No "Viet Nam wall for laicized priests" (Main Forum)

by Francis , Kingsgrove, NSW, Friday, June 01, 2012, 22:49 (384 days ago) @ Enda

I have no desire to be listed on a 'Viet Nam' wall. I would like to point out that much of the faithful suffered by the Church's strictness in curtailing the supposed priesthood because of decision to marry. It is as if the Church did not care about the faithful as long as Church rules were upheld. In my case the parish I built spiritually and physically with the people has been left without a resident priest for 49 years and the parishioners had told the bishop, 'He is our priest. We do not care if he is married or not.'

Of the 30 ordained priests of that diocese only one thought I was letting the boat down and the others knew I was doing what I knew was right and still honour me.

I have worked and prayed with the faithful since, thought I secured employment, in which I could use my spirituality and compassion, to support my wife and children.

Now retired, I continue the vocation of priestly ministry in Catholica and locally as a keen desciple of Jesus' Way.

Francis

My purpose is to remember the love that created me in God one with my brothers and sisters and with all life. My function is to extend that love and unity each moment to all.