Truth out of Africa:
A priest currently suspended by Opus Dei has published an open letter to Pope Francis and all the faithful of goodwill expressing his deep concerns about the Pope’s support for same-sex civil unions which he says is just one example of situational ethics that has crept into this pontificate’s teaching.
Father Jesusmary Missigbètò, a 41-year-old Benin native currently living in Ivory Coast, has released the letter (see below) on the first anniversary of the showing of a documentary called Francesco by Evgeny Afineevsky in which the Pope’s remarks were reported.
Father Jesusmary considers the Pope’s remarks, which have never been officially corrected to the media, to be an apparent victory of homosexuality and situational ethics over the papacy.
Opus Dei suspended Father Jesusmary from celebrating Mass in public or hearing confessions in March of this year for his criticism of the Pope on this issue and for asking Francis to correct his position or resign. He was also told to leave his Opus Dei residence.
An Opus Dei spokesman told me their sanction was “motivated by his attitude towards the Holy Father: he has repeatedly posted texts on social networks criticizing the Pope and has even asked for his resignation; he has sent writings to this effect to numerous people (bishops, priests and lay faithful of the Prelature, etc.), causing confusion and lack of unity. It is hoped and prayed that he will change his attitude and be able to exercise his ministry again.”
Go here to read the rest.
Good for Father Jesusmary Missigbètò. Bad for Opus Dei whose idea of orthodoxy is to agree with everything “Pope” Francis proposes. Opus Dei is clearly not doing the work of God.
Hmmm there must be more to this story…
The thing about Opus Dei is that one of the main virtues it asks of its members- especially its Clergy- is Obedience.
Opus Dei holds great respect for the Pope. Prayers for the Holy Father are always a priority within Opus Dei. This would have not been difficult to maintain for previous Popes. But for Pope Francis, well, that requires a call to greater obedience and greater prayer.
So Father going rogue would not have sat well within the organisation. I’m not surprised they would have told him to cease public condemnation of Pope Francis. Opus Dei doesn’t need the unnecessary controversy. It already suffers from misrepresentation.
Obedience is not absolute.
Eric Sammons of Crisis Magazine had a podcast yesterday discussing it. I haven’t listened to it yet so I’m not endorsing it but putting it out there for your interest.
From his twitter account, “On the Crisis Point podcast today I discussed our modern unbalanced view of obedience, giving examples of clear boundary violations that were allowed to happen because of this unbalance.”
https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/when-superiors-abuse-obedience
“Lack of unity”? Wasn’t that one of the reasons they crucified our Lord?
Francis can do nothing, nothing at all, that would warrant even the most mild correction from anyone within Opus Dei. Won’t happen. Bet on it.
Obedience to error, especially grievous error, is no virtue. God, who is truth, comes first, always. God bless this courageous man! Shame on Opus Dei.
WWKD
What would Kolbe do?
Well.
What did St. Maximilian Kolbe say..exactly;
God, who is all-knowing and all-wise, knows best what we should do to increase his glory. Through his representatives on earth he continually reveals his will to us; thus it is obedience and obedience alone that is the sure sign to us of the divine will. A superior may, it is true, make a mistake; but it is impossible for us to be mistaken in obeying a superior’s command. The only exception to this rule is the case of a superior commanding something that in even the slightest way would contravene God’s law. Such a superior would not be conveying God’s will.
Hummm.
St. Kolbe would be making sacrifices and offering prayers for this pontificate. That’s my guess.
Praying for his soul.
Again, I must apologize in advance.
Papa Foxtrot can’t require me to marry another man, can he? Saying it is OK doesn’t make it OK – Pope or not.
If I were Father Jesumary, I’d obediently pen a letter of apology.
“I’d apologize for my disobedience in writing about confusion-generating, divisive statements promulgated by the present posterior pressing on the Seat of St. Peter.”
Next month, PF meets with China Joe – more divisive spreading of doubt and confusion. Visualize PF leans forward and whispers, “Don’t be afraid. I’m not Catholic, either.”
Viva Cristo Rey!
This is 100 percent correct. Like the Legion and the Jesuits, OD expects its clerical members to obey like corpses.
That’s the thing. They don’t agree with what Pope Francis has said about homosexuality. You couldn’t get a more orthodox and conservative organisation. It’s the way they go about maintaining the teachings of the Faith. That’s why the organisation is generally unified.
Ezabelle, I would suggest you do some research on Opus Dei, especially look at the testamonies of those who got out of it. It is not at all what you think it is.
Donald links to Opus Dei on this website. It’s not all what you may have “read”. Soon there will be nothing left of this Church the way Catholics carry on.