I Knew I Had a Bad Feeling About Richard Rohr

If this is true, then my mistrust of Richard Rohr’s theology has been validated. Gerald Augustinius of “The Cafeteria is Closed” describes a mass performed (not celebrated) by Father Richard Rohr.

For those of you who have not heard of him, Father Rohr is a Franciscan priest who promotes popular feel-good spirituality. My men’s spirituality group was reading one of his books, and it left me very wanting for something authentically catholic. Fortunately, the group has switched to something with more substance. I hope it is going well.

To declare Rohr's mass was illicit would be and understatement. There were the common abuses of liturgical dancing, plastic pitchers for the Precious Blood, and wicker baskets for the Holy Eucharist (check out the photos*). But the coup de gras was the butchering of the Eucharistic prayer. Here are some excerpts from Agustinius' account:

Opening the preface, he prayed, “Father and Mother God....”

This is his standard feminist/inclusive language mumbo-jumbo.

Following the consecration, Rohr said the Christ's bloood “will be poured out for you, and for all, so you will know your sins are forgiven."

Is he suggesting that Christ's work on the cross did not accomplish the forgiveness of our sins? Does Rohr believe His death was not necessary to atone for our sins? I hope Christ didn't suffer and die just to give us a warm fuzzy feeling of forgiveness.

In praying for the departed, he referred to them as “especially your own beloved who are already with the Lord.”

So much for the poor souls in purgatory. By the way, when I die, don't ever say that I am in a better place or that I am with the Lord. Pray for me like I'm going to be in purgatory for a long time, because I probably will.

After reading this account, I am convinced that Father Rohr has gone beyond liturgical abuse. He seems to be promoting heresy. Fortunately, the next generation of priests tends to be much more orthodox (more on that later).

Thank God for ex opere operato.

St. Patrick, pray for us.

* The photos were taken at a different mass during the same conference...but you get the idea.