Step 2: A Place To Discuss Reform

I would like the St. Theobald Society to be a sort of think tank that would provide a platform where solid thinking people, both lay and clergy, could meet to discuss rational ways to reform the Church's power structure so we can avoid sin and the near occasion of sin as much as possible.  I would like to archive all such suggestions for reform.  However, this may be redundant, as Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) already exists.  Here's a link to their page on providing support to priests. 

 As much as I grieve and want justice for those who have been violated by clergy, I feel there are other organizations out there already doing that kind of work, like VOTF and SNAP.  What I am interested in is saving the Church from destruction within.  The Church is in a weaker and weaker position in the world, yet she is called to be a force of good, to evangelize all nations.  I am more interested in the priests who are true to their calling and therefore soldiers in the field, so to speak.

  VOTF also seems to be fairly 'liberal' in make up.  St. Theobald Society would be orthodox in embracing the Church's teaching on matters of morality and faith.  We are not jockeying for contraception, abortion rights, women priests, etc.  We don't want to change the Church's teachings, we do want to cleanse the Church of this pervasive grave sinfulness that prevents her from doing as Jesus commissioned.  And that means reform in structure, not in teaching. 

Today is the feast of St. Charbal, priest.  He spent many years in prayer and fasting.  How many priests devote themselves to prayer and fasting?  I think we need to bring back that old fashioned ascetic sense of self-deprivation, to keep our hearts trained on doing God's will.

Lauds this morning, seemed to resonate especially for what the Church needs now.  She has been an unjust ruler, one who has sought to protect herself over serving her members.  (from the Universalis site)

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Psalm 100 (101) The declaration of a just ruler

I will sing to you, O Lord, and I will walk in the way of perfection.

I will sing of kindness and justice –

  to you, Lord, will I sing.

My thoughts shall follow the way of perfection:

  when will you come to me, Lord?

I will walk with an innocent heart

  through the halls of my palace.

I will allow no evil thing in my sight.

  I will hate the man who retreats from perfection:

  he may not stay near me.

The wicked of heart must leave me;

  the plotter of evil I will not acknowledge.

The man who plots against his neighbour in secret:

  I will suppress him.

The haughty of eye, the puffed-up and proud –

  I will not support them.

I will turn my eyes to the faithful of the land:

  they shall sit with me.

Whoever walks in the way of perfection –

  he shall be my servant.

The haughty shall not live in my palace;

  the slanderer shall not stand in my sight.

Each morning I will suppress

  all the wicked of the land.

I will rid the city of the Lord

  of all that do evil.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son

  and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning,

  is now, and ever shall be,

  world without end.

Amen.

I will sing to you, O Lord, and I will walk in the way of perfection.