A Word from Pope
A little learning is a dang'rous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.
An Essay on Criticism, Alexander Pope (1709)
The disciplining of a priest by his bishop,
as in the case of Fr. Treco by Bishop Steven J. Lopes, is no light matter.
Too often, it seems, enthusiasts of a certain ilk - those laced or possessed with "a little learning", which "is a dang'rous thing" - infect a community with the bile of personal preferences. Those preferences may contain elements of the Truth. Sadly, however, whatever smattering of truth may be present is then suppressed and an agenda of not so pleasant fictions emerges to fray the edges of a community and eventually rend it entirely.
Pray for the
Minnesota Ordinariate Community.
Opinions traversing the internet have amounted to much useless scuttlebutt and digital chaff. It is far too easy to get on one's online soapbox and pretend at papal supremacy. It is possible, and quite necessary for self declared internet pundits, to avoid saying or writing anything to confuse matters in a way that proves uncharitable and that obscures the truth. Some forums, however, had best conduct a collective examination of conscience for fanning the flames of ill will.
1567 "The priests, prudent cooperators of the episcopal college and its support and instrument, called to the service of the People of God, constitute, together with their bishop, a unique sacerdotal college (presbyterium) dedicated, it is, true to a variety of distinct duties. In each local assembly of the faithful they represent, in a certain sense, the bishop, with whom they are associated in all trust and generosity; in part they take upon themselves his duties and solicitude and in their daily toils discharge them." Priests can exercise their ministry only in dependence on the bishop and in communion with him. The promise of obedience they make to the bishop at the moment of ordination and the kiss of peace from him at the end of the ordination liturgy mean that the bishop considers them his co-workers, his sons, his brothers and his friends, and that they in return owe him love and obedience.
Obedience in Christ requires a docile spirit, a spirit that bears just or unjust punishments with charity, clarity and composure. For those striving to be obedient to the will of God, God gives grace to those who with complete sincerity of heart ask Him for said grace.
Ask God for His grace to guide us together forward. Trust in His mercy.
Titus 3:1-7
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Procedamus in pace.
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PSALM 37
Keep innocency, and take heed unto the thing that is right : for that shall bring a man peace at the last.
POPE LEO XIV
The right to freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, religious freedom, and even the right to life are being restricted in the name of other so-called new rights, with the result that the very framework of human rights is losing its vitality and creating space for force and oppression. This occurs when each right becomes self-referential, and especially when it becomes disconnected from reality, nature, and truth.
ST AUGUSTINE
The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.
SAINT PHILIP NERI
The greatness of our love of God must be tested by the desire we have of suffering for His love.
ANTONIN SCALIA
Knowledge is one thing, virtue is another; good sense is not conscience, refinement is not humility. Liberal Education makes the gentleman. It is well to be a gentleman, it is well to have a cultivated intellect, a delicate taste, a candid, equitable, dispassionate mind, a noble and courteous bearing in the conduct of life. These are the natural qualities of a large knowledge, they are the objects of a university. But they are no guarantee for sanctity of even for conscientiousness; they may attach to the man of the world, to the profligate, to the heartless.
MARCUS AURELIUS
There is but one thing of real value - to cultivate truth and justice, and to live without anger in the midst of lying and unjust men.
MARK TWAIN
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
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Stand by your word.