The Bishop of Southwark, Dr Tom Butler was witnessed to be totally drunk having set off the alarm when he got in the back of a Mercedes parked outside a club. There he started throwing out the cuddly toys belonging to the car owner’s children. When challenged he got out and fell to the ground. On returning home he reported he had been mugged! Yet his case was found in the back of the Mercedes. He claims he has no memory of the events!
There were many witnesses to this event and it would appear beyond doubt that he was thoroughly drunk yet will not admit it! What sort of example does this set for anyone?
Timothy 3: 2-3: “A bishop must be above reproach . . . not a drunkard.”
It is said that he has always taken a “zero-tolerance” approach to drunkenness by the clergy and has been utterly ruthless with priests who have been drunk. At least one priest was forced to resign.”
Should he not offer repentance and other senior church figures stop trying to cover for him?
2006-12-11 18:46:50 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Dear David M,
Most certainly this man's actions are reproachable. And Timothy also gives us instructions on how we should rebuke older men and leadership.
Being that his act esp. was so public it is wise for him to resign-- not only because of the way that he has misrepresented God but also because he needs time to get right with God. This does not mean that he can not be restored and never ever serve the church again (it's just not very likely he will ever be in a place of leadership again).
It's obvious he should be removed. But i would also tell you that the point of speaking the truth (to correct another person) is to do so in love- and the heart of those correcting him must be to restore the brother and not to condemn for his obvious sins.
As you said there were many witnesses to the event and it was a bad testimony. But it's not the church's reputation that's to be protected it's Christ's. Christ would tell us our errors but also love us to help us correct them and that ought to be the same heart the church displays.
Hope that helps,
Nickster
2006-12-11 19:00:25 · answer #1 · answered by Nickster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
While I agree that the Right Rev. Butler shoudl formally apologise to his superiors and his flock, and that he should strive to fulfill the words of the letter to Timothy, I think we should be a little careful about judging him.
A Bishop, like any other member of the clergy is only human. This sorry occasion may be a time of great blessing. Maybe the Bishop will realise that he has judged others rather harshly and that repentance is called for.
The mesage of the Gospels is one of forgiveness. We are called to love the sinner, not the sin.
2006-12-12 03:38:23 · answer #2 · answered by MrsC 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Are you sure that Dr. Tom Butler was drunk? Or does he have some other disease? Clearly, Dr. Tom Butler needs to be seen by someone especially if he has no memory of his actions. Having Dr. Tom Butler seek medical attention is what the senior church figures need to do.
The biblical verses 1 Tim 3 1:1-7 say what a bishop should be. It mentions nothing about disciplining. Please don't misquote scripture because you disagree with Dr. Tom Butler's policies.
2006-12-12 03:21:28 · answer #3 · answered by J. 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Feel he is indeed sitting a very poor image for the children and people to follow. As a youngster always look up to our leaders of the country and Church Evangelist, preachers, priests you name it. Seems to me our whole society is taking a step down. The priests in the catholic church are a disgrace. The same goes for our President and vise president.
2006-12-12 02:58:13 · answer #4 · answered by lonetraveler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was quite sympathetic until I read in this morning's paper that he himself has a zero-tolerance to drunkeness in the clergy. So I think he should do the decent thing.
I'm not terribly religious, nor am I anti the church, but if the prime minister did the same, we'd expect him to resign. So in my opinion, it's off with his mitre!
2006-12-12 03:06:23 · answer #5 · answered by True Blue Brit 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Bishop got drunk,so what?He's subject to human weakness just like the rest of us.You are not a bit slow in casting the first stone,are you?How wonderful it must feel to be perfect.I haven't noticed much Christian compassion or forgiveness here.As an Atheist,i'm not too surprised.
2006-12-12 03:37:47 · answer #6 · answered by michael k 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Proves he is just a human being, and i think I like the guy. So what if he "fell down" while in uniform? He's not a policeman on duty, just a priest. Give him a break. As an atheist, it is the absurd lack of humanity and forgiveness in christians (and a great many other "faiths") that astounds me.
2006-12-12 04:41:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bishops in the Catholic Church are not called Dr's
Rt Rev Dr Thomas Butler
Bishop's House
38 Tooting Bec Gardens
London SW16 1QZ
He is an anglican not Catholic
2006-12-12 02:54:09 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Bishop should be the first to confess, especially when he's been caught. He doesn't deserve his position if won't live up to the responsibility. If other officials are covering up, it shows how lawyers run the church. Where is that in the Bible? They're worse than the money changers!
2006-12-12 02:51:23 · answer #9 · answered by Susan M 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO ! The Catholic church does most things wrong, just read your Bible. They permit drunkeness, pedophiles ( unless publicly discovered ), homosexuals, homosexual marriage, monetary contribution, a hierarchy of people within the Church, a replacement of God through the ceremonies of Baptism, Reconciliation, ETC ! - For my last example, read the last verse God wanted us to know in the bible- then ask you preist why you only study and believe in a few books of the bible.
The list is too long to spell out,
read revelation 17 and study your bible. ignorance will be no excuse and many are called but few will be chosen.
2006-12-12 02:56:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋