An open letter to His Grace, The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus

To His Grace, The Most Reverend Robert J. McManus, Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester:

If I may, even though I am an Eastern Catholic and live in another eparchy, I would like to ask a blessing from His Grace.

Additionally, I would like to thank His Grace for His courageous display of Christian witness, and the exercise of His episcopal charism of teaching and authority, in His recent decision to instruct two of His priests, and one of His parishes, as regards the Roman Catholic Church's teaching on marriage. I have recently read a report of His Grace's acts in this recent news article:

I would not have the temerity to attempt to instruct His Grace on the Church's teaching; it is a pity that some of His Grace's flock have attempted to do so, or worse, attempted to reject His teaching as politically, and not religiously or spiritually based. Please do not consider this to be a failure of His Grace's efforts at teaching His flock or His priests: I am afraid that the children of Jannes and Jambres, or the sons of Eli, will be found in every generation and nation, including our own.

Please recognize this letter as merely a bleat of appreciation from one more or less rational sheep, who hears and recognizes His Lord Christ's voice, and who also recognizes the acts of a true shepherd appointed by Our Lord, such as His Grace.

Very truly yours,

Bernard Brandt

(This letter was prompted by the weblog of a Roman Catholic seminarian, and this entry in that weblog. My thanks to this nameless seminarian, and I think that his recommendation that the faithful support His Grace in his actions is entirely appropriate.)