Statement of Bishop Matano on www.DoR.org and
Press Conference, Sept. 12, 2019, in which Bp. Matano reads his statement to the parishes and answers questions:
From the Press conference it is well worth listening to Bp. Matano’s answers to audience questions, especially his witnessing to Jesus Christ very near the end.
Links to additional information:
www.whec.com/news/catholic-diocese-of-rochester-files-chapter-11-bankruptcy/5489122/
https://13wham.com/news/local/amid-lawsuits-diocese-of-rochester-files-for-ch-11-bankruptcy
From WBEN: https://wben.radio.com/articles/catholic-diocese-rochester-files-bankruptcy
Statements from Catholic/Christian Media will be linked here, if/when they become available:
https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/09/12/diocese-of-rochester-n-y-files-bankruptcy/
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When I read/hear about the Church and her members going to court over legal/moral/civil issues, virtually immediately I wonder how 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 applies. So with today’s announcement, I am wondering again how Sacred Scripture applies to current litigation:
“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?
Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more things of this world?
If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining to this world, set them to judge who are the most despised in the church.
I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not among you any one wise man that is able to judge between his brethren?
But brother goeth to law with brother: and that before unbelievers.
Already indeed there is plainly a fault among you, that you have law suits one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?”
Any thoughts or insight to share with me? Thank you.
But you do wrong and defraud: and that to your brethren.
It is indeed sad to see the faithful having to resort to the courts for redress on the wrongs that have been done to them. It is sadder that the church (hierarchy) will not respond to the faithful unless they are pressured. My experience is that the wiley clerics cover their tracks with incense.
I have always been fascinated by the great convert, Hillaire Belloc’s, comment that he was always amazed that such a divine institution as the Church, could have such a terrible clergy.(paraphrased)
raymondfrice: Your last sentence about clerics covering their tracks with incense made me think of a statement made by a priest of a religious order. I have been a part of the third order of this religious community and I was visiting from out of state with other members of the third order, either for an ordination or retreat. This priest was vocations director for this religious order. I was standing with some fellow third order members and new members of the order, when the professed members were starting to put on their religious habits. The vocation director priest turned to us as he was putting on his religious habit and said, “It covers a multitude of sins.” That statement in the Bible reads “Love covers a multitude of sins.” However, in the context of what he was saying it, I took it to be a statement of humility, stating that those in habit aren’t more holy or perfect than those not in religious habit.
However, I can see that line in context with clergy and religious in religious habit or priestly garb, -or special title for their office and state in life, who have committed serious sin -the abuse of children or adults sexually, or any type of harm or abuse to children or adults, nefarious dealings, or the embezzlement of church or religious order funds-Their garb, title, and office-“It covers a multitude of sins.”