AboutFr. Timothy Johnson Expertise A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001, and so am entering into my 7th year of Sacred Ministry.
Organizations Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
Question A catholic website says that all those who were abused in past( even if they look normal) have some unconscious anger, even if they don't realize itas a result, although such people may think they have forgiven their abusers, they cannot do so unless they first bring their anger to their conscious and fully feel it's pain, the process which may take some time and may require psycotherapy. the webmaster (who has a PHD) says that a victimized person cannot love God, before getting rid of this unconscious anger by using this methods.
Please answer me from the theological point of view:
Is our unconscious really important to God if we consciously decide to love him and forgive others? are these methods of forgiveness recognized by the Church? are they really necessary?
Answer Hi, Farnaz:
Thanks for the question to ponder...
Of course we need to realize that psychology as a science and field of study employs its own unique and particular vocabulary, as does the Church in her Theology. Pschology is focusing more on the feelings that result from certain acts or decisions of the will, and how these harmonize together at some deep-seated root of the human person called the subconscious. There is some truth to the need deep within individuals to have this inner harmony between feeling and action; but theologically speaking, the disharmony is one of the results and effects of original sin in, among other things, the darkness of the intellect, and the concupiscence of the will. The perfect harmony of these things (I mean the absolute harmony, not the relative peace and mere reasonable and normal amount of harmony that helps us to function in this world) will, in most cases, not be acheived until life beyond the grave through the healing work of God's Life and Grace on the soul and body in the resurrection of the dead.
A conscious decision to forgive, and humbly relying on the help of God's Grace, is a great step forward for victims of abuse. They do, however, definitely need to be patient with themselves and their situation, and be able to shake off their self-loathing by a sort of self-forgiveness. For the Christian, this includes a spiritual openness and receptivity to God's Grace. This is part of the whole process or movement in the spiritual life called Penance. Moving away from earth-bound limitations and sin toward the heavenly reality of God's ineffable love and forgiveness received as a gift.
