman could undertake willingly, but the issues are grave enough that we ought not to remain silent. At a time when the Church has suffered so much from unfaithful members, the last thing we need is an organised body of priests working to undermine the foundations of the Faith instead of building on them, and teaching us how to do the same. This is in no way a judgment on their good will or honesty; it is a commentary on the actual effects their objectives would have – so far as they can be discerned through their rather veiled language. Here is their statement, with this layman’s comments marked ¶.

Association Of Catholic Priests

Objectives

Providing a voice for Irish Catholic priests at a time when that voice is largely silent and needs to be expressed.

¶ That voice has been silent from many pulpits for years. When did we last hear a sermon affirming that abortion is a grave evil? That artificial contraception and homosexuality are against the Natural Law? During the Divorce Referendum, did this voice warn of us the evils of divorce and of broken homes? Have we been reminded that Hell and Purgatory exist, and that we may pray for the living to escape the fires of Hell, and for the dead to release them from Purgatory? There is a list much longer than this. And have the priests been teaching the catechism to our children?

Giving an opportunity for Irish priests to engage proactively with the crucial debates taking place in Irish society.

¶ Our Lord said “seek first the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be given unto you as well.” One can hope that what these priests have in mind is to teach us the Catholic principles by which we may enter the political arena. The Church has always wisely debarred the clergy from personally taking too active a part in the actual political struggle; when they have done so their track record has seldom been edifying.

Full implementation of the vision and teaching of the Second Vatican Council, with special emphasis on:

the primacy of the individual conscience.

¶ … once the conscience has been formed by Catholic teaching, which is nothing less than the teaching of Christ which is to last until the end of time. Our Lord said, “If you love me you will keep My commandments” and “Not every one who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom, but he who does the will of my Father’. the Second Vatican Council certainly did not say we could use our conscience to disobey God’s laws.

the status and active participation of all the baptised.

the task of establishing a Church where all believers will be treated as equal.

¶ Equal in what? In our promise from God of Eternal Life if we obey His commandments, especially “Love God and your neighbour?” No problem. Or does this “Objective” seek to destroy the relationships of authority and responsibility that are part of God’s Providence? This false “equality’ is one of the errors of the Age, destroying families and communities, which it is our duty to counteract by firm teaching with the authority we have received from Christ.

A redesigning of Ministry in the Church, in order to incorporate the gifts, wisdom and expertise of the entire faith community, male and female.

¶ Is this code for “women priests?” Blessed John Paul II, an ardent supporter of Vatican II, stated firmly that the Catholic Church is not able to ordain women as priests, because the Church was instituted by Christ and our task is to maintain what he had established. He required the question to be closed.

A restructuring of the governing system of the Church, basing it on service rather than on power, and encouraging at every level a culture of consultation and transparency, particularly in the appointment of Church leaders.

¶ One wonders whether these priests have actually learned how the Catholic Church was instituted. The historical record is very clear. The apostles were given their mission by Christ, and they ordained their successors by the laying on of hands. The church is not able to change these ordinances that come from Christ.

A culture in which the local bishop and the priests relate to each other in a spirit of trust, support and generosity.

¶ Well, one hopes this is already the case. One hopes that priests are able to take “No” from their bishop when he is acting within his authority.

A reevaluation of Catholic sexual teaching and practice that recognizes the profound mystery of human sexuality and the experience and wisdom of God's people.

¶ Does this mean, a re-evaluation of God’s commandments? Because it sounds like it.

Promotion of peace, justice and the protection of God's creation locally, nationally and globally.

¶ Most of this, in the political arena, is the task of the laity. The clergy are there to help us promote these things within our own souls.

Recognition that Church and State are separate and that while the Church must preach the message of the Gospel and try to live it authentically, the State has the task of enacting laws for all its citizens.

¶ The State has the civic duty to confirm itself to God’s Laws, for the obvious reason that the State also is under God’s Providence. For the greater good, the State may need to tolerate a certain dissent, but no individual has the right to act as an obstacle to the Kingship of Christ. One hopes that the clergy will remind citizens of these things.

Liturgical celebrations that use rituals and language that are easily understood, inclusive and accessible to all.

¶ The Eucharist is a profound mystery. It is the heart of our Faith. It should not be trivialised in the name of being “easily understood, inclusive and accessible”. Rather, it is the duty of the clergy to instruct us in the treasures that have been passed down to us.

Strengthening relationships with our fellow Christians and other faiths.

Full acceptance that the Spirit speaks through all people, including those of faiths other than Christian and those of no religious faith, so that the breath of the Spirit will flow more freely.

¶ This, with respect, is a travesty of Catholic doctrine. God can speak as He wills, and He can touch people even when they are deluded by false teachings; but our mission from Christ was to “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”. The Association Of Catholic Priests wish to implement Vatican II. They must know that the Vatican II document on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, States clearly in Ch 2, par11: “The way and method in which the Catholic faith is expressed should never become an obstacle to dialogue with our brethren. It is, of course, essential that the doctrine should be clearly presented in its entirety. Nothing is so foreign to the spirit of ecumenism as a false irenicism (making a false peace), in which the purity of Catholic doctrine suffers loss and its genuine and certain meaning is clouded. At the same time, the Catholic faith must be explained more profoundly and precisely, in such a way and in such terms as our separated brethren can also really understand.”

Does the Association Of Catholic Priests intend to foster fidelity to this mission?

¶ A final question: What did these priests learn in their seminary?

in JMJ & Patrick

Michael O’Farrell