Ok Mr. O'Rourke, so I'll ask you, skip over the controversial issues, how do we address obvious wrongs in the earthly arm of our Church? Are we to sit quietly on our hands and wait for the hierarchy to straighten itself out? History shows that this seldom happens. For all the criticism of the protestants, it seems to me that historically they were part of the impetus to reform some of the abuses of the past. It is unfortunate for the sitting hierarchy that the laity has become an educated and well informed body that takes an interest in how things are done, and are not easily led. They need to earn respect through wise actions and good judgment, items which have been in evidence but have been eclipsed by the abysmal actions of some at the highest levels. So I ask again, what are we to do?

U.S. Catholic is published by the Claretians, who describe themselves as "a Roman Catholic religious community of priests and brothers dedicated to the mission of living and spreading the Gospel of Jesus—to serving life—in more than 60 countries on five continents."

The Claretians seem to understand that "spreading the Gospel" is not simply a matter of preaching. It's also a matter of listening. Presumably, this website exists precisely because the Claretians want to engage us in conversation.

The two cited teachings cannot contradict each other so lets look at the sentence immediately following your citation: “When occasions arise, let this be done through the organs erected by the Church for this purpose.” The Church, for the purpose of allowing the laity to express personal opinion that dissents from what the Ordinary Magisterium teaches, has not erected U.S. Catholic or Bryan Cones. However, the Church has erected the sacrament of confession, with the confidentiality inherit to it, and tribunals, by which the rights of the laity can be opined for judgment as determined by canon law. t+

Bryan consistently promotes positions that are in direct opposition to the ordinary magisterium of the Church. Bryan consistently smugly attacks Church teachings that are not in accord with his personal worldview. Consequently, Bryan brings scandal upon those who would listen to him. Constant personal opinion directed towards changing Church doctrine is far more supercilious than the frustrated brusque messenger who merely presents what the Church Herself actually teaches.
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