High-Profile Disasters – a Personal Statement, by Fr. James Farfaglia, Do Not Be Discouraged, March 20, 2011

High-Profile Disasters – a Personal Statement

By Fr. James Farfaglia
Do Not Be Discouraged
March 20, 2011

http://donotbediscouraged.com/high-profile-disasters-a-personal-statement/

Dear Friends:

We all know that we live in very tumultuous times. I have been writing about this for quite some time. This blog has been a modest effort to help you not to become discouraged. Meltdowns can cause us to become very discouraged. The Catholic Church is still filled with many, many problems. Reforms are taking place, slowly, but much needs to be done. We need to trust in God. He is in charge. We must be convinced "that the gates of hell shall not prevail."

It is not my business or the business of anyone to become obsessed with the particular details of particular situations with the clergy. Every priest has a superior. The superior may be a bishop or a religious superior. It is not for us to be speculating about the details of particular situations. We need to trust in the process. Granted, the process is not always perfect and false accusations do take place, but there is a process that sorts things out.

Many of you know that I was a member of the Legionaries of Christ for 21 years. As I have said openly many times, my experience with the Legionaries was very positive. The revelation of the hidden double life of the founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel was, of course, shocking for everyone. I do know most of the details regarding the Maciel case simply because I took a very personal interest in trying to help the Legionaries and the Church resolve this terrible situation simply because the Legionaries have done and still do a lot of good for the Church and the salvation of souls.

I have written quite openly about the Maciel case. Again, all I can conclude is that the Maciel/Legion of Christ situation is mysterious and very sad. In light of what has been so public about the Maciel/Legion of Christ situation, I have to conclude the following: we need much more accountability within the Catholic Church. When a priest lives on his own; when a priest has a lot of money behind him; and when a priest is very popular – in my personal view, questions need to be asked. Minimally, a priest leaves himself wide open for an attack. Moreover, if Marcial Maciel can do what he did for so many years in such a well organized and disciplined organization like the Legionaries of Christ, then anything is possible.

The priesthood does need a lot of prayers. There are a lot of serious problems still within the priesthood on an international level. I would go so far as to say that the problems within the Catholic Church, are in my personal opinion, apocalyptic in nature. The Holy Father has already spoken about this situation in his book, "The Light fo the World." Read his book. Always keep in mind, God is in charge. "The gates of hell shall not prevail."

Recently, I just finished reading "The Faithful Departed" by Philip Lawler. Anyone who wants to understand the problems facing the Catholic Church needs to read this book.

Concerning the situation with Father John Corapi, SOLT, I do not know any details, nor is it my business to know any of them or to make any personal speculations. Father has his own superiors. Father has already spoken openly about his situation through his website. Therefore, I would ask my readers not to send me emails asking me details regarding Father Corapi. I really do not know anything, nor is it my business to know anything.

I have already spent a lot of time answering questions regarding Father Maciel and other recent meltdowns within the Catholic Church. My focus has to be my parish. A lot of things could change in the Church if all of us were to focus on what we are supposed to be doing. No priest is a rock star. We are all called to be saints. Americans fall into the trap of getting too attached to heroic type figures. We must only be attached to God. People come and people go. People rise and people fall. In the end, we are all simply a bunch of ham and eggers just trying to make it by the grace of Almighty God. Remember: develop and maintain a deep spiritual life. Our focus needs to be on God and not on people.

Meltdowns and possible meltdowns also provide for us a good opportunity for us to reflect. What are we doing to help one another persevere and survive? Many people are ready to pounce on a priest when he fails in the living out of his vows, but how many of us do anything to help him live out his vows? Many Catholics are ready to rend their garments when a priest fails, but did anyone wish him well on his birthday or at Christmas time? Did anyone invite him over for dinner? Did anyone support his initiatives at the parish? Did anyone even say hello to him at the door after Mass?