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The Blogger and the Bishop
Blogged by James Preece on 11th November 2009
I'm just a bloke with a blog, so I'm not entirely sure why these things keep happening, but they do.
Earlier this year Bishop Drainey wrote in a pastoral letter...
I would say that the secular and spiritual climate generated by our culture is not favourable to these vocations, nor do they nurture a free and mature response to the call. Here I am not just talking about the wider society; I am talking about the Church, and the particular Church in this diocese of Middlesbrough.
Those are strong words so I sent an email to the Catholic Herald asking if they wanted a short article about the Bishop who criticised the culture in his own diocese (usually, Bishops are very careful to explain that everything is wonderful)
The Catholic Herald didn't want my short article, they wanted more. They asked if I would do a long Q&A interview with Bishop Drainey and so I asked Bishop Drainey if he would be willing to be interviewed. He very kindly said yes.
So, in three weeks I will be interviewing the Bishop of Middlesbrough for the Catholic Herald just in time for his second anniversary of being our Bishop.
This is where you come in - I have a great long list of things to ask (some of which I won't ask because I'm too nice) but I don't want to miss anything. So, if you have a question you would like me to put to the Bishop, let me know.
Reader Comments
zosia said...
just a bloke with a blog? I dont think so...this blog is a beast!!! :)
Zx
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Jackie Parkes said...
[comment removed at Jackie's request]
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+2
epsilon said...
Please say to the bishop (and through him and The Catholic Herald to all clergy in the UK):
1. That priests urgently need to spell out exactly the Church's teaching on faith and morals in their weekly homilies, and stop beating about the bush (which only leaves people imagining that anything goes, i.e. do whatever you think is ok so long as "we're not hurting anyone"). That's what's been happening more or less for the last 40+ years and it hasn't worked!
Too bad if a few go off in a huff - they will get the message, and if the rest of us pray for them they will find the strength of character to return.
2. That priests need to remind people that the church is for praying in (full stop)
3. Please have the courage to invite the laity, and support them spiritually as priests, to set up Legion of Mary groups in your parishes - invite all those parishioners who feel it necessary to be 'part of the priesthood' (by fafing around on the altar) to be part of the *faithful* instead, i.e. by praying the Rosary (both men and women), doing visitation and good works for and within the immediate community around the local church.
4. Ask the priests to follow the lead of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, by offering up the sacrifice of the Mass for the Glory and Honour of Our Lord Jesus Christ - not as a mutual admiration society for the 'priest and the people'.
5. Ask the priests to distribute the consecrated hosts to people in the ancient and time-honoured way which enables us to receive it in humility and with respect.
6. Ask the priests to reinstate the practice of Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction in their churches on a regular basis.
7. Please explain to the media that quangos such as the CES are not the voice of the Catholic Church. Neither are individuals such as Clifford Longly. Ask if the bishop has ever wondered why invariably the people who are given air-time to speak as catholics on media such as the BBC are those who cow-tow to state interference on matters of family and education.
8. Tell the bishop that we understand they have a daunting task and we are praying for them to have the strength and courage to follow the example of the Cure of Ars.
Thank you James for getting yourself into the position to be able to interview the bishop.
With love and best wishes
and God bless you and your family
epsilon
P.S. I say all this as a former cafeteria catholic who now wonders in awe at those who stuck to their principles all these years despite ridicule and marginalisation.
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