An Interesting Thought From St. John Eudes (with an Edit)

This was referenced in a book I was reading, but no specific citation was given.

The most evident mark of God's anger, and the most terrible castigation He can inflict upon the world, is manifest when He permits His people to fall into the hands of a clergy who are more in name than in deed, priests who practice the cruelty of ravening wolves rather than the charity and affection of devoted shepherds. They abandon the things of God to devote themselves to the things of the world and, in their saintly calling of holiness, they spend their time in profane and worldly pursuits. When God permits such things, it is a very positive proof that He is thoroughly angry with His people and is visiting His most dreadful wrath upon them.

It made me think that what we normally consider as a chastisement might come off radically different than our preconceived notions. A less dramatic punishment would be far more awful, as it would consist in basically abandoning us to our sins with no watchmen for our souls to give us warning of how far away we have fallen and what the appropriate measures are for correction.

At least with fire and brimstone raining out of the sky, we might be moved to repentance or acknowledgement of God's sovereignty. Bad priests and bishops, though? That would just be devastating.

EDIT:

Speaking of the above, John Allen is reporting that the story about Pope Francis and Cardinal Law is false. That's a shame. Thanks to George7622 for letting us know about this. Between this and some of the gleeful tweets from Cardinal Mahony, it looks like we'll have to wait a bit for any big moves. Which was expected, I might add.