First Open Thread of the new pontificate. The usual Open Thread rules apply: be concise, be charitable and, above all, be amusing!
Open Thread
- Donald R. McClarey
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 43 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
I love this man, Leo XIV.
Sorry no amusing.
The pictures of Jesus Christ laughing are not true. Jesus Christ never laughed. Jesus Christ, in Whom there is no guile.
Jesus wept over Lazarus. Jesus wept over the City of Jerusalem.
Human beings have a sense of humor and laugh when they realize their idiosyncrasies, their foibles, their faults and failures.
Jesus Christ is true God and true man in every way; in Whom there is no guile.
Unless you consider: When Jorge appeared on the Loggia I though: Oh God they have elected Stan Laurel.
Learned:
What a Peronist was, didn’t like it.
More than intellectually -that a pope is a man, can be bad doctrinally, and the Church goes on. It’s the Office that endures.
Learned:
Leo was well known to the Cardinals, but not to the rest of us.
There’s more than an end in sight of lavender mafia rule.
Seagulls are more than dump ducks and trash turkeys. I’m very sorry for the things I’ve said about the bird and need to go to confession.
A pope who is an Augustinian, has a degree in mathematics, and has taught physics and math, can do no wrong. And, by the way, a friend denying the possibility of me reforming: “We’ll have an American pope before that.”
While rejoicing over the election of Pope Leo XIV, and the calm gravitas he brings to the office, as well as the sense of competence he exudes, I experience increasing sadness over Pope Francis. The poor guy, lifted by others to an office he should have never had. Obvious he was in over his head. I keep telling myself there’s a Providence of God about these things, and I pray that he is at peace in the hands of Christ.
“I experience increasing sadness over Pope Francis. The poor guy, lifted by others to an office he should have never had.”
There is a sad irony in wordplay in saying he was literally an example of the Peter Principle in action.
What disturbs me most (other than the wreckage he left behind in Christ’s bride) is that it wasn’t until he passed that we heard that he had mental issues. Something like the fact that we had a president that would have been in a nursing home if he had not been in the White House.
It’s no wonder that no one trusts institutions any more. If more people took Proverbs 19:1 to heart, the world would be a vastly different place.
I hope Pope Leo XIV brings the Eastern Orthodox Churches into the Catholic fold. All of them. It’s about time Christians united. And I hope Europe starts to turn back to its Western Christian roots.
First…I saw a comment on a Freedom Toons cartoon on YouTube. Chicago had a Pope before having a Bears quarterback pass for more than 4,000 yards in an NFL season.
I had posted before my issues with my oldest son.
In April he appeared in Common Pleas Court. He accepted a consent decree to do 100 hours of community service, complete his schoolwork, attend family counseling and go to an anger management session. I did not request restitution and passed on the opportunity to speak at the hearing.
Last week, my son saw the granddaughter of a neighbor enter their house and had a meltdown. He has an irrational fear that someone from high school will see him and make fun of him. He started crying, then accused me of ruining his summer, then started screaming at me that I abused him. He called the police. Nothing came of it but he showed an audio file to his probation officer of the two of us in a screaming match from last summer and a picture of a mark on his head that he claimed I did…I did not.
The next day CPS was at the house. I told them I wasn’t saying anything until I spoke to a lawyer.
I have gone to a psychologist and gone to family counseling and It has not helped at all. I have overeaten from stress and my doctor will get all over me next week for aggravating my prediabetes and I just don’t care.
This is the second time I have been accused of child abuse right before a scouting camping event with my younger son. The first time was last fall – I was accused of failing to prevent abuse because my older son hit my younger son and put a bruise on his face.
Oh, and when my older son lost his mind after Christmas and went to Western Psych for a week, I got a bill for $2500.
I have the same feelings I had back in January. Abandoned and used. My son has threatened to accuse me of abusing him for years, almost every time he started an argument with me.
I wanted to look into turning over custody to the county. My wife, who he has insulted with vulgar languageand not once but for years, was opposed and later told him what I was thinking of doing.
I am disgusted with my life. I am tired of my job, which I have done for 35 years. I am tired of trying to pay off debt that my son and my wife have run up. I am tired of cleaning up after everybody else in my house, be it dishes, laundry or floors. I am tired of the behavioral disorders of my wife and son.
The only help I get is from my 84 year old mother and I should not have to ask her for anything.
On Monday evening there was another argument. I left for a drive and gave serious thought to getting a divorce and telling my wife and older son to get out of my life and stay out of it
I have felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to pray more for Leo XIV (personally, not just while offering Mass as part of the Eucharistic Prayer) than any other pope in my lifetime and priesthood. Others (laity and clergy alike) are expressing the same sentiment. I have an unusual hope and confidence in him, even though at the time of the Habemus Papam announcement, I was numb and uncertain, mostly due to the shell shock of the last pontificate and the fact that he’s American born. Seeing Cardinal Cupich beaming from St. Peter’s balcony also disturbed me. But Leo XIV has appeared to me, thus far, perhaps an answer to my very specific prayers that the cardinals would elect the holiest, most valiant, most courageous man to be our next (now current!) Holy Father. All signals I’ve seen so far (after the last pontificate, I have learned to really wait and see) have been extremely encouraging. I can feel filial love for this pope already and pray that we will watch him become a saint before our eyes.
Penguins Fan-
I am reminded of a line from a Man for All Seasons. Thomas states that the king wrote a book defending the Church. Cromwell says the king says it was all Thomas’s doing.
His response: “The king knows the truth of it.”
So does your son.
It is entirely possible that he will carry out his threat, without remorse, that you will be falsely persecuted and prosecuted. Endure, but do no wrong. Remember:
“The King knows the truth of it.”
He will not abandon us, we do well not to abandon Him. He will bring us through in the end. If He has not yet brought us through, it isn’t the end yet.
You may sadly come to a place where cohabitation with your family becomes impossible. If so, do not divorce. Do not yield to the temptation we are warned against “to put your wife away”. Leave the door open for unlikely reconciliation. Yielding to the temptation of divorce will not yield good fruit.
Like most sin, it will seem like emergency surgery until you later realize it was just self maiming.
I will pray for you, and your son – as often as my mediocre prayer habits allow. Hold fast.
Prayers for you and yours, PF. Hope you can get solid legal and spiritual help from someone very soon. Turn to St. Joseph.
@ Penguins Fan: Wow.
I have nothing really to say, but will add you to daily Lourdes EWTN Rosary prayers. And if you can, even in your car, tune in on your phone to EWTN’s library of devotions on demand, which you may already do. Mother Angelica always set me straight—and her Rosary Mysteries are available there too.
I am also going to “get you over” to Servant of God and mystic, Cora Evans, too (d. 1957), whose cause is before the Monterey Diocese. Her steadfastness despite every imaginable challenge (she and her husband were cruelly persecuted and hounded out of Utah because they converted to Catholicism, just for example) reminds us of “Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1: 37).
I am with Matthew, that I am still stunned that, apparently, “Pope Frank” was likely on anti-depressants and mood-stabilizers for years, even before his election.
And yet that psychological profile explains so much. How many regional managers and directors of operations one has had to work with over the years who were just the same domineering, incessantly threatening personalities. And not a few Jesuit “leaders” as well. All smiling and pleasant in public, but total one-eyed Jacks in private.
Pope Leo XIV…Cardinal Robert Provost appears to be, in retrospect, highly qualified to serve as the Bishop of Rome, the Patriarch of the West, the Servant of the Servants of God.
I am deeply impressed by the gathering of the Eastern Churches. They often suffer much in their home countries and just as often are threatened with the end of their existence. The USA is unique among nations to have each Eastern Catholic Church represented. There may be other nations so blessed, but not many.
Leo XIV has spent considerably time in different nations, learning their languages, knowing their customs. He appears aware that it is his mission to lead all souls to Christ, not to delve in where the Church has no background (so far), such as the environment.
The contrasts to his predecessor are stark. I believe he sees himself as a shepherd more that a world politician or a celebrity.
The mental health aspect is especially acute. It is not just my immediate family with behavioral disorders…and such disorders make it harder to control powerful emotions…my mother’s family has had alcoholics and mental problems like anorexia. Pope Francis’ vulgar outbursts and his treatment of those he saw as enemies do not display a person of strong mind.
Finally, I repeat myself. The Roman Curia is in dire need of reform. The Holy Father can not do this on his own. He needs help. Prayers are in order, of course. Outside organizational strength is needed. This is why I said one of the Big Four accounting firms needs to be retained to conduct financial and operational audits to discover where the bleeding and abuse takes place so it can be stopped. PWC won’t be extradited, tried and imprisoned on fake charges as Cardinal Pell was.
The American bishops and cardinals have greater access to money than any clergy of any other country. A good relationship with the Church in the United States is a must. I myself have ignored Peter’s Pence for years because I wasn’t going to lift a finger or a dime for someone who hated the Latin Mass and my country. More vocations to the diocesan priesthood and religious life are always needed. We Catholics need to do a better job with the Domestic Church.
Let me be clear. I accuse nobody who posts or blogs here. I dare say everyone else here is a better Catholic than me. I refer to myself and those like me, sinners who get bitter and angry at life, who deal with crosses both of their own making and not.
God bless his holy servant, Leo XIV, that he has good health, fair winds and the support of the faithful.
A thought:
Pope Leo XIV’s doctoral dissertation was about the role of the heirarchy within the Augustinian order. That’s a topic with some deep history. He just spoke to the Eastern Churches, with their history of Eastern synodality and their relationship with Rome.
Before his election, I commented about how a resolution of the Traditional Latin Mass controversy could involve jurisdictional issues the Church has never dealt with before. Now I’m thinking that Leo might be the perfect man at the perfect time. He could find the right balance between the concerns of the people in the pews and the bishops and orders, without turning the Latin Mass community into a separate church.
A Biden cover up in the US and now it seems there could be a Pope Francis cover up at the Vatican. Years ago the Italian press stated that a Japanese MD, a brain cancer specialist, met with Pope Francis at a Pisa hospital for a consult. Then the news said Dr. Fukushima came to the Vatican by helo to examine Francis.
“The Vatican denied Pope Francis is in ill health, saying his head is “absolutely perfect” after an Italian newspaper reported he has a small, curable brain tumor. The Japanese brain cancer specialist identified in the report as having made the diagnosis denied having ever examined the pontiff.’
” The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said the report in the National Daily was “completely unfounded and seriously irresponsible,” as well as “absolutely inexcusable and unconscionable.” He dothed protest too much?
Guess we have to wait until the cardinals start writing their books.
My thoughts and prayers for Penguins Fans. Having gone through a divorce, I understand some of the frustration.
To the rest of you who have so piously followed Matthew 19:1-12, good for you. Sadly, I didn’t, and Penguins Fan may be faced with that possibility. Now I opposed the divorce with every resource and avenue at my disposal, but the unbelieving ex-spouse took the kids away and the NYS court system ruled in her favor. But 1st Corinthians 7:11 states, “But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. It is to peace that God has called you.”
Yes, I did everything wrong. I am well aware of that. No, I don’t expect the Church to change the rules just for me and my situation. Pope Francis waving his hands in Amoris Laetitia and saying it doesn’t matter was pure BS. It DOES matter. What I do expect is some consideration when a spouse (contrary to what Christ said) DOES break the marriage bond, whether through drug addiction and alcoholism, abuse, atheism, etc. Christ said, “Let not man cast asunder…” But sometimes a spouse does that and the other spouse and the children suffer as a result. So all you pious sanctimonious people out there who never went through this kind of stuff, remember that the world isn’t perfect.
So when Penguins Fan wrote how his wife keeps him constantly in debt and is a part of the system of abuse, my heart went out to him. And here is the thing: as a recovering drug addict and alcoholic, my sobriety comes first. If my spouse jeopardizes that, then it’s over, period. The marriage bond is broken, and not by me. I didn’t do it.
I’m hoping our new Pope will canonize Illinois’ favorite son, AB Fulton Sheen.
I think it would be amazing if Leo XIV simply celebrated a solemn papal high mass (which I think hasn’t been done since Paul VI) for his inaugural mass this coming Sunday. No statement, no build-up, just do it, mic drop and walk away. Completely bypass all the debates and let the action speak for itself. Tack it all down later with a motu proprio, but let his example do the heavy lifting, which I think would do more for sucking the oxygen out of the liturgy wars and giving impetus for bishops and priests to fulfill Benedict XVI’s vision than a billion motu proprios.
Penguins Fan.
My prayers for you will continue. When there doesn’t seem to be a way, God makes a way and it’s in His timing. Hang in there. You have been holding it together thus far and Our Lady of Sorrows knows your pain. Have recourse to her, please. She will not abandon you and neither will my offerings for you be abandoned.
You are NOT alone. Sometimes it feels like we are, but we are not. Another deep breath and another Hail Mary….then forward. One small step forward.
God bless you.
PF – so sorry what you are going through. Is there a possibility if moving into your mothers home for a while? I think that it might calm down this very toxic situation. And give you a clear ahead to pray and discern your next step. Perhaps let your wife and son know you need to clear your head, don’t engage in any confrontation if they start one. Just pack a few things and tell them you are going to look after your mother for a while. Maybe take your younger son with you.
Praying for you. The devil is working overtime. Cling to Our Lady every step of the way.
Here’s a testimony from a man who was a lay missionary to Peru who worked with then-Fr. “Bob” Prevost. At first he thought Fr. Prevost was a jerk. But then saw something that changed his perspective.
https://youtu.be/yCxY8D20OzU?si=J8n1fcsjKcxKA-lO
Prayers, Penguins Fan.
Please do an article on the “seabees”, the Construction Battalion who distilled the ocean to quench the thirst of battalions of men, built the bridges and roads and airports, who, like the medics and chaplains worked under fire and often lost their lives and they are heroes.
Penguins Fan — I am so sorry for all you are going through. It is so soul-crushing to spend your life trying to do everything right and then having nothing go right. For those of us who believe in the sanctity of marriage, divorce or separation feels like failure. C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity said that because divorce, for Christians, is sundering a living body (“one flesh”) it is more like having both one’s legs amputated than just dissolving a business partnership or breaking a contract. But sometimes the body is in such dire condition that it has to be done.
An amusing thought I had the other day, upon hearing that Pete Rose, Shoeless Joe Jackson and the rest of the Black Sox had been reinstated by MLB and made eligible for the Hall of Fame: could Pope Leo, being a Sox fan, grant a plenary indulgence to the Black Sox so that they can at least be assured of getting out of purgatory if they can’t get into Cooperstown?
Good morning,
Allow me to pass on a pleasant story. I took today off from work to get ready for my younger son’s Federation of North American Explorers camping trip.
I was feeling down yesterday evening as Charlie told me he did not want to go camping. It is not his favorite activity and he has felt like he has outgrown the FNE. The other boys are two years or more younger and they homeschool. Charlie does not and it is to his advantage. I did not blow up or yell or scowl at him but told him he should have told me sooner. Because my older son accused me of abuse I cannot get clearances from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to volunteer near childrn due to the Pittsburgh Diocese safe child policy. I am bringing food and other items and I can still go as Charlie’s dad. He relented.
This morning I went to my favorite grocery store. Near the milk area ( half gallons on sale for $1.39 limit five) three were two young Sisters in habits. I introduced myself and told them I would love to give them eggs from my four chickens and they were delighted. They live in a priory in Weirton, West Virginia and it is most pleasant to see young adults enter the religious life. So, whatever little bit I can do to help, I will. My wife wants to plant a garden. If I can find the time I would love to grow some vegetables and give them to the Sisters.
I’ll get the name of the order and post it here in the future. I have a real appreciation for sisters and nuns. They have been denigrated in Pop culture and it was an order of sisters in Cali, Colombia that cared for abandoned children, including my wife when she was a newborn.
Let’s hope and pray to see more young people enter the religious life.
I saw that Pope Leo XIV is planning to meet Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Niacea later this year. Prayers for a safe and productive meeting.
Penguins Fan:
In every Catholic diocese there is a Marriage Tribunal who hear cases for annulment. In the event of annulment a civil divorce is recommended to settle child visitation and property rights.
There is also a situation called “permanent separation”. One is still married. Sometimes a civil divorce is recommended to settle rights.
PF.
You said; “So, whatever little bit I can do to help, I will.” Boy, if that’s not the greatest antidote to the poison that has been forced upon you then I don’t know what is. Your compassion and generosity for God’s virgins is a balm to your wounds. Yes…I for one will send a gift to that order so please post the contact information. I too can use some of that balm. 😃
Everything will work out PF.
Read the story of the two deacons, Cosmos and Damien. They were doctors as well as deacons and the gift of the eegs is a beautiful lesson in Holy reception.
(no spoiler alert needed. I’ll stop here.)
Keep going, carry on , Penguins Fan. If anything, your testimony gives me strength and tells me anything I am dealing with is small, very small, potatoes. JMJ
Penguin Fan, your chance meeting with the nuns seems heaven sent.
Ezabelle’s suggestions, esp about staying with your mother is a good idea. A timeout from a volatile situation should give you a chance to clear your mind and destress. Your older son has a lot of power with his tantrums and threats of complaining abuse to CPS. (I would hope that skilled CPS counselors can see through the son’s accusations.) As long as you stay at your mother’s house her property should be off limits to the older son.
The fact that you are visiting/helping your older mother is not abandonment. Read Pennsylvania domestic law on divorce and legal separation. Also when teens damage property in the home my friends have called the police. A week or two in Juvenile detention can work miracles. God bless you and the family, PF.
Praying, CAM
Good Morning TAC.
It’s Saturday, the 17th.
I’m a little concerned about Don.
Like clockwork, Rolex, a few of his posts are up by now. Nothing yet….so, just in case he needs anything, my morning prayers will include our fearless hosts. Hope your doing ok Don.🙏🙏🙏
PN, there’ve been a lot of tornadoes and power outages in the central US…it may be that central Illinois was struck by such and there is a power outage where Don is.
Thank you bob kurland for your explanation.
Prayers for those who have lost loved ones and the dearly departed. Hope all the McClareys are safe and sound.
Stay safe Don and family. Prayers for the safety of all affected.
Good morning,
I had to put up with another screaming fit this morning with John slamming his head into a wall..again.
For those who suggested…living with my mom will not happen. She is two hours away in Ohio. My employer pretty much ended work from anywhere..except for those folks hired who live hundreds of miles away. Even if I left for a while, the yard would not be mowed, laundry would pile up…and I buy the groceries and put them away. Half the time I cook dinner and handle the dirty dishes. I do not want to put Charlie in the school district where my mom lives. My brother who still lives there told me it’s garbage.
Oh, and my wife does not and never has had a job.
I have the cross of having a son who is nearly a man but thinks like a child. Immaturity and behavioral disorders are crippling his mind.
I fear that the way this ends is that I will have to throw him out when he turns 18 and he does not have the maturity to survive.
“I fear that the way this ends is that I will have to throw him out when he turns 18 and he does not have the maturity to survive.”
Who is slamming his head against the wall?
He is…and although you are not physically doing it, it sounds like you too are banging your head based upon your circumstances.
You do deserve peace in your life.
Crosses…..
C.S. Lewis wrote;
Everyone gets a Cross in this life. Christians are the only ones who know what to do with it.
Granted, yours right now is heavier than most, yet God is present to you, just as Simon of Cyrene was present to Jesus on the way. Keep asking for HIS help to shoulder it with you.
What does your priest suggest that you should consider?
The idea of tough love at 18 might actually be more of a safeguarding of your wife and the rest of your family. Yourself included.
Doing harm to himself, acting out, could be that cry for help, but is he willing to accept it?
When the self induced harm breaks a boundary and he physically harms family or bystanders, then you might look back and wished you had him pack his bag at 18.
Hard and heavy Cross PF, but never despair.
Seek more counseling for you, your family and him.
I’m praying for your angel of consolation.
“Jesus returning to his place of prayer, after having found his three disciples asleep, an Angel to strengthen him from Heaven appeared to him. He was in such Agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. -Luke chapter 22 verses 43 and 44. St Padre Pio believes that the angel bows revenantly before Jesus, before this Eternal Beauty, now covered with blood and dust, and with deferential honor and parts that consolation of resignation of the human will to the Divine Will, beseeching him for the glory of the Father and in the name of all sinners to drink that chalice which was offered to Him from eternity for their salvation.”
This excerpt was taken from; Formation Letters towards the consecration to the Guardian Angels by Opus Sanctorum Angelorum. pg.113
I’m reminding you of this scene in the garden because Jesus dropped blood from His brow for both you and your boy. He knew your agony and your son’s agony, there in the garden so many years ago. Count on help for both of you, as you too drink to the dregs.
Do it in the imitation of Christ and with confidence that He will make a way and show you what you must do.
Peace PF.