Where is Grace?
On January 12, the local newspaper in Wheeling, WV published a letter from the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of the Wheeling Charleston area. In that letter he promised a greater role for the laity and more assistance to some of those who need the services of Catholic Charities as well as those dealing with the opioid crisis. He also said that “We must stand tall and confident, not shrinking from but confronting the harsh realities that have brought us grief and also not allowing those past failings to make us suspicious of every servant of God, clerical or laity or to deter us from harnessing the tremendous spiritual energy of our people to do Christ’s work in this state.” In the beginning of the letter he acknowledges that Pope Francis has forbidden the former bioship of Wheeling-Charleston from “celebrating Masses and other liturgies and from living in the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese.” He goes on to mention that the Pope has “directed me to assist Bishop Bransfield in making personal amends for the harm he caused.”
Certainly no one who has read any of the reports of the excessive spending and other hurtful behaviors of Michael Bransfield question the need to relieve him of his duties. From what I read, he suffers from active addictions to power, material goods, possibly alcohol and other behaviors consistent with someone who is looking to fill an internal void; a void which does not allow one to experience internal self-worth; a void which leads to the compulsive need to prove one is more than; a need to avoid the sadness and separation from the fear that we do not all belong to one another. Bishop Bransfield was unable, for whatever reasons, to experience Grace. My understanding of the essential core of the Christian church is that that we are all saved through Grace. Grace is not something one earns but something we deserve just for being. The is the same unconditional love which some other religions and philosophies teach. Grace teaches that if we welcome the prodigal child home, if we embrace the one who is considered unlovable; if we reach out to the one who mirrors our own humanness with unconditional love there is an opportunity for healing. Grace does not suggest that first one shame themselves, admit to all the ways one has hurt oneself and others, or make amends. Grace begins with a recognition that we are all human; that we are all capable of looking in the wrong places for our worth; that there is no way of distinguishing our hurtful behavior from that of others. Grace reaches out with an embrace and says, “Welcome home.”
In all the published responses of both officials of the Catholic Church, the laity of the church and the general public I have seen little evidence of Grace extended to Bishop Bransfield and others caught in that web of destructive behaviors. Certainly the church needs a more effective system for addressing the pain which leads to such abuse of self and others. Perhaps the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council can play a major role in ensuring that happens but without Grace the Catholic church will continue to be a co-conspirator in the punishment system of responding to our humanness; a system which does not heal individuals or the community.
The only reason for the existence of a Christian community is to first offer Grace to all who feel as if they do not belong; to all clergy, laity, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, non-believers in any God; an unconditional embrace of love. It is my belief that love allows for the possibility of amends to self and others – to the possibility of belonging.
It is up the those who desire a world built on the rock of the teaching of Jesus to say no to punishment and yes to welcoming home the immigrant, the addict, the criminal, the homeless, the sick. If a mentally ill person walks into my office I do not put them in charge of my office, I welcome them with respect for their illness and with an invitation to join in the search for healing. If Bishop Bransfield walked into my office I would welcome him with open arms. If he attempted to justify his behaviors, I would smile and offer him love – not condemnation – not a demand for amends. I would attempt to reach deep beneath his costume of pretended grandeur to his pain; to offer him not the chalice but the cup of communion.
It takes great courage to say no to punishment and yes to love. It takes strength to say yes to accountability and yes to those who mirror our humanness.
Written January 13, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
On January 12, the local newspaper in Wheeling, WV published a letter from the new bishop of the Catholic Diocese of the Wheeling Charleston area. In that letter he promised a greater role for the laity and more assistance to some of those who need the services of Catholic Charities as well as those dealing with the opioid crisis. He also said that “We must stand tall and confident, not shrinking from but confronting the harsh realities that have brought us grief and also not allowing those past failings to make us suspicious of every servant of God, clerical or laity or to deter us from harnessing the tremendous spiritual energy of our people to do Christ’s work in this state.” In the beginning of the letter he acknowledges that Pope Francis has forbidden the former bioship of Wheeling-Charleston from “celebrating Masses and other liturgies and from living in the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese.” He goes on to mention that the Pope has “directed me to assist Bishop Bransfield in making personal amends for the harm he caused.”
Certainly no one who has read any of the reports of the excessive spending and other hurtful behaviors of Michael Bransfield question the need to relieve him of his duties. From what I read, he suffers from active addictions to power, material goods, possibly alcohol and other behaviors consistent with someone who is looking to fill an internal void; a void which does not allow one to experience internal self-worth; a void which leads to the compulsive need to prove one is more than; a need to avoid the sadness and separation from the fear that we do not all belong to one another. Bishop Bransfield was unable, for whatever reasons, to experience Grace. My understanding of the essential core of the Christian church is that that we are all saved through Grace. Grace is not something one earns but something we deserve just for being. The is the same unconditional love which some other religions and philosophies teach. Grace teaches that if we welcome the prodigal child home, if we embrace the one who is considered unlovable; if we reach out to the one who mirrors our own humanness with unconditional love there is an opportunity for healing. Grace does not suggest that first one shame themselves, admit to all the ways one has hurt oneself and others, or make amends. Grace begins with a recognition that we are all human; that we are all capable of looking in the wrong places for our worth; that there is no way of distinguishing our hurtful behavior from that of others. Grace reaches out with an embrace and says, “Welcome home.”
In all the published responses of both officials of the Catholic Church, the laity of the church and the general public I have seen little evidence of Grace extended to Bishop Bransfield and others caught in that web of destructive behaviors. Certainly the church needs a more effective system for addressing the pain which leads to such abuse of self and others. Perhaps the establishment of a Diocesan Pastoral Council can play a major role in ensuring that happens but without Grace the Catholic church will continue to be a co-conspirator in the punishment system of responding to our humanness; a system which does not heal individuals or the community.
The only reason for the existence of a Christian community is to first offer Grace to all who feel as if they do not belong; to all clergy, laity, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, non-believers in any God; an unconditional embrace of love. It is my belief that love allows for the possibility of amends to self and others – to the possibility of belonging.
It is up the those who desire a world built on the rock of the teaching of Jesus to say no to punishment and yes to welcoming home the immigrant, the addict, the criminal, the homeless, the sick. If a mentally ill person walks into my office I do not put them in charge of my office, I welcome them with respect for their illness and with an invitation to join in the search for healing. If Bishop Bransfield walked into my office I would welcome him with open arms. If he attempted to justify his behaviors, I would smile and offer him love – not condemnation – not a demand for amends. I would attempt to reach deep beneath his costume of pretended grandeur to his pain; to offer him not the chalice but the cup of communion.
It takes great courage to say no to punishment and yes to love. It takes strength to say yes to accountability and yes to those who mirror our humanness.
Written January 13, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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