Liberal invokes Fr. John Hardon in defence of dissent

Cathedral, Rochester NY

The article ends up being pretty idiotic. But the meat of it is the claim that Fr. Hardon says we shouldn't label liberals as liberals because that causes division.

The bishop[Clark] acknowledged that several of his views fall under the heading of "liberal," earning him both support and criticism.

"I can understand people who would describe me that way," said Bishop Clark, who is known locally and nationally for advocating such so-called liberal positions as defending the dignity of homosexuals [acts] and expanding women’s [ordination] roles in the church.

and here's a nice try:

Yet branding people and viewpoints with such political labels as "liberal" and "conservative" is a relatively new phenomenon, according to the late Father John Hardon, SJ, a nationally renowned author and theologian.

"Probably not until the aftermath of Vatican Council II did (these terms) become affixed to attitudes and beliefs among members of the Catholic Church," Father Hardon wrote in 1998, two years before he died. "Prior to that time … one either totally accepted Catholic dogma and tradition as a package deal or not at all. So it could not easily be said that before recent ecclesiastical developments any political mind-set in religious matters even existed." [The writer obviously doesn't understand that Fr. Hardon is saying that all Catholics used to be "conservative" Catholics]

Father Hardon noted Pope John XXIII's oft-cited expression that Vatican II was meant to open the church's windows. But "the gentle breeze he foresaw entering the Church quickly became a violent storm of juxtaposed philosophies ... (and) as this division became more obvious, each side waxed more strident in its declarations and more extreme in the outward manifestations of its beliefs," he wrote. [This is a funny perspective, the writer is stating that the gentle breeze is bad and the violent storm was the correct philosophy.]

Father Hardon described the stereotypical "liberal" Catholic as someone associated with such causes as gay rights, feminism and euthanasia, who is focused more on unity among all peoples rather than just among Catholics, and who regards Vatican leadership as "an outdated, outmoded patriarchal system." Meanwhile, he characterized a stereotypical "conservative" Catholic by actions and opinions that "demand strict adherence to the true faith," often with a resistance to Vatican II initiatives. He added that conservatives are more likely to avoid holding hands during the sign of peace; to take Communion on the tongue and only from a priest; and favor Masses in Latin rather than English.  [What did Vatican II say about the issues in question?]

Rochester NY Diocesan Newspaper

This is the same diocese that is lead by liberal Bishop Matthew Clark who has wrote bizarre things like:

"Why can we not openly dialogue about the ministry of women, the meaning of sexuality and the condition of homosexuality, the situation of the divorced and remarried?"

What a terrible shame to Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Let's take a moment to thank God for our Wisconsin bishops.

The Bishop also takes a jab at us Taliban Catholic bloggers:

Bishop Clark acknowledged that he's aware of several websites and blogs critical of his perceived liberalism on such issues as liturgical dance, gender-inclusive language and women serving as pastoral administrators. His Internet detractors also blame the bishop for a lack of priestly vocations in this diocese and lack of control over his people. Some even call for his resignation, although, with 31-plus years behind him in Rochester, he has the second-longest tenure of any bishop in diocesan history.

The bishop quickly dismissed this type of commentary. "I don’t read the blogs in general, to be honest with you. From what I’ve heard, they’re inflammatory and one-sided," he said.

He's talking about Cleansing Fire, a good blog btw.