Goodbye Bishop Strickland


Priests and Bishops obsessed with either anti-abortion or anti-gay are being fired by the Pope. The most recent is Bishop Strickland of east Texas who has constantly criticized the Pope for not coming down harder of abortion and gays. It is a masterpiece to observe the Pope's method of keeping theology of anti gay and abortion in place while stopping clergy from talking about them. If one asked the Pope, "Why do you do things is this way, hanging onto outmoded and harmful theological views while stopping clergy from mentioning them?" I think he would reply, "Hey, it has worked in the past, it will work now." One would have to agree this slight of hand has worked in the past and probably will work again.

Protestants aren't quite as dishonest. When there is a big kerfuffle, the mad branch just takes its marbles and goes somewhere else to play. The Methodists are doing that just now and soon both sides will feel they are preaching the true gospel. I suppose nearly all Protestant denominations have been through bitter fights and end up different than they were before. 

Another interesting fire was that of former priest Frank Pavone, founder of Priests for Life. Pavone kept his donor list and bank balances hidden from the Catholic Church, all the while using the title given by the church to raise money. When he refused to negotiate with church officials he was fired. That firing is looking smarter as the months go on and anti-abortion is losing its popularity. In fact, all the Pope's firing of conservative priests and bishops look like smart moves. Unlike his critics, the Pope understands times are changing and his church needs to change.

I would guess the Pope and his staff keep a close eye on all the Bishops appointed by former Pope Benedict. That groups appears to have more than a few right-wing crooks as well as demagogs. 

Bishop Strickland is in his 60's and probably will either join some right-wing group or start his own. Either of these takes money the mother church would like to have. The world of religion is a world of fund raising and I'm sure Strickland knows that game. 

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