Ignore the Pope

Never thought I'd hear a priest say that.

Fr. Z said it counselling a reader who expressed concern over reading reports on what the Holy Father says, or commentary on what has been said.  Reading his response in context makes sense - pulling the 'ignore him' quote makes it sound anti-Francis ...

If what you are reading causes serious anxiety and spiritual suffering, you might consider spending less time reading about current Church news.  If what the Holy Father is doing is causing you great anger or anxiety… ignore him.  Stick to your regular routine of daily prayers.  Perform concrete works of mercy.  Go to Mass.  GO TO CONFESSION!   Ignore the Pope and bishops, except for to pray for them… from afar. - Ask Father

I read elsewhere that the Holy Father spoke about the rapid decline in vocations, or the hemorrhaging of priests and religious leaving priesthood and religious life - a sort of second-wave exit I suppose.  I have to admit I wasn't aware of that problem.  I thought that in the United States there has been an increase?  

These things make me sad.

The Deposition of Archbishop Nienstedt and Fr. Kevin McDonough

Is someone lying?

The lawyers and media seem to think so.  I can't bring myself to believe that an Archbishop and a former Vicar General would lie under oath.  So what's the deal?

Bad management, imperious culture, lack of communication and dysfunction - made worse by legal representation telling them what to say and how to answer questions - even demonstrating “a consistent pattern of deny, minimize and blame.”

I don't trust any of them.

Archbishop Nienstedt is out of town, in Rome for the Canonization.  He should be here.  He was gone for months while he was himself was investigated for inappropriate conduct.  Found innocent, he returned to work - yet now he is in Rome while local media has a field day with the depositions.  I don't get it.  A pastor should be with his sheep - who are confused and bewildered.

In his deposition, it appears Fr. Kevin McDonough, former Vicar General contradicts some of the things Nienstedt stated when he was deposed.  Interestingly, McDonough indicates something about the Archbishop's management style which may explain why he's not especially well liked by several of his priests.  He mentioned he had little contact with the Archbishop because "Nienstedt managed largely by memo..."

McDonough denied this week’s assertion by Nienstedt that he had advised the archbishop not to record or keep records of certain conversations about child abusers. 

“First of all, he [Nienstedt] and I would never have been in a position for much casual conversation,” McDonough said. “Archbishop Nienstedt managed largely by memo … but I don’t recall the question ever being asked about recording conversations with — between the archbishop and myself.” - StarTribune

Nienstedt is in Rome for the Canonizations.

Futility or ineffectiveness do not dispense one from speaking the truth, declaring what is wrong, and standing for what is right and just. [...] Whoever considers success, or makes his decisions or attitudes dependent upon whether something is futile or certain of success, is already corrupt. Then authenticity no longer means his personal encounter with what is real; it is rather his personal dependence upon success, upon being heard, on popularity and applause, and on the roar of great throngs. He is already corrupt. And woe if the prophets are mute out of fear that their word might not be heeded. - Alfred Delp, S.J.