The New Crusaders

Today it would be called “the Prophet”: Vought F-8 “Crusader”

One of the effects of the recent electoral events might well be a polarisation among the American priests, with the cowards becoming more cowardly and the brave more belligerent.

One example may be seen here, with what appears to be a rather young priest not only announcing he routinely embraces the sword, but naturally assuming many others will do the same, too. I can only assume the good Father shows a rather strong conviction of changing times because of the environment he sees around him: his best parishioners, his colleagues, other people he comes in contact with.

In the end, polarisation is in the nature of the present political game, and the impending years of conflict and legal (or social) litigation concerning HHS et alia  will unavoidably see the majority of the accommodating, cowardly clergy happily talking about social justice and other innocuous issues, and a minority of rather more masculine guys embracing the battle and, well, relishing it.

Father John Hollowell (the priest in question) also made me smile when he wrote the following words (emphasis mine):

  I remember thinking “I should be really sad that people are attacking me” but I remember in those moments being overcome with the urge to chuckle at how little it actually DID affect me.  You, as a faithful Catholic, have likely had similar experiences…and that is God working in you and preparing you for what is to come as well.

I have actually had similar experiences since I was born, but I thought this is just because… I don’t care two straws for the opinion of people I don’t like and/or don’t esteem. I do not know whether God is working in me, but he certainly is not making it difficult for me to engage in the kind of rather rough discussions this kind of issues unavoidably engenders.

I also had to smile a second time because in my experience priests are generally very well trained – even the orthodox ones – at saying the rough things without heating the discussion too much; but it would appear this isn’t enough to spare even a priest from having people “yelling at him”. Ah, not an easy job by any means…

Kudos to father Hollowell, and best wishes for his upcoming battles.

At least he knows his reward is assured, which the other side certainly can’t say.

Mundabor