Father Plushy
Tuesday December 5, 2006
Here's another priest who really would do better moving on to a new career as a massage therapist, or something touchier-and-feelier. Really, if you show up at the end of mass in Barney drag to give your parishioners a "Barney...
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About Crunchy Con
Rod Dreher is an editorial columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and author of "Crunchy Cons" (Crown Forum), a nonfiction book about conservatives, most of them religious, whose faith and political convictions sometimes put them at odds with mainstream conservatives. The views expressed in this blog are his own.
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This reminds me of when I read about an Episcopal parish celebrating a clown mass.>
I'm not sure if it's in this video, but one video I saw recording this incident showed a woman ministering the Eucharist in a devil costume. I couldn't believe it as I watched mothers carry their babies up to the rail and receive Communion.>
It was the same mass.>
The date on the video is incorrect; it occurred on the 28th of *October*, 2006.
This is digusting and sad. The joke about the Scandal was particularly astounding. God have mercy.>
Matt,
The "clown mass" originated with the Roman Catholics, many, many years ago.
Never knew the Episcopalians ever followed suit.>
A Barney blessing? Unbelievable.
Now, a Barney curse, that I could believe, but a blessing? No way.>
Wow - you guys really need a spiritual enema. The kids in the video seemed to appreciate it. As I didn't see any lightning, I don't think Jesus had a problem with it either. Paul, however, was probably doing the Electric Bugaloo in his grave.
I suppose that's why you went Orthodox, though, Rod - you need that somber worship thing.
Isn't it wonderful that there are options open to everyone?>
All I know now is I never ever have to take anything a Catholic says seriously ever again.>
Yes, that was silly. Blasphemous? Not being Catholic, that's not for me to say. I do think the good folks who made the video should be careful. It's easy to go overboard with the "judge not lest ye be judged" thing, but one thing that my own (Orthodox) spiritual director emphasizes is that getting us to point at others is one of the ways the Enemy gets us to ignore our own impurities, such as anger and self-righteousness. But still, Rod, I got a kick out of the video, so thanks for passing it along.>
I suppose that's why you went Orthodox, though, Rod - you need that somber worship thing.
Rod isn't the only one who needs that "somber" thing. This is beyond pitiful. I AM a Roman Catholic and that priest is lucky that I'm not a member of his parish because I'd be reading him the riot act.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (and please note that in Eastern Orthodoxy the Divine Liturgy also re-presents Christ's one, eternal sacrifice) is not the place for such banal nonsense.>
Actually, the EO Divine Liturgy (DL) doesn't strike me as particularly ***somber***. It's serious as a heart attack, to be sure, what with all the exhortations to pay attention.
But oddly enough, the DL is not at all dour.
To me, the DL has always been a worship service filled with unspeakable joy. Maybe it's just because I sing bass in our choir. But I'm amazed every week at the incredibly beautiful music (both Russian and Byzantine) we get to sing in my modest parish (St Stephens) in San Jose, CA.
My $.02 worth.>
Lighten up, Rod Flanders. And you really ought to be more careful with blogging videos out of context-- both you and the video insinuate that this priest's dressing up in a Barney costume brings him one step closer to being Father Chester the Molester.>
TV Guy, I've had you on a list of three or four people here whose comments are best left unread. I would sometimes give them a quick scan, depending on the subject. I was pleased to find you having some good things to say on a thread a week or so ago about consumerism etc., and took you off the list. You just put yourself back on with your 9:00 above. You apparently have no conception of what Catholic and Orthodox worship are all about, which is okay, but you feel entitled to spit on those who do and to whom it means a great deal.
I wonder if you would you give the same sort of advice to Muslims at prayer in the Sacred Mosque at Mecca.>
As a former Roman Catholic, I can't take anything in the religion too seriously....full of hypocrites just like so many other organized religions. Maybe someday in the far future all religions will get back to teching the love that Jesus displayed (or Mohommed, Buddah, etc) and forget about the crap that does not matter like a Priest preaching the word of God to Children in a way that might get them more in touch with it, gay mariiage, and all the other things that the "moral right" think are so important that they have stopped living their lives for God and are living it for devilish fear.>
Jesus taught us to focus on our own sins, but this is different. This priest is leading his flock astray, and if you don't think he is checking out the boys in his parish then you are seriously out of touch. It is not hard at all to spot these priests.
If you won't stand up for somebody blaspheming the Eucharist, what WILL you stand up for?
I don't understand how this happens. That priest should know better. What the hell is going on with these seminaries? Ugh.>
There's a Eucharistic hymn:
Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.
Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six wing d seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High!
- - - So we don't need to keep silence? Giggling and snickering are encouraged?
Got it.>
I can't help thinking of Fr. Dougal McGuire's words in the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted. "I mean, this Catholicism lark is not supposed to be taken seriously. It's just a bit of a laugh".>
Just because the guy is in a Barny costume you think that he is checking out the boys? I guess if you can extrapolate that from the video then I guess you are southern and stupid....WAIT, I don't know you so I shouldn't judge you like that...I think that Jesus taught that.>
Oh Maclin, please don't add me to your list. NOT THE LIST!~!!!111eleven
I wonder if you would you give the same sort of advice to Muslims at prayer in the Sacred Mosque at Mecca.
Actually, I would. "Lighten the hell up!" is good advice.
You should heed it.>
I'm sorry, but I don't understand how or why a priest dressed in a Barney costume would be considered a pedophile?
I will concede that you might feel it is inappropriate during Mass, but what you are suggesting is WRONG!
I have known some gay priests and they are celibate. They are wonderful priests and to lump them in with PEDOPHILES is wrong, wrong, wrong.>
"All I know now is I never ever have to take anything a Catholic says seriously ever again.
Aaron"
One can never be sure whether a statement online is meant to be sarcastic or not, due to the loss of voice inflexion, etc. I certainly hope that that's the case here, and there's just something I'm missing.
Otherwise, this gets to go on my list of dumbest things ever said (right below "Peace in our time").>
Deb - you've obviously never heard of "furries" or "plushies", have you?
Maybe it's better that way.>
Deb...thank you, great comment.
Aaron: just take the serious stuff seriously....don't blanket assume, that isjust plain stupidity to think that because someone said or did one stupid thing that everything that they say is stupid
beentheredonethat: grow up, the man was recorded in a costume, not humping a teddy bear.>
Actually, I would.
Actually, I don't really believe you. But if it's true, it means the average Catholic has far more respect for Islam than you do. At any rate it appears you have nothing of interest or value to say on the subject of religion.>
Right. So what adults do you know who dress up in big furry animal costumes who aren't fetish-inclined?
Go let your kid be near him.>
I am not Roman Catholic, but if I were, I sure would be switching parishes in a hurry if I went to that one.
Not too big a deal if he dressed up in a Barney costume after the Mass had concluded. Sure, he would be a little looney, but as long as he conducted the Mass in a serious tone, then just thinking he's a tad weird would be all I'd get out of that.
The fact that he did this DURING the Mass and proceeded to finish the Mass as if he didn't take a single thing he said SERIOUSLY, were the main problems I would get out of this.
If a priest doesn't take the Mass seriously, then what good is he as a priest?
Pedophile? Maybe, but with the data I have, that's still a stretch. Crazy? Absolutely. Either way, stay far, far away from ths man.>
For heaven's sake people, I am sure he did it for the children. Remember WE WERE NOT THERE. We have no idea what was going on & to judge this priest or church for that matter is ridiculous.>
The mass was extensively filmed, Deb, and you can watch it for yourself. Even if it had been for the children, it is a sacrilege and a disgrace.>
Right. So what adults do you know who dress up in big furry animal costumes who aren't fetish-inclined?
Go let your kid be near him.
Hmmm -- there's a huge complex in Orlando wear parents pay large amounts of money to allow children to be near adults dressed in big furry animal costumes.>
Thank you John and...beentheredonethat...you seem to know an awful lot about fetishes involving large plush animals..........I'll say no more>
"Remember WE WERE NOT THERE. We have no idea what was going on & to judge this priest or church for that matter is ridiculous."
There's a reason that the Catholic Church has a Sacramentary, rubrics, etc. The Mass is not the personal property of any one priest. Liturgical worship is not something to be tinkered with.
I would STILL have read him the riot act. All Catholics have the right to attend a liturgy celebrated in accordance with the liturgical requirements of the Church.
Rod's assessment is right on the mark.>
So let them take their kids there, and not to Mass. Or, do it after Mass. No problem with that.
What would we all think if the President gave the State of the Union address in a Barney costume?
(Of course, in that case, it might make things more interesting. ;-) )>
Even if it had been for the children, it is a sacrilege and a disgrace.
Come now, Rod - a disgrace? That Veronica's Closet lasted more than one season is a disgrace.
This is just people having fun.
Something I know you don't have much experience with... (kidding - you know I love ya, ya big lug.)>
Brad, who says you're not a genius? So how'd you figure that I knew a little something about the dark world of sexual fetishes?
Sincerely,
BeenThereDoneThatAndBeatTheVideoGame>
What would we all think if the President gave the State of the Union address in a Barney costume?
How would that be any different than letting him wander in his speech from the teleprompter?>
GIITV,
"This is just people having fun."
Ex-ACT-ly!!! You finally get it! This looney-tune is just having fun. That's the problem!
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the single most sacred event that one can witness on this planet. It is Jesus Christ, truly present, body, blood, soul and divinity. The Crucifixion on Calvary re-presented to us now. When the priest elevates the Blessed Sacrament, that is God he is showing to the congregation.
Joyful worship? Yes, absolutely! I attend a highly traditional Catholic parish where our worship is as joyful as you could please (when the occassion calls for it), and as somber as you could please (when the occassion calls for it).
There's a difference, though, between joyful worship and "just having fun" with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Aslan is not a tame lion. He is a good lion, but not a tame one.>
Well, we'll just have to wait for Jesus to come back to get the final say on whether Father Plushy was an affront to His dignity, because you and I are just going to have to agree to disagree.>
(Just as a side note... from what I've read about the big J., he'd probably have a good chuckle at Father Plushy and call the pooh-pooers "Whitewashed Tombs" or somethign very similar.
It's good to know that Pharaseeism is alive and well in the 21st century.>
Rod, You still didn't answer my question about why you would insinuate that the priest was gay and why others think it is okay to insinuate that he is a pedophile.
That is what I have a problem with.
This is heresy and last time I looked in my Bible that, my friend, is a sin.>
You people have to be kidding. "He's doing it for the children!" He JOKED about the Scandal. He is creepy. And he's trying to attract children.
I'm not a "dumb Southerner." I'm a gay college student from that most liberal of New England states (you know the one). And I'm offended by that nut.
Not to mention that most pervy priests molest adolescent (AKA young adult) males. Seems to me like they were just going for whatever they could get. Gives me the heebie jeebies.>
I don't know that Father Plushy is gay. I don't know that he's a pedophile. I do know that he's a fruit who on evidence of that video ought to be removed from the priesthood and sent to work in Disneyland.>
Really, if you show up at the end of mass in Barney drag to give your parishioners a "Barney blessing," what on earth is the point of even pretending that anyone should take you seriously as a spiritual father?
This is the crux of your argument, though it has moved beyond that in this combox to "he's a fruit who should work in Disneyland..."
Lemme ask you something, in all seriousness: If one's corporeal father did something embarrassing and goofy (with the best of intentions, of course), would you tell his children that his authority over them is null and void? Would you tell him that he should divorce his wife and leave his family?
I'd like your perspective on this.>
I agree with Diane. Rod must be having a great time with all this Catholic bashing, and don't give me all that "Rod really cares about the Catholic Church" bunk.>
Boy I'm not even Catholic and I feel that Rod has a problem with the Catholic church.
And I still think it is wrong to suggest and insinuate that the priest is gay. If you have the problem with what he did at mass that is one thing, but what in the world did gay have to do with it?
I'm sick of all the gay bashing. When you look at how many children have passed throught the Catholic church and schools there is a very very very very small percentage that have been abused. Yes, any abuse is wrong, but put it into perspective.
Why would ANY man want to become a priest when you have everyone running around screaming that priests are gay? It doesn't matter what orientation the priest has. If he has been called by God and wants to live a celibate life then who are we to interfere?
I also want to interject here is that no church is perfect. I am sure your new church has just as many problems hidden in their closets too. In fact, you can bet on it. Why? Because we are people.>
BTW: Rod and his Orthodox buds: Please see Joe's link (up above) to the utterly nutso EO prelate who wants his flock to suicide-bomb the Israelis.
To coin a phrase: "I'd like to know what orthodox Orthodox and others have to say about it."
Know what I mean? ;)
dianeski, the thorn in Rod's side>
While the Barney suit is not represenative of the typical mass in the US, I will say the typical mass has more in common with what took place in Orange County than what one sees with the Devine Liturgy in the Orthodox churches.
I am a Roman Catholic myself, and I agree with Rob, the priest who was in a Barney suit should be removed from the priesthood, and barred from any offical function dealing with the Catholic church, sadly priests like this are all too typical in the church in the US, though to be fair, most do not take it to extremes like this fool did.
Diane, its sad Catholics like you refuse to even see the conditions that drove Rod away from the church in the first place, and its sad you excuse the "Sprit of Vatican II" infected clergy that led to these conditions in the first place.>
its [sic] sad you excuse the "Sprit of Vatican II" infected clergy that led to these conditions in the first place.
Er, when have I "excused" "'Sprit of Vatican II' infected clergy"? You must have me confused with someone else. Please do not put words in my mouth. Thank you! :)
That's number one. Number two: IMNSHO, Rod had NO good reason to leave the Church. If you think the grass is one whit greener in EOxy--despite the beauty of Orthodox DL, which is also available in Eastern Catholicism, forsooth--then you are kidding yourself. Rod has leapt out of the frying pan and into the fire...as I trust he will eventually learn.
(And personally, I'll take Father Plushy any day over Father Nutsy, now promoted to archbishop!!!!, with his calls for Orthodox suicide-bombing of Israelis. Heck, I'd take Father Plushy any day over the recently retired OCA Bishop Tikhon. :p That doesn't mean I "excuse" Father Plushy. It merely means everything's relative. Things are tough all over--and again, as I said before, if Rod really wants to focus on loony clerics, he can start right in his own newly adopted communion. There's more than enough material there for about a hajillion blog posts.)
Christ never promised us a Church without tares, or one where the liturgy always reaches the rarified standards of the snooty aesthetes. All He promised us was the One True Church, founded upon Peter, which would prevail against the gates of Hell unto the very end...no matter what.
If I had a dollar for all the times, in the course of the past two millennia, that critics have prophesied the imminent demise of the Catholic Church, I'd be a gazillionaire.
The Catholic Church survives, prevails, enduress, and (ultimately) triumphs. And there ain't nuthin' our Working Boy can do about it.
God bless,
Diane
BTW: You might want to study Matthew 25: 31-46 and then tell us where it says that perfect liturgical praxis gets us into Heaven. :)
Also, you may want to note that the Barney-outfit priest was disciplined by his bishop, who did not know about this Mass until it was reported to him. Details, details. But why let facts get in the way of yet another Rod-Bash of the Church He Left and Yet Loves?>
Oh yeah, another thing. Google "Elder Ephraim" sometime. I'll take Father Plushy any day over that crew, too. (And the Ephraimites wield a lot of influence in EOxy, especially among converts, lemme tell you. They have two monasteries here in NC, so I know whereof I speak.)>
Diane, all I can say is GROW UP. Rod brings up very real and very valid points, and for all intents and purposs, you excuse this poor excuse for a priest, and do not get me started on Bp.Todd Brown of the Orange diocese.
The gates of hell will not prevail over the church, but that does not mean local parishes or even diocese' will be all spared. As for being "snooty" was everyone before 1965 "snooty"? Think about it, but thats the thing, you will have to think, and not try to vomit out "cute" Limbaugh style soundbytes.>
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