Since I started going to SSPX chapels back in the 1990's, I had always been impressed with the young American priests and the work that they could do outside of being a priest. The American priests would eat regular food, and lived low key humble lives.

Then in like 2006, I started hearing stories of French priests wanting gourmet meals, expensive wines, and to not lift a finger to do any repairs, or cleaning of their places. Recently I have seen it first hand. Having servants and maids is not American, even among the upper middle class in Americas (net worth $2 million +) most still do their own work around the yard, carpentry, plumbing, house cleaning, auto repair.  People now are struggling to make a living, and yet these priests are living the high life, like if they were really rich. This "French" (for lack of a better phrase) attitudinal change on the part of SSPX priests, frankly, is a bad sign, and sends a bad message to the laity.

Are others seeing it elsewhere? Have the new SSPX priests become inept at taking care of themselves, and primadonna's?

That being said I don't really have a problem with priests having servants, in principle.

I do think the real problem is an attitude of arrogance.  It is unmistakable, and it wafts an acrid odor in its wake.

the french cant help their arrogance.....  anymore than the irish can help their charm...... :rolleyes:

Let them keep it in France.  Really, their "culture" is a big problem.  It stinks.

I do think priests should have at least a part-time person to cook, clean, do laundry. They are on call 24/7 sometimes and he always need a clean shirt to wear.  

That said there is a big difference between entitled to gourmet meals and a housekeeper/cook that comes in for four hours in the afternoon to help him with cleaning, laundry, shopping or cooking dinner.

 Every NO priest I have met has a woman that serves as a housekeeper and cook for him. All were humble men, they were not the entitled type.

I would think the teen girls and older women in the parish would want to volunteer to help their priest too?

I do think priests should have at least a part-time person to cook, clean, do laundry. They are on call 24/7 sometimes and he always need a clean shirt to wear.  

That said there is a big difference between entitled to gourmet meals and a housekeeper/cook that comes in for four hours in the afternoon to help him with cleaning, laundry, shopping or cooking dinner.

 Every NO priest I have met has a woman that serves as a housekeeper and cook for him. All were humble men, they were not the entitled type.

I would think the teen girls and older women in the parish would want to volunteer to help their priest too?

I don't think it's appropriate for teen girls to serve as housekeepers in the rectory. If women are to be found in the rectories, they should be matronly. That is, older and not a temptation for men.

The SSPX seminary in the USA has an matronly lady (of German descent) for a secretary. She did a great job, and she certainly didn't cause any temptation for the seminarians. Bishop Williamson chose her on purpose.

Instead of a broadscale attack on anything French, could we stick to French priests and their servants?  

I have no doubt French food requires a lot more preparation, or at least I'm assuming this to be true.  Can't French priest just stick to bread hardened by sitting out for several days then soak it in red wine and put in a lot of sugar like that priest in the move "A Diary of a Country Priest" did?  

There were two priests in that movie.  One humble, the other one had his own driver.

Our last priest was French and he was very humble. That said, this problem of arrogance/worldliness does seem to be a lot more common in French priests than American/Canadian (well, Anglo-Canadian, at least) priests.

Since I started going to SSPX chapels back in the 1990's, I had always been impressed with the young American priests and the work that they could do outside of being a priest. The American priests would eat regular food, and lived low key humble lives.

Then in like 2006, I started hearing stories of French priests wanting gourmet meals, expensive wines, and to not lift a finger to do any repairs, or cleaning of their places. Recently I have seen it first hand. Having servants and maids is not American, even among the upper middle class in Americas (net worth $2 million +) most still do their own work around the yard, carpentry, plumbing, house cleaning, auto repair.  People now are struggling to make a living, and yet these priests are living the high life, like if they were really rich. This "French" (for lack of a better phrase) attitudinal change on the part of SSPX priests, frankly, is a bad sign, and sends a bad message to the laity.

Are others seeing it elsewhere? Have the new SSPX priests become inept at taking care of themselves, and primadonna's?

Rome hierarchy has been a bad influence..
And I thought you were talking about typical novus ordo clergy lifestyle.  Did you hear that novus ordo nun sister Keehan makes about a million dollar salary??  


So much for vows of poverty???  

The French have a great, history and culture. French art, literature, cuisine etc. have enriched the western world immeasurably. But alas, it is t he French themselves that many Americans find irritating. Their perceived arrogance, air of superiority, ingratitude towards others for small gestures that they seem to take as their due. General snootiness and perpetual sneer. Their unfathomable love for Jerry Lewis  Now, I said perceived  These may all be judgmental generalizations by we "Ugly Americans".  (hope at least some of you get the reference there) which may be totally unwarranted.

I, too, see the need for a priest to engage help to do those mundane chores that would take away from his priestly duties. I think laity that volunteer for these tasks are a real blessing for everyone concerned. Especially those who take care of the necessary yet unseen, seemingly trivial details that few would think of. Drivers deserve halos, in my opinion. ( Fathers, I have driven behind some of you, and your Guardian Angel is wearing a crash helmet. It is a wonder some of you ever get to your assigned chapels. I can only think the Society trains its priests on the Autobahn during Oktoberfest Maybe its all that wine.) They give up so much time, and often comfort, in order to help make sure a priest can provide Mass and Sick Calls to the faithful. Thank you so much.

But, some of these priests we are discussing not only want the respect due to their Priesthood, but the high life a la Cardinal Dolan.  Soirees and entertainments by the wealthiest amongst their parish. Little time for the rest. They seem to demand not only respect but obsequiousness in return for the brief  individual attention a parishioner might require. Ah, and not to forget the obligatory envelope.

Not that some priests of other nationalities are innocent of this, or that all of the French are guilty. But evidently we Americans have a problem with what we perceive to be a lack of humility amongst those priests who have been  sent to us. We are immeasurably grateful for the Priests and the Sacraments he administers. Most of us will gladly offer him the best of what ever we have in thanks. But we balk at the boot-licking. It is not in our national repertoire.  If their own cultural references deem it mandatory, they are likely going to be miffed.

A priest with a butler. Not around here, please.

disclaimer: I do not speak for all Americans, only myself. Vive la France. Viva Christo Rey. God Bless America. God Save the Qu[/u]een,  etc, et al[/u][/u]