In the wake of the current affairs within the Church, I couldn’t have asked for a better first topic to bring to the table in my new blog. All over the country (and the world), there is upheaval with direct concern for the direction of the Catholic Church, as led by the USCCB and more specifically, by our Holy Father. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to sit in on one of the largest Catholic gathering on the west coast, perhaps the largest in the country. It may come as no surprise, then, that what I saw, heard and felt was anything but uplifting, revitalizing or encouraging. Instead, I was met with a leftist agenda, pushed by heretical leaders, non-Catholic speakers, and flocks of wandering sheep.
The RE Congress, or the Religious Education Congress, is an annual conference of the Catholic faithful who attend in order to receive several benefits. Namely, the faithful seek answers, guidance, and help with regard to their respective ministries. Some simply attend to learn something new, and some others still attend to get some good old-fashioned shopping done. Tens of dozens of workshops are offered daily throughout the 3-day event, all aiming to address different topics within the Church, or aspects of our faith and how they relate to our current world.
Although I have attended the RE Congress several times, this was the first year in which I attended solely for the content. And no, I wasn’t excited. In all honesty, I dreaded the very thought of attending. After all, the last time I attended Congress, I very likely enjoyed some of the speakers that I was opposing this year. I hadn’t yet fully understood the degree to which our Holy Church had been disgraced by some of these men and women, who, in many cases, were actively seeking to change some of the most sacred aspects of the faith! Oh, and let me tell you, it was an all-star cast.
Given the insidious nature of Satan, I presumed that this congress would be particularly offensive, and I suspect it will only get worse. I decided, after I realized I was going to this thing, that if I wanted to get a real taste of the agendas that were at work this year, I would need to take the classes that were offered on their biggest stage, the “Arena.” I asked myself, “If I wanted to push an agenda, and I had thousands of people to “minister” to, where would I do it? What classes would they be?” It was abundantly clear. I decided to remain in the Arena for all of the workshops. I was not disappointed, or rather, I received plenty of material.
Over the next couple of days, I will be posting in-depth reports on the workshops I attended, the things that I heard, the people I spoke with, and the overall tones of this wretched event. From Fr. Bryan Massingale’s doctrine of “moral relativism,” to Fr. Tony Ricard’s big-headed clericalism, I was sure to keep myself busy with stories. I couldn’t have asked for a better maiden voyage for Cathlogic!
Stay tuned as I put together a nice, meaty report on all of your favorite Catholic dissenters, and what they are telling to our precious faithful. I promise, you won’t know what to do with your feelings!
Until Next Time, I remain Yours in Christ,
Christian Patin
Fides et ratio