A confession of wrongdoing from fear

This morning, I openly disagreed with Amy Welborn on her blog, about our local crisis and my father in Christ. No, that was no mistake; but charlieh@teleport.com, one of the vehement crowd that rose up, has touched my conscience. He said that my posting about Ethel Gintoff's merciful mission was "coy" because I did not type the name of my spiritual father, now in need of help. Though I do not see "coy" in it, I still see wrongness in my behaviour.

About 2 1/2 weeks ago, I stopped typing his name on the blog, speaking of all the things he taught to me without using his name, because I wanted to avoid the hate mail I was getting. But I am wrong in this. Why should I behave as though ashamed, why should I have fear? My father in Christ remains that, even though he failed to stand against the extortionist, and now in his old age needs caring-for by his children. The hate mail can be deleted, and offered up with prayers and penance for the good of my city and diocese, as is my job and duty.

So I will write ten times on the blackboard:

I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt.
I will always owe Dom Rembert Weakland a great debt. For he taught me by his word and by his example how to live my vocation, how to live simple and single and submitted in this place and time.

Thank you, Amy. Thank you, charlieh at teleport.com.

karen marie a j b knapp
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