Does the Church support St. Mary's Catholic Academy in St. Mary, KS and their banning women referees?

This question was an informed question and I can clear it up rather quickly. First, the St. Mary's Academy is not a Catholic school. The Pius X society, which owns and runs the school, is not in communion with the Catholic Church. They do not accept the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and do not recognize the authority of the pope. As such, they have be in schism with the Catholic Church. Secondly, the Catholic Church has no beliefs or teaching whatsoever that would suggest that women shouldn't be involved in the activities of boys in any way.

In answering that question, I have finished responding to the questions asked by our school children and the adult organizations. I did have a chance to talk to another couple of our school classes since I began responding to the first set of questions. In going to these classrooms I realized that our school children are really smart!!!

I discussed the 10 Commandments with the 3rd grade class and their understanding of the depth of the commandments was outstanding. For each of the 10 Commandments, they were able to give me some concrete examples of things that might break that commandment that are not explicit to the commandment. For example, they gave many examples of breaking the commandment, "Thou shall not kill" that did not include physically killing a person. I want to share a few of these examples from some of the commandments with you.

1) Thou shall have no other gods besides Me

The children came up with so many examples of other 'gods' we put before our God. Money, toys and other stuff were the two most common ones brought up. But one child said that TV was something that could become a 'god.' Another child said that school could become a 'god' and I thought that was funny so I asked how school could become a god. His reply surprised me. He said that he had a sister in college that studied so much that she didn't even go to Mass on Sundays. I imagine that at 9 years old he didn't know that, in all likelihood, his sister's 'studying' at college probably occurred at the bars or campus parties. But, he had the understanding that putting other things before Sunday Mass was a sin against the 1st commandment. I did point out, however, that school was important for them as long as they didn't skip Sunday Mass to do their homework.

5) Thou shall not kill

Although 3rd graders know what killing is they do not yet understand killing in the adult sense. Their answers to how they might sin against this commandment were well though out, however. They said that hating others 'killed' another person feeling. Being mean to someone else because they were mean to you was another one. Hitting others was a sin against this commandment. Playing violent video games could be a sin against this commandment, they said, because it promotes violence against others. This last one really surprised and impressed me that they'd realize that many video games promote hurting others.

6) Thou shall not commit adultery

Their responses to this commandment surprised me. They said that adultery was when someone broke their promise to someone they should love: a good definition for a 3rd grader. Then I asked them how we might break this commandment. One girl said that once when her best friend was sick and wanted her to bring her homework home to her that she didn't because she wanted to play at the park instead. She said that playing was more important than being a true friend. If only we could have such an understanding as these children do.

These are just a few examples of how the 3rd graders really do understand the 10 Commandments and how they can sin against them even if they aren't breaking that commandment literally. Their teacher did a wonderful job in helping them learn them and learning that it is important to think about what we do and how it hurts God when we do bad things. Good advice and teaching for us adults too. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 07:30 | link | comments (5) |
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Comments:

#1  30 April 2008 - 10:34

 

She said that playing was more important than being a true friend.

...out of the mouths of babes...

Anonymous

#2  30 April 2008 - 10:35

 

Whoops! I didn't mean to leave the bold on for the whole comment, just the quote... and I meant to sign it!

Blessings
-Joe

Anonymous

#3  02 May 2008 - 06:36

 

Father,
I would like to comment on this, Cardinal Hoyos - President of the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei has said time and again that the priests and faithful are not excommunicated, while I would agree that their communion with Rome is less than perfect, they are still within the visible church, they Accept Benedict XVI as pope and they do accept the teachings of the second Vatican council in the light and interpretation of tradition as it has always been.

Here is a link from March that may clarify things for you.

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2008/03/castrilln-speaks-on-sspx-discussions.html


God Bless

Anonymous

#4  05 May 2008 - 06:03

 

you are correct in that the priests and faithful are not excommunicated, which I never stated that they were. The bishops, however, are excommunicated.
I should have clarified my statement about the Society being in schism. There is dispute over whether they are in schism or whether the bishops committed a schimatic act.
The URL you listed, however, does not include the comment made by Cardinal Hoyas saying and I quote, "Unfortunately Monsignor Lefebvre went ahead with the consecration and hence the situation of separation came about, even if it was not a formal schism." The use of the word 'separation' DOES mean that they are not in union with Rome and that they are NOT a part of the 'visible church.'
John Paul II declared the episcopal ordination of the bishops a "schismatic act" in the Motu Propio, "Ecclesia Dei" para. 3 (http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei_en.html) Cardinal Hoyas does not have the authority to alter that decision. Only Pope Benedict XVI himself can declare differently.

crossman

#5  05 May 2008 - 06:44

 

I want to make a second clarification. First, I want to point out that this is an ongoing and very murky situation with the Society of Pius X so everyone has various understandings and that is not surprising due to the lack of formal clarification by Rome.

However, I do want to point out that Cardinal Hoyas comments were made in an interview, which is never a formal statement of the Vatican rather is personal opinion. The cardinal would have to declare formally that he is speaking as spokesman for the Holy Father in order to make his statements the official views of the Vatican.

Lastly, the Society does NOT recognize the authority of the pope because they ordained bishops without his permission and refuse to recognize the excommunication imposed by the pope on the bishops.

I hope this helps to clarify, to the best of my ability, the opinions, views and official stand of the Church

crossman

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