A Pastoral Statement from Archbishop Francis-Maria of the Immaculata (Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda)
We acknowledge that on this day of Remembrance of the Shoah — the atrocities against humanity, known as the Holocaust, it is also the day when Roman Catholics observe the Feast of Divine Mercy, and when their former pope, John Paul II — no friend to those victims of sexual abuse, nor friend to open theological and philosophical discussion within his sect — the patron of all that is ultraconservative, narrow-minded and covered-up — is beatified by his successor.
As St. Peter’s Square teems with 1.5 million faithful, I wonder how many of them paused to remember the victims of the sexual abuse that became rampant under John Paul’s watch. How many remembered his efforts to silence the great theologians, like Hans Kung and Anthony de Mello?
I could not help be recall the hubris with which he wrote in “Crossing the Threshhold of Hope“:
“If [Christ] were only a wise man, like Socrates, if He were a ‘prophet’ like Muhammed, if He were ‘enlightened’ like Buddha, without any doubt, He would not be what He is. He is the one mediator between God and humanity.”
Aside from ignoring that the mythos ascribed to the Great Master, Rav Yeshua, was in fact partially an ancient astrological tale, partially legend fabricated decades later by those with curious agendas, and partially misunderstood for its true gnosis and message of compassion, inclusion, forgiveness and equanimity, John Paul II arrogantly postures the Roman Catholic tradition as being the only way to spiritual liberation.
That sickening attitude of intolerance and superiority (which got them into trouble in 1054 C.E.) does nothing to foster interspiritual dialogue, and sets a poor example for a world torn by wars and conflicts that have their root in the same intolerance, discrimination and delusional superiority complexes.
I will not be celebrating his beatification, and will in fact, mourn the event.
– Archbishop Francis-Maria of the Immaculata, O.C., M.Sc., Th.D.
(Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda)
Spiritual Director of the The Contemplative Order of Compassion
http://orderofcompassion.com/
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Drawing on the essential teachings of the great spiritual teachers, philosophers and freethinkers throughout time, Khenpo Gurudas Śunyatananda (retired Archbishop Francis-Maria Salvato, O.C.) has been regarded as a provocative, revolutionary “voice of reason” within the field of religion and spirituality, since 1983. Having the distinction of being one of the few openly non-theistic, openly-gay and post-denominational thinkers ever to serve as Bishop-Exarch and spiritual leader of the autocephalic Eastern Catholic Franciscans in North America, Gurudas is the author of more than 600 articles, eight books and currently serves as the spiritual advisor for a non-theistic, intentional spiritual community, The Spiritus Project.
Copyright ©2010, Khenpo Gurudas Sunyatananda (The Most Reverend Dr. F. Francis-Maria G. Salvato, M.Sc., O.C.). All rights reserved. This material may be reproduced, blogged, quoted or distributed, provided the entire copyright including contact information remain intact. It may NOT be altered in any way, without express written permission.”