On Origins, the Truth, and Civility

Note: I was originally writing this as a response to the exchange going on in the Origins Pt. II entry, but I thought it might be able to stand on its own.

I'm sharing pictures that were sent to me. Here are some of the key personalities in the 1993 split:

Fr. Herb presenting what transpired after the CFC broke off from LNP in a meeting with People of Hope and CFC New Jersey. People of Hope was the american counterpart of LNP.

The invitees in the meeting: People of Hope (left) and CFC - New Jersey (right).

Vic G and Company (un-dated picture)

Brothers and sisters, I'd like to thank you all for the feedback you are giving. Some comments especially by Ernie S have been very revealing as well as educational. I'd also like to applaud you all for keeping the discussion on the level and civil. It was what I was hoping for, a sane discussion on the issues we are facing today without hate and people calling for the wrath of God upon one another.

I must admit the history of CFC was previously an alien thing to me, considering it happened quite some time ago and frankly (excuse the blatant pun), I had little interest in it until this blog started up. I believed then as I still do now, that CFC's present actions are reflective enough of what it stands for and speaks for itself - and that was good enough for me. Now that I'm reading about it (for the first time like many of you folks), I am getting a better understanding and comprehension about the events going on in the present. As the poet Georges Santayana, said, "Those who do not study history are doomed to repeat it."

While this saying has been corrupted several different ways, one version of which was the way I remembered it before Google saved the day, "Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it," - I believe the gist is the same. We should be paying attention to this, because it says a lot about what is going on now.

To Mickey (Sleepless in NJ) and akosikenn, thank you for the civil and respectful exchange. As usual, it's great to hear from someone in the FFL, as it allows us to see that we are all human here, hurting and confused about recent events. You have both strengthened my belief that there are good people in both the CFC and the FFL. No matter where our discernment has led us, it doesn't change the goodness in our hearts and our shared love for Jesus Christ. The respect and and restraint apparent in your discussion should be a shining example for all. I could say more about who should be following your example, but lets leave it at that. Let's remember that although this not-so-secret war of attrition might be going on, this isn't about any of us who were called serve in our own little way, but of human foibles & follies and the devil's own treachery. Let us pray that the light shines through soon, and people start realizing that the division being fostered is only making one entity happy, and it's not the one with the halo.

As for the topic of your discussion...well, that's a little tricky. I have to admit that I did share some of akosikenn's feelings - that Frank should be given a chance to air his side of things along with Vic Gutierrez, it would have been the fair, journalistic way to do it. Now that I think about it though, I'm convinced that Frank has his own version of history that may or may not be factual. What we have here in Vic Gutierrez is an honest testimony from someone who has no stake in the matter, and only wants history to be told RIGHT. It is funny that the FFL found a way to press the fact that he's retired and no longer an active member of LNP to discredit the story, when in reality that should be even more reason to believe the history of the LNP/CFC split as presented by one who was not only there, but was placed deeply in the heart of things as they unfolded. Not only that, but like one of the other commenters, I also believe that Frank had already been given years and years to tell his version of the truth. If he had purposely or mistakenly kept us in the dark about what really transpired then, whose fault is that? He sure had his chances in the countless books he's written, the thousands of talks, and his numerous emails blasted to all of us. Just the fact that his minions at the FFL's PR machine is struggling to make a square peg fit into a round hole is proof that the shoe doesn't fit well enough to be comfortable. The bottom line is this:

There are very few conclusions one can make when asking why he chose to tell us what he did, and for what purpose.

Now, I fear that this airing of bitter truths is not going to stop here, after all, there is an Origins III to look forward to. The truth, no matter how deeply hidden or horrible, has a way of cleansing one's soul after its revelation. I myself have had closely held secrets that I thought would never see the light of day, but once shared gave me the deepest sense of peace I've had in a long time. (Let that be a reminder to you all to line up outside the confessionals. Hehe. )

My point is, there are people privy to the truth now, who were there when this episode in our history was unfolding, and who I believe should be speaking up. Please don't let anybody else tell the story that you all should be telling. The first steps to healing is to treat the wound, and an untreated one festers. Let's not forget that a large part of us being Catholics and Christians in general is our ability to forgive, and what better example to follow than the one made by He who made the greatest sacrifice for all of us?

So, coming from someone on the ground...I humbly ask:

Talk, tell, and let the truth speak for itself.

Then let us all forgive, heal, move on, and IF there was a collective guilt, let us atone. Be that as it may, and seeing as the vast majority of the members of CFC had no idea about what went on, acknowledgment might be more important than atonement, and is actually long overdue.

That, is of course just my opinion.


May God lead the way for us all...