On August 25, 2016 (just a bit longer than two years ago), I began this blogsite posting an article on the future of the Catholic Priesthood which I stated I believed would be the focus of the next Ecumenical Council.
Since then, I have posted articles on a daily basis covering a wide range of issues of interest and import regarding the Church today.
Along the way, a number of faithful readers have followed what I have had to say and, from time to time, expressed their views or asked questions. At times, I would address those viewpoints or respond to those questions in subsequent postings.
Depending upon the news cycle, there would be days when I posted a number of articles.
Managing this blogsite has required a lot of research, reading and studying, updating myself regarding Church teachings touching upon a host of topics ranging from the Sacred Liturgy to medico-moral practices and protocols.
At times, it’s been intriguing. At times, confounding. At times, frustrating.
But always, it’s been a labor of love because it allowed me to continue to share my love of the Church and the wisdom and beauty of her teaching and ministry even in my retirement from active ministry.
From the response of readers, I felt that this labor contributed at least in some small way to affecting something positive and hopeful among a few of my fellow Catholics.
Lately, however, it is clear that the Church is entrenched in a quagmire of sodomy and filth which is the daily center of attention.
The endless litany of homosexual abuse of young males by Clergy, the almost universal failure of Bishops to address the crisis and the global nature of the crisis has become the stuff of almost every article of late.
And the Holy See, specifically Pope Francis himself, has shown repeatedly a complete lack of understanding and commitment to resolve the crisis in an effective and meaningful way.
In my articles, I chronicled the Pope’s dismissal of the USCCB leadership’s request for an Apostolic Visitation last September. I wrote of the Pope’s urging that the USCCB meeting be canceled in favor of a retreat among the Bishops.
I extensively covered the allegations of Archbishop Vigano and the varied reactions of the Pope and the Bishops to them.
And each time, I ended my writings with a plea to the Holy Spirit to come to the aid of our crippled and bleeding Church.
Yesterday, the USCCB and the Catholic faithful were treated with utmost contempt as the Holy See (under the express direction of the Pope himself I believe) ordered that no action be taken regarding the accountability of Bishops in the sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the Church here and abroad.
It is now clear that this Pontificate has lost any moral authority let alone respect in this country among the Clergy and laity alike.
Rather than continuing to be besieged with the countless reactions of outrage, anger and frustration this latest affront will create, rather than continue for months and months in the endless commentary regarding the same failures and disappointments, I have decided to put this blogsite to rest and cease any future postings.
Before I do so in this final posting, allow me the following personal remarks.
First, thank you for you loyal following and for the response which affirmed and which challenged my opinions.
God bless you for your continued and continuing love of the Church and the Lord.
Second, accept my apologies for contributing in any way to the failings which we see daily in the headlines and on the websites. I am a member of the Church. If the Church has failed in its mission, I bear some of the corporate responsibility and beg your pardon and the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus.
Lastly, while it will be difficult, hold onto your faith and trust in God and continue to nourish yourselves with the Word of God and the Sacraments which the Lord has given to sustain us in our journey to Heaven.
I shall pray for all of you in a special way in my daily spiritual exercises and in the celebration of Holy Mass.
One day, please God, when we behold Him face to face and meet each other in Eternity, perhaps we will understand why the Lord allowed all this to transpire.
For the present, let us continue to walk in faith and not lose heart, even in these darkest and most troubled times.
God bless you and keep you close to Himself every moment of your lives.
I commend us all to the loving embrace of Our Blessed Lady, Mother of the Church and our tainted nature’s solitary boast.
May the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, the Lifegiver of our Church, come to our aid, enliven our wounded Faith, and encourage us to persevere.
It's been quite an adventure. Thank you for sharing it with me.
With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude,
Father Joe Parisi
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