WASHINGTON (ChurchMilitant.com) - The Catholic laity are expressing outrage, claiming American Catholic bishops have forced a theologian to resign after he wrote a letter to Pope Francis asking for clarification.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a press release on November 1 titled "On Dialogue within the Church" in response to a letter written by Fr. Thomas Weinandy to Pope Francis in July.
It was reported that after Weinanady's letter was made public the USCCB demanded he resign from his position as its theological consultant.
Written by USCCB president Cdl. Daniel DiNardo, the press release begins, "The departure today of Fr. Thomas Weinandy, O.F.M., Cap., as a consultant to the Committee on Doctrine and the publication of his letter to Pope Francis gives us an opportunity to reflect on the nature of dialogue within the Church."
He goes on, "Christian charity needs to be exercised by all involved. In saying this, we all must acknowledge that legitimate differences exist and that it is the work of the Church, the entire body of Christ, to work towards an ever-growing understanding of God's truth."
Di Nardo finishes:
As bishops, we recognize the need for honest and humble discussions around theological and pastoral issues. We must always keep in mind St. Ignatius of Loyola's "presupposition" to his Spiritual Exercises: "that it should be presumed that every good Christian ought to be more eager to put a good interpretation on a neighbor's statement than to condemn it." This presupposition should be afforded all the more to the teaching of Our Holy Father.
The USCCB authored three different Tweets garnering strong reactions from faithful Catholics who are asking why the USCCB is not extending the benefit of "presupposition" to Weinandy:
Shameful censoring of a legitimate concerns. I'm wondering will you silence @jamesmartinSJ for his lack of charity?
— PZMedic (@Paul_Zilio) November 1, 2017
This reaction from the brood of vipers is why so many of us have closed the wallets. Bishops attack the faithful & allow heretics free run.
— DC Sports Artist (@PaulNicholsDC) November 2, 2017
"...on Dialogue Within the Church" ?!?!? LOL
— João (@JoaoMMXIV) November 2, 2017
A poor response. Talk of dialogue but sack someone for asking what many think. USCCB just embarrassed itself infront of Catholics everywhere
— Stat Crux (@Stat_Crux_) November 1, 2017
The vast majority of tweets express anger at the American bishops' response:
You wanted an informed laity, & now you have one, and we are calling you out for your infidelity.
— WalterMcKinleyBetts (@HuckBetts) November 2, 2017
Or what man is there of you, whom if his. son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
— Christopher Manion (@realchrismanion) November 2, 2017
Matthew 7:9
Thanks for the stone, Your Eminence.
An act of miserable cowards. If you think this will be forgotten, you're sadly mistaken. The faithful have had it up to here with you.
— Regina M ������ (@reginamrc6) November 1, 2017
Some responded with the simple message, "Not one more penny."