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I teach 7th Grade CCD - my question is realted to teh Pastor's comments to me.
There has been other complaint with this pastor and the handling of things in the Church since he took it over 5 years aog.
The Pastor came up to me and said he did not want any talk about homosexuality or abortions in the class room - because he received an e-mai; from a parent that said homosexuality was discussed in the class.
The kids are in the 7th grade - the majority of them think when asked that the sacrament of Marriage includes Same Sex Marriage - (I teach in Massachusetts). THey ask a lot of questions regarding sexuality and abortions. A former director took my class over one time a few years ago when I was not able to attend one noght, and prior to that wasn;t sure if I should be taling to the students about these topics, and after the calss he said you WERE 100% CORRECT. THEY DO WNAT TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.
I just wanted your input and advice on how to handle the pastor's comemnt to me. The pastor told me when ever the issue of homosexuality is brought up by the students or abortions, etc. I should tell them they need to discuss this with their parents and end it there.
In other words, if a kids asks me is same sex marriage wrong according to the Curch, I must tell them to go ask their parents.
I am not sure aboput other parishes, but in our parishses, the majority of parents are NOT all that knowledgable, and if their kids are asking such questions, and most kids actually support gay marriage and defend it etc. , I fthey don;t hear this in CCD, they most likely never will.
I really do not feel that is a good or correct thing to do.
This pastor as also instructed to Deacon never to preach on abortion as well at the Chruch.
PLease help, any insight, advice etc. will be greatly appreaciated.
Hi, George:
Thanks for the question.
The situation you describe sounds very strange. How can you discuss the Sacrament of Marriage if you cannot even give the basic definition that includes the fact that it includes the fact it is between two baptized persons: one man and one woman?
And abortion is pretty straightforward: it is the killing of an unborn child.
Doesn't the pastor realize that if he has received an email from a parent who would have a problem with such basic teaching that there is something fundamentally wrong in the human formation and spiritual life of such a parent?
It sounds to me like the pastor is afraid to teach the truth. He was ordained to teach the truth, either himself or through catechism teacher on these issues. Perhaps you ought to engage the pastor in a discussion about the issue, and tell him that you are very concerned. If necessary the Bishop ought to be brought into the discussion. Just be certain to talk to the pastor before you would bring the matter to the Bishop.
Thank you, and Happy New Year!
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. 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.
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.
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