For two years now nearly half the priests in the Southern Illinois diocese of Belleville have been in rebellion against their bishop, Edward K. Braxton. Among the priestly complaints against Braxton are that he does not consult them, has misappropriated funds, and is pretentious and arrogant. On Wednesday, March 12, the rebellion led to a letter signed by 46 of the diocesan priests (nearly half) calling for the bishop’s resignation. What is most peculiar – and perhaps most revealing – about the nature of this rebellion is that it began three months before Braxton was even installed as bishop. On Good Friday, March 21, Braxton broke the long-standing silence he has maintained on the subject in a letter to parishioners and priests of the diocese.
The tale Braxton tells is astonishing, perhaps even unprecedented. The Bishop says that days before his installment, he met with a group of diocesan priests at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville. He says they demanded he refuse the appointment, threatening to release incriminating information about him if he did not submit. The priests told him there was a ‘firestorm of hatred’ against him in the diocese and that he was not welcome there. After listening to them rant for several hours, Braxton did refuse – to give in to their threats, that is. He promised he would serve as Bishop “…for as long as the Holy Father wants me to.” He adds that shortly after the meeting he received an anonymous phone call telling him that, “…we will not rest until we get rid of you.”
On Wednesday, March 26, an op-ed piece by Msgr. William Hitpas of St. Nicholas Parish in O’Fallon appeared in the local daily newspaper, the Belleville News-Democrat. It called for Catholics to enter into a period of ‘calmer reflection’ so as to heal the wounds. This call would have more credibility had it come from someone other than one of the chief ringleaders of the rebels, a man who has busied himself trying to inflame the public throughout Braxton’s prolonged period of charitable silence.
Nothing in Braxton’s background could have prepared him for this hostile welcome. Ordained a priest in the Chicago Archdiocese on May 13, 1970, it was not long before he was recognized as a gifted theologian. In fact, he worked as Special Assistant for Theological Affairs to James Cardinal Hickey of Washington, D.C. in the 80s, serving as the Cardinal’s personal theologian and research assistant. He was one of the first priests assigned to this sort of full-time collaborative work with a bishop. It had come at the recommendation of the Apostolic Delegate, Belgian Archbishop Jean Jadot, who had been impressed by Braxton when he studied at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. He has written extensive theological articles which have appeared in both Catholic and Protestant periodicals. Two of his books are widely used in Catholic colleges and seminaries. Pope John Paul II appointed him an auxiliary bishop for St. Louis in 1995. Before coming to Belleville he served as the Bishop of Lake Charles, Louisiana. He did extensive pastoral work in the Chicago Archdiocese, abroad, and in St. Louis before becoming a bishop. His appointment to Belleville was one of the last assignments made by the late Pope John Paul II. Ironically, given the current controversy, while serving as an associate pastor in Winnetka, Illinois, Braxton became an enthusiast for the Christian Family Movement, which seeks to integrate the lay faithful fully into the life of the Church. Before Belleville, Braxton was universally respected, even admired. The worst one can get people in former dioceses and parishes to say about him is that he can be rather “…stiff and formal.”
The initial complaints coming out of Belleville were not against Braxton, himself. Rather, approximately 50 priests complained that Pope John Paul II had failed to consult them sufficiently about who they wanted to be Bishop. The papal nuncio, Msgr. Gabriel Montalvo, was astonished at the priests’ presumption, commenting archly that all bishops’ appointments are made by the pope and that this was the first time anyone had questioned papal authority in the procedure. Braxton’s installation came on June 22, 2005, appropriately, the feast day of St. Thomas More, who chose to resist King Henry VIII’s demands to be recognized as head of the Church in England and was ultimately beheaded for his fidelity to his faith. Braxton was greeted by protesters. It has gone downhill from there.
Before Braxton had time to find the washrooms in his new setting, the leaders of the priestly revolt were screaming that he was dictatorial and did not consult with them sufficiently (Pope John Paul II was dead and beyond their complaints – and the papal nuncio was remarkably unsympathetic to the priests riotous demands). This has remained a consistent theme. Some of the complaints have been downright silly and even self-contradictory. The Belleville Diocese is officially classified as a missionary diocese; that is, it does not produce sufficient priestly vocations to serve its people. Fr. Mark Stec, one of the prominent critics, complained that he had to shuffle between four parishes in Gallatin County in far Southeastern Illinois because of the shortage of priests. He then complained when the bishop authorized Sunday worship services headed by deacons or laymen instead of Mass as an interim measure to relieve the shortfall. Stec complained once more when Braxton imported two Nigerian priests into the diocese to relieve the pressure. One gets the sense that if Braxton celebrated Mass wearing purple vestments priests would complain it was not white; and if he wore white they would complain it was not purple.
The most serious charge is that Braxton misappropriated $17,100 in diocesan funds. Various priests and nuns have characterized it as fraud or theft. So what, pray tell, did the bishop buy with the ill-gotten money? Was it booze, sex parties, perhaps football tickets? No. Part of the money went for vestments for new priests and deacons. In a hilarious irony, the other portion went to buy a conference table and chairs. The claim is not that the bishop stole money, but that he made legitimate expenditures out of the wrong funds. In an effort to calm the waters, Braxton made a statement apologizing for any contribution he had made to roiling them. In the statement, he maintains he had discretionary authority and used the funds properly, but that until a definitive ruling came from above, he had obtained a private donation replenishing those funds. Rebel priests immediately mischaracterized the statement as a confession and apology for misusing funds. Even the local media, which have energetically, if rather confusedly, followed this story, consistently quote the misrepresentation as fact. A simple reading of the bishop’s statement would demonstrate otherwise. And so, Bishop Braxton is beaten mercilessly with his own olive branch.
Still, the rebel priests maintain that the bishop’s temerity in purchasing a conference table, chairs and priestly vestments has destroyed the confidence of the laity in his integrity and fitness to lead the diocese. The stridency of their complaints is belied by the fact that one of the most prominent of Braxton’s public critics is Fr. Clyde Grogan, formerly of St. Patrick’s Parish in East St. Louis and now ministering to an order of nuns, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in tiny Ruma in Randolph County and attached to St. Patrick’s Church in Ruma. On the day Braxton was installed, Grogan described him as one of the “Killer B’s” – clergy and politicians who do not have the faithful’s best interests at heart. Those included on the list with Braxton by Grogan were Pope Benedict XVI, President George Bush, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt. While Grogan remains a prominent critic, his fellow rebels have the good sense to keep him muzzled on their favorite accusation – that of misappropriation. Well they should. In 2005, it was discovered that the bookkeeper of the E. St. Louis parish he oversaw had embezzled $144,000 from the church. More to the point, an $85,000 charitable fund that Grogan had sole control over was missing $75,000, which has never been accounted for. This came at the tail end of former Bishop Wilton Gregory’s tenure, so it is unclear whether it was he or interim diocesan administrator Msgr. James Margason who refused to cooperate with civil authorities to investigate. Instead they allowed the bookkeeper to promise to pay the money back and reassigned Grogan after the afflicted parish was shut down. It is more than a little disingenuous for the rebel priests to simultaneously maintain that Braxton’s $17,100 expenditure on legitimate church expenses is an intolerable affront while simultaneously welcoming a priest who oversaw more than 10 times that amount in genuine misappropriation as a member in good standing of the rebellion.
For six years, from 1998 to 2004, I lived in the Belleville diocese. I was a parishioner at St. Peter’s Cathedral. In fact, I was the only male member of the women’s choir, which sung at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. (I was the trumpet player). But I attend a lot of daily masses. I like to travel around wherever I live for daily masses to get the feel of different parishes. It has helped enormously in researching this confrontation, for I know a lot of parishioners in various churches in the diocese and was able to call them to get their take on what is going on. To my surprise, all but one would agree to talk to me only on condition that I not use their name. To a man, it was not the bishop they were worried about. They were afraid of the priests. Catholics I spoke to were afraid of being singled out for public ridicule by the rebel priests, but more importantly were concerned that some of the priests in the leadership of the rebellion have close ties to the reigning political and media establishment – and these Catholics feared retaliation in their professional lives. They gave me some things I could verify independently in publications and some things that, verified by several, I could use. I have chosen not to use any specific anecdotal material unless it could be verified by a completely credible source with firsthand knowledge. I have my own firsthand experiences with several of the leading rebels. Some are odious. Some I suspect are just caught up in a blood sport that has taken on a life of its own. One, in particular, I was shocked at, my first thought being he is so much better a man and priest than to engage in this sort of riotous behavior.
There are three fundamental issues sparking the controversy and filling the ranks of rebel priests in Belleville. The first is disappointed ambition. Several of the most prominent critics reportedly had hoped to be named Bishop and Auxiliary Bishop. There is a clear desire on the part of Belleville priests to be allowed to name their own bishop. This sounds reasonable to many. In fact, it is the method used by most mainstream Protestant denominations. But it has two toweringly difficult problems. First, theologically, Catholics believe the direction of the Church to come from divine inspiration from God, hence a hierarchical structure. Bishops are appointed by the Pope. Priests serve at the pleasure of their bishops. It comes from the top down because of the firm Catholic insistence on Apostolic Succession, that is, that the first bishops were anointed by Christ, himself, and all bishops must be anointed by other bishops so that the line of Apostolic Succession back to Christ himself remains unbroken. He remains the true and eternal head and originator of both the visible and invisible church. This does not mean the hierarchy should ignore the faithful, either the clergy or the laity. Doing so has terrible consequences. But a great dispute over whether leadership authentically comes from the top down or the bottom up was joined some 500 years ago. The creation of Protestantism derived, in part, from this. Any who insist on this form of structure are entirely free to either join an existing Protestant denomination – or create their own. Of course, they are not free to bring the sinecures they have obtained through the Catholic Church with them, which may be the real source of problem and frustration. Of course, if priests should be called to choose their own bishops it logically follows that parishioners should be able to choose their own priests. This could lead to some rather nasty surprises for some of the rebel leaders.
Fourteen years ago under the lax administration of former bishop James Kelleher, Belleville diocese priests effectively did run the diocese themselves. Abuse scandals were reported and dealt with in a not altogether effective manner. The much-regarded Wilton Gregory was brought in to clean up. He accomplished much. But the press of his duties with the National Conference of Catholic Bishops left priests, largely, still running the diocese. After nearly two decades, it is no wonder that the priestly class objects to a bishop striving to re-establish genuine Catholic order. But that may, in fact, be exactly what the dying John Paul II had in mind for Belleville.
The second fundamental issue was the self-imposed silence on the matter by Bishop Braxton, himself, until Good Friday. From his statement it is clear he had hoped that time would resolve the matter, without having to break out into an ugly, public dispute. He was giving these priests time to remember who they are and to what they are called. It was a charitable decision on his part. But the rebels continued to go to the media, beating the same old dead horses and getting themselves and the community further inflamed. One might fault the local media, which dutifully reported the same old charges without noting the obvious contradictions. But the leaders of the rebels have sought out the press, providing both charges against the bishop and misinterpretations of canon law. Journalists are generally not knowledgeable on religion, canon law, church structure or administrative procedure. When, with whatever motivation, some go on the attack, the easy thing for a reporter to do is to go with what he has.
While Bishop Braxton’s hope for quiet reconciliation and cooler heads was noble, one can only achieve reconciliation with people who are prepared to consider reconciliation. It may very well be that the formal call for his resignation is what finally convinced Braxton that there could be no reconciliation here without him speaking publicly – and that further silence might very well be a failure to defend the Church, itself. It was not only what the letter from the priests called for, but when it was issued, that probably led to this conclusion. Braxton had been very close to his mother. When she died earlier this year, it was obvious to everyone that he had gone into a period of deep grieving. The public call for his resignation coincided almost exactly with the Memorial Mass the Bishop celebrated for her. Though the Bishop has adopted a policy, for now, of not speaking directly to the press, people close to him say he had set up several quiet meetings with dissatisfied groups of priests, only to have them stand him up when it was clear that the press would not be involved. All of this leads any reasonable observer to the conclusion that the agitants were only interested in breaking his resolve, not resolving any agitation. And so the Bishop spoke on Good Friday.
The search for a common thread at the core of the uproar leads to a predominant theme. The dissenting Catholic group, Call to Action, which advocates for integration of active homosexuality into the Church, the ordination of women, and the marriage of priests, is a key ally in the fight. Also active is the Fellowship of Southern Illinois Laity (which goes by the delicious and appropriate acronym, FOSIL – they are very much stuck in the amber of 70s-style rebellion), which is little more than an adjunct of Call to Action. The earlier referenced Fr. Grogan, who publicly announced his contempt both for Bishop Braxton and Pope Benedict XVI, has been rebuked for publicly supporting the Call to Action agenda in provocative ways. Just a few weeks ago, Sr. Jan Renz, who is regional superior of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Ruma, wrote a letter critical of the bishop to the Belleville News-Democrat and called for outside intervention to restore the “trust and hope” that has been lost because the bishop’s credibility has been called into question. As mentioned earlier, Fr. Grogan ministers to Sr. Renz’ order.
When one turns one’s attention to the accusers’ backgrounds it is startling to find many of them having previously opined on the need for integrating homosexuality, priestly marriage and, the ordination of women and, in fact, homosexual marriage into the Church. In a version of this story written before the Bishop’s statement, I had included some explicit examples, while holding others for follow-up, if necessary. As Bishop Braxton has clearly left the door open for reconciliation and implicitly called for recalcitrant priests to come home in his statement, I will follow his lead for the time being.
During the six years I attended Mass throughout the Belleville diocese I heard some very good homilies. Rarely, though, did they touch on fundamentals of the faith. In fact, I did not hear a single homily about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist until I complained about it to some priests I had developed affection for. I occasionally heard homilies intimating, without explicitly saying so, that the resurrection was figurative rather than literal (beware when anyone speaks of the ‘resurrection event’). I heard some priests spout the language of New-Age nonsense. I left a group when the nun in charge used code language that comes from Wiccan and Goddess-centered New Age Pagan cults. There is much good to be cited in Belleville parishes, but the constant observer could only conclude that the resolution of the sex-ring scandal, while rooting out the most overt offenders, still has left the diocese in deep need of reconnecting with its ancient, historical faith. Like St. Thomas More, who would not yield to a king who was lording over others in contradiction of the faith, it appears this Bishop is determined not to yield to errant priests who would lord it over others in contradiction of that faith.
In the end, there are several contributing factors, but the core of the revolt is simply the agenda of Call to Action’s historical assault on the Catholic Church expanded overtly into the priestly class. All the main threads lead right back to that agenda. It is puzzling because both for Call to Action and the priests who align with them, there are several perfectly mainstream Protestant denominations which are structured exactly as they demand and preach the very things they want. They are perfectly free to join those denominations with no crisis of conscience. It is not as if they don’t have someplace to go. As for the local media, their efforts have borne little fruit to this point because they have dutifully followed the accusations, without getting much rebuttal from the Bishop’s office. When it dawns on them to turn their attention to the accusers rather than the accused, they will find the scandal they so ardently seek.
At bottom, the reason the core of the rebellious priests strain so furiously at these gnats is because their bishop refuses to swallow the doctrinal camel they are trying to force down his throat. It has been a great scandal to the Catholic Church that too many of its leaders have envisioned themselves as mere administrators, fund-raisers, diplomats and statesmen. This Bishop, Edward Braxton, clearly has things properly ordered, seeing himself as, first and foremost, an Apostle of the Living Christ. Despite the protests of priests who would have it otherwise, Pope John Paul II’s dying gift to the diocese of Belleville will ultimately spark an authentic spiritual revival in that long-troubled diocese.
He's no Gregory says:
Nope, don't agree.
I live in the Belleville dioceses, from my personal experience with him (via children’s events through church, personal talks) I do not find him to be a good leader. What he is good at is being full of himself (demanding a picture of himself in every Catholic school room so the children know who their Bishop is, even the Pope doesn't have that), needing to be the center of attention at every event and just not someone who you would look to as a ‘good priest’, but that is my opinion. Go over and do a little more research on what the people of the St. Louis Arch Dioceses have to say, if all you got was ”stiff and formal”, you are either getting the most Christian people to answer your questions or you journalism skills need to be sharpened. In a nutshell, they were very glad he left.
The next thing to look at is the character of the priests who have called for his resignation, I don’t know them all but 1 is my parish priest, he is the finest example of what a priest should be. If he says there are serious issues with this man, I have no reason to doubt him.
Another research item you may want to brush up on is what is in the US Bishops agreement on picking a new Bishop. I believe the ‘theme’ of it is that the priests would be able to voice what kind of qualities they would like in a new Bishop, no names, just qualities. They were never given that opportunity with the current appointment. That is boarder line ‘too bad’ I know but it is a point none the less.
Last point are the nuns from Ruma. These women taught me from grade school through high school, I would never classify them as ‘liberal Catholics’. Quite the opposite in fact, again, like my parish priest, these women are of the highest quality and form them to write the letter they did, I assure you, there is something wrong with the leadership in Belleville.
Back Pew says:
Does'nt much sound like these priests want to break bread with the Bishop. Sounds like the want to break his spirit. My wife is from that Diocese and was very involved in the Catholic Church. I have been following half-heartedly the stories written about these priests critical of the Bishop - one of the critics having performed my wedding. I use to think this Bishop probably brought this stuff on himself. Now I know that this is a shameful exercise by some priests who pursue an agenda that is contrary to the teachings of the Church. It makes me sick that the priest that is the family friend is caught up in this. It is very sad and my wife is equally disappointed. I just might have to move from the back pew toward the front to support this Bishop.
O'Fallon says:
I am extremely familiar with litigation against the Belleville Dioceses over clerical sex abuse. I know the problems down here. I was raised Catholic, went to the Catholic schools and know well the nuns in Ruma, including Sister Renz. The Belleville Dioceses has had very real problems for decades now. Braxton is not and never has been the problem is Southern Illinois. I dont know much about the writers for this paper, but you all got it right on this one.
Joan McKay says:
Wow! These priests seem to have forgotten some very important virtues: Charity Honor and Justice. Wasn't this type of disunity among priests and their Bishops predicted by Our Lady early in the 20th century? Anybody know? We are indeed living in interesting times.
Benedict XVI th says:
http://www.bishop-accountability.org
/abusetracker for daily verified coverage on why no laity should be donating for any reason, until guilty and unaccountable miters and red hats, mostly JP II appointees, are removed, costing the laity BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, with no end in sight, and child endagerment still pervasive.
Southside Irish says:
Let me get this straight, Charlie Johnston, long-time Chicago operative, wants to convince us that he is a Southern. Please Charlie, I remember when you had your radio show up here 15 years ago. It was either you or Rush Limbuagh so I listened to you. These hick priests from Southern Illinois hate their boss. For years they attack him. No story up here. Then, some priest mentions on Monday that our Cardinal George told them to go ask Braxton to resign or hightale it out of town. Within 24 hours the Chicago Daily Observer has a story about what losers these guys are that claim the blessing of Cardinal George. I guess your next story will be about the punks that showed up at Easter Mass and thought it liberl chic to throw fake blood around to highlight whatever silly cause they claimed to be advancing. Look for Charlie to dine next week at the fashionable digs of his Excellency, Cardinal George. I smell a Chicago hit.
Kay Goodnow says:
From the way they behave, one would believe that all bishops, archbishops, cardinals and even the pope are pretentious and arrogant.
So, for those of you who are looking for a change, change yourselves. Stop your donations. Go elsewhere. Current leadership will fail as members walk away.
The result will be the birth of a whole new communion, where the message brought by Christ is lived.
Catholic School Girl says:
I really agree with this! I am in 7th grade at a Catholic grade school in Belleville. I go to school with many of the children of some people who are throwing stones at the bishop. It makes me upset and angry to hear all of the lies that they are spreading. I also believe that through these letters the priests and other stone-throwers are meaningly trying to decive the people of my diocese. I also beleive (in reference to a comment above) that what Bishop Braxton asked was for there to be a picture of the pope, himself, AND the parish priest in the classrooms of the Catholic grade schools. So, He's No Gregory(the person that wrote above),it is not arrogance it is just allowing the childern to know who they are to look to as examples in the faith. We should not try to find the faults in the people who are trying to help us get to Heaven. This is just like biting the hand that feeds you, it has no point and in the long run it will just hurt you. I also think the parents are doing a great injustice to thier children by encouraging this kind of anger and hostility to the bishop. I have met the bishop and can personally say that anyone that wants to be mean to him will have to face the Lord on judgement day. I have also learned that I cannot trust the newspaper because the articles are oftin one-sided and untrue. I wish the people would stop picking on our bishop. They need to lay off. Also a bishop can't resign, it can't be done. I know and personally experienced the kindness and wisdom of the bishop. I know we in the Belleville Diocese need a change and these priests need to lay off. As Christ said "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." I hope many people see this article and open thier eyes to the corruption of the Belleville Diocese.
CDOBs Editors says:
Southside Irish,
Actually Charlie submitted the story well before Easter and the Leftists attacking the Cathedral. There were a few developments that kept this story from releasing before Good Friday.
The Chicago Daily Observer takes full responsibility for the timing of the release of Mr. Johnston's story, and is gracious that Mr. Johnston submits his work to us for publication.
mama2many says:
EXCELLENT piece and a very accurate assessment of the situation in our diocese. Our good bishop has handled himself with dignity, grace, and wisdom in a very uncharitable environment. I have nothing but respect and admiration for the man and I am one of many who are happy to have Bishop Braxton lead us. He is just what we needed!
Not a Hick says:
Personally I am very offened by the comment by "Southside Irish", as I am from Belleville and we are not Hicks. Also in reference to "Kay Goodnow" THE CHURCH ISN'T GOING ANYWHERE!!!!! If you don't donate to the church you aren't going to hurt it to the piont of it disappearing. You will simply hurt yourself, plus I wouldn't want causing the disappearence of the church on my soul. If it is than it is, with Braxton leading us, we are moving toward God and toward the light to Heaven. It is just plain out right unkind and deliberatly deceitful that the priests are doing this. Jealousy is no reason to shoot down intelligence in it's prime. We can learn much from this man and get on our way to Heaven. Look People, it is not right to look at a situation and decide that you know the story. THe papers in Belleville have chosen that they will write about untrue events that have not taken place. Listen, get the real story, read this article, this guy knows what he is talking about. Charley, I commend you on your brave quest to save the people of this diocese from going down a long road that eventually leads to hell. The paper and these priests are commiting a serious sin by spreading this libel. I am not saying that the misinformed people of our diocese are all bad, just misinformed. Don't start this kind of thing. We shouldn't start to go down this road. This road leads nowhere but hell.
Southside Irish says:
OK, I stand corrected. In any event, I think some 7th grader just smoked these dudes.
MAUREEN PAUL TURLISH says:
The state of Delaware passed landmark child abuse legislation which was signed into law on 07/10/07 which totally removed SOLs both criminally and civilly on the sexual abuse of children.
We also created a "WINDOW" which will remain open until 07/10/09 to bring forward previously time barred cases of abuse by anyone in a court of law.
If you know of anyone in Illinois who was ever sexually abused in Delaware let them know that they now have an opportunity for justice in the State of Delaware.
Gilbert says:
These obnoxious priests are screaming closet fags who should all be castrated. Why does not the bishop excommunicate them?
He should use the power the Church has given him for the glory of God, for the good of the Church and for the edification of the people of God.
i am a hick says:
i have met this guy. he is a shy scholar like our pope. he is a teacher. most places and priests would appreciate a priest who taught at harvard, u of chi and notre dame, was keynote speaker at the national catholic ed assoc convension, wrote books, was the theologian to candinal hickey of dc,AND WAS KNOWN BY NAME BY JP II AND BENEDICT,as someone who would have much to offer to march toward heaven or at least purgatory. Not the intellectuals in belleville.they know better. they can deride and riducule him as one who lacks their understanding. one who values miraculous nature of the eucharisst and has the humility of piety. the priests are spending their time plotting unwittingly(idiots---with the devil) to open the doors of scandal to a bishop who won't listen to thier vitriolic admonitions/advice/communication/counsel/imagined wisdom. Guys, he hears ya; he knows what ya think. you need never utter another diatribe and he will know what you would have him think. notwithstanding your brilliance (having landing in bville because you were rejected elsewhere or for that matter given the benefit of the rejection by a desperate former bishop) you know better---no way are you guilty of the sin of pride. march on you intellectual, you theologian you; what you do for the faithful in confusion will forever mark your soul in judgment.
Obamans says:
I feel disgusted, frustrated and disappointed with the behavior of these rebel priests. Why do they think they are? Wonder women? Gossiping hens like them have no place in the priesthood. And their cohort nun behaves like the Lady of Monza. The priests and the nuns deserve one another. Let´s pray for their conversion.
blue collar says:
many of these rebels are just not happy with the pope and what they have become but they have no economic way out. nice guys, not all sissified. this guy is an easy target for their frustration because he does not fight back. Maybe he is too nice or dum, i dont know. they are going to eat him up. is the church this messed up?
bellevillian says:
After reading Mr. Johnston's article...which has numerous inaccuracies...and some of the comments posted above, I am amazed how much misinformation is out there.
"He's no Gregory" is the only commenter who has it right about the situation here. His/her comments are right on target. I know this because I have been associated with the diocese (not a priest) for many years. I am acquainted with all of the 46 priests who signed the statement. These men are not "rebels", but have serious concerns about trust and honesty.
Indeed, Bishop Braxton is a very brilliant theologian, but his gift of brilliance is not being put to good use here. Unfortunately, he does not have the gift of pastoral leadership. If he did, none of this would be happening.
reality check says:
Folks, the key is whether this Bishop stays true to the authentic truth, beauty, depth of the Catholic faith. Dude----dude---if he really has taught all those places and Popes knew of him maybe---hello---hello---maybe he can teach us something if we listen. And dude, if I taught at Harvard, I think I would have earned a bit of healty sense of self-confidence. Let's hear what the dude has to say rather than nit pick him for feeling uncomfortable in the enormous sea of intellectual, enlightened saints that say he is unworthy
vanilla sky says:
To be singled out by forty-eight (48) priests as their object of hate is quite something. He must be a saint. I guess the bishop reminds these rebel priests of their own inadequacy. They are like men who hate Hillary clinton because she makes them feel like little women. In this case, the bishop makes them feel like dwarfs or, rather, like frustrated giants. But to hate the present Pope is insanity. They should be all shipped to Germany. someone told me that in Germany people like these priests are considered crazy and so they are locked up in an institution. What these priests are doing is plain bedlam. They should really all be in an insane asylum.
No Wright Nor Obama´s Grandma says:
Dear Bellevillian: This is just to remind you that Christ had everything, and yet he was crucified. The bishop is Christlike, the reason why the Judas priests are selling him for thirty minutes of fame.
No Bellevillian says:
Dear Bellevillian: You are not only judgmental, you are also fallacious. And yet truth is neither yours nor mine so it can be ours. Go back to school and study logic. Then you will appreciate the difference between a humble bishop and quarrelsome priests.
Blessed Sac CYO says:
Where were these heros when we were being courted,leered at by Fr. C, Fr. V., Fr. P, Deacon driver for former bishop? Hypocrits.
No Bellevillian says:
Dear No Bellevillian: You are not only judgmental, you are also fallacious. And yet truth is neither yours nor mine so it can be ours. Go back to school and study logic. Then you will appreciate the difference between a humble bishop and quarrelsome priests.
bellevillian says:
No Wright...
Did Christ insist that his home be renovated at a cost of $300,000 when he entered Jerusalem? Did he ever scold a 80+ year old lady for calling him "Bishop Edward"?
Blue Velvet says:
Dear Bellevillian: How long are you going to pollute the world with your wisdom? You imbecile! Repent and believe in the Good News!
conflicted says:
Hey Bellevillian. You speak wisely that Braxton is a brilliant thologian whose gift is not being put to good use to those unwilling to hear.
bellevillian says:
No Bellevillian...
I got your point the first time...you didn't have to post it twice.
I know a humble bishop when I see one. In fact there is such a bishop in Belleville...but his name isn't "Braxton".
bellevillian says:
Blue Velvet...
I'll pray for you tonight...you obviously need some divine assistance.
henpecked--big time says:
Bellevillian,if u r rite that Braxton is brilliant theologian, maybe thats what we should concentrate on-----God forbid the Mrs would concentrate on my weaker points including sudden rushes of flatus
Hillary Fan says:
As far as i am concerned, if I were a parishioner, and given the choice, I would never enter any church where any of the rebel priests who envy their bishop and malign him pretends to pasture my soul.
Blue Velvet says:
Dear Bellevillian: You are very presumptuous. But don´t worry. although I don´t want to claim that you need divine assistance, I´ll pray for you, too. You are so full of envy. That´s why I´ll pray for you, too.
Gennifer Lewinsky says:
Bellevillian starts sounding like Reverend Wright. He should preach to Barack Hussein Obama.
Mary Francis Connelly says:
I remember a wonderful priest, Father Edward Braxton at St Catherine of Siena in Oak Park. Tell me they are not complaining of this guy?
Pollen Bee says:
Is it true that Barack Hussein Obama´s name equals 666? Instead of persecuting our bishops we should scrutinize our politicians.
john q public says:
So much confusion. The thoughtful Catholic reflects upon the role of the church in a pluralistic, hedonistic society. For many clerics it is their role to fit in, to deemphasize the call to sacrifice of the church. We see priests doing so by wearing shorts, dumbing down their faith, concentarting on spirituality, peace, justice, condemning sexism, homophobia, etc. They condemn judging, but judge Braxton. They hate him because he is the reflection of intellectual, pious, slavish pursuat of surrender to the will of Christ as reflected in the teachings of the magisterium
bellevillian says:
"You imbecile! Repent and believe in the Good News!"
"You are not only judgmental, you are also fallacious"
"Bellevillian starts sounding like Reverend Wright. He should preach to Barack Hussein Obama."
"Your denial is indeed atrocious. Yes you can be!"
"You are very presumptuous...You are so full of envy"
Gee! This sure is a friendly place! It's nice to be among so many open-minded people who enjoy intelligent discourse and make astute, Christ-like comments such as these.
Southside Irish says:
Mary Francis, they are talking of the same Edward Braxton you must have encountered at Siena. As for you Pollen Bee, buzz off. I am a proud Irish Catholic Democrat and I dont appreciate you trying to turn this into a political thing. I dont know how you come up with OBama equalling 666, but your post certainly equals Dumb,Dumb,Dumb!
curious says:
Braxton seems like a straight shooter. What percentage of these priests are sinners? They seem quick to go to the press with his perceived or concocted sins. What sins if any may they be guilty of that they will confess in the press or tattle on each other? This is decidedly schoolgirlish
auggie of hippo says:
If the worst they can say about the man is that he is aloof to their unpleasantly delivered advice (probably vitriolic) perhaps he has discerned upon spiritual reflection that one must astutely consider the source. It appears he not only has heard them but knows what their advice would be. Bishop Edward, while you may not have encountered such lofty,insightful biblical and spiritual brilliance in your sojuourns at harvard or u of chicago, note that unless you acquiesce to their opinions they and the scholars at the local rag will surely tell you how Christ wills you to rule the Church in the lofty, unequaled in biblical exigesis----Belleville ---unequaled in Rome, etc. BELLEVILLE intellegincia! Learn Braxton! The 46 are the intelligentia of the church of rome----them and the hags at fosil
Aha! says:
Bellevillian reveals himself to be one of those crazy priests who tie up with crazy nuns (Madonna complex) to malign an intellectual bishop. Bellevillian, you are also heretical and sacrilegeous. How dare you call "Christlike" unflattering observations directed to you! You are not contented of libeling a bishop. Now you are crucifying Christ again with your sarcastic simile.
Pollen Bee says:
Southside Irish...
thanks but no thanks.
You should castigate those pedophile priests. Many of them are your compatriots. Ask Pierce Brosnan.
Elaine says:
I'm not sure where the "Braxton is a brilliant theologian" business is coming from. When I look at Amazon, all I see is two out of print books, one published by Paulist in 1980, and the other by Ave Maria Press. Not exactly theological powerhouses.
And for heaven's sake, read the guy's bio on the diocesan website. The author is obviously very impressed with Bishop Braxton. I'm thinking I can guess who the author is.
Look: Braxton should have known what he was coming into - if the reports are true - a diocese in which clergy had been allowed to do their own thing for years. A real leader would have that in mind with every step he took (think...Pope Benedict). Braxton obvious hasn't. He is not a leader.
Gennifer Lewinsky says:
those hysterical priests who rant vs. their intellectual bishop should wear thongs underneath their soutane (cover up for crossdressers). they should read the post of john q public. his common sense is uncommon to those troublesome priests.
Hillary Fan says:
As far as I´m concerned, Belleville is a diocese in which clergy had been allowed to do their own thing for years.
As far as I´m concerned, until Bishop Braxton came around to put order in the diocese. O tempora! O mores!
Hillary Fan says:
As far as I´m concerned, those reverends fighting their bishop are not Muslims...
Ob Server says:
You can be the smartest of men, the most well-versed in theology,
and be most faithful to the magisterium--but if you don't have people skills, if you are not a father to all, then you will never succeed. Get off the pedestal you have created for yourself and join the common folk.
GoldCoaster says:
We have our share of misguided priests too, but it appears southern illinois got former cast members of deliverance. Taught at uchi and harvard but he could use bert reynolds. They can't all be as stupid as stec and gorgan. Obviously they are guilty of the sin they so ardently project upon him: pride, hubris. They do great harm to the faithful
CDOBs Editors says:
Thanks for the comments, but please refrain from personal attacks on these pages.
The Chicago Daily Observer will remove comments deemed inappropriate by our editors.
Thanks!
Hillary Fan says:
As far as I´m concerned, bishops are not politicians. Their primary duty, aside from serving God, is to uphold the Magisterium. As far as I´m concerned, priests must toe the line of their bishops because they are in the diocese to work for the church under their bishop. As far as I´m concerned, priests under their bishop cannot do anything contrary to the guidelines of their diocese. Bishops have reached the plenitude of the priesthood. They are fully ordained to do that. As far as I´m concerned, priests should be subject to their bishop.
No Wright Nor Obama´s Grandma says:
Dear Ob Server,
You mean to say, you want our bishop to behave like Reverend Wright and, after some flip-flops, get disowned by the politician he has mentored?
Gennifer Lewinsky says:
Dear Bellevillian,
Copme on. Don´t be Clintonesque. What is is is. Who thinks like Bill Knapp, whines like Bill Knapp and behaves like Bill Knapp mmust really be Bill Knapp. By the way, I´m an admirer of Bill Clinton. There´s only one Bill Clinton. I voted for him online as the Best President, believe you me, of USA. Senator Obama, God bless America!
Cato says:
So, another dust-up instigated by the recalcitrant, refractory and seditious pseudo-alter christi. "Parturiunt montes,nascetur ridiculus mus!"
chamberlain says:
the news of the events in belleville diocese is a scandal. the bnd has proved itself to be biased and partisan in their news. i think the news they carry about b braxton should make them lose readership and trust. their editors should go for further training.
Joe says:
Yep, let us all just follow and do what ever they tell us, yeah, that worked out well in the past, no scandals came from that huh? Don't EVER question the hierarchy of the church, they know what is best for the flock. Lemmings if you don’t question.
Catholic School Girl says:
I beleive it is ok to question, if you understand what is going on(and there is something bad actually happening). I also see nothing wrong with the bishop. I have never heard him say anything that didn't aline with the teachings of the Catholic Church. What wrong has this man done? This feels a little like Pilate asking what Jesus had done. Let's not be the people in the crowd shouting "crusify him!" You need to ask yourself though, are you questioning the man that the untrue statments are being spoken about, or just the untrue statments. You should actually not read the BND if you are looking for facts and unbiased comments. I know that they are purposely lying to the people. If you turn to the priests who started this you are also going to hear a baised answer. Listen Joe, Have you ever met the guy? and if you have then was it with other angry priests or parishioners? If that is the case than you can't beleive that you are hearing right information. I also think that the people that agree with me could help me out by writing letters to the Bishop showing your support. I feel that he should know that not all of the people in the diocese hate him. He would be releived to know that so many people appreciate the "missionary" work he has been doing in this unwelcoming town.
Verboten says:
Because of its unholy priests and nuns, Belleville has become a diocese without pity.
Abe says:
Two things are surely coming from this. The priest agitators, after several years of having a jolly old time firing at their bishop certainly know now that they can't do it any more without consequence. They also have to have their first real look at what people in the pews are thinking. All the people defending the priests here have too much inside knowledge to just be uninterested laymen. A truly nicely done investigative effort. Even the people who suggest Charlie has some innacuracies don't get specific about what those innacuracies are. And it is as striking what they don't argue with in the article as what they do. There will be peace in Belleville when the priests get a little humility.
frspcb says:
when do these priest activists find the time to organize, meet, issue statements, respond to media, give interviews, etc ?
During Lent? the days leading up to Holy Week? How many spent significant time in the confessional?
That should tell us what we need to know about the complaining priests...
Ed Snowdon says:
Gee. Who would want to join this church? Pedophiles, codependent members, and absolutiest leaders. What a mess.
Bellevillian says:
Abe...
Here's an example of an inaccuracy in the article:
"Just a few weeks ago, Sr. Jan Renz, who is regional superior of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ in Ruma, wrote a letter critical of the bishop to the Belleville News-Democrat..."
Sister is indeed the regional superior, but she SIGNED the letter, along with her five colleagues in leadership, who wrote the letter as a group.
If you read the letter, you will find that it does not criticize Bishop Braxton at all. It merely states a truth: there is a desperate need for "outside intervention to restore the “trust and hope” that has been lost because the bishop’s credibility has been called into question."
It appears that Mr. Johnston only read the column in the Belleville News-Democrat, which also mischaracterized the letter. If he read the letter itself, I believe that he would have a better understanding.
I don't have the time or space here to list the other things Charlie got wrong.
EMILIE says:
TTHE present event in belleville diocese has told us priests do not only say the rosary.One also imagines whether the priests who oppose thier bishop still say their rosary at all. I hope the group of nuns that wrote against the bishop said their rosary before doing that. If they did not I humbly remind them of their obligation to imitate OUR LADY who respected her son.
Mona Lisa says:
Now Showing:
END TIMES
Starring
Edward K. Braxton
Co-starring
The Recalcitrant 46
Wayward Nuns
Goblins and Elves
Unprincipled Laymen
Direction
Such Is Life
Musical Score
Send in the Clowns
concerned catholic says:
I read the entire editorial, letter by sister jan renz and it is not even handed; it was loaded against the bishop. others signed; she as head is most known and the leader of the signees. She made a public spectacle of what should have been private if she really wanted to help and avoid confusing the laymen. The cartoon in the local paper depicted a nun cracking the bishop's fingers. That was a fair reading of her letter. She repeated and gave credence to false, malicious charges wrapped in syrup. She too is guilty of hubris. I know her well and in this matter she has failed in discretion, judgment, and canonical law. By taking it to a hostile media, she knew full well that she was joining the pitchfork crowd. It was a public rebuke and received as such. She has done much harm to the faithful. Sister, has he deviated from the settled teachings of the magisterium?
Evergreen says:
We may not agree with whatever Elaine posts here, but we do defend to the death her right to post it. Besides, she´s only a woman...
Skeptical says:
My dear Concerned Catholic: Do you agree with me that Sister Jan Renz should open a laundry business? Then nobody would feel violated if she washed the unmentionables of the intellectual bishop in public?
CDOBs Editors says:
Bellevillian,
If that is your best example, I think I will stick by Charlie on this one, regardless of your time constraints.
CDOBs
Concerned Catholic says:
Dear Evergreen & Skeptical-
Excuse Me: I AM A WOMAN! Sr. Jan's conduct is not made proper by her gender, nor are your criticisms which portray us, women, as victims a rational argument- it is merely emotion and invites irrational gender bias perpetrated by you into the argument. Sr. Jan chose to publically humiliate the Bishop by airing what she was trying to convince people was the Bishop's dirty laundry which is something that the Bishop has eschewed with all of these public tormentors, the pitch fork crowd, there is unimaginable hypocricy and hubris by these men and unfortunately women. Vain pride s an equal sin for men and women. The only humility in this whole sad state of affairs has been by the man to whom all these people have sworn an oath of loyalty and obedi.
Evergreen says:
Dear Concerned Catholic: Men may argue with women at their own risks, why not? What did Shakespeare say about there being¨"no greater wrath" etc.?
Skeptical says:
Dear Concerned Catholic: I wish you could give me your cell phone number. Like Hillary Clinton, you seem to be the exception to the rule.
Skeptical says:
Dear Concerned Catholic: I wish you could give me your cell phone number. Like Hillary Clinton, you seem to be the exception to the rule.
Hillary Fan says:
Concerned Catholic...
You don´t have to apologize for being a woman. Women are unsinkable. Like Molly Brown. Like Joan of Arc. Like Theresa of Avila. Like the current First Lady of France. Like Hillary Clinton...The list is endless.
Conserned Catholic says:
Shakespeare wrote: hell hath no fury like the scorn of a woman. Me thinks the fact that you unwittingly (one hopes) associated yourself and these nuns with the dark, netherworld of satan is thought provoking if not Freudian.
Evergreen says:
Dear Concerned Catholic: Leave those nuns alone! Where is your charity? Can´t you see that they are only old maids, or spinsters for that matter, in the habit?
Jill says:
most nuns I would agree with "Evergreen", but not this time! These are some seriously crazy chicks! I agree with you Concerned Catholic.
Wm. Guyol, MD says:
Mr. Johnston, thank you for your article about Bishop Edward Braxton. I had the pleasure of knowing Bishop Braxton since his assignment in St. Louis. He is an extraordinary educator - you can read his sermons and appreciate the thoughtfulness that went into their preparation. Even brief conversations with him usually give food for thought. Do not mistake his passion and high expectations for arrogance. Should not a bishop expect obedience from his priests - the same obedience he showed in accepting assignments in St. Louis, Lake Charles and Belleville when I am sure he would rather be in Chicago caring for his mother? Should not a bishop expect his confirmation candidates to be properly prepared? Thanks for defending this good man and the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Such Is Life says:
Unfortunately I deal with the people who deal with the bishop on a daily basis and who know what monies he has used and where they have come from. None of these people are happy with what he has done and especially from where he has taken the money. They don’t speak out because they are teachers, coaches and on one occasion the principal of a school. And this little girl may have a point on bullying, but there is a reason for the unhappiness over a situation that a child is shielded from. These people feel he is cheating the diocese and the charities they work so hard to provide money for. A shame really but evidently nothing will be done about it. History repeats over and over.
Dream Lover says:
After reading and rereading the posts here, and after rereading the article itself ad infinitum, I can discern, correct me if I´m wrong, that the root problem of everything is the nun and her congregation of "old maids in the habit." Women are petty, petulant and, to say the least, termagants, especially if they are allowed to meddle in the church affairs. Why don´t these women go back to the kitchen where they belong? Why don´t they get married instead of picking on their poor bishop. If it is true that the bishop has a sick mother than he has to leave behind for the service of God and Holy Mother the Church, then these impious ladies are kicking vs. the goad. Heaven forgive them for their arrogance! The bishop should send those sisters packing out of his diocese. He is the boss there, not these women! And the priests should not listen to gossips. They have created for themselves a culture of whispering campaign vs. their bishop. They and their nuns should be ashamed of themselves. i am not anti-women, in fact I believe Hillary Clinton should be the next President. But then I´m trying to rethink my vote now. If she wins the presidency she might embolden these nuns and the rest of their ilk to bully us men and to nag us to kingdomm come. St. Paul is right. Women should keep their mouth shut and not intrude in church affairs. The Pope should disband the religious congregation of these nuns.
Whispering Hope says:
Dear Dream Lover or Whoever You Are: Why don´t the 46 or so ¨recalcitrant priests" not listen to those "old maids in the habit"? Can´t you see that they are also nuns trapped in priest´s body? Nobody can prevent Hillary from getting elected as President. The women will definitely see to it that she gets there (there are more women than men, and men usually die of heart attack, not women). Prepare yourself for a USA of henpecked husbands (with profuse apologies to Obama´s Bishop Wright). In spite of these women, God bless America!
Get Real says:
Message to Such Is Life: When you accuse the bishop of every sin you have heard from people you deal with, you are guilty of hearsay. By the way, are you a woman? I am starting to think that this nasty Belleville Affair really started with whispering women, i.e., the nuns and the nun-priests.
Veritas says:
For all we know, Get Real, the troublemakers don´t want the bishop to start an honest-to-goodness investigation of clerical abuse cases? By the way, I´m, thank God, a man.
Hillary Fan says:
As far as I´m concerned, women should be respected, loved, appreciated and, unless she is a female Bin Laden, elected to the White House. As far as I´m concerned, a woman president has a heart, and that makes the difference.
Divine Mercy Devotee says:
There was a movie called "Devils" starring Vanessa Redgrave as superior of the nunnery who unjustly denounced a priest of fabricated crimes. The Belleville Case is one clear example of life imitating art. The Bishop should make his move and smash this scarlet ring of clergy.
Wake up, Bishop! You have made your first move by speaking, Bishop. Now act before it is too late! God is behind you. God alone is enough. don´t be afraid. Cast into the deep. Please, people of God, help me pray for the Bishop.
Edited
Call to Action says:
The people of God should all gather together and decide to take mass action against those satanic priests and nuns. Away with pedophile priests and satanic nuns! Drive all of them away from Belleville!
Beautiful View says:
When you pray, don´t forget to include our Holy Father Benedict XVI. Thank you.
Paul Rimbaud says:
The 46 priests are guilty of harboring the kind of love that dares not speak its name. And the nuns´are guilty of: obduracy, overweening ignorance, pride.
Luvwomen says:
The problem is not one of gender. At center is 46 who have publicly accused thier bishop of financial misappropriation and loss of moral authority in buying vestments and accoutrements (conference table and chairs) for ecclesial communication. The public judgment of quasi-criminal conduct. Sr. Jan repeated and gave credence to the libel in the quiet of a guest editorial cloaked in supposed conciliation by which someone needed to be sent in to straighten this guy out---insist he concede to this band of her "friends and coworkers" in their opinions in running not just the business of the diocese, but indeed the manners of eucharist and all other manners of doctrine. This assemblage of men and women (now media stars) are either wise beyond all need to consider the most basic of teachings of the Catecism or they are the witting or unwitting victims of temptation of pride/hubris of a most dark origin.
Hall of Heroes says:
John McCain's campaign is mapping out strategies to stay in the news, as the media focuses on contested Dem nomination.
Luvwomen says:
Catechism of the Catholic Church 862: "Just as the office which the Lord confided to Peter alone, as first of the apostles, destined to be transmitted to his successors, is a permanent one, so also endures the office, which the apostles received, of shepherding the Church, a charge destined to be exercised without interruption by the sacred order of bishops. HENCE THE CHURCH TEACHES THAT THE BISHOPS HAVE BY DIVINE INSTITUTION TAKEN THE PLACE OF THE APOSTLES AS PASTORS OF THE CHURCH, IN SUCH WISE THAT WHOEVER LISTENS TO THEM IS LISTENING TO CHRIST AND WHOEVER DESPISES THEM DESPISES CHRIST AND HIM WHO SENT CHRIST"
Doctrinal says:
Advice to the Belleville Bishop: As Bishop, you are equipped with extraordinary power for the good of the Church. You are invested with the apostolic right to excommunicate. Excommunication is the best sanction. I advise you to excommunicate the 46 priests and that troublemaker nun whoever she is.
Doctrinal says:
Dearest Luvwomen,
Did anyone tell you that you are so lovable? The mother of the bishop should know that there are still women like you. Praise the Lord, hallelujah!
Ofallon says:
I tried to post earlier and it did not go through. If it shows up I am sorry for the double posting. My time in the Belleville Diocese goes back to Bishop Zurowist in the 60s. I was appointed to a position within the diocese by Bishop Gregory and I happen to like many of the priests who are calling for Bishop Braxton's ouster. I bear no ill-will toward them, the nuns, or the CFO, Bill Knapp, that have been refered to by others. The criticism lodged against this Bishop is that he is too formal and patrichian, unlike the easy going, extrovert Wilton Gregory.
I remember very well Bishop Kellerher and Aux. Bishop Schwagel. Friendly guys, put you at ease, Kellerher with his Irish wit and Schwagel -the singing Bishop. They were loved by these diocesean priests. Oh, and under their leadership, the diocese suffered terrible sex scandals from which it has never recovered.
Those were not easy days for parents with children in the Catholic grade schools or the Catholic high schools. Talk about your uncomfortable father/son, father/daughter conversations! So many of the Catholic faithful watched their children, raised to revere the priests and nuns, become disollusioned (sp) and dispirited.
I dont remember any priests or nuns writing op-ed pieces calling for the ouster of our Bishop then. I do clearly remember the sermons at mass. We were counseled about foregiveness, and not too judge too harshly, and the power of redemption through God --that sort of thing.
For those of you in Chicago wondering why so much of the laity are not joining these priests in the call for the ouster of Bishop Braxton, I think it is because we remember so many of these very priests sermonizing about foregiveness and understanding. We remember the sermons about the sin of intolerence, the sin of homophobia. We in Southern Illinois have become a forgiving and tolerant lot. And, by the way, it is so much easier to explain to our younger children that our present Bishop, a holy man, is too formal and far more introverted than some of his more colorful predicessors, than the heart-to-hearts we had to have with our older ones some years ago.
Maybe some of my cleric friends need to reread their sermons of that era in a state of calmer reflexion. They just might find some inspired guidance.
Edited
Luvwomen says:
Ahhh Doctinal. Ahhh feeble sardonicism. Let's stick to the issues without exhuming the dead for bloodsport. As Joe Friday put it so aptly: "Just the facts maam." What is surely needed in the affair is humility which is defined in the Catechism as "The virtue by which a Christian acknowledges that God is the author of all good. Humility avoids inordinate ambition or pride, and provides the foundation for turning to God in prayer" (See 2559)
wwlvssprmn says:
What you seem to be missing Bellevillian, is a bothersome little thing called obedience. We are called to obedience, period, not IF we agree. Sadly trust and hope will not be restored to you or the rebels because their lack of trust is not in the Bishop but in the guidance of Holy Spirit. If you believe in the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Catholic Church then Pope JP II's appointment was inspired and like it or not your Bishop is chosen by God. Try a little obedience to God...or uh, if you want to PROTEST, then become a PROTESTant.
Aha! says:
Senator Craig should deliver the Perverse 46 and their cohort nuns to Iran there to publicly acknowledge their scarlet crimes against nature. The rest, as the cliche goes, will be history and Belleville will be better off for it.
Amen says:
If Khomeini were alive today, and if those scarlet priests were under his domain, then...but then, let us not deal with what might have been. what we´ve got to do now is to save the diocese of Belleville from the cusp of Satan. The priests must go. And the nuns, too. The sooner, the better. Today. Not tomorrow. Not a day after tomorrow. TODAY!!!
Luvwomen says:
Aha and Amen. Remedy equals prayer, humility. Catecism 2559: "Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or requesting of good things from God. But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or out of the depths of a humble and contrite heart? He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer." Those involved have too much good in them to continue to trek along the tumultuous, dark path; it is, finally, beneath their beautific spiritual dignity.
Casey Murtha says:
Heretical nuns should never be appointed superior general of their religious congregation. They should be sent on a retreat and they should confess their sins.
Ofallon says:
The scarlet letter is not a device of Catholics nor is anything advocated or practiced by radical islam. Lets jettison the hyperbole here. We need not exile priests to save a Bishop. Nor should we assume the worst about all of them. Yet, since they sought to make their disaffection public, it is altogether fitting that there be public rejoinders.
I feel sorry for these priests. Imagine the humiliation they will feel when they come to realize that very few other than themselves think that any one of them would make a better bishop than Braxton. I will derive no joy or pleasure in the angst they will eventually feel when they realize they have only compromised their standing among the Catholic faithful. The scant solace offered by the embittered and disordered will not be able to sooth their grief. I feel sorry for them. We have all acted foolish at one time or another. But to insist our foolishness be front page news and the talk of the community --"eww how embarrasking."
Communion Antiphon says:
The people deserve their priests and the priests deserve their people. Woe unto you Belleville because your people allowed your priests to make a spectacle of themselves. And the bishop, an outsider to the hilt, suffers. It´s a telenovela that drags on and no one is the better for it. And Obama of Illinois has the gall to talk of the new order in the whole world if elected to office? Newt Gingrich must be laughing.
humerousinterlude says:
Hey O'fallon. You need to listen a hell of a lot closer to your pastor Father HITPIECE er uh Hitpas
Chariot of Fire says:
Perverse priests need not be exiled. All Vatican has to do is defrock them. The process is called laicization. I notice that something was deleted from the post of Ofallon. Maybe I´m imagining things, but someone has removed the part about a bishop being caught in a men´s room?
Kalkashoo says:
The angry tone of all of these comments is distressing. The bishop is certainly not the personal ogre that some make him out to be. He apologized for the misappropriation of the mission funds and found someone to reimburse the money that had been taken. He probably would personally be better suited to some theological consultant's position than bishop of a diocese, but he does have to try to do his best in the position he has been assigned to. If he is really miserable he knows he can ask for a transfer.
OFallon says:
Thank goodness there is an editor here or I may have been guilty of reducing the level of discussion here below what is appropriate. Just so no reader may draw the wrong inferences, Bishop Braxton is scandal-free. Any salacious reference I made earlier that was properly edited out would have related back to a time pre-Braxton and pre-Gregory.
nodrivebys says:
editor, if chariot is going to publish libel per se, he should print his actual name (so he can face legal process) or it should be removed. I'm betting the coward won't print his name. Chariot is obviously embedded with the rebels
Luvwomen says:
Kalkashoo,Bishop did not apologize for misappropriating funds; quite the contrary. I suggest you re-read the article. Bishop's letter on http://diobelle.org is insightful. He apologizes for anything he may have done unwittingly to invite the unjustified vitriol. You can also see on the web that he accounts for all the expenditures and my review discloses proper use of funds. Hatred begets lies.
rebel without a cause says:
nodrivebys, google monsignor joseph p schwaegel. Chariot may catch on fire but he wont be sued anytime soon.
Chariot of Fire says:
Thank you, rebel without a cause. nodriveways is guilty of libel, intolernce and invincible ignorance. let us pray for his conversion.
Chariot of Fire says:
To nodriverbys: Next time you post anything, be sure you know what you are talking about. And don´t be a crybaby. Accusing me of being "embedded with the rebels" is ridiculous. Your slip is showing. As the Hispanics would say, ¨la ignorancia es muy atrevida."
nodrivebys says:
Chariot, Could be I was wrong. Sorry. Your prayers for me may be working already. God knows I can use the grace.
disappointed in Fr. Jim says:
We at St. Peter's Cathedral are very upset with Fr. Jim Buerster's role in this malicious "fire storm"--he has singlehandedly hurt the hearts of many catholics.
He should rethink the vows he made and consider becoming a used car salesman.
rebel without a cause says:
nodrivebys, I give credit where credit is due. First, you are rightfully very cautious about incidiary material posted anominously. Second, upon further review, you conceded that, in this instance, who ever it was that posted earlier, may not be guilty of a Sunday punch. Good for you. It shows that you are trying to sort things out in a fair and honest way.
A thought occurs to me and maybe you would agree. The editors of this wonderful news organ ought to give one or all of the priests complaining about Braxton the opportunity to submit an op-ed piece in response to or in opposition to this one written by Clarence Johnson. I dont have a dog in this fight as I dont know the main players, only the history of the diocese when I lived there five years ago. My parish priest when I was there died earlier this year and I dont know who he sided with. Thus, I am a rebel without a cause.
I like this site, but enjoy the opportunity to read about somebody other that Blago, O'Bama or the hapless Todd Stroger. Anyway, just a thought and a compliment. You, nodrivebys, are obviously searching for the truth. If the otherside posts, I look foward to your comments.
Since its Saturday night, and the cocktail hour has commenced, I close by saying "Cheers!"
alsodisappointedinFr.Jim says:
Attending Cathedral I came to see many talents of Fr.Jim. I am also very disappointed with Fr.Jim, but the used car salesman was unnecessary. I can admit that he has gone a long way to bringing on criticism however. For example, I observed the way he treated the Bishop in the Cathedral. He treated him with derision and seemed to want all to know that he did not consider the Bishop as a superior or a friend or and equal. He wanted us to know. After mass, he would walk faster than the Bishop so he would have to hurry when Fr. Jim was instructing him on the way we do things here. After Mass, the Bishop always greets those leaving but Fr. Jim would stand at a different exit which could have been seen as an invitation to choose. He talked negatively about him and gave derisive looks. Fr. Jim seemed to want this shy, formal, Bishop to feel uncomfortable. The Rector of the Cathedral was telling everybody that the Bishop was full of himself. I like both so it has always been uncomfortable for us. The Bishop is formal and pays great detail to the details of the Eucharist, but unless I'm wrong, he's trying to make the Eucharist a perfectly holy orthodox experience so that we receive grace and Christ is pleased. But some just see it as formality for formality sake adding an additional 15 to 20 minutes to mass delaying arrival at club sports. Fr.Jim is a great guy who never gave the guy a chance and seems to want to make the fellow wish he never came. Fr.Jim seemed to want us to choose, but I never got that sense from the guy that was supposed to be his boss.
Chariot of Fire says:
Just heard Mass. I thank God for having answered my prayer. I thank him for nondriversby and for rebel without a cause (happens to be my favorite movie, james dean my favorite movie star). We are all living on borrowed time. we catholics belong to the minority in this country that reverend wright doesn´t want blessed. let us not blame one another and be supportive of one another. our priests and nuns need our prayers. we should not pamper them but tell them what we feel. we should remind them of their obligation to repent and be humble enough to concede that like the rest of us they have sinned. the people of God are always great. we have priests because they are there and to them the priests are sent. perhaps the bishop shouuld reach out to everybody and embrace everybody as a friend. God bless us all.
Maddie says:
Kalkashoo, I am in 5th grade. Please Don't be mean to our bishop. It will make him sad.
rebel without a cause says:
Chariot of fire, I look foward to your comments on future threads. It appears that there are many good Catholics hitting this site looking to understand all that is going on. Great attitude, its amazing how prayer tends to focus us on the right things. As for you and nodrivebys, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.(smile) And, maybe I will just have to find a cause.
alsodetective says:
alsodisappointedinfr.jim...
if you see the movie "Dog Day Afternoon" starring Al Pacino, then uyour disappointed will turn to compassion. get hold also of the book of michael rose. he has written about the scarlet ring among some priests. the bishop does not belong there. added to this is the fact that he is black.
nodriveby says:
Chariot, Read your comments. I was mistaken. Thanks for your prayers. Say, who is your contact? You seem to get to a good souce quickly with your prayers. God Bless. Humbled and enlightened, nodriveby
benedict Dun says:
....I wish to call on our spiritual leaders to prayer for God's intervention on the current crises in Belleville diocese. So much are flying in the air; positive and objective statements are made about the existing issues. The bitter truth about the whole situation is now glaring. And we now know how and when it all started never to be deceived (never again)by 46 signing an unfounded piece - crying foul. I was amazed about sarcastic and derogetory comments made about some of our priests and nuns - it's a pity. In just one sentence, may these priests and nuns rethink and stop fighting the Church they pledged obedience and loyalty. So, we pray for Bishop Braxton, that he as the God appointed leader of the flock may find a place in his heart to forgive all the unhealthy actions of our priests and nuns against him and the church. We pray that the perpetrators of the acts may allow our diocese a well seasoned and progress oriented leadership of Bishop Braxton. For your information, Bishop Braxton is God sent to the diocese of belleville,and no one can stop the work of God that our diocese very much cherishes.
Merry Widow says:
Let´s pray that the gentlemanly bishops may forgive the 46 who have maligned him. They are not only priests. They have sinned gravely, but forgiveness has no limits.
Edited
alsodisappointedinFr.Jim says:
Detective,please be careful, not wreckless in attributing sexual accusations against Fr.Jim. It adds nothing to the matter unless you know something. If you don't the statement is grotesquely sinful. Fr.Jim to me is a good man way, way off track on the Bishop, but there is so much good in him and most of the others that there is hope. They are part of an angry mob for a variey of reasons,and mob psychology has taken over.
But if individually, they return to that inner part of their goodness that brought them to the priesthood to begin with there is great hope for reconciliation. I think that the vast majority will someday make it a point to seek Bishop Braxton's personal forgiveness which, watching him, he will express his unworthiness but smile with kind eyes of acceptance and profound appreciation. That's the man.
Nodrivebys says:
Chariot, I admire your power of prayer and style. Illuminate me. What's on your mind or inspired that I need to know. Yours gratefully ie keep the prayers coming, nodrivebys
Luvwomen says:
This demonic intrusion is going to take some serious prayer, because the sin that started this vain pride will be difficult to turn back because they now have noteriety in the press and feel giddy at the sycophants that pat them on the back. They, most of them, have yet to figure out they are in the grip of the devil-----too proud.
morebadmedia says:
Now the bad-news "Natl Catholic Reporter" is sending one of its ex-priest slander-mongers to Southern Illinois to meet with the 46.
Local story goes state-wide goes nation-wide later this week.
Margaret says:
From Johnston’s account, there is nothing that Braxton could have done to avoid the hostile reception awaiting him.
We don’t need a reconciler in Belleville, we need someone who will insist on speaking the truths of the Faith and requiring his priests to do so also and to knock off pushing the liberal agenda.
That’s why they didn’t want Braxton to be their bishop and why they are grabbing at straws to tarnish him in the public’s eye.
Sadly, I believed the early accounts of his “misue of money” — when all that he did was buy things for the Church. Gasp!
Cirian says:
Name calling helps no one. The facts are simple each diocese is led by a successor of the Apostles called the Bishop. It is his duty to lead and teach the faithful in his see supported and assisted by the presbyters (priests). His credentials are not an issue. His part is to lead, theirs to obey, just as they pledged to do when ordained. Part of the leadership is to avoid and prevent scandel. Mistakes and sins WILL occur, but the dirty laundry should NEVER be aired in public. The fact remains that the unhappy priests care not a whiff about who they hurt, all because they were not consulted at every turn. Unfortunately, if Call to Action is their ally, their heterodox "opinions" would certainly already be known at the Vatican, mot to mention Chicago, and would be properly avoided. Regardless of the discussion and polemics, charity must dominate.
Hillary Girl says:
The nemeses of the bishop are like the surrogates of Barack Hussein Obama who talk about democracy and prevent Michigan and Florida from seating their delegates. They make themselves look cute but do damage to the system they are supposed to represent and to protect. Sad movies always make me cry...
Hillary Fan says:
As far as I am concerned, as clear as the sun rises from the east, at the end of the day good will always triumph over evil. Cheers!
Yul Reeves says:
Real men don´t behave like those priests. There must be something terribly wrong with the people of Belleville. People make their priests and priests are the reflection of the people. People deserve their priests.
OsamaHussein says:
Catholics are not the majority anymore. It´s the Muslim religion that is now number one when it comes to numbers. Now we know why.
Belleville Parishioner says:
How sad that this blog exist. That I have read so much and feel so sad that with all the problems in the world that we can not have peace in our own yard. The Bishop admitted that he had misapropriated funds, and I trust our priest, (which are now sworn to secrecy) this may be just the tip of the iceberg. Why secrecy? What we know is leaked. As a parishioner in this diocese I can not continue to donate funds to the diocesan programs because these funds are available to the Bishop to spend as he desires. He is after all a human, and subject to problems as addictions just as we are. He has a respected and liturgical position. He is a very good speaker and does have great knowledge, however, his ability does not include management and appropriating funds in the proper manner. If we need money in a parish we hold fund raisers. We do not appropriate monies from St. Vincent de Paul or from Diocesan Collections, to get what we would like to have. The Diocese would have something to say to a parish for doing that. Who does oversee the Bishop? Do parishioners know how the checks and balances work? I don't! We have to trust our priest to mind the business of the church. I don'think anyone wants to be a stone thrower, and only a few know the entire story, I know how I feel, sad, I pray for the priest who trying to do their best, the Bishop, and for an end to an embarrassing situtation for our church.
Fidei Defensor says:
Dear Bellevillian,
Above you stated, "Unfortunately, he does not have the gift of pastoral leadership. If he did, none of this would be happening."
I believe that if one were to use that logic in regards to Christ, we would find ourselves in a precarious position. Indeed, if Christ had been a better "pastoral leader," perhaps He would have never died on the Cross for us. If conflict resolution in a timely manner is what determines whether or not someone is gifted in the area of pastoral leadership, then God help us all. Knowledge of our fallen state is all that is required to discredit your claim. Unfortunately, arguments against His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop Edward K. Braxton, like these place people at odds with fidelity to the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church.
On the other hand, if arguments like these did not exist, the Bishop would not be in the "predicament" that he is in; yet, perhaps in the long run, his pastoral leadership will shine through precisely because of the discord in the diocese.
In addition, that a Muslim posted concerning why such discord is keeping Catholics from being united ought to be alarming to many. If Catholics in the Diocese refuse to be united in their acceptance of local authority, perpetual discord looms on the horizon. God bless you!
Cephas says:
Belleville parishioner,
No, the bishop did not admit he misappropriated money. Try reading his statement. Every allegation by the priests has turned out to be false or, at best, terribly misleading. You don't have to be a genius to figure out who is the agitator here and who has tried to calm the waters. This is an embarassment for our diocese. I am terribly ashamed of these priests, nuns, and their apologists. I know the nasty priest in St. Louis is being laicized. It might be time to do that to a few here.
Omar Saladin says:
Europeans used the Catholic religion for personal aggrandizement. Crusade was actually a Christian attempt to destroy Muslim civilization to fatten parasites. What a disgrace. Reverend Wright was right right. In the case of the diocese of Belleville, the chickens have come home to roost.
Obama Supporter says:
Hillary Fan: What are you doing in this blog? Are you not afraid of the Bosnian snipers? Go back to the kitchen with your Billary!
Tony in St. Louis says:
I worked for the Belleville and St. Louis Diocese's throughout the 90's. Don't let this guy fool you. The folks in St. Louis were not sad to see Braxton go. Johnston writes in some gloriana text that makes one believe Braxton was loved in St. Louis. The only contribution to this city is an over priced piece of contemporary art that does not sit well with the folks here or in the landscape of our beautiful Catherdral Basilica here!
Yes, he was spending money foolishly in St. Louis as well. His tastes are not at all in line with a diocese that is broke from years of scandal and how dare Johnston claim that the priests did whatever they chose while Wilton Gregory was away. The folks in Belleville loved Wilton and yes, he was a black guy. He was a healer and consoler who brought piece of mind to a broken diocese.
From a business perspective Braxton should and will go. He is a poor manager and more interested in buying vestments than using this money to educate his flock. He can't fix anything at this point. It's too far gone. Playing with funds is serious and everyone knows it. The oversight of the Chief Financial Officer needs to be in place and the gentleman who was let go needs to be reinstated without
Abe says:
Wow! What are these guys thinking? This is diabolical. Hope a lot of people read this and get behind that poor bishop.