It is said that political categories have no role in the Church. If only that were the case. In the wake of Vatican II there was a witch hunt at most seminaries in this country against orthodox candidates for the priesthood, who were usually also politically conservative, at least in comparison to those leading the witchhunt. The tide has turned simply due to the fact that so few heterodox and politically liberal men now present themselves as candidates for the priesthood.
Explains a Lot
- 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.
“there was a witch hunt at most seminaries in this country against orthodox candidates for the priesthood.”
This is the primary reason why there is a vocation “crisis”, it was created.
Witness the fact, “Goodbye, Good Men” by Michael Rose. I bought the book shortly after it was published, and speaks loudly of the post VII trauma in the Church. Interestingly, as an ordained permanent deacon, this shows – with several older priests treating me like a piece of dog poo on their shoe, as opposed to all the younger more conservative recently ordained priests I know who are very happy to have me help them with various ministries & even seek my advice on certain issues, mainly relating to the Vetus Ordo Mass which was in vogue until I was 28 years old. (now 84)
Older priests have been very careful around me Don when they realized I am the Don McClarey of The American Catholic! The Sixties imported a death wish into the West in so many areas.