Optimism for the New Millenium

Here is my response to a discouraged priest regarding the present state of the Church.

Yes, we (too, like the liberals) are aging, but not without effect! Our generation of priests (the seminarians of the 90's) are at the head of the curve for the reform of the reform.

We can boast that we have begun the movement to cherish and promote the entire Catholic liturgical patrimony. It is only to get much better, for the following reasons.

1) We are under the most traditional Pope since VCII.

2) The US episcopate is the most "Roman" it has been in our lifetime, and that is to get significantly better, with nearly one-third of the ordinaries (88 bishops) to retire (and be replaced) over the next five years.

3) The amount of traditional seminarians is higher than ever, and ever growing!

Given this increasing traditional climate in the Church, greater than we could have ever anticipated even ten years ago, we have good reason to be optimistic regarding our future ministry, in zealously promoting all things Catholic, even as we gradually draw closer to the grave (and suffer our own and each other's personal defects on the way). And after death, the Judgment, in which Christ will set all things right.

Our passing, though humble, shall be a glorious one, which will have a lasting effect for the salvation of souls, if we only cling to Christ! Porro unum est necessarium! (Lk. 10:42)