Pope Leo Faces First Major Test Over 'Morally Corrupt' Bishop

ThatRobGuy said:

Nepotism? Or transfer of property/assets?

When I've read up on this in the past, the prevailing theory pertaining to the motivation behind the policy was more economic than about the nepotism and "fear of creating dynasties" concerns.

Back in those times, priests (and especially bishops) were accumulating some rather significant amounts of wealth and land.

That was at the crux of the period where "selling indulgences" was a thing...

And the church organization itself preferred if those holdings were transferred to the church itself, rather than to the late-priest's wife and kids.


Sorry if my line of questioning sounds harsh, I'm promise this isn't meant to attack anyone personally, but people should understand the actual motivations behind certain things before immediately assuming it was for some noble "higher purpose"

I'm sure you're aware already of some of the origins of the "fish-only Friday" rule, right?

It was not only a way boost their own revenue (the Church itself owned large fisheries), but creating a new "rule" that wealthier people could purchase a dispensation for came with some economic benefits for the church as well.

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bèlla said:

Many have closed or merged for survival. The one I was affiliated with is very old and enterprising which allowed them to thrive and they’ve added new sisters. They have other locations too and aren’t dependent financially. We spoke candidly on that subject.



I understand your position and agree. But you have to consider the factors that make it possible. When the economy tightens giving decreases and many will have to make hard decisions. I see reductions on the horizon and there will be less facilities. I think the event with the pope was them dipping a toe in the waters to gauge reception.

~bella

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Hans Blaster said:

And despite these attempts a wealthy pope managed to get his son appointed a bishop a few centuries later.

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bèlla said:

While I can’t speak for all I heard about this during my monastic weekend a few years ago. The former doctor who became a nun had to liquidate her assets and give it to the order. Your comment reminded me of the conversation. She recounted her experience to me personally and I was shocked. But she didn’t have any children. I’m uncertain if that would have made a difference or not but I’d never do it.

I’ve seen similar materials for bequeaths at non denominational churches and requested a package to see the terms. There’s not enough checks and balances for my tastes and you have no say in how it‘s spent. And if that‘s your goal there’s better ways to go about it.

~bella

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Hans Blaster said:

Yep.

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bèlla said:

Less physical structures because of the expense. Large buildings cost a lot to heat and the utilities aren‘t cheap, And yes they were cloistered. I met the former abbess during a visit and she explained how they supported themselves and the streams of income they had where we were and elsewhere. I was staying in a mansion while I was there and that was their hospitality and I didn’t have to pay. They had 10 income streams that I’m aware of at that location and the majority were commercial.

~bella

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RocksInMyHead said:

There are a few pretty obvious reasons for this:

1. Because of the Church's stance on homosexuality, entering the priesthood (or, more broadly, the sacrament of Holy Orders) has always been one of the few ways in which a homosexual man could remain involved in the Church without scrutiny of his sexual preferences. This has led to an overrepresentation of gay men in the Catholic clergy as a whole.

2. Because young Catholics are encouraged to talk to their priests and confide in them about their struggles, both during Confession, and just as general counseling, priests are frequently exposed to teens (boys and young men especially) in emotionally vulnerable and impressionable states, and thus those who have predatory inclinations have a wealth of easy targets.

3. Again, because of the Church's stance on homosexuality, it can be very difficult for the victims to come forward about the abuse because of the sinful implications of admitting their participation. This can be reinforced by the priest abusing his power to threaten spiritual consequences for telling anyone.

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durangodawood said:

What about the institution protecting and even further enabling these men for the sake of its own image? Does that institution deserve the wrath of Almighty God?

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