SQLFusion - Bishop Paul Andre Durocher in midst of fire storm

Bishop Paul Andre Durocher homily

puts him in the midst of a fire storm

Attached below are (i) an article from LifeSiteNews.com, (ii) a letter to Bishop Durocher and (iii) the entire text of Durocher’s 07 April 2009 homily.

Canadian Bishop Laments Recent Actions of Pope Benedict

LifeSiteNews.com

21 April 2009

By John-Henry Westen

CORNWALL, ON,

April 21, 2009

(LifeSiteNews.com) - In his homily for April 7, Alexandria-Cornwall Bishop Paul-André Durocher expressed his disappointment with the leadership of Pope Benedict XVI. "We must admit that, for the past few months, the Church has not seemed to be much of a herald of Good News," said the bishop, as he enumerated recent events which he suggested are cause for concern.

He recounted: "Last December, the media reported that the Pope compared homosexuality to environmental pollution. In January, the lifting of the excommunications of four Lefebvrist bishops caused general consternation when one of them turned out to be deeply anti-Semitic. The nomination of an ultra-autoritarian (sic) bishop in Austria that same month shook many Catholics of that region. In the first days of March, the drama of a little nine-year-old Brazilian girl, a victim of incest, became front-page news when her bishop announced the excommunications of her mother and her medical team. A few weeks ago, the Pope is said to have stated that condoms make the problem of AIDS even worse in Africa, a statement which raised a chorus of protests throughout the world. "

The Bishop continued: "Let me start by admitting that, indeed, mistakes have been made. In retrospect, some decisions should not have been taken, some opinions should not have been voiced. The Pope had to retract the nomination of that Austrian Bishop. The Vatican Press Office had to correct his words about condoms. The presiding bishop of the Pontifical Council for Life criticized that Brazilian bishop's intervention. And the Pope himself, in a letter recently sent to all the bishops of the world, admitted that research and communication mistakes were made."

Bishop Durocher also lumped in LifeSiteNews.com, although not by name, with the "mistakes" of the Church. "Here in Canada," he said, "Development and Peace finds itself in the midst of a controversy with pro-life militants."

"I'm not telling you anything new when I remind you that the members of the Church, including its leaders, are fragile and imperfect," he opined.

He also said that "the events of the past month have awakened in some the fear that we are moving towards a style of ecclesial life characterized by doctrinal rigidity, intransigence and authoritarianism, more concerned with principles than with often very painful human realities.

"In other words, some worry that we are losing what was gained during and after the Second Vatican Council: greater openness to the world, greater collaboration in decisions and responsibilities, faith that is more relevant to the concrete life of believers."

In response, he encouraged those upset with the state of affairs to rely on Jesus, rather than anyone else. "He (Christ) is 'the one who loves us, who makes of us a kingdom and a priesthood of God his Father.' 'The glory and the power belong to him, not to his Church, nor to any of us individually."

Durocher added: "The mistakes of an (sic) disciple should not lead us to lose faith in the Master.

"He calls on his listeners to "forgive with generosity" but adds, "Certainly, let us continue to require that our leaders show us the way not only in word but in action; yet let us also accept the fact that they can sometimes slip up."

"Let us express our disappointment, but with kindness and generosity of heart, remembering that they have accepted the ministry of leadership out of love for God and God's people, in a spirit of service to the community. Obviously, I'm not only thinking of the Pope and the cardinals, but of those who are close to you: your parish priests, your deacons, the lay leaders of various Church projects and programs … and me, your bishop."

To respectfully express concern:

The Most Rev. Paul-André Durocher, Bishop
padurocher@alexandria-cornwall.ca

Congregation for the Bishops
Giovanni Battista Re, Cardinal, Prefect
Francesco Monterisi, Secretary
Palazzo della Congregazioni,
00193 Roma,
Piazza Pio XII, 10
Phone: 06.69.88.42.17
Fax: 06.69.88.53.03

See the full homily online here:
http://www.alexandria-cornwall.ca/diocese_sept_033.htm

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:Catholic Crisis as Austrian Hierarchy Rebels over Pope's Selection of Conservative Priest as New Bishop
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09022701.html

Harvard AIDS Expert Says Pope is Correct on Condom Distribution Making AIDS Worse
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031906.html

Brazilian Diocese Responds to Archbishop Fisichella Article in L'Osservatore Romano
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031805.html

All coverage on Development and Peace:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/features/DevelopmentPeace/

A Chorus of Protests

April 21st, 2009 by Pacheco

Open Letter to Bishop Paul-André Durocher, Bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall

Your Grace,

Someone sent me a copy of your homily that you delivered to the faithful of your diocese at the Chrism Mass on Apr. 17. I found many of your comments very troubling. If one were not to presume on your good will and concern for the Holy Father, one could almost consider your remarks somewhat scandalous, hidden by the cloak of double meanings. Let me highlight a few of them for you.

The Pope is reported to have said the following: “The Church must defend not only the earth, the water and the air as gifts of creation belonging to everyone, but it must also protect mankind against the destruction of itself….The tropical forests deserve our protection, but man as a creature deserves it no less.” In a clear reference to homosexuality, he said the failure to respect the union between a man and a woman amounted to the “auto destruction of mankind”. Humanity needed to “listen to the language of creation” to understand the intended roles of man and woman, he added. Anything that deviated from this was a “destruction of God’s works” (Source).

While homosexuals themselves are worthy of the same human respect and dignity as everyone else, the homosexual condition itself is a disorder.

Tell us, your Grace, what do you find more objectionable: the fact that the media reported the Pope compared homosexuality to acts of “environmental pollution” or the fact that the Catechism of the Catholic Church declares homosexual acts to be acts of ”grave depravity” and are “intrinsically disordered.” (CCC, 2357)?

In January, the lifting of the excommunications of four lefebvrist bishops caused general consternation when one of them turned out to be deeply anti-semitic.

Why are you simply repeating what the media is reporting and not clarifying what the intentions of the Holy Father were in lifting the excommunications, especially in light of the Holy Father’s favourable writings on Jewish questions? One of your roles as shepherd of your diocese is to defend the Holy Father and the Church against misunderstanding and slander. You didn’t do it here. And you should have. Why not?

The nomination of an ultra-autoritarian (sic) bishop in Austria that same month shook many Catholics of that region.

“Ultra-authoritarian” bishop? According to whom, precisely? The Holy Father originally nominated (or at least accepted) Fr. Wagner for the episcopacy in a country where the Church is dying because of its liberal views, at least according to Cardinal Schonborn. You should listen to what the good Cardinal has to say about lax sexual teaching in his country.

Besides, you shouldn’t get too uptight about the Holy Spirit shaking Catholics around. Jesus came and “shook up” a lot of people too in order to root out their sin. They didn’t like that much and they crucified Him for it. If the Church is not “shaking people up”, then She is not doing her job. In fact, if you’re not inclined to confronting and shaking people with the radical call of the Gospel, perhaps you should reflect more carefully about how the truth relates (and leads) to the crucifixion.

In the first days of March, the drama of a little nine-year-old Brazilian girl, a victim of incest, became front-page news when her bishop announced the excommunications of her mother and her medical team.

Medical team? Oh…you mean the abortionists and the abortion workers….

Do you disagree with the actions of the Archbishop? Why don’t you tell us what you think about this?

Personally, I do not believe any bishop in Canada is in a better position to judge such a case than the local ordinary who, by all accounts, acted as a supremely benevolent and caring father figure. You would be well advised to heed your own advice and not take the media’s well oiled pro-abort propaganda machine without the proper nuance, reflection, and information to form an intelligent opinion. Unlike many of the Canadian bishops who were duped into pumping in hundreds of millions of dollars into pro-abortion front groups in the Global South these past 40 years, Archbishop José Cardoso Sobrinho has his eyes (and his heart) wide open.

A few weeks ago, the Pope is said to have stated that condoms make the problem of AIDS even worse in Africa, a statement which raised a chorus of protests throughout the world.

Yes, that’s exactly what he said. And where is this “chorus of protest” of which you speak coming from? The UN, Abortion and Gay activist groups, “Catholics” for Free Choice, the useful idiots within the Church? Catholics follow Jesus Christ and His Vicar on this earth, the Holy Father, and the bishops united with him. We don’t follow the “chorus of protests”. The “chorus of protests” come from the mob that crucified Jesus or the voices in the demoniac that were cast out by Him.

Here in Canada, Development and Peace finds itself in the midst of a controversy with pro-life militants.

Whether the facts are reported by “militants” or “marshmellows”, what does that matter to you? The facts are the facts. You should acquaint yourself with them before throwing around baseless ad hominem attacks against us “militants”. Speaking as one of those “militants”, let me remind you, your Grace, that the Church on this side of heaven is known as the “Church militant” not the “Church Lukewarm”. Have you not read what God has revealed about being lukewarm in the practice of one’s faith?

In the face of these events, many members of our diocese have shared their sadness with me, asking me with concern: “What’s happening to our Church?” What to think? How to react?

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” Then the Jews demanded of him, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:13-19)

As a pastor, I cannot let this situation go by without trying to shed a bit of light, without proposing a few avenues of reflection, action and prayer. This evening, I would like to share with you my hope, in spite of the difficult passage we are crossing. Let me start by admitting that, indeed, mistakes have been made. In retrospect, some decisions should not have been taken, some opinions should not have been voiced.

What opinions should not have been voiced? Please share your thoughts with us, your Grace.

The Pope had to retract the nomination of that Austrian Bishop. The Vatican Press Office had to correct his words about condoms.

The Vatican Press Office “had to correct” the Pope? Indeed. Under what theological, patristic, or canonical view do you believe that the Vatican Press Office has the authority to “correct” the Pope? Please share your views. We are anxious to hear them.

Allow me one final thought. The events of the past month have awakened in some the fear that we are moving towards a style of ecclesial life characterized by doctrinal rigidity, intransigence and authoritarianism, more concerned with principles than with often very painful human realities. In other words, some worry that we are losing what was gained during and after the Second Vatican Council: greater openness to the world, greater collaboration in decisions and responsibilities, faith that is more relevant to the concrete life of believers.

You must know, your Grace, that there are many teachers these days who prefer to offer their views against their superiors and other authorities through third parties instead of speaking plainly and honestly themselves. These cowardly teachers offer their opposing views by merely repeating what their supporters say instead of claiming these arguments for themselves. They do this, of course, so they may protect themselves in case an accusation of disobedience or detraction is levelled against them, claiming instead that it is not their own view but merely “dissenting voices in the flock”. You should take great care so that your homilies are not interpreted as employing such an unbecoming tactic. It is not of Christ.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

John Pacheco

ADDENDUM: LIFESITE NEWS COVERAGE HERE

Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall website

Bishop Paul Andre Durochers’ Homily for the Chrism Mass

Co-Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Cornwall, Ontario April 7, 2009

Twice this evening we have heard proclaimed these words: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

In the context of the Chrism Mass where we consecrate the holy oils – particularly the Holy Chrism – it is good to recall that, all of us, we have been consecrated by this oil at our baptism and at our confirmation; that, all of us, we have received the anointing of the Spirit; that, all of us, we have been sent to “bring good news to the poor.”

As for the priests whose ministry we celebrate this evening, they have been consecrated a third time with the Holy Chrism when they were ordained and configured to Christ, leader of his Church. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “the ministerial priesthood is at the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians. The ministerial priesthood is a means by which Christ unceasingly builds up and leads his Church.” In other words, we have been ordained so that the anointing of the Spirit will work in the hearts of all the members of the Church so that the entire Church will bring the Good News to the poor of all the world.

Yet, we must admit that, for the past few months, the Church has not seemed to be much of a herald of Good News. To the contrary, our poor Church seems to find itself often in the midst of controversies that could easily be qualified as “bad news.” Last December, the media reported that the Pope compared homosexuality to environmental pollution. In January, the lifting of the excommunications of four Lefebvrist bishops caused general consternation when one of them turned out to be deeply anti-Semitic. The nomination of an ultra-autoritarian bishop in Austria that same month shook many Catholics of that region. In the first days of March, the drama of a little nine-year-old Brazilian girl, a victim of incest, became front-page news when her bishop announced the excommunications of her mother and her medical team. A few weeks ago, the Pope is said to have stated that condoms make the problem of AIDS even worse in Africa, a statement which raised a chorus of protests throughout the world. Here in Canada, Development and Peace finds itself in the midst of a controversy with pro-life militants. In the face of these events, many members of our diocese have shared their sadness with me, asking me with concern: “What’s happening to our Church?”

What to think? How to react? As a pastor, I cannot let this situation go by without trying to shed a bit of light, without proposing a few avenues of reflection, action and prayer. This evening, I would like to share with you my hope, in spite of the difficult passage we are crossing.

Let me start by admitting that, indeed, mistakes have been made. In retrospect, some decisions should not have been taken, some opinions should not have been voiced. The Pope had to retract the nomination of that Austrian Bishop. The Vatican Press Office had to correct his words about condoms. The presiding bishop of the Pontifical Council for Life criticized that Brazilian bishop’s intervention. And the Pope himself, in a letter recently sent to all the bishops of the world, admitted that research and communication mistakes were made.

I’m not telling you anything new when I remind you that the members of the Church, including its leaders, are fragile and imperfect. However, in a culture of instant communication like our own, their mistakes are immediately broadcast across the globe, so that a press conference hosted by a Brazilian bishop makes the headlines a few hours later in the Canadian Arctic.

Like government leaders and politicians, the Church’s leaders are continually under a magnifying glass, observed not only by one person but by the entire world’s population. And human nature seems to be attracted more to mistakes than to good deeds. We quickly pass over acts of nobility, charity, even heroic virtue, to stop and consider at length various acts of meanness, errors of judgment, or lack of sensitivity.

« We hold a treasure in earthen vessels, » wroteSt. Paul to the Corinthians. Today, this is more than evident. The treasure of the Good News, of faith in Jesus-Christ, dying and rising to make us live in freedom, this treasure is entrusted to fragile, sinful human beings. Fixing our gaze on cracked vessels risks undermining our faith and making us forget the treasure which is ours.

So I offer my first suggestion: do not to forget in whom we have put our trust. This evening’s second reading reminded us that Jesus is “the faithful witness, the first-born among the dead, the ruler of the kings of the earth.” He is “the one who loves us, who makes of us a kingdom and a priesthood of God his Father.”

“The glory and the power belong to him, not to his Church, nor to any of us individually. The mistakes of an disciple should not lead us to lose faith in the Master. Let us pray the Lord of Life, especially during these Holy Days, to turn to him in these difficult moments: he alone is our trust and our joy.

Here is my second finding: we have very high expectations for our religious leaders. We want them to be excellent communicators and teachers, solid in the faith, charitable in their relationships, holy in their lives. I rejoice at this search for excellence, for the Gospel deserves nothing less than true witnesses who not only know how to explain and teach, but how to live and radiate the message of faith.

Our disappointment and our bewilderment are therefore understandable whenever our leaders do not attain this level of excellence. Can we then forgive their mistakes? Can we show them a bit of this generosity we expect from them? It seems to me we are sometimes very hard on our leaders, not just those in the Church, but those in the broader society. We often judge severely the slightest error of judgment, the least improper word. Do have the same severity for ourselves?

So this is my second suggestion: to forgive with generosity. Certainly, let us continue to require that our leaders show us the way not only in word but in action; yet let us also accept the fact that they can sometimes slip up. We should then support them with our prayer, our acts of kindness and our encouraging words. Let us express our disappointment, but with kindness and generosity of heart, remembering that they have accepted the ministry of leadership out of love for God and God’s people, in a spirit of service to the community. Obviously, I’m not only thinking of the Pope and the cardinals, but of those who are close to you: your parish priests, your deacons, the lay leaders of various Church projects and programs… and me, your bishop. I know I speak for all the ordained members of our diocesan Church this evening when I say: we would all like to be perfect, for the greater glory of God; but we are all sinners. Don’t stop calling us to perfection, but be patient with our imperfections.

A third and final consideration that I want to share with you is how difficult it is to find the information necessary to make an enlightened judgment. Most of the time, we learn these news through the papers, the radio, the television, or the internet’s web. It is in the very nature of these media to seek out what is spectacular or controversial. Rarely do they try to explain or understand an issue in depth. They quote a few words which, when taken out of context, become highly provocative, even shocking. We must also recognize that few reporters possess the time or the required expertise to understand the nuances of the procedures of the Church or of its doctrinal and moral positions. A reporter’s reaction, his or her understanding and personal opinion then become the filter through which the news is reported and repeated. This personal reaction risks becoming that of many readers and listeners.

I found myself spending many hours on the internet trying to find the source of these news stories, searching for the original interview or speech in its entirety. Once freed from the reporters’ personal reactions, I was able to do my own analysis of the issues and develop my own judgment concerning these events. My years of study allowed me to better understand the nuances of a given statement or decision. All too often, I found that the media had sometimes misunderstood an intervention; had focused exclusively on a secondary aspect of a speech, thus missing its fundamental meaning; and had not been totally fair to the people involved.

Thus, my last suggestion: don’t jump too quickly to conclusions based solely on what you read or hear in the news. Instead, you must do some research in order to get to the source of the event and make your own analysis of the facts, develop your own judgments and form your own opinion. This process is a good one to follow not only when dealing with the Church, but also whenever a n institution or a controversial event is involved. One of the civic responsibilities inherent to democratic societies is that citizens inform themselves of questions and issues. This is all the more true for members of a Church which, it must be said, does not enjoy the media’s favour.

No doubt some are tempted to idealize the past when faced with the social transformations of our day. They remember churches packed to the rafters at each of the three Sunday masses, the many vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the massive acceptance of Church teaching and Christian values. They worry now about the future, as parishes are emptied, priests become rare and religious non-existent, and society rejects anything the Church would propose as a social project.

The anxiety produced by the present times strengthens the temptation to return to the past. However, I deeply believe such a return is neither possible nor desirable. What the Church experienced in the 1950’s depended on what society was like in the 1950’s. This society having disappeared, the Church must live its mission in a new manner. Following Pope John XXIII, I suggest to you that, though the Church’s faith cannot change, the way we live and proclaim this faith must adapt itself to an ever changing world.

In this year of Saint Paul, let us remember the great Apostle: how he founded Christian communities where the Gospel was unknown; how he struggled with misunderstandings and strove to overcome divisions within his communities; how he was rejected and persecuted by many. Yet, he never lost hope.

Like Paul, in our own way, we must struggle with misunderstandings, while we question the status quo; we must overcome divisions within our own communities, while we strengthen people’s hearts; we must experience rejection at the hands of our society, while seeking comfort in the One who gave his life for us. Like St. Paul, we must hold on to hope.

In these days when we celebrate the victory of life over death, let us believe that beyond every Calvary an Easter morning is arising. Yes, we believe that love is greater than hatred, so let not our hearts become embittered nor our spirits discouraged. Our faith is a precious treasure, and our Church, in spite of the limitations of its leaders and members, remains a family of faith, hope and love, gathered by an ever-loving Father around a living Brother, animated by a Spirit of true freedom.

In the midst of an uncertain world, united to all our Christian brothers and sisters, let us celebrate the Paschal feast of Christ. The Spirit of God has entrusted to us a “Very Good News,” to be proclaimed to the whole world. Let us therefore be a people of hope!