Wow. This is truly unbelievable.
This is a video by the Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen, pastor of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Nashville TN. This video is posted by the pastor on the parish website.
In this video Fr. Breen, as communicated to us by a reader commits multiple counts of video heresy and hits most of the heretical bases.
Women’s ordination – Check!
Reversal of the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception – Check!
Divorce – Check!
He then goes on to slam (married) former Protestant clergy who convert and are ordained Catholic clergy,
He shows open disdain and insults the Pope, the Roman Curia, today’s bishops, today’s seminarians. About the seminarians he says they are intellectually inferior to those of yesteryear and are probably from dysfunctional families.
And there is even more! Watch!
As it turns out, Fr. Breen is a serial offender and a promise breaker.
Back in 1993, Fr. Breen disseminated a letter covering much of the same territory. He was sanctioned at the time by his Bishop, Bp. Edward Kmiec ordering him not to speak publicly about “optional celibacy or other issues involving church teachings or discipline.” Bishop Kmiec went so far as to have Fr. Breen sign a pledge that he would not speak again to the media or media representatives.
So much for promises.
In 2006, Fr. Breen sent a letter to Cardinal William Levada – who he addresses as Cardinal Bill, once again covering much of the same heretical territory.
It is time for Fr. Breen to go.
If you are interested, you can reach Fr. Breen’s Bishop here and let him know what you think of Fr. Breen’s statement.
The Most Reverend David R. Choby
Bishop of Nashville
The Catholic Center
2400 Twenty-first Avenue South
Nashville, TN. 37212
Bishop@dioceseofnashville.com
Update: Father Breen Retracts Statements — Saves Job
Update: As of Sunday August 9, 2010. Fr. Breen’s heretical video has been removed from the parish website! That’s a start!
August 10, 2010 at 9:14 am
I began attending St. Edward 4 years ago because the first time my family and I visited, we felt welcomed and at home. And, every Sunday we drive 30 miles to attend Mass there even though there is a Catholic church less than a mile from our house. I have never felt the Holy Spirit at any other Catholic mass the way I experience it at St. Edward.
I, and obviously many others, appreciate the way Father adds a personal touch to the Mass with stories and, oh my, even humor on occasion. From the comments above, I suppose most here would prefer the more somber toned priest who must read every word during the Mass from a book. There are other Catholic churches in Nashville one can attend if that is one's preference. It's just that…a matter of preference, I suppose, or maybe just a difference of opinion in how to conduct the worship service. Which, incidentally, is all that Father Breen is guilty of…a difference of opinion.
Or, really? Are we really going to point out that the response psalm at St. Edward is sung in unison? Really? Do we REALLY think Jesus would stand up in the middle of our worship and tell us we're doing it wrong?
If I'm not mistaken, Jesus was crucified for taking on the "established" organized religion at the time. Have we become that religion that persecutes and condemns so quickly? If so, perhaps I need to look elsewhere for my spiritual guidance. Is that the purpose of these hateful comments? To move people away from the Church? If so, you may have succeeded, because I'm not sure I can be a party to a Church that has such adherents to the LAW, that they forget about Christ's teachings of LOVE. I certainly haven't seen much love in the majority of these posts.
August 10, 2010 at 9:18 am
Consider this. The reason Father Breen shared his thoughts so freely on the web is his love for the Church and his desire to see it THRIVE, not just survive. To appeal and be welcoming to the majority, not just the "creative minority." By the way, in Father Breen's "barren" church (as one comment noted), our attendance typically overflows into the lobby when Father is celebrating the Mass.
And, a PUBLIC denouncement? What possible good reason would there be for that? So you can feel better about yourselves? So you can brag to your golf buddies or your congregation about how your comment on a website caused a PUBLIC outcry to "save" our Church from an "evil" out-spoken priest in Nashville. A people with a healthy self-esteem don't call for public floggings. Scared, insecure people do. That's why so many empty souls religiously watch celebrity gossip shows. The members of the mob can feel better about themselves when they see someone else fail or fall. Do YOU not trust our infallible leadership to handle the matter in a private manner? Are you curious about the outcome? Or, just plain nosy?
How about this concept: Can't we denounce the child molesters in our Church first? When we ignore that 800-pound gorilla, yet call for defrocking of a priest who has dedicated his entire life to helping people, I can't help but hear faint cries of "Free Barabbus!" Have we lost our focus here? Or, lost our minds?
Really? Ladies and gentlemen, the headline at the top of the page says it clearly. This is truly unbelievable!
Signed,
One of the happy parishioners of St. Edward, who is apparently going to hell because my pastor wears a blue jacket. COME ON! You all can't be for real. This is almost comical, if it wasn't so sad.
P.S. Glad we are helping CMS increase their web traffic. Maybe someone will buy something or decide to advertise with their increased exposure. CMS, be sure and send a thank you letter to Father Breen if you make a few bucks off this. LOL
August 10, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Wow. Father Breen…
I met Father Breen nearly 25 years ago. We went to St Edwards for years. In fact, my wife grew up in the parish and attended the school.
Father Breen is a good man. However, as much as I do truly like Father Breen, he is not a good priest. A good priest does not air these issues publicly. He takes on his issues privately to his bishop. Father Breen has instead shown his hubris and publically come out against Church doctrine. He has done this time after time.
The problem with coming out publically like he has is that it sends the wrong message to those that look to him to for guidance. A priest should not be telling his parish that a specific act is OK if his bishop/Rome have taken the position that the act is wrong.
A priest must instead spread the message that he has been directed to give. That is his very job. A priest that is not willing to do this should no longer be a priest. Father Breen has, time and again, shown that he beleives that he is more important than the Church. His bishops have repeatedly had to correct his behavior. It is time for him to quietly retire or be removed.
August 10, 2010 at 2:49 pm
I live in Nashville, and I support Fr. Joe Pat wholeheartedly. While I am not a parishioner at St. Edward's, I attend mass there often, and you will not find a better priest. And while I don't agree with him 100%, he does make some good points. Most of our pastors here in Nashville are very old, and there aren't enough seminarians to replace them. Is it like that in your diocese? I'll bet it is. We have to change something or we are not going to have any clergy. The church's views are sometimes archaic and the rationale used to develop some of our dogma has long since became obsolete. I am not saying that we lose our way or the core tenets of our faith, but I AM saying that our church must get with the times or we are going to end up extinct. And I don't want that. I think our faith deserves better than that. And we need MORE priests who are willing to not only address the elephant in the corner of the room but also offer solutions for how to get rid of it.
I guess my biggest point is this. I see that a lot of you are not from Nashville. Stay out of our business. I don't go around trying to get your priests fired, so just let it be.
Now, I'm off to write a letter to Bishop Choby as a Nashville Catholic in support of Fr. Joe Pat.
And if supporting him means that I'm going to hell (ha ha ha) then I guess I'll be in good company.
August 10, 2010 at 3:23 pm
After reading the posts from Fr Breen's flock, if the bishop does retire him, which he should, the one I feel sorry for is the priest that will replace him. I hope that this is a minority of his flock that we are hearing from, since, as a whole, they seem utterly clueless as to the actual teachings of the Church. It's very sad.
If the replacement priest really wants to have a parish rooted in Catholic teaching and values, he will have an uphill battle with this flock.
August 10, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Utterly clueless? I would think that those responding from the parish would be in the best position to speak to this issue, not some agenda driven site that labels and brands.
No one that has posted here is orthodox. No one follows the teachings to the letter… no one.
The priest that has the uneviable task of replacing Father Breen will be welcomed warmly by this extrodanary parish. If you knew the parish, you would know that.
August 10, 2010 at 4:11 pm
That is wonderful news. I hope you are right. I guess we can only wait and see…if he is a priest who actually upholds the teaching of the Church, and teaches it, and the flock there embraces it, that would be a small miracle, but a welcome one.
August 10, 2010 at 4:22 pm
You are making some really poor assumptions here. This is not the back and white issue all who disagree with Fr. Breen believe.
This priest does uphold the teachings of the church, he also speaks out on things that need to be addressed. Following his conscience, also something the church is very clear about.
August 10, 2010 at 4:44 pm
The Church teaches that we should follow a "well informed conscience", based on Church teaching (Vatican 2).
It seems obvious that Fr Breen's conscience does not include following the solemn vow of obedience he took at his ordination, which binds for life, or keeping the promise he made in 1993 not to speak about the things he covered in the video again. Not really sure how his followers can justify these actions.
I hope that Fr Breen sees how serious these things are, and sincerely repents. Then he can begin the task of teaching his parishioners, as it seems they really care for him, and would listen to him, more than to any other priest that could come in from the outside.
August 10, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Father Breen likes to be on TV – that sums it nicely.
He is an example of the reason that over the past 30 years, many morally and culturally conservative Catholics have left the Church to try to find decency and common sense in a conservative Protestant denomination or in Orthodoxy, and very few morally and culturally conservative Protestants have entered the Church. His desire is for a Catholic Church that blazes the path of the 'spirit of Vatican 2' right into being another liberal Protestant denomination. He resents the young men in seminaries today because they are more conservative and have far more common sense than he and his generation.
Like any spoiled brat, he cannot see how the very entity he despises and blames for not indulging him to his own and his sheep's utter destruction, Rome and the Papacy, is the reason he and his ilk have done so much damage. They have run roughshod over the Traditionalists, who have been punished for not worshiping novelties and blindly following priests and bishops like Fr. Breen.
It is long past time for the Augean stables to be cleaned.
August 10, 2010 at 6:59 pm
My name is Melissa C.
My grandparents loved Father Breen. They would still love him this day, but they are dead. My grandmother died in 1997, and my grandfather died in 2003.
I knew Father Breen when I was a little child, and he was a very good man.
I just wanted to say what happened to loving one another. What happened to compassion? Father Breen shared his opinion of issues and struggles that where splitting the Catholic Church. He was also stating that your G-d and Christ come before the pope. Does not the pope take an oath before G-d, Christ, and people that he will represent G-d's ways? If he does not represent G-d's ways, he is breaking them; and you are not obligated to follow them. Also, does G-d promote human life and safety? And does G-d allow freewill?
August 10, 2010 at 7:16 pm
The above poster is afraid to write God's name, but thinks schism and heresy is okay, go figure.
August 10, 2010 at 10:13 pm
My name is Melissa C.
To me it is a Holy Name. It is a sign of respect not to write it out. The name should only be fully written out in Holy Scriptures.
August 10, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I know Fr. Breen. He is a beautiful soul, and an honorable pastor. He is STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT – even if he is standing ALONE. Isn't THIS what GOD wants from all of us? It kills me to see you all judge him the way you are. I have NEVER been so proud to call myself Catholic after seeing this video! You ROCK FR! Thanks for this and trying to get others back in the church without judgement. I know this makes MY Lord Happy!
August 10, 2010 at 10:50 pm
I love your letter Katie. 🙂
Sincerely,
Melissa C.
August 10, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Father, I just want to thank you for being a spokesman for all of us who want changes made in the Church. But why stop at just the things you mentioned? This is only a start, right? After we get these changes enacted, could you make a video decrying the laws of the Church regarding marriage among relatives? I mean, close relatives. I don't see any reason why the Church should interfere in my sister and my business.
Heck, you're one of the wisest men I've ever seen on video. Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine can't hold a candle to your wisdom.
Thanks again!
August 11, 2010 at 2:20 am
Amen, Amen, Amen!! What wonderful pearls of wisdom from Fr. Breen. I grew up in a large Catholic family and attended excellent Catholic schools. However, I feel the Catholic church is so completely out of touch with today's people. What percentage of Catholics refrain from birth control? How many more priests could we encourage into the position by allowing them to marry – and – how many children could have been spared molestation by allowing priests to marry? The Catholic church does little to open their doors to others. All are welcome at the Lord's table…but not all are welcome at the Catholic table. It is a very rigid, closed society that shuns outsiders and employs feelings of guilt among its flock. The Catholic church teaches more from dogma than actual scripture. I was Catholic until my late 20s. I now attend a welcoming Protestant church that does much to nurture its flock. Everyone is welcome – even at the table. All the reasons Fr. Breen mentioned that draws Catholics away from the church are spot on!! I agree with him completely. I think many here are very defensive about the Catholic church – and rightly so. I understand wanting to defend what you hold dear, what you know. However, have you asked yourself, "What is truly best for the flock of the Catholic church? What is best to keep families in the church? What is best to provide stable, healthy men as priests? What can we do about reaching out to our fellow Catholics?" The list goes on and on. Turn your backs on divorcees? Turn your backs on people who use birth control? Turn your backs on the Hispanic community? What are you most worried about – maintaining the status quo of the last 500+ years? Or living TODAY and reaching out to all? Last but not least, the point is well made. We owe our obedience to the Lord and Him only. Nowhere in the bible does it say to obey man… even if he is the pope.
August 11, 2010 at 2:52 am
"I guess my biggest point is this. I see that a lot of you are not from Nashville. Stay out of our business. I don't go around trying to get your priests fired, so just let it be."
Heresy in the Catholic Church is the business of every Catholic. If you don't want to follow the teachings of the Catholic church–then stop calling yourself a Catholic and call yourself what you truely are—a protestant.
August 11, 2010 at 3:03 am
I agree and thank GOD I have converted to Protestant. Where everyone is truly welcome.
August 11, 2010 at 8:23 am
Jason is right…Thomas Aquinas and St. Augustine were truly nuts…terrific brains but nuts..Thomas seriously claimed he could levitate, that is float around in the Cathedral without a sign of helium, just his own natural gas. And we can thank Augustine for inventing "limbo" for the poor little infants.At least Father Breen has his feet firmly on the ground, and preaches that God's dear babies go to heaven when they pass away.