The Sun is Out in Richmond
In late May I reported the installation of Bishop Lorenzo as ordinary of the Diocese of Richmond. At the time he gave some mixed signals as to where he stood on a number of issues. I've heard since then that his signals have been getting . . . well, let's just say 'less mixed.' Confirmation comes in this article from the weekend.
Six weeks after taking office, Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo is reshaping the Diocese of Richmond to bring it into close conformity with the policies of Pope John Paul II and orthodox Catholic teaching.
1. Enforce recent teaching on denying speaking platforms to "those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles" - check.
That intention is most obvious with DiLorenzo's announcement last month that no one can be invited by parishes as a guest speaker without first being approved by the diocesan theologian, a post re-established by the bishop.
2. Put an end to confusing and ambiguous diocesan ministries which support gay and lesbian interests - check.
The bishop has also decided not to reactivate the diocesan 'sexual minorities' commission that had advised former Bishop Walter F. Sullivan on gay and lesbian concerns.
3. Clear doctrinal dissenters out of diocesan administration - check.
Additionally, DiLorenzo removed a Virginia Beach woman from the diocesan women's commission because her support for ordaining women as priests conflicted with the Vatican's policy of restricting the priesthood to men.
There are some real gems in this article:
According to Johnson, the bishop said her view on ordination was 'not Catholic' and that she 'had become a Protestant.' He also objected to her role with the Women's Ordination Conference, a group he called "opposed to what the church teaches," Johnson said.
"He said, 'If I kept you on the commission, it'd be like the Hebrew University letting in Hamas,'" Johnson said. Hamas is a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel, where Hebrew University is located.
Nice. (Thanks to Cacciaguida for the link.)
# posted by Jamie : 8:45 AM
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