Over the last few weeks, I’ve allowed this Catholic homosexual mess to rest in the middle of my consciousness, leaving it alone, circling, trying to take its measure. I’ve also tried to imagine how my father would handle it. He was a brilliant Marine officer and leader, his men both adored and respected him. He was a no-nonsense guy, loved his Marines and would have died for them. His experiences in World War II, Korea and Vietnam understandably shaped his world view so he was a man of action in the best sense. He would not have tolerated this ecclesiastical misconduct.
But let’s leave my Dad for a second and think about the 16 Cardinals and 456 bishops, both active and retired, that lead our Church in the United States. With their collective image in our brains, let’s look at the results of their command in the summer of 2018. Abysmal is all that I can come up with, but you may have another word or perhaps are more charitable.
Like this McCarrick fellow, he’s one for the books. Wicked fabulist extraordinaire. Give the dude an Oscar and then put him on a boat with the 300 plus Pennsylvania degenerates who defiled and abused thousands and make them row the river Archeron (River of Pain in Greek mythology) for seventy years. [As an aside, 49 states remain to be investigated by grand juries. Will it happen? I can only imagine those findings.]
In times of war, one does not have the luxury of being polite or deferential. The idea is to win. You would assume that your adversary is not one of your tribe but the bad guys out there doing their damndest to destroy you. But as it happens the enemy is within our walls, they know who they are, and I need an air strike on our position to take them out. To send them to hell.
I hate the leadership responsible for the sex debacle our Church now finds itself. Again. For decades this has been going on and the officious, well manicured, never miss a meal legion of Luciferian puppets have winked, nodded and cavorted their way to the top and corrupted our Church. Don’t tell me I can’t hate as a Christian. I hate the devil and I certainly despise his lackeys.
The minority at the top has caused me to generalize, but I don’t for a moment disparage the majority of extraordinary priests who do God’s will with love and conviction. Thank God for their ministry. I can’t even begin to imagine the despair, emotional strain and heart break they’re enduring.
So what should a leader do? First of all, what is a leader? And is it fair or appropriate to apply the following criteria to Pope Francis?
A leader has character, he is effective under stress and shows initiative. He displays steady purpose of action, inspiring others while continuing to lead under adverse conditions. He sees what needs to be done and acts without prompting all the while being creative, proactive and decisive. He shows an uncanny ability to know his mission requirements and formulate original, far-reaching solutions.
Providing direction, he shows remarkable intellect, prudence and judgement. (And Pope specific) he draws on his Christian values as the successor to St. Peter as well as his knowledge and experience to make wise choices. He comprehends the consequences of his course of action and inspires and hopefully earns back the confidence of America in the Catholic Church. But he must first get on his knees in humility and pray for God’s grace. This is an epochal time for our Church and one can only hope that the Pope grafts correctly to God’s will.
Notwithstanding the Pope’s next step, what would be my plan? Even better, what would my father do?
I’d like to think he would have one-on-one conversations with 16 Cardinals and 456 Bishops. He’d record them for fairness and corroboration. That’s about three months if each takes an hour. Multiply by two for travel and miscellaneous logistics so you’re looking at a six-month process. He’d dispose of pleasantries because we’re at war. He’d ask the following questions. They can be answered with a yes or a no. Of course, the interviewees can elaborate but Dad doesn’t have all day.
- Are you a priest in good standing?
- Are you a homosexual?
- Are you directly aware of homosexual activities, sexual abuse and related financial improprieties within the clergy?
- Can you name names?
- Do you acknowledge and confirm the Church’s teaching on homosexuality?
- Do you accept that we are all sinners and require God’s mercy?
- Do you swear to our Lord Jesus Christ that you are answering these questions truthfully?
- Do you accept the judgement that you will be defrocked if you are discovered to have lied during this hour?
That’s it. No need to do a cabriole around difficult questions. Undoubtably, painful action will result from this process. The permutations are many. If there have been canonical crimes committed (or any crimes for that matter), handle them accordingly but care for the victims as the first priority. The goal is to have a united American Church that genuinely gives a damn and not one subverted from within. If all that remains of the hierarchy are 12 individuals, so be it. We know what 12 apostles on fire for their faith can do and it’s magnificent.
Who best to handle the above inquiry? The Pope? God forbid, what if he’s compromised as having known about McCarrick. Anyone else in the Church? Does that person even exist? The fact that I’m asking is absolutely symptomatic of a corrupt hierarchy that has… and is… currently destroying the faith and lives of millions. I wouldn’t ask except I’ve become suspicious of all those wearing amaranth red or scarlet. Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. How sad. Nope, we need someone from the laity.
Am I worried about the walls tumbling down? Not really. Am I being too simplistic? Too radical? Too aggressive (I’m a former Marine fighter pilot, it’s in my nature)? I don’t care. Look at the results, “smart and conservative” Catholic leadership in the United States is not working. How many anguished victims with screaming souls does it take before something is done to fix the chaos? The swamp needs to be drained but the Church isn’t going anywhere. Our Lord said so and I trust in Almighty God.
