First, here is a direct quote from page four of the rather enthusiastic proclamation of the excommunication of two new members of the St. Stanislaus parish council:
"Wherefore, in the most sincere hope and with the prayer that a medicinal penalty may lead them to seek once again full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, I declare and pronounce that Richard Lapinski and Janice Merzweiler, as a result of their having committed the most grave delict of schism (cf. can. 1364, §1), have incurred, latae sententiae, the censure of Excommunication (cf. cann. 1312, §1, 1°; and 1331, §1-2), and that, with lethal consequence, they both have thrown themselves off the path to eternal
salvation."
Well sir, you have finally gone over the edge!
We have all come to expect hysteria from the 'Round House' about any activity at Saint Stan. -------- Ho hum... there they go again.
But "LETHAL CONSEQUENCES?"
Bishop Hermann, you may think you're entitled to use some cute, thirteenth-century meaning of the word, but around here we speak English and consult Webster. The dictionary plainly links 'lethal' with death! The best response to a threat of "lethal consequences" is to call a cop.
Cool off. Take a walk. Have a glass of milk and some cookies.
All your huffing and puffing about power and money is unseemly.
Perhaps even un-Christian?
God bless all who read here! This is intended to be a news resource for progressive Catholics in the Greater St. Louis area.
5 comments:
Could you please give us a link to Bishop Hermann's text or otherwise direct us to it? I'm not sure what your comment is responding to. Thanks. frank.krebs@stsclareandfrancis.org
Don't be too shocked. "Lethal" here refers to the possibly deleterious effect on the soul of those who commit schism. Standard nomenclature.
And the declaration is posted on the archdiocesan website.
Your post betrays only your own lack of understanding of the principles of the Catholic faith. A person in mortal sin has killed the life of grace in his soul. He is spiritually dead. The consequence of his action is therefore "lethal".
The great thing about our Bishops who have had to deal with the sewer of schism at St. Stan's is that they say exacly what they mean.
You know, the word lethal sure got your attention. You might think it would get Lapinski's and Merzweiler's attention, too. Which is, of course, the point. You see, saving their souls is more important than "empowering" them to change the "rigid patriarchical power structures" or whatever passes for your slogan of the day.
That is Christian Charity-- not to let them cast themselves on the path to hell without warning.
And, thanks for posting my comment. I wasn't sure if you would.
Lethal in this context means murderous to the soul, obviously. But one must believe in a soul first to believe it faces "lethal" or deadly dangers.
The phrase is perfect.
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