2005 LETTERS
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Contents © 2005
by Jim Holman.
All rights reserved.

LETTERS
July/August 2005

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This is in response to Terry Hawthorne's letter in the June News Notes issue in which she stated that I "looked at the retreats in a whole new way. He became convinced that Fr. Bud agrees with Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's statement 'I am essentially pantheist in my thinking and temperament,' because we called the retreat the 'Omega Point'".

The News Notes article ("Fallout in Fallbrook," May 2005) was full of first-hand witness accounts of modernist teaching, and witnesses to arrogant and rude behavior of the pastor and assistant pastor when confronted on these issues. Pastor Kaicher named the parish retreat Omega Point, a term coined by Fr. Teilhard de Chardin. Just google 'Omega Point' and see if what you find is Catholic.

In 1962 the Holy Office of the Catholic Church issued the following statement: "The Holy Office exhorts all Ordinaries as well as the superiors of Religious institutes, rectors of seminaries and presidents of universities, effectively to protect the minds, particularly of the youth, against the dangers presented by the works of Fr. Teilhard de Chardin and of his followers.

For those who will announce patently that this statement is pre-Vatican II, it was reaffirmed in 1981 and 2003.

Pastor Edward Kaicher, as a seminary student in 1977, submitted a paper to the faculty of the graduate school of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota titled "Pierre Teilhard De Chardin: A Doctrine of Original Sin." Kaicher studied and agreed with much of de Chardin's thoughts, such as on page 26 where he states, "What Teilhard is trying to say is that evil is a by-product of the evolutionary process which is statistically necessary and it is manifested in human beings in the form of moral evil. I personally found Teilhard to be enlightening.... Teilhard has developed a system which is attractive to me, and which I will use as a foundation for the creation of my own theology of original sin and evil."

The facts are clear; Fr. Kaicher is well-versed in de Chardin's writings. He would know that "Omega Point" is a de Chardin term and offends Catholic doctrine, so why did this "staunch Catholic" use it? And why didn't Terry Hawthorne, who was the pastoral associate for five years at St Peter's, know that Fr. Kaicher did his masters work on de Chardin? My reasoning is not disjointed as Terry claims; sometimes the Truth is hard to hear.

News Notes has done the Catholic community a service by warning, "particularly of the youth, against the dangers presented by the works of Fr. Teilhard de Chardin" and of this follower of his.

Dave Swanson
Fallbrook

YELLOW JOURNALISM

I was appalled at the practice of yellow journalism evident in the article about the controversy surrounding Fr. Ian Taylor at St. Peter's in Fallbrook. The very title of the article is a reprehensible distortion and exaggeration, "Pantheist Pastor Pushes Out Popular Priest." Pantheism is, by definition, a belief that everything is God. Although one person states it is his opinion of our priests' belief, how does one person's opinion equate a truth? Never have our priests indicated a belief in pantheism. If this gentleman's claim as to what was said is even true, our priests have instead evidenced a belief in panentheism, which is that God is in everything. This is not in opposition to any teaching of the Church, but rather the root of all Christianity, including Catholicism. If we accept the belief that as our eternal creator, God created all things, then we must accept that God is in all things. In a pathetic attempt to increase readership, the author of the article has defiled priests the majority of our parishioners find to be respected spiritual leaders and worthy of our esteem.

The issue with Fr. Taylor is just one more in a series of issues with a small group of dissidents whose primary agenda for several years has been to oust Fr. Bud because they do not agree with him. Fr. Taylor was a marvelous speaker, truly cut out for the evangelistic and missionary role. I respect him and admire him. I also respect and admire our other priests. Whatever the root of the problem among Fr. Ian, Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie, the Bishop has given his full support to our parish priests. I respectfully believe there is more to this story than the parish is being told, and it is not our role as parishioners to "stir up the pot," in a negativistic manner, based on supposition, innuendo and hearsay. Contrary to the suppositions of those interviewed in the article, the majority of parishioners of St. Peter's are well-informed, well-instructed Catholics, who are capable of following the teachings of the church and bible. Those who wish to support Fr. Ian should do so, but not by attacking our parish priests through misleading and highly emotionally charged misstatements.

I have been a parishioner of St. Peter's for 27 years. My children were baptized, received their first reconciliation and communion here, and were confirmed here (with 1 left to go). I was one of the founding members of the school, and have served the church in a variety of capacities. I have worked with many different priests, including Monsignor Medaer, Fr. Zanetti, Fr. Tony, Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie. I have had disagreements with them all, but I have respected them all as well. I have also experienced different dissentions during these 27 years, but never have I experienced such a disruptive and unrelenting group as the group involved in this agenda to label our parish priests as heretical. I also abhor the political grandstanding to withhold funds from the church due to these dissident's beliefs. Nevertheless, I respect all persons' rights to express their opinion; but I do not respect the methods of this group of dissidents. Since they have not been able to win over the majority of the parishioners, they have stooped to misleading and sensational propaganda. This disturbs me greatly. I know many members of this group of dissidents, and have worked closely with some of them, but I feel they have crossed the line. I do not feel the author of this inflammatory article, Stanford Espedal, really showed journalistic integrity. I do not see any representation of those who hold opposing viewpoints, which, by the way, are the majority of parishioners. This is why I feel the article is a blatant example of yellow journalism, and as such, should not have even been published.

Shannon Ventuleth
Fallbrook

HARSH SCRUTINY

Earlier this week, we had heard about a newspaper identifying itself as San Diego's Lay Catholic Newspaper and that this newspaper had an article with strong negative information about our priests at St. Peter's ("Fallout in Fallbrook," by Stanford Espedal). We had never heard of this newspaper and we were curious who was publishing it and what this was all about.

Incredibly, in this Saturday's mail, we received a copy of this newspaper, San Diego News Notes (May 2005). "Catholics Defending Truth" in Bonsall is stamped on the top left side and we are assuming they probably sent it to us. We feel Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie have gone through harsh scrutiny by a small group of parishioners at St. Peter's. This has only come to the public forum, to our knowledge, by a group who apparently wants to reach the parish on a wider basis.

We do not perceive ourselves as activists of any particular type. We just do what needs to get done to get through the day. We would, however, like to recommend to these well-intentioned individuals that they might try prayerfully reading the official Catechism of the Catholic Church (Second Edition revised in accordance with the official Latin test promulgated by Pope John Paul II), specifically the section on the Eighth Commandment, page 594, reference #2477. If they still feel strongly about publicly speaking and/or writing about our priests in such a way, after reading this section, then their choice has been made. It is left for each of us to then discern the truth, which will always prevail.

We felt compelled to write this letter. St. Peter's has grown to be a spirit-filled, active community over the years and we don't know of anyone in the St. Peter's Catholic Community who doesn't feel the same way. We feel Fr. Bud has been the main catalyst for this growth. Perhaps we should be using our gift of time to help our priests in their various ministries instead of looking for fault in them. Division is a powerful tool used by the devil. Perhaps we should be praying and working towards unity rather than creating an atmosphere of division.

Bob and Mary Garcia
Fallbrook

HELL AND BRIMSTONE

This is in response to your front page article headlined "Fallout in Fallbrook" by Stanford Espedal. First let me say I am a 73-year-old Catholic who prefers the Latin Mass and the "old" traditional hymns and services. However, this article angers me.

First: Fr. Ian is a "Hell & Brimstone" type preacher and that is his privilege and right and there is nothing wrong with that. Father Bud and Fr. Bernie preach from a more moderate point of view, consoling and encouraging the people to become holy. Both approaches are valid and have been in use forever. Fr. Bud is the pastor and sets the tone for the community, not a visiting priest as much as we may like and even agree with the visitor's approach.

Second: And this is one that really angered me. Sue Granzella's attack on Fr. Bernie was not only out of line but cruel as well. Fr. Bernie is physically handicapped, it's an effort to stand and walk much less genuflect. As the father of a handicapped adult I can testify to the daily frustrations and difficulties these special people go through. Fr. Bernie has done a magnificent job and is a dedicated priest who should be admired, not ridiculed.

Third: I have been a member of St. Peter's for ten years and I have never heard a sermon by either priest that could even remotely be construed to be heretical as implied.

Mary Ann and I are appalled at this attempt to divide our parish. Considering the pedophile priest scandal we should thank God that we have two dedicated priests to serve us.

Richard and Mary Ann Dooley
Fallbrook

VITREOLIC ATTACK

My Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I ask, no, I beg you to stop with this vitreolic attack on the very misunderstood clergy situation some have found necessary to put out for public view. It would be different if there were any absolute truth to these letters of condemnation and judgment on the three priests involved. However, there is no basis to any of these letters of accusation from my view point. My wife and I have been members of the St Peter's for 13 years and have been intimately involved with a number of ministries there: 10 years of youth bible study for post-confirmation youth, music ministry, small faith communities, and retreats. And currently we are very blessed with the heading up of the Landings ministry which assists our brothers and sisters who have been away from the church for a time and feel a calling back to our very blessed faith community here at St Peter's.

We are doing the Lord's work here and are certainly not the only ones. There are many very intelligent and discerning Catholic men and women who are involved in the many ministries who would most certainly not be so lovingly giving of their time, talent, and treasure if we were not led pastorally in a holy and faithful direction by Fr. Bud and our associate pastor Fr. Bernie. Fr. Ian, in my experience, is also a holy and faithful priest who while here at St Peter's was my confessor and spiritual director. All three of these priests I find to be holy men who have dedicated their lives to God and the service of his people through their priestly lives. They are different in their approach to their faith just like all of us are. Jesus gave us a very stern warning regarding these types of divisive attacks that would be rendered on us.

I ask those who have been so critical and have found it necessary to slander these good priests to cease their divisive outcries and pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit to open your hearts and souls to the truth of all of this and see that while there may be differences of pastorship, we are all still responsible and held accountable for the direction we lead God's people, priests and laity alike.

John S. Hersh
Via email

PAPAL APPLAUSE

Stanford Espedal opined (Roamin' Catholic, May 2005) that the applause for Pope John II at his funeral was not a positive thing, but I beg to differ. We applaud rock stars, politicians, and sport figures when we appreciate them. In applauding the Holy Father, we were showing our appreciation for the man who lived a life that was Christ-centered and a fine example for all to emulate.

Craig Galik
Duquesne, Pennsylvania

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