Turmoil on the Mount

This comes from a reader in Emmitsburg re the events of the past days (covered here and here). It is an extremely heartfelt and sad commentary on the state of the seminaries

I know sems here and they are even upset at the lack of basic dignity, Christianity,
compassion and pastoralness, charity displayed to the seminarian in this case. The Rector apparently lost his cool and sternly told him to be out by 12 noon the next day. No concern by the Seminary or his Diocese for the poor sem. who has no family or anyone in this country. In the words of a Seminarian, 'dumped like a piece of bad meat'. Is that the example of fatherhood and christianity to treat him with no regard for a human being. Is that how a seminarian is treated when even a secular company would not while dismissing him. He did not even know where he would stay that night.

Maybe the church and formation priests and rectors are above the Gospel and basic human rights and respect for mans dignity. But John on the other hand displayed nothing but a exemplary goodness and inspired other sems even on his way out, was at peace, composed, prayerful response and consoled and encouraged them not to be angry or hurt and just stand for the truth and holiness and be good, compassionate priests. I do not know the inside details, some seminarians said he would love an nvestigation but only if it is in the open and not behind closed doors, with seminarians and lay witnesses present. That does not sound like he has anything to hide,... but these above are the external observations of the seminarians who have great respect for him and fear for themselves. They said the [new] rector gives them conferences on how to be good christians and future priests on Thursdays, but they see no reason to listen to him or respect him as an example anymore. And the last thing all are saying which I think you should know, ' the greatest injustice to the Mount community was that Rector Kevin Rhoades was taken away from them. [Rhoades was made the bishop of Harrisburg.] The sem has been on a rapid downslide since then and is out of control now with no leadership at all.' You need to make the people of God as you say, aware of this if you care about what we know.

Think about it.

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