Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Did the Board of St. Stanislaus ever intend a reconciliation?

I noticed that in Archbishop Burke's letter, he referred to a letter from the BOD (Board of Directors) to the parishioners of Saint Stanislaus Kostka Parish, dated December 27, 2004, which, he states, demonstrated "profound disrespect toward Church authority and open disobedience", yet I was unable to find a copy of this letter on the Save St Stanislaus Website. Considering the other comments, letters, and explanations contained on the web site, I find it odd that this important letter is missing.

The web site is replete with all sorts of errors and distortions as well as links to two "stories" produced by St. Louis' own 'alternative press'- a rag of trash. It is unconscionable that a "Catholic" web site would refer to these articles in condemnation of Archbishop Burke. The attitudes and positions expressed via this web site seem more than sufficient to support any charges of rebellion and grave disobedience even had the local press not continued to promote the controversy.

As an example, the St. Stanislaus web site asks (and answers) this question:
What are the options St. Stanislaus has to resolve this conflict?
Hold out for a change of heart by the Archbishop?
Remote chance

Allow the church to become a non functioning shrine?
After a while the majority will loose interest and the church will go into a state of disrepair. The life of the parish will be extinguished.

Give it away?
Allow the parish to be deeded to another Polish organization, not related to the archdiocese and possibly not related to the Roman Catholic Church.

Join another (non Roman) Catholic Church?
Viable option
Religious celebrations are nearly identical to what we see in the Roman Catholic Church today
These religious organizations broke away from the Roman Catholic Church due to the same demands we are seeing today. Religion was not the issue. It was, as it is today, about power and control.
It is quite obvious that there was never any intent to abide by the laws or structures of the Church. Nor does there seem to be any intent to consider obedience as an option.

As a matter of fact, their seems to be a certain pride and satisfaction in considering the option of Joining another church.

The mere mention of Joining another "Catholic" Church displays a profound lack of understanding or belief in the Church established by Christ or what it truly means to be a Catholic.

Unfortunately, many of the St. Stanislaus parishioners, other Catholics in the Archdioces, and the general public have been scandalized and many, it seems, have been deceived by those board members who have been adamant about maintaining "power and control" in violation of the laws of the Church. May God grant them mercy and touch their hearts so that they may be moved to repentance and conversion.

May our Lord also enlighten the minds of those who have been deceived over the many months and years so that they, also, may conform their wills to the will of Christ, Who humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross" (cf. Phil 2:8).

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