Archbishop Urges the Faithful to Scold Wayward Priests
By Kimberly Castillo
Express
December 17, 2007
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161251364
ARCHBISHOP Edward Gilbert yesterday advised parishioners to speak to their priests if they notice that he exhibits signs of selfishness.
He said this was imperative to protect the church against disrespect and scandal.
"People can say gently and privately to a priest: 'what you are beginning to show is unacceptable.'" he said.
Gilbert added that speaking to the priest about a matter beforehand was better than allowing time to lapse.
He said the public had the right to expect holiness and unity within the priesthood and that people should be able to trust that the priests are competent in representing the truth of the church.
 |
| JOY TO BEHOLD: Fr Robert Christo receives assistance from his mother, Mona Christo, as he is fitted with the chasuble at his ordination into the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Port of Spain, yesterday. Photo by Kenrick Bobb |
One faithful parishioner, Sheila Maria John agreed.
"I think it is a good idea. So much has happened that has damaged the church and has caused many to hold back and stop coming to church and so parishioners should definitely speak to the priest if they notice something. Some may be hesitant, they may think, well he is a priest. But as the Archbishop said, calling his office two weeks after the fact doesn't do much good,"said John.
Gilbert said selfishness was the common denominator of all disasters in the church and in the world.
"Selfishness has ruined marriages and vocations and it has motivated sin and scandal,"said Gilbert.
He was speaking at the Ordination of Rev Robert Christo to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Port of Spain where many gathered in honour of the new priest.
The last ordination of a priest was on December 18, 2004 in Scarborough Tobago where Fr Steve Duncan was ordained. It was also the first ever ordination to be held in Tobago.
Christo later told the Express that service, servanthood and an inner call to become an agent of unity were among the reasons he chose the priesthood.
In his homily Gilbert said the church was still reeling from the child sexual abuse scandals of 2000-2003. According to one 2002 BBC report, payments to victims of sexual abuse by priests in the US could reach $1 billion.
Gilbert said he was disturbed to hear that many of those reaching out to the priesthood were still recovering from the scandal.
"It was a serious blow to their confidence, but the church will recover, we will move on because of the irrepressible power of the spirit," he added.
Gilbert said that because of the shortage of priests, it was not possible to have them perform every one of their functions though they may want to do so. As a result he said many parishioners felt their needs were not being met.
In an attempt to remedy this, Gilbert said priests of the Archdiocese a year ago came to the decision to leave their respective parishes three to five times a year to visit parishes that were without priests.
One priest who preferred to remain unnamed said there were 47 active priests in active ministries in Trinidad and Tobago. He said there were many others who were retired, sick or elderly and were therefore not able to perform their duties.
He pointed out that there were those from other religious orders who also perform duties in Trinidad and Tobago.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.