RECONCILIATION?

We have had several readers on the blog in recent days claiming that the Catholic hierarchy offered me an olive branch recently in a reconciliation gesture.

I have not experienced any such olive branch.

Since 1986, when I was "fired I have been totally open to talk and reconciliation. Not to be open would be in Christian. Jesus told us to love our "enemies".

After 32 years outside the wall, there have been very negative vibes on both sides - from me and from the hierarchy.

In 1998 Bishop Paddy Walsh sent his chancellor to me. The chancellor told me that Bishop Walsh was "in agony before the tabernacle" about my situation.

I said that his agony could be taken away over a  cup of tea and a chat.

I prepared a 15-page reconciliation in which  I gave  Paddy Walsh EVERYTHING he wanted and offered three additional gestures.

He responded by threatened to suspend me.

Before that, I had written many letters to Cahal Daly seeking reconciliation. There was no response.

Reconciliation requires both sides to be willing to give and make gestures to each other.

I was given canon law.

I wanted to resolve our differences using the New Testament as our guide.  They wanted to use canon law!

There is a great void between the Catholic hierarchy and myself. It's a big void to sort out.

Of course, I am very critical of the bishops and clergy. But as the constant flow of scandals show, strong criticism is appropriate.

PROTESTING OUTSIDE HIERARCHY MEETING MANY YEARS AGO WITH FATHER MICHAEL KEANE AND MY MOTHER

Of course, I am sad that I am estranged from the thing, I once gave my life to.

On the other hand, ministering outside the fold brings great freedom with it. No seeking permission. No supervision apart from my congregation. No canon law :-)

Being a loner has its advantages and its disadvantage.

Thank God I have never had a faith crisis or a vocation crisis.

Maybe Providence decided that I would travel the road less traveled?

There is a future look forward to and the same Providence is in charge.

The Road Not Taken 

BY ROBERT FROST

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves, no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

I am quite happy where I am because I believe God put me here.

And I am always totally open to talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime.