Stercus...

I was a little surprised to discover that Fr. Michael Crosby, OFM Cap., had been invited to lead a pre-lenten parish mission at my parish this week. Just curious as to what would make someone as notorious as Fr. Crosby perfect for this role..? In fairness, I haven't asked my pastor about it yet to hear his side of it. It just seems odd that Crosby would be invited to our parish, which has brought in some pretty solid speakers and events in the past.

In Sept., 2003, I went to hear for myself what Crosby had to say at a talk he gave, sponsored by Santa Barbara chapter of Voice of the Faithful and our local Institute for Adult Spirituality. Here is what I wrote back then. I referred to him as a liberal prophet of gloom.

I neglected to mention back then that he also boasted about how well versed he was in the Scriptures, and that he has a habit of ridiculing opposing points of view and those who raise them. He boasted particularly about a time when he publically embarrassed a couple of young adults who dared to disagree with him after hearing one of his talks, writing them off as simply uneducated and too influenced by that perpetrator of theological and ecclesiastical oppression, Pope John Paul II. Color me unimpressed. Opening the Church's windows can let in some fresh air, but sometimes you get the funk - and that funk sure do stink!