Thursday, November 8, 2007

Please pray


For Fr. Francis Mary Stone. So sad. May God lead him.

5 comments:

Tracy said...

I'm not sure who that is, is he sick?

a thorn in the pew said...

http://wicatholicmusings.blogspot.com/2007/11/letter-of-fr-francis-mary.html

He is taking a leave to discern his vocation. There is a widow involved and EWTN has pulled all mention and photos of him from the site. He needs our prayers.

Tracy said...

oh my gosh, I'm so sad to hear this. Thank you for letting me know.. yes, yes, yes.. he needs our prayers!!!

Josefa said...

I was so very sad when I heard that Father Francis, apparently, developed romantic feelings for a widow, whom he was helping.

I can only imagine what a difficult time this is for him. And he will be in my thoughts and prayers, that he will know what God's will is for him in this matter, and act accordingly.



There are many who feel that these types of situations lends credence to the allowance of married priests.

I disagree, because I feel that doing God's work, and meeting the needs of His flock, necessitates a total giving of oneself. In a sense, the priest is married to God and His church, as a man is married to his wife and children. If a priest had a wife and children, he could not give himself totally to God, as he would have family obligations and duties, also. This would be divisive to his priestly vocation.

There are other potential problems which could ensue if a priest were married, which would cause scandal to the Church. Should there be friction in his marriage, and a time might come that he and/or his wife would seek a divorce. He might have children who got involved in drugs, immoral behavior, etc.

Since priests are susceptible to the same temptations as lay people, I feel that they should not put themselve in situations where temptation enters, and then could be fueled by the devil, causing the priest to be confused and uncertain about his calling to the priesthood, and forfeiting it because of a woman.

I would add that this situation with Father Francis, should serve as an example, as to why a priest Should Not
get involved in frequent interaction with a woman, whether she is married, widowed, or single. When I attended parochial school, I was taught that
the devil uses every opportunity to tempt us, and therefore we should not put ourselves in Harm's Way. And when confronted with temptation, that could lead us astray, we should Flee From It, and stay away from it.

Perhaps, it would have been better had Father Francis employed a nun, or a female parishoner to help the widow and her children.

However, if it be God's will that he leave the priesthood for this woman, then so be it. If it is not God's will, I pray that he will see the light, and be at peace and contentment in continuing to dedicating himself fully to the work of The Lord.

Father Francis, may God be with you.
JOSEFA

Lily said...

Oh my, prayers indeed!
~Lily