story at NCRegisterBishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois, has publicly criticized the brief and said the U.S. bishops’ views had not been solicited.
God's Goalie
“There is the presumption of a consensus on this issue, when it is not clear to me that we have that consensus,” Bishop Paprocki told the Register in an interview following this week’s oral arguments for the Janus case.
“While the Church … supports freedom of association for workers, it is not part of Church teaching that someone who is not a member of a union must still pay dues,” Bishop Paprocki said.
Showing posts with label Bp Thomas Paprocki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bp Thomas Paprocki. Show all posts
Bp. Paprocki: USCCB oversteps in statement on public sector unions
Bp. Paprocki declares Sen Dick Durban is “not be admitted to Holy Communion until he repents of his sin”
Pro-life Catholics who wish Catholic Church leaders would step up and deny communion to leading politicians who support abortion are getting good news today.continue at LifeNews
One Catholic bishop is denying communion to pro-abortion Democrat Dick Durbin, a top Democrat in the Senate who has long supported and promoted abortion. Durbin joined other Democrats to block a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks.
Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Illinois says Durbin is “cooperating in evil” and persisting in “manifest grave sin” because of his abortion advocacy and must therefore “not be admitted to Holy Communion until he repents of his sin.”
In a statement on the Diocese of Springfield website, Bishop Paprocki said, “Fourteen Catholic senators voted against the bill that would have prohibited abortions starting at 20 weeks after fertilization, including Sen. Richard Durbin, whose residence is in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.”
Bishop Paprocki issues decree "Regarding Same Sex Marriage and Related Pastoral Issues"
New Ways Ministry, an ecclesiastical lobbying group for changing the Church's teaching on human sexuality, obtained a copy of a newly released guidelines for the Diocese of Springfield IL. I'm not familiar if Fr. James Martin, SJ has a formal role with this lobbying group, but that is who I first saw post it. He jumped to some erroneous conclusions as has been his habit as of late. I would be surprised if most dioceses did not have a policy in place regarding these issues and probably varies to some degree on how to handle sensitive pastoral questions. Here is the leaked policy.
Same Sex Marriage Policies Decree 6-12-2017 by Matt J Korger on Scribd
Bishop Paprocki finishes 22nd marathon in 22 years!
Today in Philadelphia I finished my 22nd marathon in 22 years. I ran with the LIFE Runners wearing shirts proclaiming, Remember the Unborn! pic.twitter.com/s2EWlUH5cN— Bishop Paprocki (@BishopPaprocki) November 21, 2016
New Logo for Bp. Paprocki
Some friends have designed a new logo for me! pic.twitter.com/JS6Lb8uYBW
— Bishop Paprocki (@BishopPaprocki) June 16, 2015Canons of St. John Cantius expand to Springfield, IL
via FatherZ
Changes in Parish Leadership.It seems highly likely Paprocki was on the short list of suggestions to replace Cardinal George.
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki has appointed Sister Mary Jean Traeger as pastoral facilitator of St. Frances Cabrini Parish, effective July 1, 2015. Fr. John Nolan will be priest moderator at St. Cabrini while continuing as pastor at Little Flower Parish, and Msgr. John Ossola will serve as sacramental priest. Also on July 1 St. Katharine Drexel Parish will welcome three priests of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius. Bishop Paprocki has appointed Reverend James Isaacson, SJC, Reverend Scott Thelander, SJC, and Reverend Kevin Mann, SJC to parochial ministry at St. Katharine Drexel. On Wednesday, Feb. 11 Fathers Isaacson, Thelander and Mann will meet with the St. Katharine Drexel Pastoral Council and Finance Council at 6:00 p.m. At 7:30 p.m. on the same evening all members of the parish are invited to attend a gathering in the Lawrence Street School Building where the three newly appointed priests will be introduced and all will have a chance to greet them and welcome them to the parish. Please keep this new venture in your prayers.
I found out recently:
They have another parish in Volo, IL http://www.stpetervolo.org/In chatting with friends in the area, I've always recommended the Canons as perfect fit for the La Crosse area(I'm not sure if the converse is true). There are probably not enough traditionalists in this area to support a TLM only parish, but a dual parish would flourish. Plus I love the idea of supporting an order founded right here in our area. Some dioceses are happy to bring in the new orders, some are more weary of "outsiders" coming in. I've even heard of a situation where a diocesan priest was complaining that a parish run by a religious order was "taking money away from his parish." So I guess the point that bringing in the Canons or a similar order will certainly build up Catholic Identity and faithfulness in the community, but there's always some negative ninnies who want to complain about this or that.
Bp. Paprocki to celebrate Pontifical "Nellie Gray Mass" in DC
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| Bp. Paprocki at FSSP parish in Quincy, IL |
The Paulus Institute for the Propagation of Sacred Liturgy, Washington, DC, is pleased to announce that the Third Annual Nellie Gray Mass will take place after the 42nd March for Life, Thursday, January 22, 2015.
The Mass will be celebrated at 4 p.m. in the Extraordinary Form (traditional Latin Mass) at St. Mary Mother of God Church at 5th and H Sts. NW in downtown Washington DC.
St. Mary’s was Nellie Gray’s place of worship at the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass in the Extraordinary Form, which she loved and held deeply related to her cause for the March for Life.
A pontifical Solemn High Mass will be celebrated at the faldstool by The Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki, S.T.B., M.Div., S.T.L., J.D., J.C.D., M.B.A., Bishop of Springfield in Illinois. The Mass of The Holy Innocents will be said as a votive Mass for the unborn.
Assisting ministers will be Rev. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, Assistant Priest; Rev. Monsignor Charles Pope, Deacon (Pastor, Holy Comforter-St. Cyprian Church, Archdiocese of Washington); and Rev. Paul Scalia, Subdeacon (Bishop’s Delegate for Clergy, Diocese of Arlington). [I believe Fr. Scalia is the son of SCOTUS Justice Scalia]
Glad to see this is happening. I don't know what was going on behind the scenes but at least on the surface it appeared the Archdiocese of DC was shutting these down, well it seems perhaps still enforcing a ban at the National Basilica.
Bp. Paprocki reveals Sen. Dick Durbin is to be refused communion
A pro-life activist recently emailed Bishop Thomas J. Paprocki of Springfield, Ill., regarding pro-abortion "Catholic" U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill.LifeSite: Illinois bishop upholds priest’s decision to deny Communion to pro-abort Sen. Dick Durbin
Bishop Paprocki responded:
Dear Mr. [name redacted], Senator Durbin was informed several years ago by his pastor at Blessed Sacrament Parish here in Springfield that he was not permitted to receive Holy Communion per canon 915 of the Code of Canon Law. My predecessor upheld that decision and it remains in effect. It is my understanding that the senator is complying with that decision here in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
Good for Bishop Paprocki!
Breitbart: Illinois Bishop Supports Priest Who Withheld Communion from Sen. Dick Durbin
Ed Peters: If we didn’t live in such morally chaotic, socially unravelling, ecclesially antinomian times, none of this would have been news.
HT Father Z
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Bp. Paprocki Homily for Prayers of Supplication and Exorcismin Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage
continue at Diocese of SpringfieldMy dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
We are gathered here today in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for a special Holy Hour before the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament to participate in "Prayers of Supplication and Exorcism in Reparation for the Sin of Same-Sex Marriage." I wish to preface my reflections by saying that I am conducting this prayer service and am speaking to you now with great reluctance. I did not seek to enter any controversy and I don't relish being part of one. But I have given this matter a great deal of thought and prayer, which has led me to the conviction that God is calling me to speak out and conduct these prayers.
In our prayers, we must be open to hear where God is leading us and to embrace the path that He offers. That is a much different starting point than beginning with our own wants, desires, and conclusions. That is why we pray every day, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
Our prayers at this time are prompted by the fact that the Governor of Illinois today is signing into Illinois law the redefinition of civil marriage, introducing not only an unprecedented novelty into our state law, but also institutionalizing an objectively sinful reality.
It is not hateful to say that an immoral action is sinful. On the contrary, the most compassionate thing we can do is help people to turn away from sin. To ignore another person's wrongful actions is a sign of apathy or indifference, while fraternal correction is motivated by love for that person's well-being, as can be seen by the fact that our Lord Jesus himself urged such correction. Indeed, the call to repentance is at the heart of the Gospel, as Jesus proclaimed, "The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the Good News"(Mark 1:15).
The Good News is that God's mercy and forgiveness extend to those who repent. Mercy does not mean approving of something that is sinful, but does absolve the wrongdoer after a change of heart takes place in the sinner through the gift of God's grace. It is not the Church that must change to conform its teachings to the views of the world, but it is each individual who is called to be configured to Christ.
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Bp. Paprocki will lead prayers of exorcism today as Illinois governor signs gay ‘marriage’ bill
The bishop of Springfield, Illinois will lead prayers of exorcism “in reparation for the sin of same-sex marriage” at his cathedral on November 20 as Governor Pat Quinn signs a state law redefining marriage.continue at LifeSite
Bishop Thomas Paprocki says he was inspired by Pope Francis, who had condemned same-sex “marriage” as a “machination of the Father of Lies” in 2010 when Argentina was preparing to redefine marriage.
“Pope Francis is saying that same-sex 'marriage' comes from the devil and should be condemned as such,” said Bishop Paprocki in a statement Thursday.
Illinois’ House of Representatives passed the same-sex “marriage” bill in a 61-54 vote on November 5, sending it to Quinn’s desk for approval. The governor had already pledged to sign it.
The day after the vote, the Chicago Tribune quoted two Catholic state representatives who cited Pope Francis’ famous “who am I to judge?” quote in explaining their decision to support the measure.
"As a Catholic follower of Jesus and the pope, Pope Francis, I am clear that our Catholic religious doctrine has at its core love, compassion and justice for all people,” said Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia.
In his statement, Bishop Paprocki called out those Catholic politicians who “twisted the words of the pope” and said Catholics who voted for the bill are "morally complicit as co-operators in facilitating this grave sin."
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Bp. Paprocki: "It's a pagan kind of a culture"
via WaTimes:
(Watch the last 5 minutes, if you cannot watch all 15)
“We [Christians] find ourselves now – just in this short period of time - where the early Christians found themselves in the Roman Empire. So the church in 2,000 years, we started out as being a persecuted faith, with Constantine being an accepted established faith, then for centuries, kind of moving in that direction that had this close relationship between the secular world’s values and Judeo-Christian values,” Bishop Paprocki said. “And now I think we are moving in a direction that – not only is it more than secular – it’s a rejection. It’s an outright rejection [of Judeo-Christian values]. It’s a pagan kind of a culture.”
HT Fr. Heilman
(Watch the last 5 minutes, if you cannot watch all 15)
“We [Christians] find ourselves now – just in this short period of time - where the early Christians found themselves in the Roman Empire. So the church in 2,000 years, we started out as being a persecuted faith, with Constantine being an accepted established faith, then for centuries, kind of moving in that direction that had this close relationship between the secular world’s values and Judeo-Christian values,” Bishop Paprocki said. “And now I think we are moving in a direction that – not only is it more than secular – it’s a rejection. It’s an outright rejection [of Judeo-Christian values]. It’s a pagan kind of a culture.”
HT Fr. Heilman
Bp Paprocki on the Boston Bombing: The problem is not religion, but radical Islamist jihadism.
Generically blaming "religion" for terrorist bombings misunderstands the true nature of religion. Authentic religion binds people together in peace and harmony with each other and their Creator. The problem is not religion, but radical Islamist jihadism. It is highly unlikely that a "growing interest" in Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity or any other major world religion would have resulted in the Boston Marathon bombings. Blaming "religion" appears to offer a non-offensive euphemism for those who do not want to insult Muslims, but doing so has the effect of defaming all religions and provides an easy but mistaken scapegoat for those seeking to justify their secularist views.whole article at CatholicTimesSpringfield
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HT Pewsitter
Quick roundup
Bp Hying to visit St. Vincent de Paul Society in Fond du Lac.
GB Press Gazette did a story on a gay guy and his parents. Not terribly written, it does allow the Catholic position to be stated.
Mass Attendance: Why Nothing Can Be Done
In The Catholic Times, the newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield, Bishop Paprocki talks DNC.
Media Put 18,000 in Not-Quite-Full 5,000-Seat Arena for Obama in Wisconsin
I'm behind on emails.
Knights of Divine Mercy Friday. Fr. Rick talks about his book. I've started reading it - very good especially for Sconnie Catholics.
GB Press Gazette did a story on a gay guy and his parents. Not terribly written, it does allow the Catholic position to be stated.
In 2010, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay began offering its own support group for parents of LGBT children, which Becker refuses to join because she said it focuses on changing, instead of accepting, gay children. [Actually it just puts natural boundaries on impulses felt. Not all impulses a human person receives is good to act upon.]
“There’s a great misunderstanding that there’s no place for persons with same-sex attractions in the church, and nothing could be further from the truth,” said the Rev. John Doerfler, spiritual director of the local parent support group Encourage: Catholic Faith in Action. The diocese also has a support group for gays and lesbians called Courage: Catholic Faith in Action. Both groups are affiliated with the Norwalk, Conn.-based Catholic ministry Courage International, which has more than 100 chapters.Former Milwaukee vocations director gets parish in Elm Grove.
Mass Attendance: Why Nothing Can Be Done
In The Catholic Times, the newspaper of the Diocese of Springfield, Bishop Paprocki talks DNC.
Media Put 18,000 in Not-Quite-Full 5,000-Seat Arena for Obama in Wisconsin
I'm behind on emails.
Knights of Divine Mercy Friday. Fr. Rick talks about his book. I've started reading it - very good especially for Sconnie Catholics.
Compass: Bp Paprocki gives a lesson in Catholic social teaching
continue at The CompassGREEN BAY — Bishop Thomas Paprocki chose to tackle a subject relevant to the upcoming election for his keynote address at the 2012 Red Mass Dinner, Sept. 20 at the Clarion Hotel. He presented the church's teaching regarding the work of the private sector and the role of government in managing the economy at the annual gathering sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society of the Diocese of Green Bay.
...
In his talk, Bishop Paprocki, who was appointed the bishop of the Diocese of Springfield, Ill., in 2010, stressed that, when applying Catholic social teaching, it's important to distinguish between those aspects of the teaching that are binding principles and those that are prudential judgments.
"Principles are binding insofar as they must be held by the faithful for the sake of salvation," he explained. "Prudential judgments involve the reasoned application of these principles that allow for considerable latitude and discretion.
"Statements of popes and bishops on policy, legislation and other situational applications or principles provide guidance to the faithful, but they are not binding," he added. "The distinctions between binding principles and prudential judgments are not always clear and absolute. Different legal and policy proposals are often compatible with a particular binding principle, but it is not always so."
Bishop Paprocki used the $2 million cut to the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, as an example of a policy that may be looked at as a binding principle of Catholic social teaching, but actually involves a prudential judgment.
Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., and Bishop Richard Pates of Des Moines, Iowa, chairs of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development and the Committee on International Justice and Peace, told Congress that restoration of the funding is necessary in accordance with Catholic social teaching.
"They are simply making a prudential judgment that this program is a necessary, practical means for feeding the hungry," said Bishop Paprocki. "Reasonable minds can come to conclusions on more reasonable ways to feed the hungry."
Great article! And yes, +Paprocki Rocks!
Good news roundup
In addition, the USCCB announced a reform of the Leadership Council of Women Religious.
The Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has called for reform of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) and named Archbishop Peter Sartain of Seattle as its Archbishop Delegate for the initiative.Bishop Leonard Blair and Bishop Thomas John Paprocki also were also named to assist in this effort.The previous president of the LCWR was one Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA of La Crosse who was rewarded by President Obama with a prestigious position in his administration for assistance in thwarting the USCCB efforts to ensure no taxpayer funded abortions. One thing Father Z noted was this:
The CDF outlined the call in a “Doctrinal Assessment of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious” (HERE), released April 18. The document outlines findings of the 2008 CDF-initiated doctrinal assessment of LCWR, conducted by Bishop Leonard Blair of Toledo, Ohio, which included his findings and an LCWR response submitted at the end of 2009, as well as a subsequent report from Bishop Blair in 2010.
A statement by Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is also available at HERE.
CDF said Pope Benedict XVI approved CDF’s taking action January 14, 2011, [A YEAR AGO?]It would seem someone was dragging their feet along the way. The usual suspects are up in arms. Fr. Z made rabbit! A good day for Christianity(minus the 3,000 abortions in the US yesterday).
Just a taste of what is in here.
Radical Feminism.It reminds me of when I was a prayer partner at the FSPA in town and they had several prayer books that I used, but all of the prayers were feminized, some more so and some less apparent. Praying a feminized Magnificat is awkward.
The Cardinal noted a prevalence of certain radical feminist themes incompatible with the Catholic faith in some of the programs and presentations sponsored by the LCWR, including theological interpretations that risk distorting faith in Jesus and his loving Father who sent his Son for the salvation of the world. Moreover, some commentaries on “patriarchy” distort the way in which Jesus has structured sacramental life in the Church; others even undermine the revealed doctrines of the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and the inspiration of Sacred Scripture.
Addresses at the LCWR Assemblies.
Addresses given during LCWR annual Assemblies manifest problematic statements and serious theological, even doctrinal errors. The Cardinal offered as an example specific passages of Sr. Laurie Brink’s address about some Religious “moving beyond the Church” or even beyond Jesus. This is a challenge not only to core Catholic beliefs; such a rejection of faith is also a serious source of scandal and is incompatible with religious life. Such unacceptable positions routinely go unchallenged by the LCWR, which should provide resources for member Congregations to foster an ecclesial vision of religious life, thus helping to correct an erroneous vision of the Catholic faith as an important exercise of charity. Some might see in Sr. Brink’s analysis a phenomenological snapshot of religious life today. But Pastors of the Church should also see in it a cry for help.
Policies of Corporate Dissent.
The Cardinal spoke of this issue in reference to letters the CDF received from “Leadership Teams” of various Congregations, among them LCWR Officers, protesting the Holy See’s actions regarding the question of women’s ordination and of a correct pastoral approach to ministry to homosexual persons, e.g. letters about New Ways Ministry’s conferences. The terms of the letters suggest that these sisters collectively take a position not in agreement with the Church’s teaching on human sexuality. It is a serious matter when these Leadership Teams are not providing effective leadership and example to their communities, but place themselves outside the Church’s teaching.
If you didn't see the call to arms by Peoria, IL's Bp. Jenky, check it out.
“We can no longer be Catholics by accident, but instead [must] be Catholics by conviction. In our own families, in our parishes, where we live and where we work--like that very first apostolic generation--we must be bold witnesses to the Lordship of Jesus Christ,” he preached. “We must be a fearless army of Catholic men, ready to give everything we have for the Lord, who gave everything for our salvation.”In other news, I attended a Confirmation last night at my home parish. It was a Guitar Mass. I felt compelled to walk out... is that wrong? Do I just need to offer it up? I didn't walk out. I figured if Jesus has to listen, I guess I should as well. Bishop Quinn was there, but I didn't get a chance to talk to him and thank him for the laundry list of good he has been doing for the Church.
There is a strange man living in my basement. My children named him Diemisch. Maybe he's Dutch, I'm not really sure.
Did you see LarryD's post on Patheos. I tend to agree with him I think, I'm not sure. What I do know is that his older Star Trek post on the matter has to be in the top 10 all time posts in the Catholic blogosphere. It is epic.
Big names at this year's COURAGE conference at Mundelein
Also a few promising notes on the COURAGE apostolate.I am pleased to send you the brochure for this year’s annual conference, returning to Mundelein on August 4-7. We will dedicate our time together to the memory of Fr. John Harvey, OSFS, in gratitude for his spiritual fatherhood. I have asked several of our speakers to share their reflections on Fr. Harvey’s influence in their lives and his role in leading Courage and EnCourage for almost three decades.
As you will see, we are blessed with a wonderful lineup of speakers and participants. His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, will offer the opening Mass, and he will give the opening talk that evening. The Cardinal was a close friend of Father Harvey, going back to the days prior to his being made Bishop of La Crosse, WI. His Eminence is one of Courage’s most faithful and strongest promoters among the Church’s shepherds.
Four other prelates will also join us. Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix will offer Mass on Friday and give a talk that morning. Longtime former Courage chaplain Bishop John LeVoir of New Ulm, MN will offer Mass on Saturday, and Bishop Thomas Paprocki of Springfield, IL will offer the closing Mass on Sunday. Longtime former Courage chaplain Bishop Mark Seitz, auxiliary bishop of Dallas, will also join us on Thursday and Friday. Fr. Benedict Groeschel and Dr. Richard Fitzgibbons will also be with us.
We have worked hard to keep the cost of the conference as low as possible: $350. If you need a scholarship, please apply for consideration by writing a letter to the main office. If you would like to provide a scholarship, please let me know or simply send your gift to the office. May God reward your generosity.
I also want to thank Michelle Willis for her great work with our new website. We have many plans to continue to expand its content. And though he did not make the move to the new office in CT, Angelo continues to be an invaluable help as a part-time contractor. I cannot imagine not relying on his experience and expertise. Also, he and Jerry work closely together on many tasks.HT Father Z
Please think back for a moment to the day before you heard about Courage or EnCourage. You were very likely searching for answers, understanding, compassion, guidance and help…in short, the pastoral charity of the Church. Sadly, we know that many people are not aware of Courage and EnCourage, for a variety of reasons. To address that challenge, we are undertaking two projects.
- First, EWTN has invited Courage to produce a 5 part series (30 minute segments) covering material very similar to what we present at a clergy study day, and to include EnCourage.
- The second project, which I believe holds considerable promise for reaching many people, is a documentary film. We are still considering the form and scope of this work, and in time I will be grateful for suggestions and assistance, as I desire that the finished product reflect a lived-experience of Courage and EnCourage members that will offer hope for many other people. We want as wide an audience as possible.
Chicago gets two new auxiliary bishops
Pope Benedict XVI has named two Chicago priests to serve as auxiliary bishops in the Archdiocese of Chicago.Chicago Tribune
The Rev. Andrew Wypych, pastor of St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church, and the Rev. Alberto Rojas, pastor of Good Shepherd Catholic Church, will serve as auxiliary bishops, according to an announcement by the Holy See.
The pope taps auxiliary bishops in large dioceses that require more than one bishop to administer. There are four other auxiliary bishops overseeing regions of the Chicago archdiocese.
Wypych, 56, studied for the priesthood in his native Poland. He was ordained in 1979 by then Cardinal Karol Wojtyla who later became Pope John Paul II. He arrived in the Chicago Archdiocese in 1983. In addition to St. Francis Borgia, Wypych also has served at Five Holy Martyrs Parish, Saint Giles Parish in Oak Park, Saint Ladislaus parish, Saint Pancratius Parish and Saint Eugene Parish.
Rojas, 46, studied for the priesthood at seminaries in Mexico and Chicago. He was ordained in Chicago in 1997. He has served as an associate pastor at St. Gregory the Great Parish and St. Ita Parish. He also has served as director of Hispanic ministry at Mundelein Seminary
Wypych and Rojas will fill vacancies left last year by Bishop Thomas Paprocki, who was named Bishop of Springfield, and Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, who was named Archbishop of San Antonio in October.
Illinios bishop sings Backstreet Boys at Installation?
Bishop Thomas John Paprocki sings "Jesus Loves You" by Brian Littrell, former lead singer for the Back Street Boys during his Rite of Reception and Installation as the ninth bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Ill., Tuesday, June 22, 2010.Springfield Register
Uuuuh? What?
Satanists partner with SNAP
A blog by the name "Christan Child Abuse" byline - "Religious fanatics are among the most vicioius(sic) child abusers in the world" which claims "In fact, you could go so far as to say that child abuse IS a Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition!" is blogging about SNAP press releases. The blog is run by professed Satanists. Apparently the are hoping to discredit the Church as True because of the sins of Her members. Recently they posted on a Fr. Willenborg
Leaders of a Chicago-based support group are writing to [Bishop] Paprocki [of Springfield], prodding him toFr. Willenborg is a sad tale, may St. Michael defend him from the snares of Satan, and may his victim find The Divine Healer. Also an interesting case since the victim was an adult women where most cases have been adolescent boys.
-- aggressively reach out to anyone with information about a predator priest, Fr. Henry V. Willenborg, who was ousted last fall, and
-- post all the names of central Illinois child molesting clerics on his diocesan website.
At sidewalk news conferences in St. Louis and Quincy, the group is also begging anyone who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes (especially Willenborg) to call police, get help, expose wrongdoers, protect others and start healing.
Last October, Willenborg was suspended from active ministry because of allegations that he molested a Quincy teenager years ago. At the time of his ouster, Willenborg was working at Our Lady of the Lake church in Ashland, Wisconsin (in the Superior Diocese). The move was prompted, in part, by a long, page one New York Times story which disclosed that Willenborg seduced a young devout Illinois Catholic woman, impregnated her twice, urged her to have an abortion once, then for more than two decades essentially ignored the boy he fathered. In the same article, another woman said that Willenborg had sexually abused her when she was in high school in Quincy. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/16/us/16priest.html
And I think here's the point of the article from the C of S perspective:
SNAP notes that the actual number of Springfield area pedophile priests is likely much higher because BishopAccountability.org lists only those clerics against whom allegations have been lodge in the public domain – in civil lawsuits, criminal prosecution or news accounts.So now they hope to project all priests as guilty criminals(to say the least). Interesting bedfellow SNAP finds herself with.
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