But such as I have give I thee (Acts 4:6) ---
The Archdiocese of Omaha -- to which I am supposed to belong once I knock off all this Lutheran stuff and "come home to Rome" -- faces the usual challenges coming from the impressive renewal of the church at Vatican II: serious priest shortages, school closings (though generally not in wealthy areas), parish closings and consolidations, on and on.
It is also facing the retirement of its current archbishop. So, it recently bought him a home for his retirement. $389,000.00. Paid in cash.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying,
Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
Apocalypse (or Revelation) 18:4-8
I do not know where I read it but apparently Aquinas had the same encounter with a Bishop who said - see, we can no longer say -silver and gold we do not have...and apparently Aquinas replied - probably that is why there are no more people leaping and praising God.
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice legend, but illustratively true.
In PI, some lands are still owned by the friars. These are being rented by poor farmers.
Mother Church is rich, no doubts about that.
LPC