Erections Under Our Gowns?

Well it has certainly been a while since an update to this Blog. Things have been very hectic in life lately, forming a new Parish, as the Independent Catholic Movement continues to grow in Rhode Island, I am blessed to be a part of it. That growth yields much work. Today, in a particular way I am especially grateful to be a part of the Independent Catholic Movement in light of the CNN program slated to come on Sunday regarding what Cardinal Ratzinger, now Benedict XVI, knew during the clergy sex scandal in the Roman Catholic Church.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/24/sex-abuse-victim-learns-of-pope’s-role/

The article speaks of a man, Matt McCormick, who was in the seventh grade when it all began. He speaks of how it started with his Parish Priest, Fr. Campbell, made his first move on Matt when he put his hand on his thigh in the car on the way home from a baseball game, and just “left it there”. This incident was only the beginning, and what followed was years of increased sexual assault on this young man. McCormick was an Altar Boy, and the interview reads as follows:

“Before performing his duties as an altar server, McCormick and other boys were fondled by Campbell in a room just steps away from the altar.
“He thought it would be funny if we went out with erections under our gowns,” McCormick said.”

Campbell (who I refuse to call ‘Father’) thought that it would be ‘funny’, to molest a pre-pubescent boy, and then with those same hands, confect the Eucharist. The lips that committed the most grievous sin imaginable, would then kiss the Altar, and speak the words of consecration, and confect the Eucharist, the living and total true presence of Christ. Cardinal Ratzinger refused to have the Priest defrocked.

Thanks be to God for the Independent Catholic Movement. I think that it is a hilarity, that this same man, speaks out against Gay Marriage, that for a man to marry another man, or a woman to marry another woman, destroys the sanctity of the institution of marriage. Does the molestation of boys not destroy the sanctity of the Eucharist? As a Priest, this touches the very depths of my heart, as it should any Priest. The celebration of the Eucharist, which we participate in every Sunday, or everyday, unworthily, is so tarnished by such activity

The reality of it is, we are the Church. And the Church currently stands in a negative light, so what are we going to do about it? The North American Old Catholic Church made it’s choice quite clear. We have an institution that protects the safety of children. We have an institution that values the love that is shared between two people of the same gender. We acknowledge that sometimes love deserves a second chance, and a second try at Marriage is not sinful, but rather an expression of love, and a chance to heal. I find it the epitome of hierocracy for the Roman Church to identify so many forms of love as sinful, while the sexual act is being used as such a disastrous weapon.

Perhaps its time as Catholics, that we take a good long look at what we profess. Perhaps its time that we evaluate what is going on behind the closed Sacristy doors, and worse yet, what is going on at the desks of Bishops and Cardinals across this planet, who have turned the other way when this information reaches them.

There are countless good and holy men who serve the Church as Priests, and whose work is not advertised on the Six O’Clock news, or celebrated with CNN Special Reports. However that does not change the fact that it is the Institution that has caused such deep damage. It is the institution that moves these men from Parish to Parish. It is the institution that for so many years refused to acknowledge the pain and suffering of so many young people. It is that same institution that has the nerve to stand there and say that the love between two men or two women is sinful.

I pray that one day the one Church of Jesus Christ can stand united. I fear that will not happen until we are all rejoicing in His presence in Heaven, however in the meanwhile it is incumbent upon all Clergy, of every denomination, to think twice before you talk. It is our responsibility to safeguard our children, because they are the future. It is also upon us to pray for these men; the monsters who did this, and the monsters who covered it up. I have been blessed to be friends with many good, and holy priests, whose example is one I can only feebly attempt to live up to. Unfortunately, it only takes one apple to spoil to bunch. It only takes one hand to destroy a young child’s identity, and it only takes one hand to sign on the dotted line, and ignore the problem. That same hand is raised to give a blessing, confect the Eucharist, anoint the sick, to Baptize, and absolve sins.

As members of the Baptized, we share in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The Chrism which we were anointed on that day as babies makes us responsible. It requires us as members of the Body of Christ to act. So the question on the table is, what will you do?