You will want to see this. HERE Bp. Olmsted makes remarks on camera.
And BBC HERE
Among other things that story says that they have now a description of the suspected perp and that Fr. Terra can talk finally:
Parishioner Bill Haley told the Associated Press news agency he had visited Reverend Terra in hospital and the priest was able to talk.
“He said nothing evil about the person who did this, expressed no ill will.”
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on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: “@JonPatrick said “Wow. So God is to be found in the spirit of our times?” I think it was Voltaire…”
on Sudden, so far unexplained departure of Philadelphia Carmelites: “FYI For the present Masses are still being offered at the Carmelites Monastery. Mother Pia is still there 7am Low…”
on A Jesuit’s brilliant notions about needed liturgical reform. What could go wrong?: “Let us all pray that the once-great Society of Jesus finds its St. John of the Cross or St. Theresa…”
on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: ““God is more within than without; He is to be found in ourselves, in the spirit of our times” Wow.…”
on #ASonnetADay – Sonnet 147. “My love is as a fever longing still…”: “Thanks for the reading, Fr. Z, and thanks for the comment, Andreas. Pearce’s writings are always rewarding.”
on Feast of an incorruptible: “I am always puzzled why people make this “incorruptible” claim, other than they don’t realize St Bernadette’s mummified remains are…”
on #ASonnetADay – Sonnet 147. “My love is as a fever longing still…”: “Friar Laurence was wise indeed when he instructed Romeo to “….love moderately; long love doth so”. In a recent piece…”
on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: ““They are setting their sights on something otherworldly, something outside, something higher” Yes, and that something is God. It seems…”
on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: “Nothing can immanentize the eschaton the way the TLM can, and that scares the hell of girlymen like Fr Reese.…”
on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: “I can speak only about my little corner: our parish which began with Fr. Rawley Meyers in the 1990’s saying…”
on The “trowel” and the “sword”. That’s what is needed now.: “Poor Fr. Reese has the vapors!!! I STILL maintain he and James Martin SJ are brothers…”
on #ASonnetADay – Sonnet 147. “My love is as a fever longing still…”: ““Guess what? I got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell.””
on A Jesuit’s brilliant notions about needed liturgical reform. What could go wrong?: “scaron says, Why would *anyone* want to turn off that beautiful display of the Lord’s grace? They confuse ideology with…”
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since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
Dear Fr. Z,
Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Littleton CO will be having a sung high Requiem mass (EF form) for Fr. Walker on Monday June 16th at 8:30am (call time 7:30 in the parish hall). I invite all singers that connect with your blog to come and sing with us.
Besides the Gregorian Requiem I’m planning the Victoria – Vere Languores Nostros as a communion or offertory hymn and either the Josquin – Ave Verum Corpus Christi or Victoria – O Vos Omnes as well.
Requiescat in pace. May Our Lord have mercy on his soul and may God heal Fr. Terra.
Rick Wheeler
Music Director
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
5612 S. Hickory Street
Littleton, CO 80120
If you can join us, you’re most welcome.
http://www.olmcfssp.org/cms/
So, per Bishop Olmstead, I think there’s an interesting Fr. Z survey to be done… I’d be interested in knowing how many priests among the readership have 1) never shot a firearm, 2) have previous firearms experience (military, hobby, etc) but no longer shoot, 3) presently hunt for sport or shoot recreationally only on occasion, or 4) are packing heat (or otherwise have access to a firearm/weapon) for personal protection in their rectories/homes even now? I thought it was interesting how the bishop didn’t deny the possibility that bad guys could end up on the business end of a Beretta (the gun, not the hat) if they invaded a rectory. My own rectory had been broken into three times in the previous 20 years–not a great neighborhood–and I was ready to give someone on a fourth try a bit more than they bargained for. Thank God, it never came to that.
In my conversations with priests, I get the sense that the vast majority do not own a firearm, and do not care to go out and get one, although I know of some who do. But generally speaking, Catholic priests take other precautions for safety and security in their rectories.
This is a very strange story. I suspect that Fr Terra (who later described the assailant as a white man in his 40s) knows who the person is and for some reason doesn’t want to reveal it.
I’ve been in that part of Phoenix, and it’s certainly deserted by night and not even particularly attractive during the day. There are transients passing through, judging from what I saw, so possibly it was one of them who had been helped by the priests earlier and then came back believing that there was money to be had there.
I don’t know about owning a weapon, but I do know that Abp Philip Hannan, who had been a WWII chaplain with the 82d Airborne and had jumped with them, was once confronted in Rome by a man who tried to steal his pectoral cross. Abp Hannan cold cocked the would be thief.
I have less trust of and am more wary of being physically near people who I know own/carry firearms. I think I am not the only person who feels this way, therefore this seems like it could work against the ministry of priests. Priests should take appropriate measures for their safety, and there are other possibilities. Pope Francis’ discernment is also good and courageous that extensive protective measures can put a barrier between him (not only physical but a psychological barrier of mistrust) and the people he is showing love, care and closeness to.
I know of priests who hunt, e.g. Fr. Mitch Pacwa, SJ. Now, whether they use their own guns or borrow them I do not know.
Deo gratias that last sentence made it in the article. It’s a good testimony.
Here’s a sermon by Fr. Walker, entitled “Mercy & Justice”: http://youtube.com/watch?v=seXdJ_XxeBA
One of our priests is, by testimony of the scouting troop he has hiked with, more than ready to defend himself against a bear by means of a gun. Whether he’d use it against a human being, I do not know. Another priest here in town is an avid sportsman, and definitely does own his own weapons. I believe he carries a concealed weapon at least some of the time. Here in Alaska, we are in as much danger from the local wildlife as from other humans, and I do not think a priest should hesitate to protect himself from either one.