Here is an article on Bishop Thomas Olmsted. His pro-life stance and preaching on contraception, homosexuality, and the death penalty gets him branded an ultra-conservative.
Not surprisingly everyone who was interviewed in the article are critical of the new Bishop. After the years of turmoil caused by their previous Bishop I bet you could easily find many people in Phoenix joyous to finally have a Bishop that truly teaches the Catholic faith. After three very short paragraphs that are an overview of the Bishops las four months we get the mandatory line: “Others are critical of his conservative actions.”
…From leading a high-profile vigil in protest at an abortion center to speaking out against capital punishment and contraception, the 57-year-old bishop has supported traditional Vatican positions –much to the disappointment of Catholics seeking reforms in the more than 1 billionmember worldwide church.
Though the “season of conflict” related to sexual misconduct seems over, “we are not through the darkness yet,” said Mary Jane Benton, a Scottsdale Catholic. “Our new bishop has given out rules and regulations, instead of healing and compassion as Jesus modeled.”
I often wonder if there are another four Gospels out there that are different from the various Bibles that I have. Healing comes about when people know they are sick and need a doctor. Compassion comes about when we help those who sufferand need our help. Spiritual healing and compassion does not occur when we deny sinful behavior and normalize behaviors in contradiction to God’s law. Jesus emphasized that in the call to holiness that first you must obey the Ten Commandment. That divorce was not possible for a valid marriage. That the path to heaven was narrow. Were these also just rules and regulations? Was “Go and sin no more” an edict or actually the greatest words of charity. Of course the next paragraphs informs us that Benton is part of Called to Action.
Olmsted�s suspension of the Rev. Cunningham in Gilbert has irked some parishioners.
“I have never been so upset with a bishop” in a lifetime of being Catholic, said Ray Rafford of Mesa.
After all these years of abuse and cover-ups under Bishop Thomas O’Brien this parishioner has a problem with Bishop Olmsted?
“What you are seeing is a move by the ultra-conservative branch of the Catholic Church to bring the parish priests in line to the bishop�s thinking,” he said. “Father John has a history of reaching out to all religions in a spirit of the overall love of God.”
This is a common element that people often use. That whenever a Bishop actually follows the teachings of the Church they say that it is only the bishop’s thinking. As if the Bishop made this stuff up once he got there. The Bishop is a true Apostle when they are in union with what the Church and teaches and what belongs to the deposit of the faith. When this is true there is nothing better than bringing the thinking of the priests in line with the Bishop, especially if the Bishop is in line with Christ.
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Sounds like they’ve got a real catholic bishop there. They’re lucky, although it doesn’t sound like they think so. LOL.
The fact that they don’t like him says a lot more about them than about him, actually, in this case.
I find it funny that the same people who complain that the rule enforcer is having to heal the diocese because the other nutjob didn’t follow the rules.
Maybe I’m missing something, but it seems that maybe the church could be doing more to stave off these inevitable conflicts. Oh, I fully agree with Bishop Olmsted’s actions, but maybe some PR work to “sell it” better might be in order. Granted we should all know what the church teaches in the first place, but we obviously don’t. So, we have to be re-taught. Why not adopt some modern methods to do it? Hope they’re successful.
If that priest Bishop Olmstead suspended wanted to reach out to all the religions of the world, then let him become a nancy-boy New Age shaman. As a priest, his first loyalty is to his God, not the spiritual misconceptions of mere men…
As a member of the Catholic Diocese of Phoenix I’d like to say that a very large population of us are thrilled to have Bishop Olmsted here and are especially heartened to have a good shepherd who begins each day on his knees before the Blessed Sacrament! He has been experiencing an outpouring of love and support all over this diocese. The vocal minority always get the press!
Bishop Olmstead rocks! Having witnessed what he has accomplished in our Diocese in so short a period is truly amazing. But then again, I go to an orthodox Catholic parish so to the liberal freaks that’s not a true voice, it implies complicity or some such nonsense. The nutjob catho-likes have had their day derailing the Church and just can’t stand the idea of rebuilding the faith. They want a new one, which would amount to every other attempt in 2000 years, anything but Catholic.
Of all things truly Catholic, Bishop Olmstead, being neither liberal nor conservative but orthodox, is a blessing for the Phoenix Diocese! Without a doubt, the Lord Jesus is using his prayerful presence and pastoral experience to better effect in our local church, the prophetic utterings of Pope John Paul the Great-that the springtime of the New Evangelization is upon us! Let us rejoice in this and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “preach the Gospel always but use word only when necessary.” -St. Francis of Assisi
I am constantly amazed by the lack of compassion with which we treat one another. Since when is name-calling “orthodox?” It seems to me that we spend so much time trying to make sure that our modern day temple of a church is “right” that we miss the point of it all. I find it frustrating and disappointing.
Sir: On April 19th I went to my grandson’s first communion at St. Benedict Church in Phoeneix. What a let down; it has been the worst communion that I ever attended. (after 8 children and 14 grandchildren I have seen some) the children received first communion and confirmation the same date. Confimation first!!! then firt communion. The priest did not make and effort to make it special for the children and thier families. I was unable to see my grandson received first communion because the entire congregation came in to the altar at once, the line were so long that you were unable to see the little ones received first communion. Other communion I have attended the children with their parents go first to received the sacrament so the whole congregation can see them then the congregation goes for communion. I know the church is changing but this should be a very special day for children an the families but in this case was the worst first communion I ever attended and I only regret that I have three more grandkids to go!!!!!!. Ps no bishop present for confirmation, are our children not important? this was a first. Love to hear from somebody at the church but I know this will probably be deleated every one says that I was waisting my time!!!!!God Bless Critina Vaught 38 Parremo Drive Mission Viejo, Ca.92692
Bishop Olmsted was literally hand picked by Pope John Paul II to clean up the mess left by wishy-washy Bishop O’Brien. Olmsted was thrown into a hornet’s nest and he’s doing a splendid job. His critics have no idea of what they’re talking about.
Bishop Olmsted is a God-send. He truly is the most holy man I have ever met. He speaks the truth and is so amazingly smart. The Bishop can teach many on how to be a better Catholic and by leading by example…a better person. He makes life as a Bishop looks easy and it’s most clearly not. His dedication to Arizona, to his parishioners, to God, to his family…..it’s moving. And to the comment above….God is the only one that can be with everyone at all times. It’s unfortunate that you didn’t enjoy your grandsons communion and I know as a good Grandfather you wouldn’t have shown your disappointment to your family.
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