The Lady in the Pew: September 17, 2002

“The ‘anonymous fliers’ enjoining a boycott of Mass on September 22 were just that — anonymous — and, at the July 20 convention, VOTF publicly disavowed connection with the effort and whoever was behind it.”

Father Austin Fleming, Pastor, Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, Concord, MA and VOTF supporter (temporarily, I sincerely pray), to Kelly Clark, August 30, 2002

“I have received your name from Paul Baier, who has given me permission to contact VOTF chapters in the Boston area. I would like to clarify a misconception that has arisen concerning our Sept 22 assembly...I am the author of a leaflet that has been circulating requesting participation in the Reject Cardinal Law Sept 22 event.”

Non-Catholic Rick Webb, who swapped his anonymity for a little help from his “Voice of the Faithful” friends, September 9, 2002

“I ran into Rick Webb at the Cathedral this past Sunday at the Cathedral, and he mentioned that the day had switched from a "don't go to church day" to a day of protest against Law, and he asked for VOTF support”...I gave Rick permission email the leaders of the PV groups in Boston to better explain the event and to see if people want to participate as individuals.”

Paul Baier, “Voice of the Faithful” honcho, September 11, 2002:

THE PRINCE O’ LIES STRIKES AGAIN!

(Strike back now! And on September 22, God willing)

Last week I wrote, (and rather eloquently, I thought)

“Boycott the Mass, and you’re boycotting Christ.”

I still believe this is true.

I also wrote:

“Use it to "make a statement" and you’re abusing Jesus.”

Hmmm...some folks challenged me on that one. Bay Port, New York’s Ed Micca asked:

“Is it so wrong to show support for the Church as instituted by Christ by showing up en masse for a particular Mass, even if a common thread of those attending is their opposition to a group (let's call it Voice of the Faithful) whose underlying agenda is a threat to the Church?”

Good question. And I’ve got a resounding, unequivocal answer to that:

I dunno.

But I think Ed does. In any case, he’s planning on traveling from Bay Port to Boston on September 22. To support the Church. Which was founded by Jesus Christ.

So are people from all over New England.

And so are people who have the misfortune to find themselves in parishes whose pastors support “Voice of the Faithful.”

My fellow parishioner Carol McKinley put it this way:

“What I am doing, is gathering Christ's souls to ask our Father for intercession, and specifically in the presence of the shepherd whom they wish to strike.”

How do I argue with that? Tell people to stay away? No can do.

While it’s true that God is everywhere, and whenever two or more are gathered in Christ’s name, He’s there, maybe there’s something to this “gathering en masse,” as Ed puts it.

I dunno.

But here’s something I do know:

There are people out there who are attacking my Cardinal Archbishop, my pastor, my parish church, my fellow parishioners, and, not incidentally, me to subvert the Church founded by my best friend, Jesus Christ.

I don’t like it.

“Gee, Kelly, it really is all about you, isn’t it?”

Bingo!

I don’t want — and I will do all in my power to prevent — a few power-hungry individuals to whip up members of the Body of Christ into such a frenzy that they end up committing spiritual suicide.

And I don’t want a few dissidents to continue under the strange illusion that they’re calling the shots in the ChurchÉin Boston, or anywhere else.

So what’s your point?

On September 22, 2002, a few ring-leaders are planning to mis-lead a whole bunch o’ poor souls into protesting the right of Bernard Cardinal Law to carry out his ministry as assigned to him by the Vicar of Christ. They plan to do this while surrounding the Cathedral of the Holy Cross — as if this place of worship is nothing more than a band o’ covered wagons.

This is not a good thing, and on a number o’ levels.

Here are just three:

It totally ignores the Christian doctrine of love. “Voice of the Faithful” is big on “keeping the faith.” As you know, you can have faith enough to move a rubber tree plant, but without love, it just ain’t enough.

In the Catholic Church — contrary to the proposed “constitutions” o’ “Voice of the Faithful” pals and supporters — it simply isn’t within the realm of laity (Catholic or, in this case, non-Catholic) to decide who’s who in Catholic Church leadership.

It makes a mockery out of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. And of Jesus Christ.

So.

See ya in church, God willing.

Here’s the fine print:

Kelly Clark is your basic nobody. She serves on no parish councils, belongs to none of the myriad of designer-chic "Catholic" groups, or any Catholic group, for that matter, other than the Roman Catholic Church. Holding no theology degrees, she has no desire so see herself or any of her sex wearing a clerical collar. She figures Jesus knew what He was doing when He established His Church, and also figures that it’s His Church, not hers, and not yours. She’s an ordinary parishioner of Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston.