My Experience Street Preaching in Southend with the Baptists
Bishop John Arnold - "A Nasty Little Bully"
Pat Buckley has posted a letter from a Salford priest giving the low down on what is going on in that diocese. I think it is really important because it is a report from the diocese, but also because if you pay attention to communications from the CCBEW you would think Bishop Arnold is the best bishop in the country! This despite the fact he is clearly seriously at odds with much of the Catholic faith and overly concerned with issues best described as mission creep. He advised the Catenian Association to drop "practicing Catholic" from its statutes and is obsessed with CAFOD and climate change, issues which might seem trendy, but in reality only diminish the Gospel. Arnold is chairman of CAFOD and approved the appointment of the current director who is clearly at odds with Catholic teaching . He also loves an "LGBTQI+ Mass" - more on some of that stuff here . To me he epitomises so many of the bishops: he likes the trappings and power but is very uncomfortable wit...
Thank you for that, Mark. Doing such work, while initially uncomfortable, will strengthen your own faith and thirst for further opportunities to share the treasures of the Christian life. It is a joyful and life-giving task so to do.
ReplyDeleteYears ago I remember a Baptist minister describing the thrill of doing such a witness in the street. "It's like one starving man telling another starving man where to find free food of the best kind."
Back up the work with prayer; next time you do this ask a parishioner or two to pray specifically at the time you're out; that the Lord's Word may touch the hearts of those you meet.
We do need more Catholics on the streets preaching the gospel, people desperately need to experience the love of Christ in a world that is starved of beauty. Well done Mark.
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