Friday, October 7, 2011

Point - Counterpoint

From RORATE CÆLI:

Point:
The Rev. Michael Rodriguez was transferred to a new parish because his stance on morality and the upcoming recall election "raised serious issues regarding whether his participation could be attributed to the Diocese of El Paso" and his parish, El Paso Catholic Bishop Armando X. Ochoa said.
...

Wednesday, he announced he had been reassigned away from San Juan Bautista Church, where he served.

"I was ordained to the Catholic priesthood to offer sacrifice and teach the only truth which brings salvation and happiness," Rodriguez said in a statement that was emailed to ABC-7. "The priesthood is my greatest joy. In the present circumstances, I intend to try even harder to be a good, holy priest. Obedience to my bishop is essential to the priesthood."
...

"(Father) Rodriguez has recently challenged certain city officials to participate with him in a partisan debate on issues related to an upcoming election," said Ochoa. "This type of intervention in the political in the political process by religious organizations such as the Diocese of El Paso and San Juan Bautista Church is not permitted under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code." [Local news.]

Counterpoint:

In order to accomplish her true task adequately, the Church must constantly renew the effort to detach herself from her tendency towards worldliness and once again to become open towards God. In this she follows the words of Jesus: “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (Jn 17:16), and in precisely this way he gives himself to the world. One could almost say that history comes to the aid of the Church here through the various periods of secularization, which have contributed significantly to her purification and inner reform....

1 comment:

Pablo the Mexican said...
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