Archbishop Robert Carlson has decided to end the fight “to the Supreme Court” to regain control of the renegade St Stanislaus Parish in his see city. This lets stand last March’s ruling, blogged about here.
The tussle began years ago when Archbishop Raymond Burke exerted rightful episcopal authority over a parish that refused to budge. The community grew more obstinate as ecclesiastical and secular resources were put in play.
I confess that I don’t see the logic for the Church to pursue an ecclesiastical end in a secular court. They could have won this in court, but that wouldn’t likely lasso the believers back into the fold. The community would just find another place to celebrate Mass and stake their position outside the institutional Church.
St Stanislaus will now need to find a mission and focus other than fighting for its economic survival. That may be harder to do now that the archdiocese has dropped its gloves at ringside and gone home.
15 February 2013 at 7:33 pm
A number of independent Catholic churches are now thriving. No doubt tis parish will sign up with one and attract some alienated Catholics. Existing as a parish is a sufficient reason for them to be. They do not need an episcopal adversary to justify their existence..
16 February 2013 at 9:17 pm
I always liken these situations to the one in Acts, when Peter and John were arrested the second time, had the overnight “escape”, then were brought back before the Sanhedrin, and some of the Pharisees wanted to put them to death after hearing their defense. Then Gamaliel intervened…
“Have nothing to do with these men, and let them go. For if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5: 38-39)
Maybe Archbishop Carlson is thinking like Gamaliel…if we’re indeed fighting against God, we’re wasting resources. Now the onus is squarely on St Stanislaus. The archbishop is no longer the rallying cry.