During our lifetime we belong to certain clubs and organizations. Membership in those groups comes with varying expectations and calls for diverse qualifications. In addition, we consider ourselves part of other groups such as fan clubs and consumer groups. We are made to feel part of “a family” because we drive a particular car or use a certain product or watch a particular show. Belonging to such diverse groups may confound and confuse our understanding of what it means to be part of the Church. I hope I can clarify.
You have probably seen the devastating story coming out of Pennsylvania last week. The revelations contained in the Grand Jury report on the sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests in six dioceses in that state were absolutely devastating. The details of the abuse were heart-wrenching and made you want to throw up. How could priests do such awful things to innocent little children? Even worse, how could bishops cover up these crimes and not bring those predators to justice? Greater blame should be laid on the shoulders of bishops who turned a blind eye to these atrocities. Instead of protecting helpless, vulnerable children, these bad shepherds chose to guard the “reputation and image” of the Church. These crimes were perpetrated over a period of 70 years by 300 priests. They are reprehensible, horrible and indefensible. Every Catholic should be outraged.
Five years ago I lost a priest friend and mentor. I was thinking about him just today. Fr Tom Enright was our neighbor. I got to know him when I came here to St Paul nine years ago. He was not merely an acquaintance; he was my occasional spiritual guide and trusted confidant. When you are a priest and are used to hearing the confessions of others, you look for a wise, older priest who can elicit trust to be your confessor. He was that priest for me. I used to go to him for confession. He always gave me solid spiritual counsel and encouragement. He had been a pastor in two different parishes and had a lot of experience leading congregations. When I had a doubt or a question regarding my role as pastor, I could always call on him. Over several years, he had been serving as an associate pastor at Our Lady of Ransom in Niles.
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Born in India to deeply-committed Catholic parents, Fr Britto is one of seven children. He joined the Salesians of Don Bosco as a young man and was ordained a priest in 1981.
After he completed his priestly formation and his early education in India, he came to the US for his graduate degree in Journalism at...Read more...
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