Comments on Bishop’s Letter

By Gerald Montroy
(Former active priest in the Diocese of Belleville)

With all due respect and weighing the news reports of the past several days calling for his resignation, it appears to me Bishop Braxton has written this "pastoral" letter in a desperate attempt to gain personal sympathy and reverse the movement calling for his resignation as bishop of Belleville.  

Bishop Braxton suggests to his readers the outpouring of letters of condolence on the death of his mother was such that he could not find time to write a personal note of thanks.  The proper response to letters of condolence is not a long letter evoking personal sympathy for ones' misdeeds.  A brief printed note of thanks in response to letters of condolence is appropriate.  A simple boxed note of thanks in the diocesan newspaper is appropriate.   This tone and length of this letter is entirely inappropriate.

Bishop Braxton wants this letter read at all Masses on the Feast of the Resurrection or the following Sunday, placed in parish bulletins on one of these date and published Easter week in the diocesan newspaper.  What relationship is there between this lengthy self-serving letter and the important celebration of the Resurrection during this Easter season?  

The leadership of the Belleville diocese continues to be in the hands of a sad and uninspiring prelate.

Gerald Montroy 

(Mr. Montroy is now an attorney in southern Illinois and the St. Louis area)