Local Catholics React To St. Stanislaus' Rebellion

From KSDK...:

...while St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Church has a unique Polish heritage, it is also unique in that it is likely the only ethnic, Catholic church in St. Louis that has not subjected to the authority of church officials.

And therein lies the problem.

St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Dogtown has Irish roots. Pastor John Johnson talked about what happens when a church subjects to the authority of the archdiocese.

"It's sort of a form of Christian community," said Johnson, "cooperative... like it was in the early church. (Church officials) see where we are financially, and it's another way of being accountable for spending your money."

But does subjecting to the authority of the Archdiocese means parish pastors have less control over church money?

"No, we have total control over our money," replied Johnson.

So if all these other national or at least ethnic Catholic churches eventually became a part of and make themselves subject to the authority of the Archdiocese, then why not St. Stanislaus.?

The KSDK reporter asks the $64,000 question...It's a simple question. It's a question whose simple answer has eluded the St Stanislaus board for years.

St. Stanislaus legal advisor Roger Krasnicki said the church was established as a civil corporation in 1891 by Archbishop Kenrick. Paraphrasing church canon laws, Krasnicki said that if something has existed and not been in contradiction of morals for thirty years then it should stand.

Still unable to answer the simple question "Why should you be different than others"?

There is one true answer...because they have renounced the Church and the Church's authority and are no longer in communion with her because of PRIDE - in reality, they are no more Catholic than any other schismatic sect is...They "feel" that they are "special" and "unique", and in a certain sense they probably are.

However, the Church is One - and schism ruptures that unity attempting to divide that which cannot be divided.