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February 10, 2004
Pio in PA
At last, a very detailed look at the kerfuffle over the Padre Pio Centre in PA
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
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» How do you say "snowball's chance" in Latin? from Catholic Light
The lay-run Padre Pio Centre in Pennsylvania appeals the Allentown bishop's ban on Masses at the site. God bless 'em, but I have to think that this is just a political maneuver with the aim of negotiating a deal, 'cause... [Read More]
Tracked on Feb 12, 2004 1:21:51 AM
Comments
What a strange ordeal. I'll agree its fitting.
It seems the Bishop is within his rights, though I am no expert, but I do have to say I find his insistence on 3/5s control of the board to be disturbing. That's not a move toward mere oversight, but a mover toward full control. If he can't content himself with 2/5's, why not split the difference and require that the fifth member be someone both parties agree upon?
Posted by: Franklin Jennings at Feb 10, 2004 1:15:01 PM
Amy,
Thank you for posting this. As someone who was at the center when the announcement was made, and one who knows most of the persons quoted in the article, I can attest to the sincerity of the family, and the frequent visitors.
However, the article does leave out the fact that Bishop Cullen has been negative towards the family since day one, even to the point of making one group of friars leave on the day of Pio's canonization. A Father of Mercy said the Mass, outdoors. Father Groeschel's friars were there in 1999 for the beatification, and the parish one mile away has since sent TWO men to the seminary, one to Fr. Groeschel.
As one who has seen the many, many positive fruits of the work of the Calandra family, my personal belief is this situation is due to jealousy, and nothing more.
Otherwise, how would they have gotten the mortgages? If there were hankypanky, no bank, and certainly not one with it's main office 3 miles away would deal with such a group. Instead, they would file charges. Simple.
Posted by: cs at Feb 10, 2004 1:23:38 PM
Funny how the operation went so smoothly all these years under the happy approval of former bishops ...until...they asked help from the spiritual "father" of the diocese. I only hope that the bishop has some substitute source for masses for the holy souls or there will much unhappiness in heaven and he may be asked to substitute for the extra time of all those souls that would have been ameliorated through P. Pio's faithful followers. So happy that I am already enrolled as one of P. Pio's spiritual children with the promises he made during his lifetime. Pray that this can be continued for all others.
Posted by: Chris K. at Feb 10, 2004 1:36:46 PM
Another point:
As Amy can attest, I sent her the letter I recieved the day of the announcement. In it, the Centre clearly claims that the bishop's order is canonically invalid, but they are in obedience, and appealing under canon law.
In the meantime, if the Sacraments are not being said at the Centre, what happens? People still come. My friend who was cured of pancreatic cancer? He still goes each Friday. Prayers are said (especially for Bishop Cullen), the Rosary is recited, and St. Pio's relics are still venerated. Special prayers to offer this period of trial A.M.D.G. are said.
As I said, the fruits are real. This is no "Radtrad" or "VOTF" group; this is Catholic intercessory prayer to the max. And entirely laity-driven.
Posted by: cs at Feb 10, 2004 1:41:29 PM
1. Lots and lots of pilgrims to the shrine. Plenty from Philly. The leader of our parish Charismatic prayer group has filled up four or five buses to and from the shrine. He and the missus are no doubt heartbroken. "Say Ger, can't you take a day off and travel with us?"
"UHHHHH....." 2. Problems with the Calendra family- who take away healthy paychecks for this enterprise? UHHHHHHH....... 3. Bishop Cullen is a Philly Guy. Previously ran the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's day-to-day operations. No nonsense, bottom-line, hard-nosed in doctrine- straight from the assembly line. Something may have smelled extremely fishy if he's taken these steps. Best to err on the side of caution in these matters.
Posted by: Gerard E. at Feb 10, 2004 2:53:30 PM
I don't know what Bishop Cullen has objected to at the centre. However, I have visited the Padre Pio center a few times and finally stopped because of the irreverent Liturgies. At one I attended the extraordinary minister, a women and one of the Calandra family, I think, finished the remaining consecrated Hosts by shoving them into her mouth like they were popcorn until the priest saw her and stopped it.
Also, the junk in the gift shop was appalling. There were actually cigarette lighters with Padre Pio on them. I enjoyed praying in the chapel but overall I found the running of the center appalling.
Posted by: Karen S. at Feb 10, 2004 4:03:24 PM
Karen,
In all fairness, it should be noted that the Centre never had the Eucharist in repose, so the consumption of the remaining hosts had to be done. Whether there a miscommunication between the lady and the priest, we'll never know, but I would hardly characterize the Masses I was at as irreverent. Local nearby parishes have yet to institute the GIRM, so EM's doing the prurifcation of the vessels, consuming the remaining wine, etc., while detestable to me, is common here. Till the GIRM is instituted, though...anything goes, it seems.
Posted by: cs at Feb 10, 2004 4:52:38 PM
I echo Franklin's comments, if the diocese wants control it ought to pay off the mortgage and reimburse the Calandras: if it's not about the money then take the money off the table.
Otherwise it looks like when the Mafia shows up and announces for your "protection", you have a new "partner". They want control and a share of the income but don't want to assume the financial and operational responsibilities that go with it.
Absent a specific public charge against the non-profit corporation (the National Centre), the case the bishop makes looks vindicative and an abitrary exercise of monarchial power: "I'm doing it because I can"
Posted by: Patrick Sweeney at Feb 11, 2004 10:59:05 AM
Patrick,
That's the way we locals feel. Thank you.
Posted by: cs at Feb 11, 2004 1:44:53 PM
