Incoming: Those Annoying Church Dissenters on T.V.

From an incoming email:

Below are some postings taken from a Catholic discussion forum regarding the dissenting priests, theologians and nuns who have appeared on national television (Terri Schiavo case) as though they were official spokespersons for the Catholic Church. Not only are these dissenters deceiving viewers with their comments and remarks that are contrary to Catholic teachings, but some are also so arrogant as to criticize not only the Catholic Church but the Holy Father himself notably, Fr. Mcbrien). Note the suggestion one poster made about what we can do about these dissenters. I took note and wrote my own letter to the USCCB as suggested. If you are as upset as I am when these dissenters appear on the airwaves with their criticisms and deceptions, may I also suggest that you write to the USCCB United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) with your complaints. E-mail addresses are posted below. Thanks much.
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Some comments from posters:

"The prominence of the Terri Schiavo case has brought unprecedented media attention to the Catholic Church's teaching on end-of-life issues. But media portrayals of Church teaching are often inaccurate and misleading, according to two prominent Catholic ethicists."

" I am convinced that choosing priests who dissent from established Church teaching is no accident. They are culled from the same sources: Jesuits, Notre Dame or the National Catholic Reporter. It is very rare to see an accurate portrayal of authentic Church teaching."

" O'Reilly had a priest, Fr. McBrien from Notre Dame who was just fracturing Church teaching right and left. He actually said that he disagreed with the Pope and then went on to say how stupid American Catholics are because the majority didn't follow the Holy Father's pronouncement on the war in Iraq. As if a priest didn't know the difference between the Pope's influence on matters of faith and morals versus those of American foreign policy. It is priest like that who really bring me to my knees and wonder what we have to do so that the gates of hell will not prevail."

"Does anyone know anything about Fr. John Paris of Boston College or Fr. Halstead of DePaul in Chicago?I saw Paris on CNN last night and Halstead on the local news. Both seemed to dissent from the Pope's teaching on feeding tubes. Halstead did not even have his collar on - he was wearing a suit and tie."

"Jesuit blasts Terri Schiavo supporters! What a disgrace to the Jesuits."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7276850/site/newsweek/

" I sent a complaint to FOX yesterday to this very point. I told them I thought it was a discrimination against Catholicism to always put on dissenting priests."

"Let's nip this in the bud. I suggest we get an email campaign going to the American Conference of Catholic Bishops saying something like this:

Dear Most Reverend Bishops:

I ask your urgent assistance in a matter of priest discipline.

It has come to my attention that the media have been speaking to priests and nuns who dissent from Catholic teaching and who are disobedient to His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the matter of Sanctity of Life, particularly as it applies to Ms Terri Schiavo who is being 'legally' starved to death.

This priest and nun dissent has an appalling effect directly on Ms Schiavo and her parents, siblings, and friends; on the disabled whose lives will be directly endangered should the Church fail in its responsibilities to teach boldly and unequivocally on faith and morals; and on the morale of the millions of faithful Catholics in America and around the world who are watching and praying with much apprehension.

I ask you to move decisively and with no delay to discipline publicly any priest or nun who dissents from Catholic teaching and who dissents from the wishes of His Holiness in the matter of Terri Schiavo.

Thank you for taking the time to read this email. My prayers are with you. God bless and keep you, _____________."


Here is there email address for the U.S. Conference of Catholic
Bishops :
websiteadministrator@uscc b.org "

" Don't let them off the hook! Priests and nuns are capitalizing on our Terri for their own personal projects, gains, and ego. This behaviour is counterproductive and irresponsible. It offends the Church. And it detracts from our efforts to save Terri. Let's get those dissenting priests and nuns off the airwaves."

" Here is there email addie for Comments on Terri Schivo Email us at commdept@usccb.org "

"It seems to me that some faxes/phone calls should also be made to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith as well. I bet Cardinal Ratzinger would be interested in what these dissenting priests and religious are disseminating through the air-waves.

Here is Cardinal Ratzinger's contact information. Call or fax now!
CARDINAL JOSEPH RATZINGER
Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Phone: 011-39-06-698-83296
Fax: 011-39-06-698-84532 "

" It seems there is an "official" email address for contact with His Holiness: av@pccs.va This address apparently generates a response. We should get this out and make sure people are using this address for the Pope! "

I don't think the Holy Father will be answering emails for a while, nonetheless, it's time faithful Catholics tell the bishops of the grave harm people like McBrien are doing to the faithful and the Church!

Thanks to Fred Z for the email.