tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post6563165076852504400..comments2023-06-15T04:25:15.738-05:00Comments on Reflections of the Spirit: More on Deacon Alvin GerbermannUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-37759638293992753082007-02-25T07:22:00.000-06:002007-02-25T07:22:00.000-06:00from a letter: “…membership in Call to Action-Rio ...from a letter:<BR/> “…membership in Call to Action-Rio Grande Valley, in my opinion, does not per se cause a person to be ‘not in good standing’ with the Church.”<BR/>Bishop Raymundo Peña, April 17, 2006Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-63935414866819224572007-02-24T22:11:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:11:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:I'm sure those defending the cler...From The Monitor:<BR/>I'm sure those defending the clergy and attacking the messenger are good Catholics who love the church and believe that defending it, no matter what, error, sin, or crime, is what good Catholics are called to do. They could not be more wrong! To love the church is to protect it from those harming it, which in many cases are the same people claiming to be its leaders. To love the church is to have the courage to speak truth to power, just like Jesus himself did to the church leaders of his time. Is CTA bringing the church down (as some like to say), or is it the sexual abuse scandals, the efforts to cover up for those accused; is it the financial abuse scandal brewing all over the world (read: www.time.com magazine article: When Priests Pilfer Feb. 15 ); is it the discrimination against women, and most of all the distancing from the practice of the teachings of Jesus and focusing more on the man made rules and mandates of the institution? Good Catholics please open your eyes and try to understand what CTA is doing here. What side of the sexual abuse crime are you on? The side of the offender and those covering up for them? CTA loves the church as much as you do but with the awareness that the leaders are human and it is yours and ours responsibility to be vigilant when they bring the church down with their sins. Take your swords out if needed to defend the Church, the Body of Christ, not to defend some sinners holding strong to their power.<BR/>Ana - Feb. 24, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-6521899060829776072007-02-24T22:09:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:09:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:I see where the Diocese is finall...From The Monitor:<BR/>I see where the Diocese is finally going to air the censored "Hand Of God" film on their Public Broadcast TV Station. It will be shown on March 1, 2007, at 7:30 PM. I think it is sad that a Public TV station's Board President can promise a FREE CD of the movie, then renege on his promise. What a great way to gain back the confidence of their viewers! Once people view this film, I think they will all realize if the fault was with the parents, as our deacon suggests, or with the clergy. Watch it and judge for yourself. You will quickly see that our Catholic Church needs fixing. That is what Call To Action is all about. Instead of closing your eyes to truth, you should join us in correcting what needs fixing. <BR/>B.W. Andrews - Feb. 24, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-64892986924852142992007-02-24T22:05:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:05:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Since the first century, descent ...From The Monitor:<BR/>Since the first century, descent and controversy have been a keystone to the building we call church. To believe that those that question, inquire or disagree with any teaching are somehow satanic, evil or should simply pack up their bags and go find some one that agrees with them is simply a display of ignorance in light of church history and teaching. Even today, some would have you believe that Mary, the mother of Jesus appeared in Fatima. Although many believe this (as I do) it is not required of ANY Catholic to believe this as an article of faith. As to the Deacons comments about the responsibility of a parent from keeping them out of a pedophile's home, I completely agree. Why won't the Diocese tell us who those pedophiles are so we can protect our children as the Deacon so clearly stated on Sunday. Incidently...I am a member of Call to Action and I receive the Sacraments every chance I get. Bishop Pena has never denied them to any one in this Diocese. <BR/>Jose Manuel Moya - Feb. 24, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-88784009853499662452007-02-24T22:04:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:04:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:We'll see what the deacon has to ...From The Monitor:<BR/>We'll see what the deacon has to say Sunday, but in any case he must resign. He keeps doing things like this. And all you Taliban Catholics out there, read the gospels; see what Jesus was really all about and how he ripped the corrupt clergy of his day.<BR/>Scott - Feb. 24, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-9919632484158536072007-02-24T22:03:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:03:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:In support of those who affirm th...From The Monitor:<BR/>In support of those who affirm the status of a permanent deacon as a member of the clergy: the Code of Canon Law, can. 266.1: "By the reception of the deaconate a person becomes a cleric...."<BR/>Brian Taylor - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-26753743366685958812007-02-24T22:01:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:01:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Who really listens to "call to ac...From The Monitor:<BR/>Who really listens to "call to action" other than the few who belong to this liberal organization and of course the main stream press who are also doing a great job at turning people off and losing listeners by the droves. If it is Catholic look for it to be front page news, that's great folks, keep it coming, we appreciate your secular concerns and innaccuracies. Read the Bible, in the end, WHO WINS?<BR/>papamac - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-33919037050696320472007-02-24T22:00:00.000-06:002007-02-24T22:00:00.000-06:00From The MOnitor:Wow! From the tone of their lette...From The MOnitor:<BR/>Wow! From the tone of their letters, some Catholics are seriously angry about knowing the truth. It's much easier to keep one's head buried in the sand, or to look the other way than to face having been conned. The message brought by Christ was plain: God is love, and God is in all of us. That message has not changed and is still valid. From the 4th century AD, the church has built that message into a false idol, the Almighty Dollar. Organized religion is a big business these days, and flocking the fleece is routine. And it happens in all denominations. The church is not going to change. Use the strength that God provides. It is possible to be very happy in this world without the type of leadership orchestrated by these bishops and their henchmen. "We are the ones we have been waiting for." -- Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona<BR/>Kay Goodnow - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-35380361633639890582007-02-24T21:58:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:58:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:As usual... the media will always...From The Monitor:<BR/>As usual... the media will always attack the Church, construe the facts and want to bring more division. Get all the facts first and more importantly seek truth not gossip or opinions.<BR/>Luis Espinoza - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-16326928413129120302007-02-24T21:57:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:57:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:ignorance gives birth to stupidit...From The Monitor:<BR/>ignorance gives birth to stupidity and this is what it is all about. The CAll to Action freaks are outside the Church and they have no VOICE in That which they condemn...the Catholic Church amd Her Teachings. Like the fools they are the Call to Action devils play the part of fools for Satan. AWAY with them !!! <BR/>richard zelonis - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-38021453024455610112007-02-24T21:55:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:55:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Anyone who belongs to the group, ...From The Monitor:<BR/>Anyone who belongs to the group, Called to Action, is barred from receiving the sacraments in the Catholic Church. You should get your facts straight about the "Clergy" of the Catholic Church, also. Planned Parenthood and other like-minded groups are also banned from a Catholic in good standing. The Church is not a democracy, Thank God. If a person doesn't like the way it is operating, that person is free to leave and find another one to his or her liking. Of course, that may be why they stay. No one would bother to listen to them if they become 'outsiders'. Pity they don't realize that they are already 'outside'. <BR/>Molly - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-54072169446031438362007-02-24T21:53:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:53:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Permanent deacons are ordained me...From The Monitor:<BR/>Permanent deacons are ordained members of the Roman Catholic Clergy. I know. I'm married to one!<BR/>Paula Gonzales Rohrbacher - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-50152031575347968162007-02-24T21:51:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:51:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Three degrees of Holy Orders, epi...From The Monitor:<BR/>Three degrees of Holy Orders, episcopate (bishop), presbyterate (priest), and diaconate (deacon). See your Catechism article 6 under Sacraments. <BR/>Erika - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-7207683370375580782007-02-24T21:50:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:50:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Just a technical note...a permane...From The Monitor:<BR/>Just a technical note...a permanent deacon IS an ordained member of the clergy...thanks<BR/>Mike - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-5114731623396708132007-02-24T21:48:00.000-06:002007-02-24T21:48:00.000-06:00From the Monitor:There was a major reaction a year...From the Monitor:<BR/>There was a major reaction a year ago when lawyers in Miami stated a 10 year old should have known better then to place himself or herself in the presence of a pedophile priest. This deacon's comments were just as hurtful. As a priest, and as a victim of clergy abuse, I am extremely disheartened that anyone in this day and age could be so insensitive. <BR/>(Rev.) James F. Moran - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-62822152736919670272007-02-24T01:40:00.000-06:002007-02-24T01:40:00.000-06:00It seems that "the anointed ones" have screwed up ...It seems that "the anointed ones" have screwed up again. And they continue to try to suggest that we cannot critized their words or actions? What a circus our church has become. It's time for new leadership!<BR/>B.W. AndrewsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-50113935914666594952007-02-24T00:24:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:24:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:I can not believe that time at ch...From The Monitor:<BR/>I can not believe that time at church was wasted on such an insensitive comment. Yes, parents are ultimately responsible for everything that happens to children. However, to blame parents for trusting members of the church is completely absurd. Who can you trust then? Blaming parents for their children getting abused is like blaming members of chuch for donating money to the parish, and to have the church waste it on drugs, alcohol and prostitutes. Where is the trust? Maybe Mr. Gerbermann is telling us not to trust them with their children or trust them period. Maybe I should audit their books too.....I go to church to relax, feel better about myself, become a better person and to learn more about the word of God, not to feel worse about the church that I attend.<BR/>A. R. - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-34923172218645051812007-02-24T00:22:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:22:00.000-06:00From Yhe Monitor:The Rev. Mr. Gerberman's comments...From Yhe Monitor:<BR/>The Rev. Mr. Gerberman's comments display ignorance, insensitivity and lack of understanding. That anyone should make such comments is an egregious assault on every victim of clergy sexual abuse. That the comments came from an ordained minister is shocking, but pales in comparison to the failure of our Shepard Bishop Pena, to immediately refute this misguided and completely inflammatory statement. Faithful Catholics must continue to pursue transparency within the Church, justice for abuse victims and redress for the perpetrators. Failure to do so only continues the abuse that victims have suffered at the hands of these "holy" and most trusted men in our society.<BR/>Janet Miller - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-79823680352112287542007-02-24T00:20:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:20:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:The Deacon is right, it is the pa...From The Monitor:<BR/>The Deacon is right, it is the parents job to protect their children at all times, why do we let our children serve all alter boy when we as adults should be the ones help at the alter that is part of community service that we should be doing not our children. We need to remember that even the devil was given permission to come into the church. I remember coach for my sons baseball team and parents would drop off their children and then pick them off one hour after practice was over I was not hired to be a baby sitter just a hour coach. Wake up parents it is our job to raise our children not your next door neighbor get involved.<BR/>Nicolas Zuniga - Feb. 23, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-51312761269491255142007-02-24T00:19:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:19:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:Mr. Gerbermann needs to know that...From The Monitor:<BR/>Mr. Gerbermann needs to know that the only reason a parent would let a child alone with a priest is because they've been taught since childhood that priests are holy, asexual and therefore safe. Show me a Catholic parent who has not swelled with pride over the fact their child is an altar server or that the local priest is making a fuss over him or her. For a pedophile, the priesthood is a perfect cover because no one suspected priests. Predator priests are wolves seeking out prey and the longer they've been around the more expert they are at plucking victims. Mr. Gerbermann needs to ask who is worse, the predator priest who is a slave to his urges or the bishops who had and still have their hands on the leashes of these predators and refused to rein them in or turn them in? According to the story, Rev. Brum had no comment. Was that because he supplied the text for the homily? <BR/>vinnie - Feb. 21, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-64096351942711718092007-02-24T00:17:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:17:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:So, it was the parents fault for ...From The Monitor:<BR/>So, it was the parents fault for letting the kids hang around priests? So, this priest is backing up the abusive pedophiles? I think what he was really trying to say is: If your a responsible parent, don't take your kids to church because they will get raped. His ignorance will recieve no sympathy from me.<BR/>Mike Rackhabit - Feb. 20, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-6840015962887767292007-02-24T00:16:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:16:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:I happened to attend Holy Spirit ...From The Monitor:<BR/>I happened to attend Holy Spirit that day, I don't on an everyday basis, but what the Deacon said was in everyway wrong. He may have meant to say it a different way, maybe we need to protect our children from PEDOPHILES, not nuns and priests. If our children cannot trust priests and nuns, what has this world come to?? It was a slap to the face, but like his homily said, I guess we just turn the other cheeck? Wrong.<BR/>LS - Feb. 20, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-4305667727484732862007-02-24T00:14:00.000-06:002007-02-24T00:14:00.000-06:00From The Monitor:What an embarassment. To have peo...From The Monitor:<BR/>What an embarassment. To have people who blame the victims in ministry just shows that the Catholic church is so desperate for warm bodies that they'll ordain anyone who can achieve 98.6F.<BR/>Greg Bullough - Feb. 20, 2007Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-29419054343930559652007-02-23T23:44:00.000-06:002007-02-23T23:44:00.000-06:00I agree with Chayo. Deacon Alvin should retire. Ba...I agree with Chayo. Deacon Alvin should retire. Based on this and other actions of the deacon, the bishop should realize that Gerbermann has now become a liability. <BR/><BR/>He was fine as the strong arm when the bishop sent his troops in to fire all of the Holy Spirit staff, but his knowledge of the church leaves much to be desired and with only Fr. Louie to guide him, we are in big trouble!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10643191.post-35743367486669315212007-02-23T23:25:00.000-06:002007-02-23T23:25:00.000-06:00I second that; it is way past time for Alvin to re...I second that; it is way past time for Alvin to retire. Even if he gives a heartfelt, true apology, this incident plus many others we have sorely experienced show us without a doubt that this man will make more and more bad mistakes that can cause faithful that listen to him much trouble. Bishop, do the right thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com