Mr. Terry, follow the Bishop.

The latest news in the Notre Dame Scandel is that Mr. Randall Terry, along with Alan Keyes, is planning another protest with the hopes of being arrested, and is encouraging area pro-lifers to join him. All this in opposition to the wishes of our Bishop John D'Arcy.

I had not realized that Randall Terry had converted to Catholicism until this present news coverage, and frankly, I am appalled by his actions in defiance of our Bishop and his venomous response. Unlike Mr. Terry, Bishop D'Arcy has chosen the high road of pastoral leadership rather than public, self-indulgent grandstanding.

When Mr. Terry became Catholic, he pledged "I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God." This pledge requires us to be faithful to (and respectful of) our Bishop. Consider these words of St. Ignatius:


"Plainly therefore we ought to regard the bishop as the Lord Himself" — Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians 6:1.

"Therefore as the Lord did nothing without the Father, [being united with Him], either by Himself or by the Apostles, so neither do ye anything without the bishop and the presbyters." — Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians 7:1.

"Be obedient to the bishop and to one another, as Jesus Christ was to the Father [according to the flesh], and as the Apostles were to Christ and to the Father, that there may be union both of flesh and of spirit." — Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians 13:2.

"follow your bishop, as Jesus Christ followed the Father, and the presbytery as the Apostles; and to the deacons pay respect, as to God's commandment" — Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnans 9:1.

He that honoureth the bishop is honoured of God; he that doeth aught without the knowledge of the bishop rendereth service to the devil" — Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnans 9:1.

And another point needs to be made. Fr. Jenkin's has grieviously sinned against the Holy Spirit in opposing the Bishops. Mr. Terry, and those who follow him, are guilty of the same sin. By rejecting the pastoral leadership of Bishop D'Arcy, Mr. Terry sends a message to all Catholics that it is okay to do what you want, regardless of what the bishop says.

Actions speak louder than words. And Mr. Terry's actions are no different than those of Fr. Jenkins, and the host of Cafeteria Catholics who refuse to support the Church's teaching on Abortion.

Mr. Terry, if you're not going to act like a Catholic, go back from whence you came.