Fr. Z relocating.
"A prominent priest-blogger Fr John Zuhlsdorf who performed exorcisms against “fraud” in the United States presidential election is leaving his diocese.
The priest, who runs the popular “Fr Z blog”, has been living in the Diocese of Madison, in Wisconsin, although he was ordained for the Diocese of Velletri-Segni, near Rome.News of his departure from Madison comes after The Tablet reported that Fr Zuhlsdorf had been carrying out live-streamed daily exorcisms against possible electoral fraud. In at least one instance, the priest claimed he had the authority of Madison’s bishop, Donald Hying, to perform the exorcisms, something the bishop denied." - The Tablet
So, there is lots of speculation as to why, where did he go wrong? What will he do? All I can say is thank God he didn't become corrupt or fall into any sort of moral scandal. Though his political discourse is totally alt-right, his disenchantment with Vatican II, the Ordinary Form of Mass and love of the EF Form pulled him closer and closer to the rad trad, anti-Francis faction in the Church. He blasted people like Fr. James Martin out of the water, so to speak. Celebrated excommunications of liberal priests and was downright vindictive in his condemnation of liberal nuns and anyone who came out in favor of women deacons. He ran his own version of cancel culture on his blog, calling for boycotts of Catholic journals, letters to the Vatican and nuncio, and so on. Now he's on his own and protesting the 'cancel culture' which celebrates this setback in his career-vocation.
Some well meaning people seem to agree with the idea that Fr. Z's enemies were on a campaign to silence him and seek his downfall because he is a 'good guy', faithful and true. I think he really is a good priest. What has happened will turn out for his good, I think.
He started out well, he began writing for Catholic journals, and then engaged in an online apostolate which was effective in catechizing Catholics on liturgical matters and Catholic teaching. I just think, whatever his apostolic intent, early successes may have led to a bit of presumption, sparking an ambition for fame and a drive for promotion.
He had a brief stint as a commentator on Fox News during the transition from JPII to Benedict XVI, and that bit of stardom might have awakened a greater desire for media fame - it wouldn't be unthinkable it aroused his ambition for recognition and esteem. After all, he had credentials of working in the Vatican, reporting to important figures, running into Ratzinger, rubbing shoulders with journalists and influential clergy, and definitely prided himself as being in the know with all the court gossip, etc.. His work there allowed him to assume a certain level of status and influence. Then the immense success of the blog and the revenue it generated really propelled him, I think.
I recall him almost bragging to a UK priest on how much money his Donate app made. In one blog post, he urged the priest to get one and even offered his own donations as a fund-raiser incentive for the priest. I'm no longer able to find those posts, nor my commentary on them, but they existed at one time. If I'm wrong, I'll retract. He prized stats and links to his posts, and delighted in the growing number of his followers - restricting critics and those who sought to dispute with him. In his hey day, he was posting photos of the frequent UPS deliveries he received, in between posts on the feeder feed, along with travelogue photos and visuals of fine dining trips. It was entertaining - and profitable - and his fans loved it - and I have to imagine his ego expanded accordingly. He obviously felt called to support the Trump administration - for God and Country. And then, just like that, it suddenly became too much.
In conclusion, that's what I think happened to the public figure of Fr. Z. God bless him and this new chapter in his life.
Although he banned me from commenting on his blog (he made the statement that Ordinary Form priests learned how to say Mass in 10 minutes, but Extraordinary Form priests take months of study to do so - I said this is not true and does a disservice to my priests and hundreds of thousands all over the world, so he banned me for disagreeing with him), I read his blog every day without fail. As you say, much of what he says and does challenges my image of humble and holy priests, but I also believe there is a good and faithful priest in Fr. Z. God is not done with him yet, and I am sure we can expect good and holy things of him. Peace and good to all here - Susan, TOF
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think so too - if he can recover that early love that he had as a young priest - he will be fine. Thanks Susan.
DeleteSomething he posted on the now defunct forum he used to moderate helped me immensely when I was waiting on a decision for my decree of nullity. That forum was quite strict too - if you had an opinion on something you had better have some proof to back it up like CCC, Scripture, Canon Law, Church Fathers, etc. It was a wonderful place for someone as misguided and uneducated as I was to get a taste of real Catholic teachings. However...he also had a very sharp tongue and once made fun of someone for misspelling the word baptism. That was not necessary and extremely uncharitable. I still scan his blog from time to time but what is missing is love. Everything is about following the letter of the law. Also his constant jokes about being made (or rather not being made) a monsignor are getting tiresome. Since I returned to the Church 18 years ago I have noticed something alarming but not entirely unexpected; the more famous a priest gets, the more chance he will fall, and fall spectacularly. I won't name them as I suspect most readers know who they are. Let's hope Fr. Z is experiencing a correction and he'll use his platform for great good - and Great Love.
ReplyDeleteHe was helpful when I came back to the church but I found him and his combox divisive. I stopped reading comments, then stopped reading his blog altogether; I occasionally go there, usually when you post something.
ReplyDeleteI hope he finds his way.
I second all of Angela's observations. One odd thing that just occurred to me is that Fr. Z is absent from the immensely popular trad shows on YouTube. These shows garner tens of thousands of views, routinely over a hundred thousand for a "good" episode, and a few episodes pass a million. That's a massive market. Fr. Z's "brand" has precipitously dropped in the last 6-7 years. I suspect one problem is that he "doesn't play well with others". His feud with Rorate Caeli is a well-known example. Fr. Z is very prickly and guarded, and needs to be in charge. Another problem is that he never seems to have any new thoughts; as if he hasn't deepened his understanding of the Faith in years. Anyway, now he's trying to sign up 200 people to support him with $10 a month each. He has zero means of Church support apparently, he said he even needs insurance along with groceries, etc. Even though Portland has an archbishop who is very public in his support of the TLM, there is zero chance that Archbishop Sample would accept him here. For one, there is a glut of TLMs here, and Archbishop Sample is actually a gentle shepherd (though he is also nobody's fool).
ReplyDeleteNotoriety is not curtail ground for spiritual life. Thomas Merton was trying hard to find a place to hide before his death. Johnathan Morris surrcome to the celebrity siren call and has left the priesthood, did a cameo in The Irishmen, and now wonders around Twitter trying to be a “social media influencer” on religion. Sr Miriam moves to Kansas from Tulsa looking for a permanent home but continuing to broadcast daily about end times, anti vaccination, and leading a Novena to OLV for miraculous interventions to keep Trump in Office. It seems the spotlight is addictive and has a corrosive effect on religious. As for Fr Z I have read him but he seems a bully to me. Too full of himself to notice or care about much else. Not sure where he goes next. The nomadic, wandering religious is becoming a regular thing.
ReplyDeleteApologize for word check, misspellings and overall lame thoughts. The mistakes, for the most part are computer glitches, the lame thinking however is all mine! For some reason It will not allow me to copy, delete and correct. But "curtail "was written "fertile" & "wonders" around should read "wanders " around. The computer changes somehow sometimes add a humorous even insightful twist. Peace to all.
DeleteHi Wallace, Sr. Miriam - what is her last name? Thanks!
DeleteHer original name was Rosalind Moss. I think she founded the order she is in (very small).
DeleteAngela, it is Moss. She was Rosiland Moss before starting her own order & becoming an instant Mother superior of her own order. She had an EWTN program called Household of Faith while a lay person. I really liked that show. I think she is well read and has passed from Jewish to Evangelical to Catholic. I still like her but she too seems to have gone the alt right road of conspiracy, doom & gloom. Still she has, I think, a charismatic personality that draws people in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wallace. I thought you might be referring to someone else. Glad it wasn't her. Sorry it's Sr. Moss though -prayers ascend.
DeleteThen there is the guns and flying in the habitat of demons on a regular basis....lol!
ReplyDeleteOpinions are like..so here I am! lol Fr. Z has been very kind to me in my journey. When my Grandmother died, he livestreamed a Mass for her repose. I didn't ask him for it, he just did it. That is just one example of his kindness that I can share. I think he has much to still teach all of us regarding the beauty and richness of our Catholic Faith and I hope he continues with that and, maybe by doing so, returns to what he started with. He alludes to doing that in one of his recent posts. We can all of us benefit from that periodic kick in the keister of humility. Some of the best outcomes of my life resulted from when I had to start over. I pray the same for Father Z.
ReplyDeleteI have followed Fr. Z some and yes his posts do scream “look at me.” I am glad he was kind to you. He needs to re-examine his ministry and focus more on his pastoral gifts. I hope he does.
DeleteHello Cathy of Alex! Hope you are doing well :)
DeleteFather Z completely disobeyed his Bishop and as a result, he was booted from the Diocese of Madison. He is now on his own, a priest without a Church or a diocese. He is begging for monthly donations from his readers to support him. Per the Tablet, "According to Church law, Fr Zuhlsdorf will now need the permission of a bishop in another diocese if he wishes to continue his ministry. In a 2019 letter, the Bishop of Velletri-Segni, Vincenzo Apicella, said that the Fr Zuhlsdorf's activities were the responsibility of Madison diocese. Apicella pointed out that Zuhsldorf had never carried out any priestly ministry in the diocese of Velletri-Segni and that his blog had little “credibility”. His Italian bishop also said, "“On the other hand, one who combines arguments of faith and morals with photos of birds, Chinese food and aircraft seats, as well as boasting about a firearms license, speaks for itself and I do not see what theological or scientific credibility he can have.” Sorry, Terry, but as far as I can see, Father Z has never fulfilled his duties as a priest and has no credibility. At least, that is what his Bishop in Italy said.
ReplyDeleteHe's best moving on--and to somewhere he can be kept a close eye on. His habit of asking for money and gifts from Amazon was atrocious.
ReplyDeleteI am a norvus ordo person, by I have nothing against more traditionally minded people. Nut Fr Z was not on my "good-traddie" list.
That photo. Haha! Anyway - I'm a strong traditionalist Catholic, which means I love the Novus Ordo and Vatican II and Pope Francis.
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