Lost Sheep.

By Father Erik Richtsteig

Recent events have caused me to reflect upon how much I hate losing sheep, whether it be to another parish, another church, or that other church known as cafeteria Catholicism. My secretary remarked, "Wow, you really take it personally." Damn straight I do. This isn't just my job, it is my vocation. And if that weren't enough, there is always the knowledge that I will be held accountable by the Lord for each and every soul entrusted to my care on the Day of Judgement... (continued)

Read More at Orthometer

The Cross In Utah

By Fr. Erik Richtsteig at Orthometer

A common experience for Catholics and other who wear a cross or a crucifix in Utah goes something like the following:

Mormon: Why do you wear THAT?
Crossie: Wear what?
Mormon: That cross thing.
Crossie: Because Jesus died on it.
Mormon: Well if you mom was shot would you wear a gun?

It could be noose, electric chair, or guillotine, but you get the point: Utah and its majority religion are not cross friendly. Moreover, verbal attacks, teasing, and bullying of young people by classmates can be especially brutal.

But why the aversion to what orthodox Christians see as a sign of Christ's triumph over the Devil? There are several possibilities as Mormon doctrine and theology is nothing if not fluid. First, according to the Mormons Jesus is not God incarnate. He is merely our elder brother and savior. It has been taught that He didn't atone for our sins by dying on the Cross, but by weeping blood in the garden. Second, there has historically been an aversion to anything that smacks of traditional Christianity; think Protestantism on steroids. Third, a couple of years ago, The Salt Lake Tribune published an interesting article concerning some research by a professor at Cal State Sacramento. His thesis is that the extreme anti-cross attitude can be traced to President David O. McKay's virulent anti-Catholicism. My personal opinion is that while this may have intensified the opposition, it had been very present before. I base this upon anecdotes heard from both Catholics and Mormons that predate McKay.

Anyhow, this is yet more evidence that Mormonism cannot be considered Christian in an orthodox theological sense. (Also, interesting parallels can be drawn to the hatred of the cross that one finds in Islam.)

"But God forbid that I should glory except in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." -- Galatians 6:14.

(Image: murals in the sanctuary in the Cathedral of the Madeline, Salt Lake City.)

• The Cross In Utah

Dodged The Bullet!

From Father Richtsteig at Orthometer:

"No incidents of spontaneous human combustion were reported today thanks to the U. S. Catholic policy that removes the obligation from a holy day that falls on a Sunday or a Monday. As everyone knows, attending Mass two days in a row is the leading cause of SHC.

NOT!

Seriously, no one was ever harmed by being obliged to assist at Mass on two consecutive days. All is policy does is confuse people and encourage laziness. GIVE US BACK OUR HOLY DAYS!:

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• Wheel Of Penance!

Help Father Select His .45

Henry Big Boy rifle, .45 Long Colt

He wants a .45 caliber firearm (click here)

Chia Obama

• Father Richtsteig's Christmas Present

Fat Tuesday

"To heck with fat Tuesday! Today is Pyro-Tuesday; the day I burn the palms for ashes. Great fun..." - Fr. Richtsteig

• Stop! Pyro-time!

God bless Fr. R.

From Orthometer:

Another Visit From The Truth Squad.

This came via email from the Northwest:

Dear Father Richtsteig,

My husband and I were in town from Seattle Wa. the day your comments appeared in the paper. Needless to say we were embarrassed as catholics.

No one cares who you voted for or who you wanted in office.

It appears you are the one who needs enlightenment. You are in your appointed position to serve the faithful. Being the only negative contributor did not sit well with any of our friends to whom we shown your "piece". A little graciousness and support would have been the appropriate response. Your behavior only gives credience to those people leaving the church. You are not speaking for the faithful Father, you are speaking for yourself. That was not the intent of The Tribune. Your bad manners reflect badly on those of us who know better. I

I will pray for your humility.

Here is my response,

Dear _____,
I do not claim to speak for the faithful. That is not the job of a priest. When the Tribune called, they knew that I, like many, have grave reservations about the President's policies as reflected in his campaign promises and statements, which have only been substantiated by the records of his cabinet appointees so far. They did not ask for congratulations, etc....
I would call you attention to the fact that I said I will support him, I any way that I am morally able. However, I cannot and will not support him on his stated policies which are contrary to the teaching of the Church--policies which will affect the most innocent and vulnerable among us. Further, I will not keep silent on this for fear I might offend someone whose political sensibilities may be stronger than their faith.
I appreciate your prayers for my humility be assured on mine in return,

Posted by Fr. Erik Richtsteig

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"OK, I've Calmed Down"

"Ever since Rome in her wisdom finally recognized the disaster which was old ICEL, restructured it, and formed the Vox Clara Commission, I have been waiting with fervent hope for the a good translation of the Novus Ordo. Face it, the translation that we have now bites. Not only is it's language pedestrian, lacking in linguistic beauty, and hardly spiritually uplifting, it is really a paraphrase. Reams and megabytes have been spilled about what has been ideologically mistranslated and just plain left out of in the current translation. Finally, it seemed that we would be able to celebrate a Mass that lives up to the Latin original. But, someone has slammed on the brakes. And from the comments of the bishops at last month's meeting, it is because certain bishops think that we priests are too inept to handle dependent clauses and the laity too dim to understand words not regularly used on TV. I also suspect that there is something deeper going on. The liturgical establishment does not, to say the least, like the direction Rome is taking the liturgy and is doing everything in its power to obstruct the liturgical restoration. This seems to be only more step in an organized campaign..."

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