Came across this in Facebook, which gladdens my heart.
which is as it should be. Even (religious) leaders have to be corrected. Then Why do I say But?
The question of Racism persists in my mind.
To me, ALL are God’s children. Among humans, parents may love their children differently. But the All Perfect God would not be doing this. For Him (no gender bias intended) All His children would be Equally Precious. We have to take our cues from that.
All that being so, what irritates me is that I have not seen my papa speaking thus strongly for the Boat people, Other Refugees, Syria, Yemen, …the list is long.
2 issues. Both concerning the catholic church. Prompted by a movie I watched y’day, namely: Spotlight.
Speaking on the movie, neither enjoyed it nor understood it well. Give me Jackie Chan’s Rumble in the Bronx any time.
Spotlight dealt with Pedophile priests in the cath. church, saying the malaise reached farther than individual cases. Organized? Peculiar. But the idea that it ‘lives’ on the support of the Laity is Well said.
Sadly, I am a person personally acquainted with a lot of pain, and not just mine. A whole batch of young nuns who had been raped had come to the ashram of ***, in ***, while I was there. Some of them spoke to me too.
I know 2 grown up men, one of them a priest, victims of sexual abuse when young, and how ‘destroyed’ they are.
I know a number of children, victims of same.
As for myself, a man, in present day Mumbai, but Many years ago, had kissed me on the cheek, (and how! he had ‘sucked’ my cheek into his mouth, the very memory of which revolts); and a senior seminerian, (today a respected member of the clergy), as per his usual practice, had run his hand over my bum while a whole bunch of us were on the stairs. I would bring up, if I were to dwell on it.
Coming back to the cath. church – (let others take up and comment and try to clean up their own groups) – part of the malaise lies with the church which lays so much stock on celibacy. This itself is trying to satisfy the expectation of the Laity!
What I mean to say is, from the Extreme Resulsion I feel from these memories, and from the sharing I have received, I can understand just How Affected victims of sexual abuse feel.
For all that… While the number of those affected by sexual abuse, even within living memory would be Large,
…….
WHOLE PEOPLES are affected by Caste discrimination.
Unconnected with the cath. church, here’s the latest from India. A boy, a Xth class student (that would make him about 16), upon asking for his mother’s wages for work done, (that means it was being denied), was made to Lick the feet of the so called upper-caste fellow’s feet!
Talking Only of castes, how is the situation in the cath. church?
A young catholic woman, was surrounded by about 40 young men and ragged. I personally know of this.
A young man, accused of ‘riding his motorcycle fast,’ (false charge), had stones thrown at him while he was riding. He had been injured in the process. …Once, while he was taking me to the bus stop, I saw the so-called upper-caste boys pick up stones. They desisted only after noticing me.
A very highly educated man (being of the so called lower caste), now about 65, is in shambles because of the way he is treated, again by the so called upper caste. Case personally known.
Let us come to Priests. Priests of the so called lower caste All but Weep.
Tamil Nadu is Most infamous in this. Even the bishops are chosen with caste in mind.
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But it is not only India and its castes. As I have asked earlier, Has there ever been a Non-white pope?
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So what say, which is worse: Sexual abuse in the cath. church or the Racism in it? 😦
Eg, Curses. As I have declared in my About, and as I Am, a catholic priest! You would it Difficult to find other priests doing this.
Because I Empathise.
The words go: No man is an Island, No man stands alone . Each man’s joy is joy to me, Each man’s grief is my own.
That says it.
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2. But are Priests even allowed to speak like this?
Let’s take what would seem one of the Hottest verses in the Bible: in pic, and below that, as text. In both cases, the speaker/prayer is supposed to be a Hebrew, reasons below.
The page, habitually gives the Context, at right. Of significance are the words in blue. Below, that same thought, of Babylonians dashing Hebrew babies against walls, in picture.
This is supposed to show Babylonians killing the Hebrews. It takes some ‘work’ to kill an adult. To do that to babes in arms Much simpler. Catch it by the foot and dash its head against the nearest wall. The mother would not be disturbed by a crying baby while you rape her.
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The point: of all this… The Bible uses Stronger words than Fire and Brimstone. …Indians, in particular, know that a Sannyasi, one who has given his life to The Lord (that’s me, folks!), does not pull back his words.
dogs know Nothing about morality. Particularly when those who should teach it, in this case the Russian Orthodox Church, just busy eating royal food like modi.
Funnily, the pope has redeemed himself. Heard 3 or 4 mentions of his statement on putin’s War on BBC.
This post, long in my mind, is inspired by my Good Friend, Anna Waldherr. I had gone through two of her posts on the page/category: catholic church sex scandals:
Virginity and Celibacy Fascinates mankind, precisely because Everyone knows just How Difficult it is to Refrain from Sex.
In India, those who are close to a priest might ask: “How do You Sleep?” …I have been asked that.
You go to a Homeopathic doctor. He comes to know You are a priest. He asks: “What do You do for Sex?” (I know that patients are routinely asked about sexual behaviour in this treatment).
That is Why those who refrain from it, or claim they refrain from it(!) are held in such Awe, to the point of Veneration.
Yet there have been, and there Are those who gave up sex (sublimated, as some like to emphasise), for higher purposes, including religion. …Naughty man that I am, in the above I would include those who are Just Not Interested in sex for various reasons.
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So far I was trying to point out that the Sex Drive is one of the Strongest.
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As is my usual practice, shall speak Only of the catholic church.
We see in the Bible that ancient or even contemporary beliefs and practices were taken as a basis,but in Every case, Astonishingly New Conclusions were drawn.
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The catholic priesthood and the Bible.
Christ had Not made ‘the Unmarried state’ a ‘condition’ for being one of His Apostles (by definition, chosen from among the chosen).
True, He had remained Unmarried, and people (particularly the church) will quote Matthew 19.12, the one about ‘Eunuchs for sake of the kingdom.’
Except for John the apostle, all the others are said to have been married.
(Above: depiction of Jesus healing Peter’s Mother in law. Luke 4:38-41.)
Hardly surprising in a society which considered marriage ‘Obligatory,’ vide:
‘…Male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth…” (Gen 1.27-8).
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On the other side, the idea of ‘unmarried clergy’ started Many centuries after the Apostolic times. The people liked it, and the ‘church’ obliged. What the people like, the church is Eager to give.
The Laity like it!
A third element, if I may call it that, has to be considered. …THE LAITY would not like it if the church considers changes in this regard.
I state that the catholic church took up and promoted ‘celibacy,’ seeing the fascination it held for the masses.
Like a Bull dog, it is holding On to it.
All the above can be called
THE REASONS FOR THE UNMARRIED CLERGY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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As an Interlude, consider these:
Popes who were married
St. Peter, Apostle St. Felix III 483-492 (2 children) St. Hormidas 514-523 (1 son) St. Silverus (Antonia) 536-537 Hadrian II 867-872 (1 daughter) Clement IV 1265-1268 (2 daughters) Felix V 1439-1449 (1 son)
Popes who were the sons of other popes, other clergy
THE EFFECTS OF THE UNMARRIED CLERGY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
I remember Our Dear Father De’Cyper of Our Theologate in Ranchi telling Us:
“The vow of Chastity does not mean just being Celibate (Unmarried), but being ‘Chaste,’ [Not having (Any Kind of) Sex].”
Given that, unable to speak of times 30-40 years ago, I would say that
A mere 30% of priests (bishops and cardinals are priests) might not be having some kind of sex. In other words, 70% Do practise some kind of sex. (All ‘my’ numbers, of course!)
[ Before some ‘wise’ person tells me: ‘Stop washing Your dirty linen in public,’ let me say that this article goes Much further; towards a solution, albeit old, definitely Ignored. ]
Whatever the effects of this at the Pearly Gates, I want to focus on:
The EFFECTS of The Unmarried PriesthoodRight here on Earth.
…When I was in the seminary, there was this guy one year my senior, (real case, You see), – who would invariably run his hand over the bum of anybody in front of him, particularly while climbing stairs. The last I checked, he is a senior priest, a well liked ‘preacher,’ to boot.
Once ‘I’ got his attention. Here come the ‘effects.’ I almost brought up (vomited, for those without the degree).
Those who have been Molested in More serious ways would laugh at me, for citing this.
Yes, a mere touch had been / could be So Repugnant, (I took to making Serious effort to avoid his ‘attentions’). Anybody who has had these kinds of Negative (sexual) experiences would understand.
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When I was at a certain ashram in North India, a group of young Nuns who had been raped were brought in for a time of peace and quiet. They were walking Zombies, fearsome examples of the ‘effect’ under discussion here.
(Inserting this pic in an effort to keep things interesting. The Dear Sisters were Nowhere as meaningless as this).
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I know at least two grown men today, who, though ‘successful’ in their fields, are literally broken inside. Every sort of Decorum forbids Us to say anything More about them.
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Do We Need such ‘Effects?’
This is the Most Important point here.
The Effects, which Include seemingly unerasable Shame, unnecessary Guilt, and Anger, produce Serious side effects of their own.
In short, give Rise to Sin.
When Christ has said, “”If anyone causes one of these little ones–those who believe in me–to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” Matthew 18.6, NIV.,
WHY have not this Abominable law, those who brought it into being, and those who keep it so, been Abolished?
What has happened is this:
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Over this issue and many others, churches have catered to the ‘wishes’ of the people, (as had Aaron with the golden calf, (Exodus 32)), and to people through the ages saying: “Give Us Pleasant things.”
Moses had been Man enough to practise what he believed in and preached, that day. Today’s hierarchy proves to the world that they Are Eunuchs (with Apologies to Eunuchs; No offence intended. Just using age old examples).
About ‘pleasant things,’ a few quotes.
‘They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.’ (Isaiah 30.10).
‘For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires.’ (2 Timothy 4.3).
(About Jesus), ‘On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”‘ (John 6.60).
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Christian Hierarchy, for a Long time, has fallen prey to mammon.
Showing You a couple of pics that have interested me very much.
Those who are interested in Cricket will remember that many cricket sportsmen, esp from the Caribbean, sport thick, heavy, silver(?) chains. …These gentlemen, seemingly priests, are rolling in gold.
But who am I to comment on that? …The ‘vatican bank,’ it seems, is a Major shareholder in Beretta Arms; which produces not just hand guns, but Military Rifles.
From the picture it seems Beretta produces even (Military) helicopters and Tanks!
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The lifestyle of cardinals,
From search on: Residences of cardinals.
bishops, and even priests is luxurious.
The money for all this comes, and will keep coming from the ‘mass,’ as in the strength of the congregation.
The church does not want to lose its name as ‘The Most Numerous.’ …Loss in these numbers would also bring a Solid dent in the revenue. The church is More worried about these things than the Wrath of its Founder and Master.
***
Solutions to the issue of ‘Unmarried priesthood’ in the catholic church.
The catholic hierarchy, the leaders, have ‘conveniently‘ forgotten the words at the end of their favourite quote:
“The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Matthew 19.12, end).
The authorities would say, “Of course, if You can accept celibacy come forward for priesthood.”
But the point is, WHO gave them the authority to conjoin celibacy and priesthood, when, in Every case (in All translations), Christ made it a choice?
Ergo, Here’s what I call my ‘Solution.’
Those joining for the priesthood, and even those already ordained, cannot and Should Not have Celibacy forced upon them. If they wish to marry, they should be allowed that; without being asked to forego the priesthood.
Married Priesthood Should be allowed in the catholic church.
Subsequently, those who think they want to ‘give up’ sex, (among the priests), cannot and Should Not be given Any higher regard.
I find this, – particularly referring to the graphic in Anna’s post, – Absolutely Inhuman. In India, they treat the ‘Real’ criminals with TLC (Tender Loving Care),
The man in white is one ‘Dara Singh,’ killer of Pastor Staines AND his family.
and Badly beat up those whom We would call The Innocent.
Above, beaten By the police, Thank You.
Abroad, I have not seen photographs of Carlos, the Drug lord and Mass killer, being treated this way.
My Blogging friend Anna, who is a Lawyer, keeps raising these issues.
These can be stopped Only if a Million voices rise against these.Simpler would be for Religious leaders, like the Pope, the Cardinals, Bishops, the Dalai Lama to speak up. …The Jesuit authorities in India spoke up for Fr. Stan; …for their Own.
Does it not make Your heart ache to see this, as it does mine?
These days, my Dear Friends, have been concentrating on writing posts for my Facebook page: For Catholics, accessed through @swamiyesudas.
It has been both my hope and Firm belief that people, Actively taking part in the affairs of life, can Effect Powerful changes.
It is the Apathy and Lethargy of mankind that prevents this action, and results in the proliferation of evil.
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On the other side Christians, – I shall limit myself to catholics, as I dislike infringing upon areas not my own, thus – catholics, seem to think that attending ‘mass,’ to use the word they themselves would use, saying ‘book’ prayers, going for pilgrimages, and giving to charity is all there is to it; and the clergy takes pains (!) that the laity remain in this mindset.
Christ Weeps.
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Here is a sample of what I write there.
…Do hope You visit that page. …Hearty Regards.
PS: Am not able to type all that well with my left hand. So forgive me if I do not get in touch with You too much.
This is addressing ONE side of issues, Francis @Pontifex. Till you write addressing Caste-ism, Racism, errant, lazy and money hungry bishops and priests, Catholic judges, policemen and officials, Regularly n Powerfully, you are failing in your duty.
Just to insert a pic, and to be abreast of things, one of two shopkeepers who were beaten SO badly they died, in police custody, in South India. [ This while Floyd‘s death is SO fresh in our minds. ]
If you are looking for meaning in life but, not finding one, you throw yourself away with “imitations of love”, such as wealth, career, pleasure, or an addiction, let Jesus look at you, and you will discover you have always been loved.
@Pontifex No words to your comfort-seeking bishops n priests, on their lifestyle n esp their WATERY preaching?
On:
Vatican News @VaticanNews
#PopeFrancis invites Christian disciples to “have no fear” in the face of hostility, persecution, and even the feeling of being abandoned by God. #Angelus
Archbishop Wilton starts with a bang, and fizzles out like a Damp cracker. …But he did at least that. More than can be said of #EdwardPeters, canonlawyer, #bishops in general, or the #pope
Wilton Gregory, America’s only black Catholic archbishop, goes from diplomat to firestarter in the wake of George Floyd’s death https://wapo.st/2z55SUa
lovehappinessandpeace 