Thank you all for these wonderful posts. (Main Forum)

by BarryS , 'Uralla, NSW', Sunday, July 15, 2012, 06:18 (340 days ago) @ Enda
edited by BarryS, Sunday, July 15, 2012, 06:32

I am still an active participating Catholic as a Sub Deacon participating on the altar each Sunday, however over the years I have not necessarily accepted the words of the local priest or Bishop.

When working in our own Catholic organisation in Sydney such as The Paulian Association & PALMS (Director for 3 years)I also set up Catholic Solo Parents & The Beginning Experiece we did not allow priests to participate & even had several priests removed from parishes for their conduct or for the poor quality of their sermons. I was eventually removed from my work for setting up the last 2 groups as I was told not to set them up. However the last 2 groups were eventually recognised by the church but I never received an apology for being dismissed.

I certainly was not a follower or supporter of JP11.

I have been involved with St Vincent de Paul for over 50 years , even serving on state commitees & am still an active worker in our area. This is a very positive part of the Catholic Church.

Our own recently retired bishop I had centured by Rome about 10 years ago for actions he took against me personally & the practices we had in our parish. As a result, for the past 9 years, virtually no one in our country diocese took any notice of him.

We are the church & it is by our actions that we are practising Catholics.

I have worked for short periods in the Phillipines, Papua New Guinea, Kiribati, India & several other coutries supporting the local people & even staying in their local homes but, in the main, was not involved with the heirarchy in these countries.

It was a real church experience.

I think all of bishops should be made to serve for 3 months of every 5 years as an ordinary priest in some of these countries to fully understand what the church is really all about.

BarryS

I live for those that love me
For those that know I am true
For the heaven that smiles above me
& awaits my coming too
For the cause that needs assistance
For the wrong that needs resistance
For the future in the distance
& the good that I can do.