Theological Differences
This is by far most important issue to date. In order to answer this question as accurately as possible the testimonies of many members of the parish have been compiled below. It is important to note that when parishioners did ask Fr. Bud what the theological differences were, he did not answer the question.
The following are homily topics which Fr. Ian preached and Fr. Bud objected to:
On the Feast of Christ the King (11/21/04), Fr. Ian preached a beautiful homily on the Kingship of Christ not only of each of our lives but of the World and even the Universe. He stated that even if the President of the United States asked you to do something contrary to your faith, as a Catholic, you would not be bound by it. This is supported by both the Church and the State. Saint Thomas Moore is a great example of this. Just before his execution for refusing to sign a heretical document as he was commanded by the King he stated that he was still "the King's good servant, but God's first." Pope Leo XIII insisted in Libertas Humana that: "where a law is enacted contrary to reason, or to the Eternal Law, or to some ordinance of God, obedience is unlawful, lest while obeying man we become disobedient to God." The Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights." These rights are from God and even the Government cannot take them away. What is Fr. Bud's theology on this and why was he upset at this teaching?
In another homily Fr. Ian explained that the temple of the Jews was destroyed, and up to today has not been rebuilt, because Jerusalem failed to recognize and accept the visitation of God, when Jesus was sent to them. He quoted Luke 19:41-44 to substantiate this. By analogy, he warned the congregation that our generation should take heed not to reject Jesus and His teachings, less we suffer a similar fate. Jesus was not anti-Semitic, so how can Fr. Ian be accused of being anti-Semitic for using Jesus' words of lament for the city of Jerusalem from Luke?
Fr. Ian said that we must lament the damage and loss of life in the Tsunami hit nations. He indicated that the world has not known a natural disaster of such proportion since the time of Noah's flood. He went on to say that that most of the areas that have been hit are notably territories that are closed to the Gospel. Some have been Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu territories in particular. Fr. Ian expressed an opinion that God was opening a window of opportunity for the spread of the Gospel. ("Full authority has been given to me both in Heaven and on earth; go therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matt 28:18-19). Even though Fr. Ian never spoke of God's punishment, Fr. Bud said that we do not teach that God punishes in this parish. At the following Catechetical Assembly, Mike Torretti, our Business Manager, stood up and announced, "We all know God doesn't punish." Why the skepticism and refutation over something not said?
Fr. Ian quoted Pope Pius XII, who in his 1950 encyclical Humani Generis warned of the dangers concerning the theory of evolution, especially in challenging the historicity of Adam and Eve and, thereby, denying the doctrine of Original Sin. In so doing, Fr. Ian reiterated the Church's infallible teaching of Original Sin originating from our first two parents.
The Catholic Church clearly teaches that Adam and Eve were two historical persons, our first parents, and the ones through whom Original Sin entered the world. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states in Paragraph 404, "By yielding to the tempter, Adam and Eve committed a personal sin, but this sin affected the human nature that they would then transmit in a fallen state." (emphasis in original) The Council of Orange (529 AD) Canons 1-2 deal directly with Adam's sin. The Council of Trent (1546 AD), Session V on Original Sin, states that "this sin of Adam, which in its origin is one, and by propagation, not by imitation, transfused into all..." Romans 4:12 states that "by one man sin entered into the world and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned."
Gilbert Rodriquez, our paid Youth Minister, was told by a member of the Youth Group, "Fr. Ian said it is heretical to not believe in Adam and Eve." Gilbert's response was, "Fr. Ian was wrong to have said that." The fact that Gilbert is still on staff and Fr. Ian is being let go makes you wonder if this Fr. Bud and/or Fr. Bernie's theology?
This theology is critically important because the implications are so far reaching. If there is no Adam, then there would be no Original Sin. If there is no Original Sin, then there would be no need to be redeemed from Original Sin. If there is no need for Redemption, then what happened on Calvary?
Fr. Ian was told that he had to leave early because his theology clashed with Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie's theology and that they had a different direction for the community. Why do these Catholic Doctrines preached by Fr. Ian "clash" with Fr. Bud's theology? What theology does Fr. Bud embrace if it is not Catholic theology? These are serious questions. Perhaps we should call on our Bishops to have Fr. Bud and Fr. Ian privately debate these, and any other theological differences, so that the Bishops will know the truth and take the appropriate action. We are One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and theology should not divide us. There can be personality differences, preaching style differences, or different expressions of the One True Faith as expressed in different spiritualities, but not in theology. Whether Fr. Ian stays or goes, the orthodoxy* of Fr. Bud and Fr. Bernie's theology must be clarified.
*Orthodoxy means conforming to an established doctrine, especially in religion. In this case it does not mean belonging to the Orthodox Church as some of Fr. Bud's staff members erroneously have interpreted this word.