What better way to celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension that become the subject of yet another Church-bashing media report?The BBC today reported on a priest in the French village of Asson, who admitted to authorities that he was having a 22-year sexual relationship with a female parishoner. A paragraph on the web version of the report pretty much sets the tone
"He is twinkly eyed and looks a little like Dustin Hoffman. She seems warm and open and is still a very attractive woman. But in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church, Leon and Marga are sinners"
That's right, the narrow-mind of the Catholic Church pounces again with it's rhetoric of sin to destroy the hopes and dreams of two beautiful people, says the BBC.
Needless, to say, this episode is causing a bit of a stir in the tiny village. Many parishoners are out on strike, although many also come into the prebytery (which the priest would soon have to vacate) to give him the odd congratulatory note, or hang out signs on the Church's to protest against the Church's stance on Fr. Leon.
Both Fr. Leon and Marga have expressed "hurt" by the Church's attitude. And the BBC World News reporter ended the report by saying this situation raises questions that go to the heart of Catholicism, whether it should own up to the outmodedness of its ways, or demand blind, unquestioning obedience.
One cannot help but feel insulted at the suggestion that we as Catholics are programmed to be mindless automatons, so utterly lacking in mental capacities to the point of needing someone to do the thinking of us. At the same time, one cannot help but giggle sometimes at yet another demonstration of the media's simplistic portrayal of a multifacted situation so as to fit a soundbyte.
What about the fact that Fr. Leon had on the day of his ordination, made a vow of his own free will to maintain a life of celibacy?
What about the fact that he has essentially broken a vow that he himself made of his own free will?
What about the fact that Fr. Leon is publicly flaunting a sexual relationship that exists OUTSIDE any marriage situation, a standard every Christian, never mind a priest, is by his or her profession of faith expected to strive to observe?
How about the fact that Fr. Leon insists that this relationship has strengthened his mission as a Catholic, while refusing to even ATTEND mass?
How about the fact that Fr. Leon is publicly renouncing the office of priesthood, and his very faith, whilst still enjoying the material benefits being part of the Catholic Church (free room and board, and a salary)?
How about the fact that, as a fellow priest hinted, there are other protestant churches where Fr. Leon's behavior would be considered acceptable; how about the fact that Fr. Leon is just as free to leave the Church as he was in making his vows that he swore to keep for life, but insists on staying in the Church and insisting that the Church changes basic teachings to suit his lifestyle?
It would seem that for the good folk of the BBC, the only thing is Fr. Leon's (and Marga's) "hurt" for not being able to get their jollies, whenever they want it, wherever they want it, in the way that they want it, while expecting material support from someone else while wanting it, and while criticising that someone else for not letting them break their promises so that they can want it.
One seems to forget that in any other situation, and even more so if this situation were an episode of Dr. Phil, a person hearing that story would respond with an admonition for Fr. Leon to "grow up".
Showbusiness can be such a fickle creature...
Both Fr. Leon and Marga have expressed "hurt" by the Church's attitude. And the BBC World News reporter ended the report by saying this situation raises questions that go to the heart of Catholicism, whether it should own up to the outmodedness of its ways, or demand blind, unquestioning obedience.
One cannot help but feel insulted at the suggestion that we as Catholics are programmed to be mindless automatons, so utterly lacking in mental capacities to the point of needing someone to do the thinking of us. At the same time, one cannot help but giggle sometimes at yet another demonstration of the media's simplistic portrayal of a multifacted situation so as to fit a soundbyte.
What about the fact that Fr. Leon had on the day of his ordination, made a vow of his own free will to maintain a life of celibacy?
What about the fact that he has essentially broken a vow that he himself made of his own free will?
What about the fact that Fr. Leon is publicly flaunting a sexual relationship that exists OUTSIDE any marriage situation, a standard every Christian, never mind a priest, is by his or her profession of faith expected to strive to observe?
How about the fact that Fr. Leon insists that this relationship has strengthened his mission as a Catholic, while refusing to even ATTEND mass?
How about the fact that Fr. Leon is publicly renouncing the office of priesthood, and his very faith, whilst still enjoying the material benefits being part of the Catholic Church (free room and board, and a salary)?
How about the fact that, as a fellow priest hinted, there are other protestant churches where Fr. Leon's behavior would be considered acceptable; how about the fact that Fr. Leon is just as free to leave the Church as he was in making his vows that he swore to keep for life, but insists on staying in the Church and insisting that the Church changes basic teachings to suit his lifestyle?
It would seem that for the good folk of the BBC, the only thing is Fr. Leon's (and Marga's) "hurt" for not being able to get their jollies, whenever they want it, wherever they want it, in the way that they want it, while expecting material support from someone else while wanting it, and while criticising that someone else for not letting them break their promises so that they can want it.
One seems to forget that in any other situation, and even more so if this situation were an episode of Dr. Phil, a person hearing that story would respond with an admonition for Fr. Leon to "grow up".
Showbusiness can be such a fickle creature...
