In October, Bishop O'Donoghue wrote to the Catholic Caring Services, pleading with them not to capitulate to the Government's legislation on same-sex adoption but to seek an exemption under Human Rights & Religious Freedom Legislation, or failing that, attempt a legal challenge.
The bishop has now written to say:
Thursday 11 December 2008 will forever be etched in my memory, because it was on that day that the relationship between the Diocese of Lancaster and Catholic Caring Services suffered an irretrievable breakdown.Bishop O'Donoghue has resigned from the board and spelt out the consequences of the decision of the charity to drop "Catholic" from its title and go along with the Government legislation. Among other points, the Bishop says:
With deep sadness I must declare that all churches, parishes, schools and other Catholic organisations or societies are to have no formal associations with Catholic Caring Services and the new charity is no longer entitled to have access to Diocesan Collections - The Good Shepherd (Bishop’s Fund), or the Christmas Crib collections.The diocese will also review the terms of the leases on properties currently occupied by the charity.
Bishop O'Donoghue also says:
Though Catholic Caring Services are involved in a whole range of valuable work with the disabled, the disadvantaged and the marginalised, how can I allow the Catholic Church to be associated with a body that has chosen a path that co-operates with actions that are against the explicit moral teaching of the Church?A new diocesan agency will support adoption and fostering by encouraging married couples to take on this great work of love. diocesan collection will support this initiative.
The Bishop candidly acknowledges that these have been some of the most difficult months of his episcopacy and thanks all those who have supported him. Please continue to support him, especially with your prayers and penances. I am sure that the good Lord will reward his courageous stand both here and hereafter.
See the full text of Bishop O'Donoghue's letter.
18 comments:
Oh, for ten more like Bishop P.O'D! He has my prayers.
I'm waiting to see where the Crib offerings in Portsmouth will be directed. I've already decided to support the CTS Bibles for Prisoners appeal instead.
What a courageous bishop!
He's about 74, but wouldn't he make a wonderful Archbishop of Westminster.
Ditto Ponte Sisto and Fr. Ray. May this servant of God continue to shine the Light of Christ in our darkened world, so that others may see and follow.God bless and reward Bishop P.O'D.
This is courage and we are deeply grateful for Bishop Patrick of Lancaster and his leadership.
Our prayers are indeed with him.
A backbone! How very refreshing!
Yes, Catholicism is alive and well (here and there).
I can answer my own question: crib offerings are going to the Catholic Children's Society (aka Cabrini Children's Society) in my local parish church.
The answer to Ponte Sisto is that the bishops of Portsmouth, Arundel & Brighton and Southwark fully support the actions of their Catholic Children's Society and will continue to arrange collections for the society: see the Annual review recently distributed.
Given their approach it is hard to understand why they think it necessary to resign as trustees.
Please all support Bishop Patrick and send money to his new Adoption Support Service: address on his letter.
The first task of a Bishop is to teach the faith (CCC 888) and we the laity have the duty "to manifest to the sacred pastors" (CCC 907).
"Give ye heed to the bishop, that God also may give heed to you." - The Epistle of Ignatius to Polycarp (Ch.VII, 37)
We've translated the wonderful letter into Spanish and we've put it in our blog.
This bishop's witness is encouraging for the whole Catholic Church.
Thanks for posting this.
Further to Peter's on supporting the new Lancaster Adoption Service financially, I understand cheques should be made payable to "LRCDTR" with a covering note indicating it is for the Adoption Support Service.
Antonio - many thanks for this. I have emailed the press secretary of the Diocese of Lancaster to tell him that you have translated the Bishop's letter and sent him a link to the post on your blog.
No Pauline G but thank you.
The letter requests funds marked "Adoption Support Service" to be sent to
Mr Paul Ryan
The Diocesan Finance office
The Pastoral Centre
Balmoral Road
Lancaster
LA1 3BT
It may be worth checking in case this is a sub account.
Meanwhile the Catholic Children's Society (Westminster) which is remaining Catholic does excellent Christmas cards.
My worry is that any new UK charity may also be restricted by UK law. Is this of concern to UK readers?
Peter,
This is the advice given to me on enquiry direct to the Lancaster Diocesan Finance Office.
Just to reassure Peter and others about the possibility of the Diocese of Lancaster's new charity running foul of the SOR restrictions - Bishop Patrick indicates in his letter that the new charity will only provide pre-adoption and post adoption support to parents. It will not be involved in the placement of children, and therefore will not be required to assess homosexuals.
Please pray for the Diocese of Lancaster as it goes about the mammoth task of establishing its new Social Care Commission and new Adoption Support body. Lancaster is only a small diocese with very limited resources.
Pauline G
Thank you for checking this, well done.
Watchman
Thank you too. I think that I was not clear in expressing my fear.
As the secularist approach extends its control over charities the dilemmas faced by the Catholic childrens charities will be repeated. School are the next obvious target. The admissions approach and the teaching in the school are targets for secularists. Medical workers and care homes are also potential targets as the problems at the London hospital of St John & St Elizabeth show.
I wonder if part of the solution will be to keep charitable assets outside the UK so as to have greater independence from current and future UK law and so the freedom to act in accordance with Catholic teaching.
Peter, I share your fears about the secularist threat to Catholic schools in the UK. Now that the government has seen that the Bishops of England and Wales are at sixes and sevens about abiding by the Church's clear teaching concerning the immorality of 'gay' adoption, it is just a matter of time until the government attempts to take control of what Catholic schools can teach about homosexuality.
I pray that the bishops in this country wake up to the fact that they are in a situation analogous to that faced by the bishops under the heresiarch Henry VIII. Only one bishop stood firm then, only one bishop is standing firm now.
I dislike exaggeration, but looking back on 2008 I realise that the Church in this country has entered Gethsemane.
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