Who's running the Church? That is the Roman Catholic Church!

Ralph B.HathawayWho’s running the church?  That is the Roman Catholic Church!

In this unreliable system of choices now in the hands of  average people who want to control everything from soup to outer space according to their most ardent desires, who will decide the next pope, our teaching on the Holy Eucharist, and what gender the Roman Catholic clergy will be?

During rhe pedaphilia scandal members of one parish that I know of were ready to defrock the bishops and even were successful in removing Cardinal Wuerl’s name from the newly constructed Catholic High School in Butler County.  He and Bishop Zubick were among those these good Catholics were ready to throw under the bus.  

At one time, when waiting for a new appointment of our diocese for the Ordinary to take over, some wanted to know why the populace couldn’t vote for the replacement.  

There are women’s groups, unfortunately some women religious who are working diligently to have their desire known and considered to ordain women to the priesthood and diaconate.  Of course their preference is the priesthood, but they will accept the diaconate.  

The priesthood is minsterial  “That office which the Lord committed to the pastors of his people, is in the strict sense of the term a service.  It is entirely related to Christ and to men.”  CCC 1551

Who can receive this Sacrament?  Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination.  The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.  The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present reality until Christ’s return.  The Church recognizes herself bound by this choice made by the Lord himself.  For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.”  CCC 1577

There are other Christian denominations that choose who will become bishops and priests without the process Catholics go through for ordination.  Priests and deacons are chosen by the Church, and not by the common parishioner.  Bishops however are selected by Rome, specifically the pope in  concurrence with his close advisors.  

Somehow, the manner of doing business even in the Church is not up to a popular decision, and choices are not made because of popularity or good looks.  It is a ministry that requires dedication and accountability to the bishop and to Christ whom the bishop must also answer to.

Unfortunately, we have reached a point in our modern world where the words spoken at the Easter Vigil which the celebrant says as he implants five nails on the Paschal Candle (heated from the fire) “Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, the beginning and the ending, Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever amen.”  God is the same forever and does not change.  In spite of the fact that modern intellectuals believe they have the ability to redo God and his commandments, they have a surprise coming.  However, we who adhere to the teaching of the Church, which by the way has never changed, must hold onto the truths of what was given through Christ and is part of our baptismal promises. 

Ralph B. Hathaway