Fr. Houghton and priestly humility

A reader writes:

I recently read your blog topic concerning French priests who resisted the Great Renewal ("Catholic Tradtion in France Prior to the SSPX"). A reader responded by mentioning an English priest, Fr Bryan Houghton, who " who resigned his parish at the very moment the Mass was taken away from us." What a courageous thing to do!

I did a little research and found the following link: http://www.christianorder.com/features/features_2009/features_nov09.html

which features an article about Fr Houghton. I won't go into it at length, but I will say that I found a quote with which I resonate profoundly. It is the very antithesis of the revolting manner in which most priests conduct themselves in the saying of the modern anti-liturgy:

The priest is barely a craftsman. Basically, he operates the altar like a plumber with his apprentice. Once the water is connected, the tap of Eternal Life opened, he leaves again carrying his tools.

A plumber: not Jay Leno, not a human resources corporate spokesman, not a clown at a child's birthday party, but a humble and anonymous craftsman!! That is exactly right!!

Also interesting in this article is the reason for his being refused episcopal election: "[I] criticised Teilhard de Chardin as heterodox."

This is what priests are supposed to be about: humble servants of God with brains and spines, not clowns of consolation. An article worth reading for sure.

[Hat tip to M.W.]