Comments on: Principles of Engagement http://www.worrygeek.com/index.php/2009/08/15/principles-of-engagement/ Ruminations from a worried geek. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:08:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Brian Van Sickle http://www.worrygeek.com/index.php/2009/08/15/principles-of-engagement/comment-page-1/#comment-43 Brian Van Sickle Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:18:48 +0000 http://www.worrygeek.com/?p=102#comment-43 My idea is this: If everyone in the laity who is concerned agreed to a few very basic concerns/requests that we all share in common. Then all of us agree to email the Archdiocese with the EXACT same concerns within a period of three days, giving both our names and parishes. The wording of such should not be a demand but rather a statement of genuine concern for the health of Christ's Holy Church. I propose to include the things that concern me the most. These are neither innuendo, vicious rumors spread on blog sights, nor anecdotes of those who may have had a bad personal experience. They all are matters of public record. 1.) The critical need for our DIOCESAN bishops to manage the affairs their own diocese with piety in ALL matters including clergy assignments and financial management. To do otherwise is to effectively strip them of the ability to perform their rightful duties. 2.) Directly address the persistent lack of financial transparency. What is more important, the cost of an audit or the trust of the people of God? I truly hope and want to believe that nothing is amiss in the financial affairs of the Archdiocese. An independent audit would stop the increasing erosion of trust and ensure that our house is in order both legally and morally. 3.) Avoid the grave potential harm that could be brought upon us and, most importantly, the Name of Jesus Christ by continuing to support financially - directly or indirectly - Bp. Dmitri in any PASTORAL role. Need I mention what occurred in the Roman Catholic Church? The media and the attorneys will rightly call us to account sooner or later if we refuse to listen to God and our holy Apostles and Fathers on this matter. BTW, This is NOT and should not be construed as a lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an altogether separate issue, and those who confuse the two are evading the core of the matter. It is strictly and solely a matter of what is good for the Church. I personally have no problem at all with providing him with a reasonable living, but it is both a violation of Scriptural and canonical principals (completely aside the letter of the law) for us to support him in a pastoral role. Personally, I loved Bp. Dmitri very much, and with all my heart I wish him well. My idea is this: If everyone in the laity who is concerned agreed to a few very basic concerns/requests that we all share in common.

Then all of us agree to email the Archdiocese with the EXACT same concerns within a period of three days, giving both our names and parishes.

The wording of such should not be a demand but rather a statement of genuine concern for the health of Christ’s Holy Church.

I propose to include the things that concern me the most. These are neither innuendo, vicious rumors spread on blog sights, nor anecdotes of those who may have had a bad personal experience. They all are matters of public record.

1.) The critical need for our DIOCESAN bishops to manage the affairs their own diocese with piety in ALL matters including clergy assignments and financial management. To do otherwise is to effectively strip them of the ability to perform their rightful duties.

2.) Directly address the persistent lack of financial transparency. What is more important, the cost of an audit or the trust of the people of God? I truly hope and want to believe that nothing is amiss in the financial affairs of the Archdiocese. An independent audit would stop the increasing erosion of trust and ensure that our house is in order both legally and morally.

3.) Avoid the grave potential harm that could be brought upon us and, most importantly, the Name of Jesus Christ by continuing to support financially – directly or indirectly – Bp. Dmitri in any PASTORAL role.

Need I mention what occurred in the Roman Catholic Church? The media and the attorneys will rightly call us to account sooner or later if we refuse to listen to God and our holy Apostles and Fathers on this matter.

BTW, This is NOT and should not be construed as a lack of forgiveness. Forgiveness is an altogether separate issue, and those who confuse the two are evading the core of the matter. It is strictly and solely a matter of what is good for the Church. I personally have no problem at all with providing him with a reasonable living, but it is both a violation of Scriptural and canonical principals (completely aside the letter of the law) for us to support him in a pastoral role. Personally, I loved Bp. Dmitri very much, and with all my heart I wish him well.

]]> By: mickey Hodges http://www.worrygeek.com/index.php/2009/08/15/principles-of-engagement/comment-page-1/#comment-42 mickey Hodges Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:02:15 +0000 http://www.worrygeek.com/?p=102#comment-42 Good words. As laity, we have a unique and necessary role to play in resolving this crisis. We can act in ways that other parts of the Church cannot. Good words. As laity, we have a unique and necessary role to play in resolving this crisis. We can act in ways that other parts of the Church cannot.

]]> By: mf http://www.worrygeek.com/index.php/2009/08/15/principles-of-engagement/comment-page-1/#comment-39 mf Sat, 15 Aug 2009 16:39:18 +0000 http://www.worrygeek.com/?p=102#comment-39 Thank you Brother. I am in complete agreement. The frustration is in not knowing how or what to do about any of it. mf Thank you Brother. I am in complete agreement. The frustration is in not knowing how or what to do about any of it.

mf

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