Response of Christchurch born Brother Ernest Maria.

 A 16th-century Italian priest, St. Philip Neri, gave this penance to a woman who confessed to spreading malicious gossip.  First, she was to go to the market, buy a chicken, pluck it, and scatter the feathers as she walked home. The next day, when she returned for the rest of her penance, he instructed her to go about the town and collect all those feathers she had plucked and scattered. She objected, saying that it would be impossible, for the wind had spread them everywhere. The saintly priest replied, “Let this be a lesson for you, for it is exactly the same with your wicked words. Just as the chicken feathers have been scattered by the wind in every direction, so have your wicked words been scattered in every direction by other people, repeating your stories!”

I am a young member of the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, and a native of Christchurch. Not withstanding the pain of having been given, not by name but in effect, an exile order from my own home, I wanted to express the pain and frustration of seeing the men and the Congregation I love so unfairly caluminated.

For what it is worth, in the over three years I have spent with the Congregation, as a member of the faithful and within the Congregation itself, nothing has given me a moment of concern or suspicion. There is not a culture of secrecy; we are all part of the same family. The (normal Religious) obedience required in the Congregation has, in my experience, been nothing but fatherly and just, polite even. Indeed, much more so than one would get from any boss, maybe even from a spouse or parent. I have never been asked to do anything that my seniors have not done or would not happily do themselves. No treat or privilege is reserved only for fathers. Just like a family, we share in everything: the joys and woes. Any accusation of a culture of bullying, of practises psychologically harmful, of abuse and love of power on the part of the fathers of the Congregation, or, indeed, of their having any nefarious designs, are absurd. They are completely backwards. I can only give my own case.

Before discovering the Oratory and the Congregation I was certainly depressed. Though never diagnosed, I was physically diminished on account of my psychology and mindset. Through the Latin Mass, and the reordering of my life by the direction of the Sons, I improved quickly and decisively. Since joining the Congregation I have never been happier. I talk to my family at least monthly, and, when in Christchurch, see them often. They are not members of the faithful but they, too, have noticed the change for the better in me. They can see that there is genuine and informed love for the life we live and for the Congregation itself.

The media has spread lies, and have even made many up of their own accord. But, by his actions, the Bishop of Christchurch has given credence to those lies. He has a large share in the responsibility for the damage done to the Congregation, and to souls. It cannot be overstated: people are scandalised; reputations have been permanently marred. The chicken has been plucked and the feathers have been scattered on the wind. Nothing can fully repair the damage that has been done. Even so, it is high time the culprits, particularly the Bishop, start picking up some feathers.

 

- By Brother Ernest Maria

 

 

Brother Ernest Maria is presently in Papa Stronsay, Scotland. He is due to return to Christchurch before Christmas. He has been absent from New Zealand for a little over one year in order to complete his canonical novitiate in Papa Stronsay, our novitiate house, where he is one of  the four NZ novices present there. As of today we have a total of 19 novices and temporary professed. Of the 19 there are 7 New Zealanders and 2 Samoans. Please pray for their perseverance.