Get this straight,
Ye servant of Christ.
It's okay to burn the following:
Old Ways and Traditions
Outdated Thinking about Morality
Antiquated Interpretations of Scripture
But the fire that burns within you?
We can't have that, either.
In fact, we'll need you to snuff that out.
Read your liturgical canon all ye like,
But do not wager expositional commentary
On all we are doing to God's Children--
If we want your opinions--or, as you put it,
Your convictions--we'll ask you for it.
And, be not deceived, servant,
We will edit your thoughts so they align
With our intentions for humankind.
After all, our worldview is the dominant one.
What you think is inconsequential and unwelcome.
In fact, ye servant of Christ,
And please write this down on your heart
So we won't have to say it again:
Your opinions are not welcome.
Your application of Word to World is irrelevant.
Your commentary must cease
Or we will see to it you never speak again.
Please do not misunderstand us:
We welcome your position so long as it serves
What we deem to be the best of your outdated tradition--
You keep the people satiated with the status quo.
You give them enough liturgy to enable them to do
What is required of them in the coming day of work;
Enough Scripture to convince them they are servants
(Shall we assist you in finding the verse?);
But beyond that, you must cease and desist your diatribes.
If you can comply with this mandate,
You and your congregants may live to meet another day;
But if you refuse...Well, death is already at your doorstep.
-----------------
A poem in response to the Headline: "Catholic Priest Fatally Shot after Mass in Northern Philippines," April 30, 2018
Monday, April 30, 2018
Catholic Priest Fatally Shot (News Headline: April 30, 2018)
Catholic Priest Fatally Shot After Mass in the Northern Philippines
04/30/2018 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on the morning of April 29, a 37-year-old Catholic priest in the northern Philippines was gunned down in Gattaran town, Cagayan province, shortly after the conclusion of Mass.
Father Mark Anthony Ventura was giving the blessing and talking with choir members in Peña Weste gymnasium after Mass, when two men riding on a motorcycle arrived. At 8:15 a.m., one of the men entered through the back of the gym and shot Ventura twice. Ventura sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest and died on the scene.
The suspects fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice toward the highway heading to Baggao town.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemned the killing of Ventura and appealed to the authorities to apprehend his killers and bring them to justice.
According to the police, the motive has yet to be determined. However, according to Inquirer, the CBCP said that Ventura was known for his opposition to mining and for helping the indigenous peoples of Cagayan.
PhilStar also quoted Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, “There is no doubt that there is a disturbing trend of church people being persecuted for their stance and involvement in human rights.”
In a statement, Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg called the death of Ventura a “brutal and cowardly act.” Utleg stressed, “We just lost a young priest, zealous and dedicated, one who smelled like his sheep, to an assassin’s bullet right after he said Mass and was baptizing children. Let us offer our prayers for him, for his bereaved family, and the lay faithful of our beloved Archdiocese.”
This is the second time that a Catholic priest was killed in Luzon during the last five months. Father Marcelito Paez, a 72-year-old retired Catholic priest, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen last December, just a few hours after he facilitated the release of a political prisoner in Cabanatuan. His case remains unresolved.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, said, “The deliberate attack on Catholic priests in the Philippines is wicked and disheartening. Religious clergy should be able to perform their duty and engage in community work without fear, yet their lives were cut short for their dedication to the people they served. ICC condemns the killing of Father Ventura and calls for the government of the Philippines to bring justice to the slain. The country should not add another name to the list of murders carried out with impunity.”
04/30/2018 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) - International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on the morning of April 29, a 37-year-old Catholic priest in the northern Philippines was gunned down in Gattaran town, Cagayan province, shortly after the conclusion of Mass.
Father Mark Anthony Ventura was giving the blessing and talking with choir members in Peña Weste gymnasium after Mass, when two men riding on a motorcycle arrived. At 8:15 a.m., one of the men entered through the back of the gym and shot Ventura twice. Ventura sustained gunshot wounds to the head and chest and died on the scene.
The suspects fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice toward the highway heading to Baggao town.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) condemned the killing of Ventura and appealed to the authorities to apprehend his killers and bring them to justice.
According to the police, the motive has yet to be determined. However, according to Inquirer, the CBCP said that Ventura was known for his opposition to mining and for helping the indigenous peoples of Cagayan.
PhilStar also quoted Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, “There is no doubt that there is a disturbing trend of church people being persecuted for their stance and involvement in human rights.”
In a statement, Tuguegarao Archbishop Sergio Utleg called the death of Ventura a “brutal and cowardly act.” Utleg stressed, “We just lost a young priest, zealous and dedicated, one who smelled like his sheep, to an assassin’s bullet right after he said Mass and was baptizing children. Let us offer our prayers for him, for his bereaved family, and the lay faithful of our beloved Archdiocese.”
This is the second time that a Catholic priest was killed in Luzon during the last five months. Father Marcelito Paez, a 72-year-old retired Catholic priest, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen last December, just a few hours after he facilitated the release of a political prisoner in Cabanatuan. His case remains unresolved.
Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, said, “The deliberate attack on Catholic priests in the Philippines is wicked and disheartening. Religious clergy should be able to perform their duty and engage in community work without fear, yet their lives were cut short for their dedication to the people they served. ICC condemns the killing of Father Ventura and calls for the government of the Philippines to bring justice to the slain. The country should not add another name to the list of murders carried out with impunity.”
Monday, April 16, 2018
...and their love story continues...
January 25, 2018
And Gran breathed her last this morning.
Just last week, she was shopping in Walmart.
But she wasn't happy. Not really.
Her heart was elsewhere.
And the loves of her life awaited her...
When she breathed her last at last.
I imagine the bright illumination of her Savior,
Just as her new eyes opened.
And the outreached hand of her husband...
And Gran breathed her last this morning.
Just last week, she was shopping in Walmart.
But she wasn't happy. Not really.
Her heart was elsewhere.
And the loves of her life awaited her...
When she breathed her last at last.
I imagine the bright illumination of her Savior,
Just as her new eyes opened.
And the outreached hand of her husband...
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