A Sad Example of Today's Priestly [Mal]formation

This article was sent to me in which a diocesan priest explains why the newly appointed bishop of Dallas is of great import to everyone, not just Catholics.

Just a few comments on an excerpt from the article:

Put as a religious question, quoting Rabbi Sacks further, "Can we recognize God's image in one who is not in my image?"

This is the sort of city I believe in, a city of genuine diverse voices both secular and spiritual. It's a city in which I may grow under the wisdom of the Torah as well as the insights of the Hadith, sanctified in the teachings of Jesus as well as enlightened by the precise beauties of science. A city in which these voices come together as one chorus, not in any sort of tired blurred syncretism, but truly symphonic. A city in which each person keeps his or her authentic faith and authentic voice, speaking and bearing witness to it peacefully; each sharing the wisdom and insights of his or her traditions for the good of all. A truly diverse city: this is my vision, my hope and my prayer.

Poor, confused priest. It is sad. He says it is not syncretism which he envisions, and yet what he describes is precisely that.

He states that he wants "each person [to keep] his or her authentic faith...sharing the wisdom and insights of his or her traditions for the good of all."

Somehow, during his priestly [mal]formation, they must have skipped over the Divine Mandate to "go and baptize all nations...teaching them whatsoever things I have taught you."

Instead these poor Conciliar clergy think that our Lord was deficient...his teaching insufficient. That somehow we can find something in other religions, cultures, etc. which add value through their differences.

This poor priest only echoes that which the recent popes themselves have stated:

If, in our desire to respect a man's freedom and dignity, his conversion to the true faith is not the immediate object of our dialogue with him...(Paul VI, Ecclesiam Suam #79).

In our time, when day by day mankind is being drawn closer together, and the ties between different peoples are becoming stronger, the Church examines more closely her relationship to non-Christian religions. In her task of promoting unity and love among men, indeed among nations, she considers above all in this declaration what men have in common and what draws them to fellowship. (Paul VI, Nostra Aetate, #1)

The Church's task is described as though it had to proceed in two directions: on the one hand promoting such "values of the kingdom" as peace, justice, freedom, brotherhood, etc., while on the other hand fostering dialogue between peoples, cultures and religions, so that through a mutual enrichment they might help the world to be renewed and to journey ever closer toward the kingdom. (John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, #17)

You see. It is not this priest's fault that he believes what he does. He is only following what the popes have said!

And yet countless quotes are available from popes prior to Vatican II stating almost exactly the opposite.


This priest asks if we can see God's image in others not like us.

Yet it is written that God will try us like silver tested in fire.
What does this mean exactly?

A silversmith works through a very time intensive, laborious process. He thrusts the silver into the fire to a high heat, and then removes it and pounds it. He does this over and over again until he can see himself (his reflection) perfectly in the silver which he works.

This is a message that NONE of us is truly in God's image because of the fall of man. We are disordered. Man was made in His image and likeness, but we contain (all of us) many blemishes, though some more than others.

What is it that truly makes God see Himself in us? Sanctifying grace...which only comes through the Catholic Church and the true faith of Jesus Christ.

Looking at any human is, at best, like looking at God through a fogged up window. True, we ought to strive always to see the good in others before and rather than the bad. Yet at the same time, true fraternal charity compels us to seek their ultimate good; none other than the salvation of their eternal souls which can only be secured through the true faith and life obeyed God's Commandments.


Please pray for this priest. Please pray for the new bishop of Dallas. Pray that all priests, bishops, cardinals and especially the Pope will return to the sacred and immutable Traditions of the Church before God's just wrath is the only means of purification left.