An article about a student at Boston College who’s intending to become a Jesuit drew my attention.
I give great kudos to this young man who seems prepared to give his life to Christ. But I question the basics he’s been taught by the Jesuit college. Just read these few paragraphs:
Kennedy says he sees the church as a dynamic institution, and that he feels responsible for helping to bring about its renewal.
“I’m not entering the church of 50 years ago or 500 years ago. I’m entering the church in 2012,’’ he said. “So you have to be realistic about the challenges of the images of priesthood in this day and age. . . . I don’t find it daunting, but it’s going to be a challenge.’’
He says he shares some of the critics’ questions, such as why the Vatican decided to investigate the US nuns, and why the church has taken such a hard line against gay relationships. He talks about the importance of lay empowerment and of affirming the role of women as leaders in the church. When he becomes a priest, he says, he plans to adopt a consensus-building approach, as some of the best priests he knows have done.
“The intentions of leadership within the church I don’t think are bad – I don’t think they wake up every day and say, ‘How can we make someone’s life miserable?’’’ he said. “But . . . what is the lived experience of Catholics today? You have to account for that.’’
A lot to worry about in that. I pray for the day that Jesuit colleges do a better job of teaching the faith.
May 21, 2012 at 5:35 pm
I can't imagine he's been formed in the manualist tradition and based on those comments, I daresay he's consumed the cool aide.
Better to get a job as a welder and do useful work while raising a family than to pay a quarter of a million dollars to fill your head with this non-sense.
May 21, 2012 at 5:37 pm
This young man needs to be properly formed, at this point I do not believe he is called to the Priesthood, it is more likely he's called to vote Democrat party and not to become a Priest in the Church.
May 21, 2012 at 5:53 pm
I don't know the context. At this point, he may have assimilated the language necessary to become a Jesuit.
May 21, 2012 at 6:03 pm
It seems what modern Jesuits and their colleges are best at is teaching young people to spit on the grave of St. Ignatius.
May 21, 2012 at 6:10 pm
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May 21, 2012 at 7:39 pm
Sounds like SJU circa 1983 to me, Matt.
May 21, 2012 at 7:39 pm
St. Ignatius, pray for us.
May 21, 2012 at 7:47 pm
The good thing is that he will have 11 or 12 years to discern his future before final vows and ordination and a lot can happen in that time–like yet another Vatican crackdown on the SJs
May 21, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Here is what a Roman Catholic Priest sounds like:
Adultery for a Priest is communion and cohabitation of Truth and error in the mind.
No legitimate 'babies' can be born of this; the growth of the Faith is dead.
The babies that are born of that union are bastards.
Truth and Error results in no potency to have legitimate 'babies' (Faithful Catholics).
Bastards without Faith, they will be heretics.
They are called Catholics, but their Faith is dead, and they do not want to know what real Catholicism is.
They want their processions, prayers, devotions, and social events while receiving sacraments, but they do not have the Faith.
A bastard is the result of the adultery when you have a 'baby' from this Priestly adultery.
The sermon at you tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXwBxgjxMmA
*
May 22, 2012 at 12:10 am
It's disappointing to hear that kind of bafflegab coming from someone so young. It's more what I'd expect out of some 1970's era social worker priest. Aren't the Jesuits supposed to be slowly getting more orthodox? That's what I've been hearing lately. I'd hoped it was really true.
May 22, 2012 at 4:54 am
What if …?
Kowalski says he sees Holy Mother Church as a … divine institution, and that he feels responsible for helping to bring about … the conversion of many souls.
“I’m not entering the Church of 50 years ago or 500 years ago. I’m entering the One, True Church, in 2012, ever ancient, ever new,’’ he said. “So you have to be really steadfast in your faith, facing down the challenges of the world's false images of the Priesthood in this day and age. . . . I don’t find it daunting. With the help of God, I pray I will be up to the challenge.’’
He says he holds the Faith of the Apostles and martyrs, and he is inspired by the example of St. Ignatius Loyola, who demanded absolute obedience to the heirarchical Church, the true spouse of Christ our Lord. He has ready answers to the critics’ questions, such as why the Vatican decided to require a reform of the LCWR, and why the Church faithfully hands on the constant teaching of Scripture and Tradition forbidding all homosexual activity. He was forthright and articulate, saying that the priesthood is "no place for someone who is confused about homosexuality." He talks about the importance of the supernatural virtue of faith, and of affirming the Church's constant teachings regarding the nature of the priesthood. When he becomes a priest, "with the help of God, despite my unworthiness," he says, he hopes to teach and preach with the same zeal as St. Francis Xavier, "his hero", even if it means martyrdom.
“The leadership of Pope Benedict within the Church is exceptionally clear and inspiring. I wake up every day and say, ‘How can I help him to serve Holy Mother Church?'’’ he said. “The Catholic Faith is the only sure guide for Catholics today. You have to account for that.’’
May 22, 2012 at 1:18 pm
Book Smart, Ignatian Stupid!
May 22, 2012 at 5:56 pm
and is anyone really surprised that this dreck would come from a Jesuit educated soon-to-be scholastic?
May 22, 2012 at 11:11 pm
Even remotely referencing "the lived experience" of Catholics is a dead giveaway. I see that phrase used in the combox at National Catholic Fishwrap all the time, and it is used as a counter to commenters faithful to the Magisterium who cite Church teaching as if their own personal magisterium is just as valid. Actually, they often state the People of God (that's them) get to form doctrine.
"Lived experience" is subjective, not objective. While genuine spritual experience is lived (and subjective) the determination of its validity does not rest on one's own personal preferences and agenda.
Besides, this crowd rarely mentions spiritual experiences, probably because their focus on politicizing the teachings of the Church precludes that "lived experience."
May 22, 2012 at 11:21 pm
I apologize for this sentence fragment being unclear:
…it is used as a counter to commenters faithful to the Magisterium who cite Church teaching as if their own personal magisterium is just as valid.
Sorry, that would read better as:
…it is used to counter commenters faithful to the Magisterium who cite Church teaching. "Lived experience" is exalted as if their own personal magisterium possesses validity the Magisterium lacks, in their eyes.
May 23, 2012 at 3:30 am
Time for a suppression.
May 24, 2012 at 2:02 pm
He sounds like a typical new college grad. Knows everything and will single-handedly change the world to fit their perspective.