On Thu, 12 Feb 2004 19:43:06 -0800 the ET form known as
pan<pan@psnwREMVE.com> sent a radio signal across the vast expanse of
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On Fri, 13 Feb 2004 12:12:08 +1030, Meteorite Debris
<epicurus1@*THE_ANTI-SPAM_SHIELD*optusnet.com.au> wrote:
I have just heard that a 13 yo cousin who was granted admittance to an
American Catholic seminary in New Hampshire but denied a visa to go
has now been granted it. The parents are happy but most of his rels
are shaking their heads. I think the parents need to have their heads
read. A pretty 13 yo boy in an all male Catholic institution!
Have his parents said 'why' they decided to send him there?
I don't understand it. I can only think it may be his mother's
influence. She is in awe of the Catholic Church. She is from Indonesia
of the Chinese Christian minority and in her experience, prior to
migrating, the priests were the only authority figures who were not
corrupt. I can only think that must have impressed her. Even the
priest in the parents' local church here in Australia said the parents
were mad.
The boy is also a younger twin. The elder twin is an achiever in all
things so the parents may have felt they needed to distinguish the
younger twin on another path. That's the theory of the boy's
grandfather using the example of landed English families where the
eldest son inherits manner and title, and the younger son goes off to
the abbey.
The institution has been described to me as "right of centre". The
boys are allowed to write only one one page letter a month to anywhere
outside. It is a hell of a cost for airfares to and from several times
a year and the family does not have a lot of money since his father
was disabled from working by an assault from a customer in his last
workplace. But more than that is the narrow road to a narrow career
with all thinking and personal development blinkered.
I can not think this is healthy for a teenager to close off all alternative
options so early. Or to pass through puberty with vows of life long
chastity to be accompanied by frustration and guilt.
I couldn't agree more.
This "institution" sounds worse than the 'Moonies' and Scientology.
It just seems more acceptable (in many people's eyes) because it's
wrapped-up in the traditions of an established denomination.
It certainly sounds pretty culty. Lack of contact to the outside, high
degree of time structuring, changed relationships etc.
On his last return he seemed to be moving away from his family,
becoming his own, or the church's person. Even on holidays he wears
his uniform constantly and sees his family as too noisy for
contemplation and prayer and would rather pray than interact or talk.
You might ask for ideas from alt.recovery.catholicism
Good idea. I have added that group.
e.g. Perhaps there are books you could pass on to him or his folks.
pan
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