Balancing Act within the Platonic Realm: A Analysis of Catalina's Equilibrium
Article: Controversy Surrounds Appointment of Msgr. Roberto Alesna
In the Catholic Church, the appointment of clergy members is guided by Canon Law, which outlines age-related norms for various roles. However, the recent appointment of Msgr. Roberto Alesna as chaplain of the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine and priest-in-charge of the Divine Mercy Center in Consolacion, Cebu, has sparked debate due to his age and the intended purpose behind his appointment.
Canon Law sets age minimums for ordination and retirement ages for bishops, but allows ecclesiastical authorities discretion regarding priests’ roles in financial management, without strict age limits for those roles. The appointment of Msgr. Alesna, who is reportedly skilled in fundraising or financial management, could be justified by these exceptions.
However, Canon Law 538, Sec. 3 states that a parish priest who has reached 75 years of age is requested to offer resignation. The appointment of Msgr. Alesna appears to violate this canon. Retired Court of Appeals justice Gabriel Ingles has expressed concern about this appointment, suggesting that it could create an impression that priests prioritize self-interest over duty.
The intended purpose behind the appointment is to complete the Divine Mercy Center project in Consolacion, Cebu. It is suggested that a younger individual could be appointed as chaplain of the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine, while another younger individual could take on the role of priest-in-charge of the Divine Mercy Center.
The role of chaplain and priest-in-charge still involve work and could pose a danger to health. The metaphorical balance scale could be interpreted as symbolizing the weighing of these factors. On one side, we have the fundraising purposes, which appear to weigh heavily in the context of the appointment of Msgr. Alesna. On the other side, we have Canon 538, Sec. 3, which emphasizes the importance of age considerations in certain roles.
This potential conflict between duty and purpose is reminiscent of the metaphorical balance scale in Platonic philosophy, where we weigh the body and the soul. The purposes described in Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 43:7, and 1 Corinthians 10:31 are suggested to weigh heavier in this metaphorical balance scale.
It is worth noting that priests are often categorized based on their intended roles, such as "for-province", "for-city", and "for-seminary" types. This categorization could influence the decisions made regarding appointments and the balance between duty and purpose.
In conclusion, while the appointment of Msgr. Roberto Alesna is justified by his expertise in fundraising or financial management, the potential violation of Canon 538, Sec. 3 raises questions about the balance between duty and purpose in the Church's decision-making process.
- The debate surrounding Msgr. Roberto Alesna's appointment as chaplain and priest-in-charge could be seen as a struggle between financial management and age considerations, similar to Platonic philosophy's weighing of the body and soul.
- The appointment of a younger individual to the roles of chaplain of the San Pedro Calungsod Shrine and priest-in-charge of the Divine Mercy Center may help restore balance, especially considering the health risks associated with these positions.
- This instance serves as a reminder that while expertise in fields like fundraising or financial management is valuable, it should not overshadow the importance of age-related norms in the Catholic Church, particularly when it comes to roles such as parish priest, as outlined in Canon Law.
