Straight from the Bible

Straight from the Bible and one of my favorite verses (I try to remember this verse whenever I encounter trials.)
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he will take away: and every one that beareth fruit, he will purge it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

From CNA, Archbishop: Pope will ‘prune’ institutions with weak Catholic identity

Archbishop Miller based his prediction on the writings of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI. He said the writings indicate that the new Pope believes it is a mistake to uphold institutions that lack a solid Catholic identity.

"[The Pope] argued that it might be better for the Church not to expend its resources trying to preserve institutions if their Catholic identity has been seriously compromised," the archbishop was quoted as saying. "His writings show that a time of purification lies ahead, and this undoubtedly will have some ramifications for Catholic institutions."

Archbishop Miller said the Pope believes the “measure of an institution can be judged by its Catholic integrity."

A sad yet hopeful thought, we must pray so these institutions will realize what it means to be Catholic. Excercising the correct authority of discipline is never meant to diminish or harm those punished, but rather to correct and call them back to obedience. Something that as a parent we must also remember.

Pruning is for the good of the tree.