DrDoug
due to overuse of upper case my previous postings were rightly deleted so in short--i frown upon long distance 'anonymous' cyber- medical consultancy and diagnosis lest it be used to discredit the message by 'discrediting the messenger'[aside from dangers of misdiagnosis]-just as i would be reluctant to undertake your spiritual direction in a public forum as such matters pertain to the sacred most private'inner sanctum' in short again my 'bs' detector is sharper than ever despite traumas of strokedom! my readiness to speak the undiluted truth is seen by some as inappropriate post stroke symptomatolagy and gross bad mannersin the extreme--i am not particularly impulsive[certainly nota rev fr ivan milat or rev hannibal lector. how about your frontal lobes doc?

dr doug
my most uncharitable remarks were reserved for my archenemy the prince of darkness-satan[but dont worry he will get me back -the slimey multi faced rat[there i go again] thats not stroke i have always had it in for him. Being himself the prince of liars he has a pathological hatred of the truth

dr doug
i must send a copy of our 'dialogue' to the AMA and ask their authoritative view of such medical 'cyber-intervention' and also ask if it be a mere parody,or a legitimate well intended but misguided attempt to help me i have many other preoccupations at present so dont hold your breath waiting will send my medicare number if deemed appropriate
i am a priest of simple faith-a 'foot slogger' and 'no frills' type and today will attend in wheelchair by public transport the eucharistic procession through sydneys CBD with Cardinal Pell. I hope for a stroke-cure and then jog back to nursing home but i can 'take it on the chin' if God decides against the request for his own purposes. i ask catholics and others to pray for me[and you too luigi and doctor doug!] TAA

Fr George,
No attempt @ cyber-diagnosis was necessary or attempted (the diagnosis is a stroke). You supplied the diagnosis yourself. I was asking clinically-based questions, out of professional interest; I apologize if you found them intrusive. I am pleased that you are under good care. We share a common humanity if not faith, and as a doctor, I wish you well. You ask after my frontal lobes. As far as I know, alright. I had a "mini-stroke" (transient ischaemic attack) a while back, and the CT scan suggested that the front bits were OK! Incidentally, I'm not sure if the AMA can help you; I'm not a member. The AMA is a professional body (or trade union), and has no disciplinary power over non-members.

Fr George, isn't the assertion that you "speak the undiluted truth" (post-stroke or not) not a bit arrogant. I am sure that any mullah would assert that he speaks "the undiluted truth" of Allah.

Jose,

In response to yours of the 21st...no, a bit like Saint Paul, but in reverse. Just woke up one morning and the faith had gone, like a pricked over-inflated ballon. The scales fell from my eyes, as it were. No more self-flagellation, no more guilt, and the amazing sense of freedom that comes from accepting responsibiliy for oneself, instead of dumping it all on the Big-Guy-in-the-sky.

Doug,
the scales falling from your eyes,
does this refer to a realisation that the Church and the existence of God etc. is (to put it simply) a pipe-dream?
What are your thoughts on my post about Guadalupe(Saturday, 15 October 2005 12:37:23 PM)?

On the side, there is a common misconception about Catholic spirituality, that of it being a guilt trip and so on. I cannot agree with this, given my personal understanding, experience, and close association with numerous persons whom I regard as advanced in the spiritual life, very much part of the world, and the happiest people I have ever met.