+++++++++++++++++
As some of you may remember, I have written a couple of times about St. Rose of Lima and the issue of dissidents in that parish. There is an active VOTF group that regulary meets there and one of the Board Members of Rent-a-Priest, was active at there too.
A few weeks ago, I went over to the Rent-a-Priest Bard of Director page and lo-and-behold, the name of Sally Dowling (who had been there for ages) was gone. However, the date of the Board has not change. It still shows as if it is from 2002. (This was before I started to keep images of websites.)
Recently, I went on the St. Rose of Lima site and what did you think I saw: Sally Dowling. She is giving a talk at the parish, as part of their Women's Spirituality Series, and is identified as a Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Director.
Now, I find it very co-incidental that her name was suddenly removed from the Rent-a-Priest Board and she is now giving a talk on spirituality? Is she still a member of Rent-a-Priest? Does she continue to espouse the views of Rent-a-Priest?
I don't know the answer to those questions but to me, given he past history of St. Rose of Lima, it makes me really wonder what is going on over there.
Is there anyone in Hyattsville paying attention?
10 comments:
"What's going on over there?"
Visit and worship at St. Rose and what you will experience is a parish doing more to foster the presence of Christ in the lives of practicing Catholics than many other parishes in the area.
Don't confuse an academic discussion about spirituality or victims of sexual abuse in a basement meeting room (ligitimate uses of a parish's facilities - look it up) with anything to do with catechetical influence.
The elderly gentlemen in Hyattsville have many more relevant (and overdue) issues to address before they need to worry about this. Attend one of these meetings that you reference sometime - really - and see if their agenda is as ominous as you claim. I doubt it is. These are good people, in full communion with the Catholic Church struggling to affect healing and spiritual growth in ways that the Church has not been able.
VOTF is actively supporting a married priesthood, as well as, joining other dissenting organizations (CORPUS for example) in attempting to radically change the church.
(Their activities are more than just a simple academic discussion.)
If you want to do that, then go the the local adult food and beverage establishment. It seems to me that having a group such as that meet on parish property is the equivilent of inviting those who want rob your house, a couple of hours to learn the layout before teh actual deed is done.
Regarding Hyattsville, it doesn't have to be the Archbishop to give the good Msgr. a call about dissenters.
Personally, if you are really in full communion w/ the Catholic Church, you do not invite these groups/people to participate on Church property.
What's next, Catholics for a Free Choice?
You've heard it before, but it bears repeating: at St. Rose, "All Are Welcome."
I think you would have a different opinion about the activities at St. Rose if you engaged in an open dialogue with them, in person, rather than criticize anonamously and with little more the heresay to backup your position. Some of what you say is true, but some is not. There is good to be gained when thoughtful people gather to discuss difficuly issues. If you are truly in full communion with the Catholic Church, than you know your responsibility for compassion and understanding without judgment.
VOTF has met at St. Rose of Lima at least twice since I have started this blog and both times were published in the parish bulletin. Fact.
VOTF has called for married priests and has linked up with such groups as CORPUS. Fact.
Ms. Dowling was listed as a member of the Board of Directors of Rent-a-Priest until a few weeks ago. Fact.
The Bulletin has listed Ms. Dowling as a Spritual Director and Pastoral Couselor. I have reported it as such. FACT.
I then posed some questions wondering if she still held the same views as she did when she was a member of Rent-a-Priest. FACT.
Then I offered an opinion.
I don't know where you got the hearsay,since I have presented only the facts.
But I personally believe that you are just trying to change the subject to hide the fact that dissidents meet at St. Rose.
anon - "than you know your responsibility for compassion and understanding without judgment."
I don't know what's going on at St. Rose of and it seems to me on the surface that Washington Catholic is just asking that question.
As to judgement? We judge all the time and are called to do that. What we can't do is condemn.
...and anon - "rather than criticize anonamously"
isn't that what you are doing??
If you want to know what's going on at St. Rose, visit and worship with us... It will be more insightful than reading the bulletin.
Is not the bulletin a reflection of what is happening in the parish? If not, then why even publish one?
Once again, you keep changing the subject. Why?
So, does that mean that you will attend Ms. Dowling's discussion on spirituality to confirm that she is indeed undermining the integrity of the church with her presentation?
I thought you might like to know that there is an archive of the R-A-P Board of Directors page here: http://web.archive.org/web/20061020015937/www.rentapriest.com/web/?_p=1018&newsId=41 and it lists Ms. Dowling there along with two other St. Rose of Lima Parishoners. Hope the link works...
Post a Comment