His Excellency Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino of the Diocese of Madison (aka “The Extraordinary Ordinary”) appeared with Raymond Arroyo on EWTN and spoke about a range of issues, contraception, divorce-remarriage, “pastoral approach”, Pope Francis’ video to Pentecostals, Francis’ alleged negative comments about the TLM.
He makes an interesting observation about the Holy Father speaking “whence he comes”, that is, being pastoral has the emphasis because there isn’t a wide-spread defiance of the Church’s teachings. That’s not the case everywhere. But the only authentically “pastoral” must include the truth presented with love. It is not pastoral to help people avoid carrying the Cross.
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” It is not pastoral to help people avoid carrying the Cross.”
Wow. Love it…
I suppose the Pope can send video greetings to Protestant Pentecostals as separated brethren, if he wants. If such a video had been sent to Catholic Charismatics, I would have been quite saddened. It really blurs the understanding of the theological and historical development of Pentecostalism to just treat it as another branch of Christian response to the Gospel. The amount of Protestant propaganda and rhetoric on the Pentecostal side should not blind us to the true origins and nature of the phenomenon. I have no problem with a greeting sent to Protestants – this is tolerance in Christian charity (although, had this been 300 A. D., the likelier greeting would be with a call to repentance or even with a sword), but, like the, “Who am I to judge comment, ” it should not be over-extended nor taken out of context. This was nothing more than outreach, not theological approval, as far as I know.
The Chicken
I pray my own bishop will speak so clearly and often with this clarity.
Bishop Morlino is a great man… Whenever I read things from him, they are always very clear and dont lead me to question things.
As an aside regarding the “issues” flying around regarding the TLM… I will share my experience and the trouble that I’ve been pondering…
As one who attends the TLM exclusively, I can attest that my experience has become a bit troubled of late. Try as much as I can, I would have to say that most that attend are a very gloomy bunch! It truly pains me to say this, believe me but I really do think we are our own worst enemies when it comes to the TLM.
There are the standard bunch… I’m a pretty laid back guy, but there are the ones that insist on three piece suits and bowties and hang out. It almost seems more like a fashion thing than anything else… I mean… Three piece suites, frowns, and home-schooled kids?
Bp. Morlino obviously is a good bishop, it’s a pity he was asked to explain why the Pope would become involved in any way with Kenneth Copeland’s ‘ministry’ when he lives in an $18 million dollar compound and owns the most expensive private jet available. Truly the Pope speaks from whence he comes which is total ignorance of the ‘prosperity gospel’ and those who expound it.
“…there isn’t a wide-spread defiance of the Church’s teachings…”
Having seen that video of the attack on the Cathedral in Buenos Aires by the Feminazis, I have to wonder if this is really true about Argentina. It seems they have their crazies against sexual morality as well.
To CharlesG: Bishop Morlino and Pope Francis are acutely aware of the secular opposition to authentic Christianity, all over the world.
What the bishop means to emphasize is this: There is not widespread defiance of the Church by Catholics in Argentina.
A pastor can be authentically pastoral when a couple approaches saying, “We know we are living contrary to the Gospel, Father, but we are divorced and remarried and we want to return to the Church. What can we do?”
So different from the American style of demanding that the Church must change to accommodate all of our choices and tell us that we are good.
Concerning the TLM, it is too bad the question came up at the end and didn’t get the time it needed. However I don’t believe Pope Francis is going ban the EF or do anything radical concerning it, and we just have to keep working to promote it. It is a grassroots phenomenon and will stand or fall based on what happens in the parishes, not at the Holy See.
Salvelinus, as for the “gloomy” types in 3 piece suits – One, may people feel it is important to dress up for God. If this is the most important part of our week why not dress accordingly? At the TLM I attend there is a variety of dress, everything from 3 piece suits to jeans and sweatshirts. We live in a very informal culture, so I can understand why some people come more laid back even if it isn’t how I would dress myself. I am just glad to see them there. As for “gloomy”, I think at the TLM people take worship more seriously, maybe that makes them seem gloomy, compared to the happy yakkers at many OF Masses. After all we are there to share in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It is a serious business, although joyful also as this is the source of our salvation.
compared to the happy yakkers at many OF Masses.
And I’d question the happiness of the yakkers. In my experience, it is anxiety toward silence.
I think saving an obvious “bombshell” of a question for the last 30 seconds was just poor taste. Great to see the good bishop doing his job though. Now, if only we had a few more of him! :)
SMW at the Fishwrap reports that Bishop Morlino is contradicting Pope Francis.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/distinctly-catholic/iopfkwik-syndrome-morlino
By the way, Chicken, not to bring up the whole topic of discussion, but any update on that book you’ve been hoping to write on the matter you mention?