Our clergy are in a tough spot.  I feel badly for them.  They are often well shielded from the concerns of the laity.  They don’t always get the best information because even if they wanted to be well versed in the nuances of our current situation, of the world and the Church, where would they find the time?   Their job is to administer the sacraments.  They make hospital calls day and night.  They make up for a massive priest shortage.  They fast often and they sleep little.  How can one be upset?

All of these things considered, how do we make their lives easier?  If we know that there are harmful things coming for our priests, and their flocks, I argue that we do not stand idly by.  That is a disservice to them.  The Catechism agrees with me:  

     In accord with the knowledge, competence, and preeminence which they possess,
     [lay        people]     have the right and even at times a duty to manifest to the sacred
     pastors their opinion on matters     which pertain to the good of the Church, and they
     have a right to make their opinion known to     the other Christian faithful, with due  
     regard to the integrity of faith and morals and reverence     toward their pastors, and
     with consideration for the common good and the dignity of persons.     (CCC 907)

If we literally do nothing, if we live a life of Quietism (all interior life and no active fight), then we are going to be helpless to prevent forced vaccinations, possible new lock downs, or any other means of canceling the careers and everyday lives of good mean and women throughout our community.  This is why I have encouraged so many to at least join their Legislative Districts.

If we fail to witness to the truth, how will we be able to help our clergy, or any good Catholic in our community when a governor who will actually listen to the "lock down lobby" gets into office?  You want to go without the sacraments again?  When the "vaccine" mandates that Fauci promises us come down and we have to take lower paying jobs, due to refusal over conscientious objection or fear over what it will do to our physical health, how will we continue to financially support the Church?  When your state goes full blue and your last bastion against “vaccine” mandates is gone, what happens when droves of good, active, and faithful Catholics move their families to a more resistant state where they can actually have a chance at homesteading?  Especially if parishes assist in the “vaccination” of thousands.  It’s going to be even harder to apply for a religious exemption at work the longer that goes on.  Object with charity now!

I think it is important that those who have the connections take this obligation to inform the clergy very seriously.  Because if we don’t, we enable the evil that threatens all Catholics.  “But I try to talk to Father and he is never available!”, you object.  This may be true for you.  But is it true for everyone in their ability to contact a priest?  Absolutely not.  Most laity have at least one priest they have a strong relationship with.  At least one priest that they can make a phone call to and expect a response.  Please ask yourself, if you have such a relationship with a priest, what are you willing to do in order to break through any of the shield that is up preventing him from getting a perspective you have, that is reasonable, and represents thousands within your diocese?  I challenge you to  step out of your comfort zone and do your part in minding CCC 907.  If we all did that one thing for the one priest we can contact, might we be in better shape as a Church right now?  Might we feel more secure in the Church’s ability to help protect you and your livelihood as you face a cancel culture and a “no jab, no job” culture?  We have lost much time, but we can still begin to work those connections now. Get busy.

For issues that are pressing, and you do not have good access to your parish priest, send emails and write letters.  Sometimes quantity is valuable.  I have observed dozens of men send email blasts to our priests over the last several months.  The voices go through.  An opportunity for dialogue is often created.  I have a good friend, a proud Knight of Columbus and a good man, who wrote to the diocesan office about his concern over the endorsement of therapeutics made with testing done to fetal cell lines from aborted babies.  Not everyone gets a call back (or even a solid letter with names spelled correctly back), but he did get a call back.  The priest who called him was very thoughtful and engaged with him for over an hour on the phone.  We need more laity like that and we need more clergy like that.  

Many years ago, I witnessed a priest give a homily that referenced a television show that promoted and normalized immoral practices that stood in sharp contradiction to the teachings of the Catholic Church.  It was so difficult for me to muster the courage to talk to him about that homily.  But I did.  I did it as respectfully as I possibly could and I simply asked him questions.  What was the purpose of bringing that show up?  Do you think there is any scandal done by referencing that show?  If parishioners who might be easily influenced by that show know that Father watches it (who is a pious man), is there a danger that your congregation might succumb to the messaging on the show?  I was twenty-two years old when I approached that priest.  He looked hurt at first, but he later thanked me for approaching him about the homily.  He also told me to never be afraid to tell a priest when I have such a concern in the future.  When I saw the same priest apologize to his congregation and discourage them from watching the show (that part, I did not even suggest he do!), I decided that I would always honor his directive to express concerns to clergy.  I am personally willing to do so even if time or other unfortuante circumstances dictate a less than ideal situation in which to do so.

The one regret I have from that occasion was that I did not do a good enough job in presenting a message of support for that priest.  I think it is of the utmost importance to always emphasize, in anything that could be seen as a rebuke, that Father understands there is a host of laity in his corner.  When a priest needs encouragement to do the right thing, especially if he was unaware that there was even a problem, perhaps a good rule of thumb is to state the concern in such a way that lets him know that a large number of the faithful are there, for him and his parish, to offer moral support, financial support, or any other support that he may feel anxiety about.  This is not always the case; Father James Martin deserves nothing but rebuke of the sternest kind, for example.  But in most cases, charity, respect, and a demonstrated desire to serve our priests and the Church are paramount as well as most likely to bring about desired fruits.

When it comes to tough conversations and providing necessary feedback, what should that look like going forward?  At this time, I believe that the laity, specifically the parishioners at their own parish where there is a problem, need to be the one’s to step up and tell their priests what they need to know.  But that means they actually have to do it!  If they are getting the obvious screen out in attempting communication, then making an audience happen is imperative (again, see CCC 907).  Additionally, emails and letters need to be sent, regardless of what parish the senders are from.  Finally, we the laity need to be better informed as to what is happening in our diocese in real time, so that we can be ahead of issues well before less than ideal means are chosen due to a lack of time.  Get on flocknotes, check the parish websites, grab bulletins… whatever can make a tactful response smarter and more effective must be done.  


St. Catherine of Siena, St. Joan of Arc, St. Athanasius, St. John Fisher, and St. Thomas More, pray for us.

God bless,
Gadfly