Scenario # 6
Up the Chain of Command?

Joe and Marian have recently noticed more and more unorthodox beliefs and practices creeping into their parish. Some people deny the Real Presence. Lay people are teaching that homosexual behavior is okay. And occasionally the deacon even muses that women should be allowed to become priests. When Joe and Marian approached their pastor about their concerns, they were rebuffed. Now they’re wondering what’s the best way to handle the situation. Do they take it up the chain of command? Or should they even stick around?

What would you do?


Here's a few responses from readers like you!

This has happened in my church and here is the advice from a priest freind of mine-confront the person\people speaking these things with back-up evidence in hand, such as references from the Chatechism of the Catholic Church- if you "get no satisfaction, " take it to the pastor, if that doesn't work, go to the Bishop. Whatever the outcome, it is your duty as a Christian to speak up.

Natalie
Via e-mail
Many Catholics can attest to the fact that the plague of sophism and subjectivism, common in America's Protestant sects, has found it's way into many of our parishes. Having once lived in a liberal, mostly Democrat-voting part of Virginia, I too raised an eyebrow at comments made by fellow parishoners.
Thankfully, the clergy did not share in these believes and spent many a homily explaining the Church's position on many issues of doctrine and dogma.

If I were to be in this couple's situation I would draft a diplomatic letter explaining the situation to my local Church authorities [Bishop, Archbishop, Cardinal] and leave it at that. However, the situation must be quite serious. Laity making flippant comments over coffee and donuts is one thing and can easily be
ascribed to ignorance or some personal [albeit incorrect] opinion. However, those in positions of authority such as parish Clergy or teachers is quite another matter and requires action on the part of the parishoners.

A. Decker
Los Angeles, CA
I would take this up the chain of command in the least pugnacious way possible, not being rudely confrontational, but rather acting in a manner that suggests that I am merely looking for an answer to why these things are happening in my parish rather than "tattling." If everyone is afraid to rock the boat and no one will accept the responsibility of being the "bad guy," the souls of that parish could be in great peril. We are our brothers' keeper, so this should be pursued not just for ourselves, but for the sakes of others who might be led astray.

While it is important to remember that every parish has its more liberal members (pray for them) and that no parish is perfect, I don't think I could stay in good conscience in a church where so much wrong was being allowed free reign: the Book of Proverbs tells us in several places that bad company corrupts good character. I would change to a more traditional and conservative parish, but I would do so with no hard feelings for the former, keeping them as a permanent entry on my prayer list, that the Holy Spirit would work there and separate the wheat from the chaff.

Shelley McKinney
New Castle, Indiana

If I were in that situation I would take it to the chain of command after you approach the ones in error. For years I lived one hour from NYC, and attended a pretty liberal Catholic church. Everybody including myself kept our eyes closed when weird stuff emerged. We figured "mercy over justice" or something to that effect. Not a good idea we later learned. The church didn't get better, it got worse. You won't be popular but you'll sure sleep better if you stand up now. You may even be alone and left out of private gatherings but Jesus was alone alot! I may add, things got so bad in that church we finally left. Now we're in a very holy, or at least trying to be holy church in Arkansas. My kids are safe and so are my husband and I Sincerely in Christ,

Pat

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