Rev. Paul Kalchik
My readers will know his story, supposedly Fr. K burned a controversial Rainbow flag outside his parish and prayed prayers of exorcism, disobeying Cardinal Cupich's orders not to do so. This poor priest is now the focus of LGBTQ protests and detraction. New Ways Ministry has written an offensive post on how hurt LGBTQ Catholics happen to be, and other sources are repeating verses from the catechism on how LGBTQ people are supposed to be treated, and suggesting burning flags will lead to burning people. They are already smarting from the fact that many of us are insisting the abuse scandal is in fact a gay scandal. (The McCarrick case changed everything and pretty much exposed what many call gay network among clergy.)
Fr. Kalchik spoke out because he himself had been sexually abused by a priest when he was 17, I think. Pray for him. I'm praying for him and all priests who stand up for the truth. Fr. Z actually has the latest on developments related to Fr. Kalchik.
(I know I'm linking to sources some of my readers do not like, so maybe don't read me on these issues.)
Catholics are in denial.
Dr. Mirus has a comprehensive article, In denial about not ordaining homosexuals, which I very much agree with. Mirus lists fallacies regarding the abuse crisis and Catholic teaching. He also lists every official Catholic Church prohibition against ordaining homosexuals. As I have often repeated, Mirus also points out that dispensations abound to those rules.
I think Mirius may go a step too far by suggesting 'homosexuals be eliminated from the priesthood' which sounds like those already ordained be laicized. Canonically that would only work in the case of actual sexual misconduct - I think. That said, some priests with a homosexual inclination, already ordained, are faithful, chaste and celibate, and in no way advocate for LGBTQ causes. These men should be left alone. I'm of the opinion such priest not be made bishops or put in charge of formation. But that's my personal opinion. The place to start is to follow the instructions as to who can be admitted to seminary and religious life.
This contemporary issue was first settled in 2002 in response to a question from a bishop, which was answered on May 16th by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments:
Ordination to the diaconate and the priesthood of homosexual men or men with homosexual tendencies is absolutely inadvisable and imprudent and, from the pastoral point of view, very risky. A homosexual person, or one with a homosexual tendency is not, therefore, fit to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. - Mirus
Note; I don't 'follow' Catholic Culture nor Dr. Mirus - I know little about the site, I just happen to agree with much of what he had to say in the article. I also have compassion for Fr. Kalchik and thoroughly understand a priest is to be obedient to his bishop, however, this case seems to me to be taking on a highly politicized tone, and it seems to me the bishop in this case needs to stand with the priest as regards Catholic teaching. Ordering psychiatric evaluation seems a bit like the clericalism the Holy See condemns these days.
Song for this post here.
I read somewhere that he did not participate in the burning as per Cupich's orders. It was only parishioners who did it. Let me look around...
ReplyDeleteOkay - it was Church Militant. Is it true? I have no idea.
Parishioners of Resurrection Parish in Chicago, Illinois, held a rainbow flag-burning event in mid-September, cutting up and setting on fire an LGBT flag that once hung in the sanctuary at the parish's first Mass. The event was originally scheduled for Sept. 29, the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels, but the Chicago archdiocese — heeding complaints by gay activists — called the pastor, Fr. Paul John Kalchik, and ordered him not to hold the event. A handful of parishioners took things into their own hands and decided they would burn the flag themselves.
I hope it's true - then Fr. K is totally innocent. I feel so sorry for him. I don't like the way bishops treat their priests - it's incredibly abusive.
DeleteI guess he was thrown out of the church and threatoned with police action. WTHecK???
Deletehttp://restore-dc-catholicism.blogspot.com/2018/09/father-kalchik-leaves-resurrection-in.html
I saw that. What a mess - and he was only doing what the Pope asked - kidding.
DeleteThis is all so ghastly. From my understanding, this flag was folded in a closet, along with rainbow candles, etc. from the Cardinal Bernardin era. They were not in use. In fact, I also understand this specific flag/banner was hung in front of the altar crucifix when it was in use - which, IMHO, was a terrible abuse. Of course, I am not an educated theologian, so I may very well be in error.
ReplyDeleteI, too, hope Fr. K is totally innocent. He appears to have risen above terrible abuse to serve Jesus and the Church. It is so hard for those who want to serve God, but who must fight against political correctness and personalities of those who are their superiors, but it has always been this way, tragically.
And I agree, Terry - this is no way for a bishop to treat a priest, whether he is in the wrong or not. Others who have stretched the bounds of doctrine or obedience have been treated with greater compassion and discretion. Again, this is ghastly. Jesus, we need You now.
Susan, OFS
I feel esp. bad because he was sexually abused - used and exploited. I'm hoping the CM story is inaccurate - that he is not sent away for evaluation or rehab of some sort. I esp. hope he doesn't lose heart and perseveres in peace and consolation, and all thing work out well for him.
DeleteYes, Terry, I agree. He must be very strong spiritually to have overcome such dreadful abuse, and then to give his life to Jesus and the Church. This sets a very bad precedent, but from what I have seen and heard of the Cardinal, it is not surprising, sadly. I hope Jesus is using him in this distressful episode, to illuminate the persecution suffered by faithful clergy and priests. Even our dear Blessed Mother suffered terribly, and she is certainly the most beloved and pure of God's creations. We must pray for Fr. K, as you say, so he does not lose heart and keeps his eyes on Jesus, and that Jesus and Our Lady take especially good care of him and all faithful priests and clergy.
DeleteI think he's in trouble now unless he gets a canon lawyer. I'm praying for him and I hope he doesn't go too far with this.
DeleteIf we eliminate all homosexuals from the priesthood, aren't we saying that homosexuality is stronger than the Holy Spirit? Aren't we saying that the Holy Spirit cannot overcome homosexuality?
ReplyDeleteVery few men are called to the priesthood. And that would mean that very few homosexuals are called to the priesthood.
But to eliminate everyone who has same sex attraction? We need homosexuals among the priests because they can understand and minister to those who have same sex attraction. This attack upon one group of people just doesn't seem like it is coming from the Holy Spirit. We are making gay people the scape goat for all the troubles in the Church. That just seems wrong to me.
I know you disagree with me, Terry. But I still agree with Pope Francis. The underlying cause of all of this is clericalism - not submitting to the lead of the Holy Spirit.
And you are right about accepting some of your links. Father Z is about as anti-Pope Francis as they come. Just the other day he did a post floating the idea that it is not out of the realm of possibility that Pope Benedict is still pope.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2018/09/ask-father-if-in-letters-benedict-xvi-imparts-still-the-apostolic-blessing/
Yeah - I know - the links are not the most reliable, but I wanted to let people know - if they didn't already, about Fr. K. As for priests who have homosexual attraction or 'orientation' - that's another word I'm no supposed to use. Of course there are men who have never acted out in homosexual acts, those who are holy and are priests who accept Catholic teaching on the issue. I'm with the Holy Father when he says if there is the slightest doubt it is better not to admit them. When I seem to be pointedly signalling that gay men shouldn't be ordained, I am especially thinking of men who have been actively homosexual, who have a history. Yes, indeed, the Holy Spirit can change a man in and through conversion and fidelity to the sacraments. Chastity for a year, 2 or 3 years or more, is no guarantee. As a Benedictine I know says, 'there is no accounting for grace.' I agree, but ubnless you are his/my age, there is no accounting for lust, esp. if one is inclined to melancholy/romance. When loneliness sets in, it is very easy to fall off the wagon. Repeatedly. It is terribly unfair to the candidate, the community, and the Church to ordain a formerly active gay man, only to have him disgrace himself and corrupt and scandalize eventual partners and fellow Catholics. Actually, all I am saying is to follow the instrctions set back under the pontificate of John XXIII, not to admit to seminary or religious life men with homosexual inclination. Men who are already ordained do not need to be sent away or laicized if they are chaste and celibate - I would just suggest they not be made bishops or advanced in ranks, as was done with McCarrick. I have to tell you that is not all that restrictive. The vocation to the priesthood is a supernatural vocation, it is a divine call, men do not chose it on their own, as it were. Many are called, few are chosen. I think men with homosexual history have to be humble about this. The call to holiness is universal, not limited to priestly or religious vocations. Anyway - this is what I believe. As for the lack of vocations one needs to recognize that the lack of obedience in culture has contaminated the Church as well. God continues to call, but others do not follow - hence a great falling away. In times of affluence and luxury, no one wants to give up their liberties.
DeleteI stand with Pope Francis and the Church. Having said that, I am confident everything will turn out well, but not like anything human nature expects. As a friend shared with me recently, in the end we will be "'happy good thieves at last' (de Cherge) - all together in heaven."
I'm certainly not campaigning nor do I have any control over this stuff, I'm only speaking from my limited, personal experience of an inclination and temptation to lust which is far more 'cunning, baffling, and powerful' than we imagine.
I agree that it is a very delicate situation. There should be a lot more screening of men in general who apply to seminary, I just read a book “Boys of the Cloth” about a young English boy’s experience in seminary in the 60’s. He left before ordination. But he contends one of the reasons why there was such a problem with abuse in the 60’s and 70’s is because there were so many men applying to seminary In the 50’s and 60’s that there they were not put through any real vetting.
DeleteThe incidence of abuse actually peaked in the 80’s and has been going down ever since. Many of the cases we are hearing about now are decades old. There is a reason for that. I think we are actually beyond the epidemic stage. Unfortunately, the Church must still face up to what happened decades ago and the cover ups. We pay now for the sins of the past.
As far as the priest in Chicago, he disobeyed a direct order from his Ordinary, whom he promised before God to obey. There is nothing to justify the priest’s actions. Cupich said don’t burn the flag, and he thumbed his nose at the Cardinal and did it anyway. People like Voris and Zuhlsdorf will defend his actions because they hate Cupich.
You are right. We need to pray for this priest.
According to sources on FB he left when one of the bishops arrived to evict him. I will just pray for him and avoid the speculation on what is going on. It is a sad situation, to be sure.
DeleteWe are losing our collective minds. There are those stocking these fires who never have the common good in mind. I am genuinely suspicious of CM and that crowd. Wolves in sheeps clothing comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteYou are right. I think it's totally out of control now.
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Delete@ wh
DeleteI'm with you on this one. Stirring the pot, especially when it's already boiling, really does get certain folks going and before you know it chaos ensues.
Perhaps now, after this Chicago example, parish folk will be emboldened to take matters into their own hands, encouraging rebellion among their pastors thus provoking chaos, disobedience and disorder with a complete disregard for authority.
Why not protest with some credibility while praying the rosary? Fasting? Praying before the Blessed Sacrament? Why not picket quietly without all the ruckus and chaos?
Sure, you might get ignored but if one persists, like the widow who pestered the judge until he gave in to her demands, well, you might be taken seriously.
Saint John Bosco, please pray for all involved in this unfortunate incident.
Amen