After we posted last night a link to Deacon Sandy’s homily of last week in which he disgracefully insulted and put forth for ridicule Pope Benedict, Deacon Sandy tried to remove the video.
He wrote to me this morning and made the following claim about the picture:
“I ask you to understand that I did not in fact know that the image used was Pope Benedict. (I am still not sure it is – I am curious – how do you know it is?) I got the picture from an image library as a result of searching for “fine vestments”. I chose the image because it was cropped and did not reveal who was in the vestments shown.”
I am sorry, but this denial in my opinion it strains credulity to the point of breaking and way beyond. The context of the insult and the tittering and laughter of the crowd make it obvious that they all knew as well.
How do I know? Because the Pope and his shoes have been the subject of many articles and have been a favorite cause of derision by progressive Catholics toward Pope Benedict for years. Years.
This was again just highlighted when dozens and dozens of articles compared Pope Francis’ black shoes to Pope Benedict’s shoes for the purpose of saying that the Pope Emeritus was all about pomp.
In other words, progressives used that same picture in exactly the same way to deride the same man.
I find implausible that Deacon Sandy did not know this or that his intent was anything other than the same. Thus unable to believe Deacon Sandy, I find it even more troubling that he can seemingly prevaricate with such facility.
So rather than admit the obvious, Deacon Sandy would have s believe that he is a complete ignoramus. Who else wears a white cassock with red shoes Deacon?
But Deacon Sandy had one more comment for me. He wanted me to know that he is the victim in all this:
I have to share with you Patrick that the instances over the past several weeks have been very painful and hurtful. I wish you and others who read in CMR no ill will and respect the good intent of what you do. I do not ask that you or anyone else agree with me – what is troubling is the dark nature of the commentary, and the accusatory, divisive and judgmental tone.
What do you think?
March 11, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Deacon Sandy, again? He must see the light, he is in darkness. He should go to a spiritual retreat of at least 30 years. As the last time, I do not believe in him, sorry.
March 11, 2014 at 2:56 pm
I agree with you, Patrick. Well said! He is being evasive because he knows he is wrong. The fact that he monitors your blog for the next criticism could be telling enough.
March 11, 2014 at 3:06 pm
I think the guy is a self-absorbed wanna-be who is way off the mark. Satan has been making deep in-roads into the structure of the Church and people like the good deacon are the "elves" who are assisting in his work. I am a re-vert who still struggles with my faith but guys like him make me feel that, even though it is a struggle, I will never give up my quest. I will die trying, and I hope that is my reward. He is so wrong and the Church is so right. Peace and God bless.
March 11, 2014 at 3:09 pm
Deacon Sandy is clearly lying. If you search Google images for "fine vestments", what you find for pages on end are beautiful chasubles, the type that I wish MY priest wrote. No shoes to be found anywhere, because these are not normally considered vestments per se. Rather, if you search for "Pope Benedict Prada", you get lots of images if those famous not-so-Prada shoes. In fact, you coincidentally get the very same image that Deacon used for his little demo.
March 11, 2014 at 3:10 pm
This guy is one of the reasons I don't trust permanent deacons.
March 11, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Some people think that whatever they do is just fine and that it's the critic who is the issue.
March 11, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Passive agression. BTW, who was doing the deriding in the slide presentation? Come to think of it, hypocrisy too.
March 11, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Sorry, maybe "lying" is too dark and harsh of a word to use. I think Deacon Sandy is not loving the truth as much as he could!
March 11, 2014 at 3:23 pm
What's up with the priests at that parish that they allow this man to run wild and do almost all the work?
March 11, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Winner winner chicken dinner!
March 11, 2014 at 3:26 pm
Who else wears red shoes? Not buying it.
March 11, 2014 at 3:27 pm
His defense, if true, is equally as disturbing because it demonstrates disturbing ignorance for a Deacon.
And I don't think he is that ignorant. Come on Deacon, this defense just doesn't play.
March 11, 2014 at 3:33 pm
I think it's interesting that so many "progressive" Catholics claim to love John XXIII but dislike Benedict, citing the latter's supposed fondness for opulence. Yet John XXIII wore the elaborate tiara, Benedict refused to do so.
March 11, 2014 at 3:37 pm
Deacon Sandy: If you're worried about folks that are "accusatory, divisive, and judgmental," you might want to start with your implication that Benedict XVI was only concerned about fancy dress to the exclusion of concern for the poor. That is without merit or excuse.
March 11, 2014 at 3:37 pm
That's the thing. There are no priests doing the day to day, only "presiding" at Mass. (Seriously that terms just ticks me off. A priest OFFERS the Sacrifice of the Mass. If you think that term is pre-Vatican II-y than at least use "celebrate." "Presiding" is such a passive term, that denotes that the priest isn't doing anything special. Rant over) He is the Pastoral Coordinator (or something) and HE'S the boss.
March 11, 2014 at 3:42 pm
So on top of everything else, you are a liar Deacon Sandy. Sorry if that is "hurtful." You know what? Mocking Pope Benedict, then insulting our intelligence about it, is kind of "hurtful" too. You honestly need to reevaluate your vocation.
March 11, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Let's offer a prayer for Deacon Sandy….and for all clergy that forget that they should be Christ for the world
March 11, 2014 at 3:51 pm
well- I know about 10 'permanent' deacons that are stellar servants of Christ and the Church- Deacon Sandy needs prayer
March 11, 2014 at 3:58 pm
I have been no friend of CMR (although now reconsidering). I think CMR has been less than kind in its approach to Pope Francis. With that disclaimer out of the way, I think Deacon Sandy is a lying ass. I intend to show the "red shoes" picture to my Elementary Grade Level Catechism Class this evening. My ONLY WORDS will be "Who do you think the person wearing the red shoes is?" I will have them write their answers on slips of paper, fold them, and turn them in. Out of 39 students, I am betting that at least 35 will say "the pope." Perhaps Deacon Sandy should join my class — I am guessing it will take him no longer than a few months to catch up to Lesson 9 of Baltimore Catechism #1. Of course, he will have to know that the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church on earth; that may take a bit longer for him to grasp.
March 11, 2014 at 4:13 pm
"Who else wears a white cassock with red shoes Deacon?"
In fairness, most other 20th century Popes (or at least those alive when color photography existed).
But it would have to be a Pope, or a very exotic Dominican.