Writing about "church rumors" is always a precarious situation. Church "news" and breaking stories aren't like secular news. For one, the secretive and private nature of many of the happenings that occur in our faith is part of the "Catholic World." On top of that, there is always the fear of SCANDAL [See Note {1} below].
Before reading this post, to familiarize yourself with this situation please see my other post:
First, a warning/caveat: Fearing that, and praying against it, I must update you on some more information that I have received. I pray that this info is honest and true, and I do believe it to be such, but because much of this is coming to me second hand there is the possibility that there is "more to this story." That being said, I weighed all the ramifications and realized that because I know enough Alaskan Catholics read this blog, I need to get this out there, if for no other reason than prayer.
Almost every other Archdiocese in the country, save Alaska, has at least one or two blogs that cover Church info... we are in the unenviable position that we have an Alaskan Catholic Blog, that at least some Alaskan Catholics read. Therefore, we are sort of the default source for such info. This isn't about blog hits, or gossip mongering, this is about prayer, fortification of our faith, and the ramifications that attach to the souls of the faithful. We take our faith seriously here at Defend Us in Battle.
Now to the "news":
The information that I have received is that Archbishop Schweitz has sent a letter to all Holy Family Cathedral parishioners concerning Father Francis Le. It does not mention specifics but alludes to the idea that changes are coming, and coming soon. What those changes will be, and why they will be occurring are apparently rather cryptic. This isn't the 1st time that this situation has occurred, in fact
Again, the number one thing we can do is pray. Rosaries are weapons, and the prayers are our Battle Cry. Should this involve Satan, his powers or principalities... our weapon is prayer. Beyond that, there is little that we SHOULD do as of right now. At some point, calls, letters, and emails to the Bishop may be required, but those are action items that are a serious step, and I honestly don't think we have enough info yet.
From the little bits and pieces of info that I have, there seems to have been a group that opposed the way that Father Francis Le "did things" at HFC. Again, not judging this more than to say, he needs our prayers, as do all priests. Being the Pastor of a parish is a mission that is hard, very hard. People don't realize how hard it is, and often don't support their priests, through prayer or other means, consistent with amount of difficulty they endure to run the parish. Therefore, Father Le, and all priests need our support.
Likewise, Archbishop Schweitz needs our prayers. Managing these situations is very hard, and very sensitive. The souls and path to salvation rest with the Sheppard of the diocese. Wolves are circling; in both the secular realm, and within the walls of the faith there are those set on bringing down those that are contrary to their belief and comfort system. Pray that he does not what is most popular, most expedient, or the most pacifying, but pray that he makes the right decision based on the precepts and teachings of the faith. Pray that he walks in step with what the Apostles, Saints and Martyrs would do. For it is through their lives, that we see the fully human reflection of Jesus in action.
As a parting note... I will continue to update this story, as I gain more information. I am trying to get my hands on the letter that has been sent to the parishioners, as to gleam a little more information. Again, the best we can do right now is pray. We need to pray that Christ's Bride, the Church, is fully restored in resplendent glory here on earth, through the faithful prayer and worship of His people.
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Notes:
{1}
2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.
2285 Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."86 Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep's clothing.
2286 Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion.
Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to "social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible." This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger, or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values.
2287 Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!"
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