The RC Church will change only.....

"The Church will begin to solve its problems and resolve its tensions, when, and only when,
clericalism and its adherents reverse priorities
and place truth and justice ahead of institutional image."
(Msgr.Harry S.Byrne, former Chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York)

Monsignor Byrne in his article refers to Canon Law 1395
which states that any cleric who causes
scandal by sin against the sixth commandment is to be punished by suspension,

and Canon 1389
which requires anyone in ecclesiastical office who,
through culpable negligence,
omits the exercise of ecclesiastical power of office
to be punished.

While we are lead to believe
that a very small percent of priests fall under Canon 1395,
it is obvious that a very large percent of bishops should be punished
(according to Canon 1389)
for covering up clerical pedophilia.

Instead, there has been an attempt to blame all Catholics
such as when Pope John Paul II called for
a "purification of the entire Catholic community."

Not one guilty bishop has been called to accountability or punished.

What are Catholics to think
when those who make the Church laws
feel free to disregard them?

While Monsignor Bryne rightly calls for
a change of clerical priorities,
might the rest of us exercise the same freedom
and follow the Episcopal example to ignore Church law when needed –
like women's ordination,
support for the Church,
mandatory clerical celibacy, etc., etc.?

While we suffer the shame,
we have a right to not be held guilty of the crimes of our imposed leaders.




Do we
not have the right to redress under the laws they themselves make
and are to enforce?
Even with Archbishop Burke heading the Vatican Court?
(Ask St. Stanislaus parish!).

ARCC reaffirms Monsignor Byrne's statement:
"The Church will begin to solve its problems and resolve its tensions,
when, and only when, clericalism and its adherents
reverse priorities and place truth and justice ahead of institutional image."

The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC)
is encouraging and helpful.
Read more at ARCC
Circulate freely,
but kindly acknowledge the source.
Comments to rschutz1@prodigy.net or call 1-877-700-2722 (ARCC).