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Dear Joseph —
I didn't see a question in your e-mail.
Your e-mail falls into one of the categories of questions that we don't answer.
While our main focus at AskACatholic.com/CPATS.ORG is on clarifying teachings and correcting misperceptions about the Catholic faith, let me comment on what you have said as I tend to disagree with your statement.
There are millions upon millions of Catholic dioceses throughout the world.
Some are in America, some are in Mexico. The primary goal of the local
bishop is to take care of the local "household" he oversees,
whether in Mexico or the United States. I believe the word "diocese" comes
from the word that means "household".
That said, no bishop in America should feel a primary responsibility for
the well being of the Catholic faithful, in another diocese, in a different
country, in which he doesn't even live.
He should encourage the faithful
within his diocese to give of their time, treasure and talents to assist
and aid others around the world, but only when the temporal
and spiritual needs of the faithful in his diocese are met first.
Catholic bishops should always respect and obey the laws of the country
they live in, except if they are directly contrary to the Church's moral
teachings.
That said, I am very concerned about a scandalous appearance I see in
America, of Catholic bishops and priests breaking American laws for the
good of people who are not in their diocese and are in another country.
Prelates like Cardinal Mahoney should focus their attention on removing
the dissenting teachers and vocational directors in seminaries, before focusing
on other issues.
Read "Good-Bye Good Men" by Michael Rose
We need holy priests, not priests that,
theologically and pastorally, have holes. :)
Just my opinion.
Mike
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