on the closing of Spring Bank. I was in the early 80's a novice at Spring Bank at the old site.When abbot Raymond was in charge. Yet in recent years I went on the site a few times and came across on the site one of the monk's with bits and pieces about the old abbey and other topics, then I came across something that disturbed me. I sent a notification to the writer and never received a response.
I came across a young man looking for a boyfriend on that site and it was enough for me and did not want to be a part of that situation. Whether it was slipped in by mistake or was a sabotage I will not judge but it was there.
I don't want to trash the community but it has always had problems even from the early start. It is sad when a community ends.
Never the less Praise be God who is the Father of all mercy.
n+

I don't have a clue as to what you are talking about. Could you give a bit more background, please?

don't have a clue I saw an add of a young man around 18 yrs of age with a photo of himself in what was a gay add. This was on their web page..whats not to have a clue?

It was on whose webpage? What is Spring Bank? Who is Abbot Raymond? You give no details. Where did this occur? What kind of website is Spring Bank? What kind of "closing" are you speaking of? You come here and say things, expecting us to know exactly what you're talking about. Well, I don't know what you're talking about, and simply asked for more information.

For starters, what's Spring Bank? Never heard of it and so I don't know what you're talking about, either.

I'm sorry to read in your religion that you are a former Catholic. Care to share about that? Hopefully, you will stick around here and find your way back home to the Church.

And - Welcome to the board!

Spring Bank Abbey was the monastery when the Cistercian's of the common observance when they were in Oconomoc Wis. I don't think that is the proper spelling. They transffered to Sparta. As in former do not think will find my way back have never been more spiritual since I started attending a local Anglican Church in my community. Have had enough of the romans to fill a life time...the bishop of Rome is actually the most genuine person I have ever seen and have respect for truely a loving and compassionate person truely practises how he lives and deals with people...actually the only compassionate roman. I feel the church of rome lacks compassion and forgiveness. I failed to recognize in her the compassionate Christ.
My back ground former Capuchin Friar and a graduate from the Toronto School of Theology. I have a Masters in Div from this school. The Capuchins instilled in me what I today I still try live, to see Christ in everone no matter how difficult it might me.
May the all compassinoate Father, Son and Holy Spirit guuide us as we celebrate the Nativity of Christ Our Saviour. May His birth enable us to live and do His will as we journey to make Him known my our life.
n+

If you found the ad on a defunct website, then that is a common thing for defunct websites. I've seen a number of former Catholic sites which were taken over by people whose agenda is to spread porn and other unsavory practices. I'm not sure if that's what happened there, but that is what I would think happened.

I am a member of the Catholic Church because it is the one and only Church established by Christ. He does not owe me anything. I owe Him everything.

I must say that I find it ironic that you are all offended at a gay ad you found on some site, yet you are not offended that your new-found spirituality is based in a church that promotes not only women in the priesthood, but also openly gay priests.

And you the roman church has no skeletons in their closet; no offense I don't mean to judge look at the abuse cases. Moreover their are roman priests who are practicing homosexuals and some have lovers. So if you want to accuse then accuse all not just judge others because we are all fraught and need to do penance. No church is perfect we are human beings who are proned to sin, but we need to acknowledge our sinfulness and lift ourselves up from the depth of sin. It's very easy to point fingers at others and we need to look at only ourselves and see what we have done and seen what was done and still going on. Right here in my own town last week a priest was charged with child porn. Why is this happening, lack of deep personal prayer and the fact they have lost their way and the focus of who and what they are priests who should be committed to their vocations.
Praised be the Father of Our Jesus Christ the Father of all mercy and forgiveness. Send us your Holy Spirit Father to enlighten us because our way has become darken without your light, Jesus Christ our way and truth.
n+

So, you're saying that you are okay with a woman as your priest or a gay man as your parish priest?

The Catholic Church has not thrown open the doors to the priesthood to gays and women as has the Anglican Church.

No I don't but I had a roman priest as a pastor who was a religious and was in an active relationship? Explain to me the difference?

The difference is that the Catholic Church doesn't condone or approve of such things. Did you report the priest to your Bishop?

You keep talking about the "Roman" Church. Are you speaking solely of the Latin Rite, or are you speaking of both the Latin Rite and Eastern Rite as well?

Did you or did you not report the priest to the Bishop?

Aiden,

The sin you see in the Roman Catholic Church does not eclipse the whole Truth that is there.

Peace,

Dorothy

Catholics under the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI need to stay in the Church and become holier individuals. Increased light removes the darkness.