In my line of work, I am called upon to develop (occasionally) and enforce (constantly) policies and procedures which protect the safety of both my fellow employees and of the general public.

It amazes me every day that the environment in which I work so closely imitates and so clearly reflects the dichotomy between Catholic culture and Modernism.

Example: A policy concerning the use of restricted entrances by authorized personnel exists because there are areas of my facility which require an employee to have certain security clearances to enter. Granted, those areas are further protected by other means, but the restricted entrances are in place to keep employee traffic to a minimum.

An employee who does not have access to those specialized areas has used the restricted entrance intentionally. When I approached the employee in violation, they insisted that they had worked in the facility for years and that former people in my position had permitted their repeated violation of policy.

I explained that

1) the former employee was incorrect in allowing the violations AND had no authority to abrogate the policy which is unchanged since his tenure, and

2) that I am not the MASTER over the policy; rather, I am charged with upholding and enforcing the policy and not permitting any intentional violations. I am further charged with instructing employees and visitors concerning the policies so that the facility can operate in an efficient manner, thus providing superior quality services to thd public and ensuring the well-being and success of the employees.

I now face the issue of dealing with several people who do a job similar to mine who refuse to enforce policy because they would rather maintain friendly relationships with the employees and visitors than risk upsetting anyone. These people are not only letting others behave as they please, they are actively accusing me of being unreasonable, standoffish and confrontational because I am diligent in my efforts to enforce policy.

What these people fail to see is that I am not willing to explain any laxity in my work to my superiors as attempts at accommodation. These people actually INSIST that is the best course of action. Compromise first, explain second, ask forgiveness or plead ignorance last.

Compare this situation with that in the Church. There are many who believe.that accommodation and permissiveness are the way to ensure happiness and loyalty within the Church. Violate policies you have no business changing, give people permissions they are simply not allowed to have, and claim that the lack of sanctity and of vocations are just the unfortunate by-product of everyone else's failings, not your own.

On the other hand, people insist that those who are unswervingly dedicated to upholding and defending Truth are unreasonable and harsh and unloving.

In my job, there actually ARE ways, valid and helpful ways, in which people could and WOULD be gladly accommodated if they would have the courtesy to ASK FOR HELP FIRST.

In the Church, people who struggle with sin and are marginalized by larger society CAN AND WILL find help, healing and love in Christs' s Church, but they refuse to humble themselves and ask in the right way.

People simply want to live their own licentious lives and then demand approval and the abolition of Law.

Fratres, ora pro me.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.