… when Priests go around publicly comparing their Bishops to lynching mobs, “the Klu Klux Klan” and “Monty Python”. Really unacceptable.
When I became a Priest, I well remember taking a vow of Canonical Obedience to the Bishop of the Diocese:
“Will you reverently obey your ordinary and other chief ministers of the Church, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, and submitting yourselves to their godly judgments?”
I answered, “Yes,” to the question that was solemnly put to me on that day. It is thus an obligation required of me.
Further, thanks for all the incoming e-mails (pointing to the above blog post). I do not however want to be drawn by my courageous colleague over in France, nor do I wish to get into a tit-for-tat mud-slinging match and that before a watching fallen world. It will only make for a pathetic and shameful Christian witness. I made my point yesterday. I stand by that until such time as those whom God has placed over me have anything else that they deem necessary for me to know.
Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow.
– Heb 13:17
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.
– 1 Thess 5:12
And that is what I have ‘contented’ myself in.