Father Robert J. Fox —"The Fatima
Priest"
 When I was ordained a priest, April
24, 1955, I had no idea of the personal trials that would be mine and
the trials of the universal Church which would unfold through the
decades of my life as a priest. No man can live the priesthood of Jesus
Christ fruitfully and truthfully without at the same time identifying
with Jesus Christ as Victim. I believe to persevere one also needs a
deep love of God’s Holy Mother, who is the Mother of the Church and in
a special way, the Mother of priests. I know she was involved in my
call to Christ’s holy priesthood.
The aftermath of the Second World War, when I entered the seminary and
was eventually ordained seemed, in many respects, a glorious time for
the Church. Many vocations to the priestly and religious life were
blossoming and flourishing. There was respect for the Church, for its
authority, its integrity. The Church is, afterall, “the Body of
Christ.” Public dissenters and defectors, even among some in the
priesthood, would be something of the future. When they came,
especially after the Second Vatican Council, (1963-1965) these
dissenters would be something I could never understand. To be Catholic,
especially a Catholic priest, excluded such in sincere and loyal faith
and dedication.
I have always loved the truth. It has been my joy and duty to always
teach the truth. Generic sermons were never for me. The full Gospel
must be taught if a man is to be loyal to his pri esthood, that is, Christ’s
priesthood in him. I cannot be a faithful priest if I am not willing to
die for the truth if needs be in preaching, teaching the fullness of
truth. I must answer to God at my individual judgement if I preach not
the truth. I knew I could never hold back preaching the truth, the full
gospel, even if it defended some. Jesus Christ
is the Truth. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
The above is an exceprt from THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY, "A PRIEST IS A
PRIEST FOREVER" - which was released for Father
Fox's 50th anniversary April 24th 2005 |
