I’m Not Catholic – So Why Should It Matter to Me?

 

My personal spiritual journey had more hiccups than a newborn. While my family, with traditional ties to Catholicism, was influential in planting a Christian seed, growing up in the crazy ’60s, ’70s, ’80s made anything traditional not my bag. By the third grade, my dad bought me a little turntable that resembled a red suitcase and several Beatles albums (along with Alvin and the Chipmunks) – my first intro to rock and roll – and then as I got older, cough … all the rest…

I considered myself a “modern” Christian, i.e., more spiritual than religious, and fell down every spiritual rabbit hole there was. I read about Eastern religions, New Age, visited multiple denominational churches, but was never that committed. As I grew older, I realized I didn’t really have a spiritual foundation. In my case, it took a health crisis to realize I had nothing. The “Universe” wasn’t going to save me, nor the Buddha, or any other spiritual “wisdom” I gleaned from all those cool New Age bookstores, with the ear candles, patchouli and rose incense, and sections on whatever spiritual flavor of the day caught your attention.

I found myself in the hospital very sick, without a diagnosis. While I was hurling into a pan and they were wheeling me off for more x-rays, I started bargaining with Jesus, God, and Holy Mother Mary to get me out of there alive and I would change my ways. A priest came through during my 16+ day hospital stay and asked if I was Catholic. I lied and said yes. He prayed with me for my wellness several times and left me tracts that I clung onto for hope. That became the turning point.

I made it out ok. I got serious and started to watch EWTN Catholic News Network and found a world of knowledge and comfort that I never had before. Life became more difficult before it got better. I guess the devil wanted to derail me from my new direction and he hasn’t let up since. There were miracles – literally — and still are. For example, I still have, after decades of moves and countless belongings lost, the tiny bracelet that was placed on my newborn wrist, with pearls and medals of St. Michael the Archangel slaying the devil and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

While watching PBS, I stumbled on a documentary of Pope John Paul II. I didn’t know who it was about. They described a Polish boy who was sucked into the turmoil of WWII. He sought refuge in the local seminary and became a priest. He hid his Jewish classmates, lost his family, and was hit by a military tank and left for dead on a roadside. It was riveting, with actual footage from the war. He had to go underground to perform Mass, to preserve the Polish culture as it dissolved (on the surface) during WWII and then into Russia. He was instrumental in standing up to Russia and standing with Solidarity, the workers who brought down the communists in Poland.

My Polish family history on my mom’s side shows they escaped from Russia to America. Not one church survived in Poland. On my dad’s side, they fled Ukraine for America. And here I am by the grace of God. My Catholic dad fought against Imperial Japan, my Catholic Uncle Al against the Germans, and my Catholic Uncle Bo against Mussolini.

I did a story on a Pole named Kuklinski.

When he went to work for the CIA in the 1970s, he wondered if he had the right to do it. His heart said that the only things that mattered were Church, Country, and Family. Poland knows.

I realized, later in life, that Jesus gave us the ultimate gift through His sacrifice and made the Catholic Church the messenger. The apostles and followers were first-generation witnesses that carried that message. All other denominations are blood vessels from the Catholic Heart, holy blood pumping out life and breath from the Creator. That’s why I grew up saying The Apostles’ Creed, including the line, “I believe in one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church,” whether I was in a Methodist, Presbyterian, or Episcopalian Church. I found the “encyclicals,” which are writings by the Popes throughout the generations and have been carefully preserved, available online — a wealth of wisdom on family and every subject imaginable, with no surprise as to how we have arrived at the confused society of today. They predicted it all.

Another story I wrote was about a man named Sir Nicholas Winton, a Christian; one person who recognized evil and tried to do something. Generations of Jews survived and are alive today because of him. Another witness to hope.

Reading the lives of the saints, I was shocked at the sacrifice, torture, and pain that they experienced for their faith, yet the persecution continues. I never knew. Saving the human soul, throughout history, and what it takes, it’s all there and it is “the mission.” It’s not saving the planet, the environment, or becoming more accommodating to trends and popular culture, or other faiths, it’s about saving souls.

The earthquake felt around the world regarding the sex abuse scandals this past week will not prevail. The filth and lies can’t hide under the light of truth. The Church, while made up of weak human beings, is also supernatural. She cannot be destroyed. Jesus said, “And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.“ (Matthew 16: 17-19)

The gates of Hell shall not prevail, but they are pretty darn close. A quote from Archbishop Vigano, the writer of the 11-page account of the years of abuse says, “I am 78 years old, and I am at the end of my life. The judgment of men does not interest me. The one judgment that counts is that of the good God. He will ask me what I have done for the Church of Christ, and I want to be able to respond to him that I defended her and served her even to the end.”

Italian Catholic journalist Aldo Maria Valli, one of several reputable journalists who was given the 11-page letter about the sexual abuse and deviancy running rampant through the Church, asked the most naive question of all: “Why?”

The response of the archbishop, he said, froze my blood: “Because the cracks of which Paul VI spoke, from which he said the smoke of Satan would infiltrate the house of God, have become chasms. The devil is working overtime. And to not admit that, or to turn our face away from it, would be our greatest sin.”

Christianity, at its very roots, has always been under siege and is under attack at a time when the world has slipped into a false sense of security, engulfed in a secular, politically correct disease that is distorting right and wrong, even within the Church. Look at Ireland — once a Catholic nation and the recent ruling on abortion — the crackdowns in China, even in the Catholic Church, and the cleansing of Christians throughout the Middle East and across the world.

What faith stood up against communism, totalitarianism, Islam throughout the last 2,000 years? What is our country’s foundation, if not a Judeo-Christian Republic, unduplicated anywhere? Pray for the Christians and the Catholic Church. Freedom and Western Civilization depend on it.

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  1. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    I had to dig around because I have been reading so many articles about the church in the past few days.  Anyway, this is from an article by David French in National Review, Protestants Should Care Deeply about the Catholic Catastrophe.  I like his analogy:

    The Church is like a navy, a collection of ships united in purpose and in destination. Each denomination is like a different ship in that navy, and while each crew is primarily tasked with the health and well-being of its own vessel, it’s also deeply invested in the strength of the fleet. Each vessel is more vulnerable as the fleet weakens. Each vessel is stronger surrounded by its protective armada.

    If the analogy holds, then one of the mightiest battleships in the fleet, the Catholic Church, is taking torpedoes left and right.

    [snip]

    Our Catholic cathedrals and suburban mega-churches alike are shot-through with the same sins that pollute the world. None of us has the luxury of believing “our” institutions are safe or that “our side” of the Christian divide has adequately guarded itself against the demonic spirit that stalks the land.

    Ships in the Christian armada are ablaze. We must not simply sail on and leave them to their fate.

    • #1
  2. Doug Watt Member
    Doug Watt
    @DougWatt

    It was Pope Benedict XVI that was dragged into the Hitler Youth, he was eventually able to escape it by serving Mass. Pope John Paul II, as a Polish citizen, would have not been eligible for the Hitler Youth, he was drafted into a forced labor group after the invasion of Poland.

    • #2
  3. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Thank you so much for this. We Catholics need it.

    • #3
  4. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Doug Watt (View Comment):

    It was Pope Benedict XVI that was dragged into the Hitler Youth, he eventually able to escape it by serving Mass. Pope John Paul II, as a Polish citizen, would have not been eligible for the Hitler Youth, he was drafted into a forced labor group after the invasion of Poland.

    You are right – it was Benedict who escaped the Nazi youth – I made a correction 

    • #4
  5. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    9thDistrictNeighbor (View Comment):

    I had to dig around because I have been reading so many articles about the church in the past few days. Anyway, this is from an article by David French in National Review, Protestants Should Care Deeply about the Catholic Catastrophe. I like his analogy:

    The Church is like a navy, a collection of ships united in purpose and in destination. Each denomination is like a different ship in that navy, and while each crew is primarily tasked with the health and well-being of its own vessel, it’s also deeply invested in the strength of the fleet. Each vessel is more vulnerable as the fleet weakens. Each vessel is stronger surrounded by its protective armada.

    If the analogy holds, then one of the mightiest battleships in the fleet, the Catholic Church, is taking torpedoes left and right.

    [snip]

    Our Catholic cathedrals and suburban mega-churches alike are shot-through with the same sins that pollute the world. None of us has the luxury of believing “our” institutions are safe or that “our side” of the Christian divide has adequately guarded itself against the demonic spirit that stalks the land.

    Ships in the Christian armada are ablaze. We must not simply sail on and leave them to their fate.

    Wow! That is an outstanding perception.

    • #5
  6. AQ Member
    AQ
    @AQ

    I’m so glad I found your post tonight.  It gives me hope.  Thanks.

    • #6
  7. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    As a Jew, I am also praying for the Church, that justice will be done and that healing will take place. Thanks, FSC

    • #7
  8. DonG Coolidge
    DonG
    @DonG

    I find the NYT article defending Francis (see link) to be eye-opening.  This is the world’s leading newspaper, weighing in on one of the biggest global controversies of the century and taking the side of those covering up pedophilia.  Fascinating!  I assume they do it since in their leftist principles they value socialism, environmentalism, globalism, and sexual freedom over children.  It lays bare the priorities of the Left.  Yuck!

    Also, isn’t it weird that “globalism” is supposed to be a dog-whistle for antisemitism, when the Catholic Church is clearly the most globalist entity on the planet?  One leader for all Catholics that supports open borders and less sovereignty. 

    • #8
  9. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    A wonderful essay, Front Seat Cat. Thank you.

    If church and schools operated under private sector business law instead of public sector nonprofit law, we would not see this situation. It would have ended in 2000 when these stories first emerged. There’s no insurance company that would assume these liabilities for adults’ working with children.

    • #9
  10. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    To answer the question posed by the title of your post. It should matter to every Christian of any denomination when the leadership in some other denomination is corrupted, whether it’s sexual abuse of parishioners, political activism which goes against Biblical teaching, or denying some of the basic tenets of the faith.

    The same goes for Judaism. @bethanymandel gave a harrowing account of something that happened to her (not all LadyBrains podcasts are about “somewhat dumb things”).

    If the faiths cannot keep their own houses clean, people will leave the houses and find better places—or they’ll leave the faith altogether, which I believe is happening now partially because of the growing number of scandals . . .

    • #10
  11. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    As a Jew, I am also praying for the Church, that justice will be done and that healing will take place. Thanks, FSC

    Thank you – I pray for the Jews and Israel daily – lots of history in the making there..

    • #11
  12. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Sometimes Ricochet contributor Paul Rahe has a story in The Federalist on this topic that originally appeared here.  It’s pretty harsh, and I am not sure about some of its contents, but it certainly feels like the church is at a point of no return – this subject has can no longer be ignored.

     

    • #12
  13. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Stad (View Comment):

    To answer the question posed by the title of your post. It should matter to every Christian of any denomination when the leadership in some other denomination is corrupted, whether it’s sexual abuse of parishioners, political activism which goes against Biblical teaching, or denying some of the basic tenets of the faith.

    The same goes for Judaism. @bethanymandel gave a harrowing account of something that happened to her (not all LadyBrains podcasts are about “somewhat dumb things”).

    If the faiths cannot keep their own houses clean, people will leave the houses and find better places—or they’ll leave the faith altogether, which I believe is happening now partially because of the growing number of scandals . . .

    You said a mouthful – my sister said the local scandals at churches there (not Catholic) where she lives has caused problems – has it ever been this bad? 

    • #13
  14. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):
    has it ever been this bad? 

    It sounds like it has been in the past.  But with the internet, stories of abuse are revealed as churches try to move an abusive pastor (or priest, or rabbi) from one location to the other.  This is a good thing, as these fiends can no longer be hidden by a relocation . . .

    • #14
  15. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Stad (View Comment):

    Front Seat Cat (View Comment):
    has it ever been this bad?

    It sounds like it has been in the past. But with the internet, stories of abuse are revealed as churches try to move an abusive pastor (or priest, or rabbi) from one location to the other. This is a good thing, as these fiends can no longer be hidden by a relocation . . .

    They do this with school teachers as well. They call it the Dance of the Lemons. Perhaps, this revelation in the Catholic church will reveal the problems in other institutions as well.

    • #15
  16. Brian Watt Inactive
    Brian Watt
    @BrianWatt

    If the Church in Rome is collapsing, give us a sign.

    Huh…well, then…

    • #16
  17. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    DonG (View Comment):

    I find the NYT article defending Francis (see link) to be eye-opening. This is the world’s leading newspaper, weighing in on one of the biggest global controversies of the century and taking the side of those covering up pedophilia. Fascinating! I assume they do it since in their leftist principles they value socialism, environmentalism, globalism, and sexual freedom over children. It lays bare the priorities of the Left. Yuck!

    Also, isn’t it weird that “globalism” is supposed to be a dog-whistle for antisemitism, when the Catholic Church is clearly the most globalist entity on the planet? One leader for all Catholics that supports open borders and less sovereignty.

    That is one pathetic story and biased.  There was little mention of the abused – 

    • #17
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    If the Church in Rome is collapsing, give us a sign.

    Huh…well, then…

    Uh, St. Joseph the Carpenter collapsed? Uh, yeah. Could be a sign.

    • #18
  19. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Brian Watt (View Comment):

    If the Church in Rome is collapsing, give us a sign.

    Huh…well, then…

    It looked really ancient like it was a matter of time – they should put more money into restoration, both literally and structurally  –  symbol of the decay of the Christian faith in many areas…

    • #19
  20. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    I’m very grateful for this post, @frontseatcat, and I know I’m not alone. Defense of the Church is so much better coming from a non-Catholic than a Catholic. However, I would suggest one edit to your title: I’m Not Catholic Yet

    ;-)

    • #20
  21. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    I am currently listening to a few friends drone on about how evil the Catholic Church is and the pederasty of the Church and it’s covering ways are proof of it.  It is an old battle going for decades.  Today for the first time I do not take up the fight and defend mother Church.  There is no defense for her.  They may be right.  

    • #21
  22. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    I am currently listening to a few friends drone on about how evil the Catholic Church is and the pederasty of the Church and it’s covering ways are proof of it. It is an old battle going for decades. Today for the first time I do not take up the fight and defend mother Church. There is no defense for her. They may be right.

    The Church and its hierarchy have always been home to sinners. When She starts teaching that pederasty is okay, then they have a point. As Peter Kreeft says, the only reason to be Catholic is because you believe Her doctrines are the fullness of truth

    • #22
  23. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    I am currently listening to a few friends drone on about how evil the Catholic Church is and the pederasty of the Church and it’s covering ways are proof of it. It is an old battle going for decades. Today for the first time I do not take up the fight and defend mother Church. There is no defense for her. They may be right.

    The Church and its hierarchy have always been home to sinners. When She starts teaching that pederasty is okay, then they have a point. As Peter Kreeft says, the only reason to be Catholic is because you believe Her doctrines are the fullness of truth.

    Her clergy supports it, hides it, promotes it, preys on its laity and we are supposed to take moral guidance, direction from these jokers?  We are supposed to confess our sins to this group diseased cesspool of perverts?  From idiots that make child wash out their mouths with holy water after oral sex? 1000 children, 300 clergy in less than one state that the Church knew about it and instead of doing anything covered it up.  We are supposed to defend them? Cover for them? Fight for them? Donate money to support them?  Why should we believe any of the Catholic teachings if the champion of our cause is this?  How can we?  

     

    • #23
  24. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    I am currently listening to a few friends drone on about how evil the Catholic Church is and the pederasty of the Church and it’s covering ways are proof of it. It is an old battle going for decades. Today for the first time I do not take up the fight and defend mother Church. There is no defense for her. They may be right.

    The Church and its hierarchy have always been home to sinners. When She starts teaching that pederasty is okay, then they have a point. As Peter Kreeft says, the only reason to be Catholic is because you believe Her doctrines are the fullness of truth.

    Her clergy supports it, hides it, promotes it, preys on its laity and we are supposed to take moral guidance, direction from these jokers? We are supposed to confess our sins to this group diseased cesspool of perverts? From idiots that make child wash out their mouths with holy water after oral sex? 1000 children, 300 clergy in less than one state that the Church knew about it and instead of doing anything covered it up. We are supposed to defend them? Cover for them? Fight for them? Donate money to support them? Why should we believe any of the Catholic teachings if the champion of our cause is this? How can we?

    You’re conflating priests and prelates with the Church. You must have been catechized back in the 70’s, same as me. 

    • #24
  25. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    I am currently listening to a few friends drone on about how evil the Catholic Church is and the pederasty of the Church and it’s covering ways are proof of it. It is an old battle going for decades. Today for the first time I do not take up the fight and defend mother Church. There is no defense for her. They may be right.

    The Church and its hierarchy have always been home to sinners. When She starts teaching that pederasty is okay, then they have a point. As Peter Kreeft says, the only reason to be Catholic is because you believe Her doctrines are the fullness of truth.

    Her clergy supports it, hides it, promotes it, preys on its laity and we are supposed to take moral guidance, direction from these jokers? We are supposed to confess our sins to this group diseased cesspool of perverts? From idiots that make child wash out their mouths with holy water after oral sex? 1000 children, 300 clergy in less than one state that the Church knew about it and instead of doing anything covered it up. We are supposed to defend them? Cover for them? Fight for them? Donate money to support them? Why should we believe any of the Catholic teachings if the champion of our cause is this? How can we?

    You’re conflating priests and prelates with the Church. You must have been catechized back in the 70’s, same as me.

    So from your point of view the institutions of the Church, the priests, prelates, pope, etc are not part of the Catholic Church and have nothing to do with it?  Their sins, actions do reflect on the Church or its actions?  Because I am having a very hard time with this notion that the clergy can be corrupt and all is well.

    • #25
  26. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Her clergy supports it, hides it, promotes it, preys on its laity and we are supposed to take moral guidance, direction from these jokers? We are supposed to confess our sins to this group diseased cesspool of perverts? From idiots that make child wash out their mouths with holy water after oral sex? 1000 children, 300 clergy in less than one state that the Church knew about it and instead of doing anything covered it up. 

    So from your point of view the institutions of the Church, the priests, prelates, pope, etc are not part of the Catholic Church and have nothing to do with it? Their sins, actions do reflect on the Church or its actions? Because I am having a very hard time with this notion that the clergy can be corrupt and all is well.

    They are a part of it, sure. So was Judas Iscariot. I’m all for having the bishops investigated, tried, and jailed by civil authorities for their crimes. There’s even talk of  a civil RICO investigation. I admit to some trepidation about inviting government authorities into the Church — this could end badly under a hostile regime (Little Sisters of the Poor) — but I want to see some perp walks. And, as Pseud keeps pointing out, the number of good and faithful bishops in the Church’s history — willing to die for Her sanctity — has always been vanishingly few. Sometimes only a single soul in an entire country. 

    But, this is still the First Church of Christ, still the Body of believers, still one of the very few to teach the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, still the first to recognize and most stubborn to resist the personal and societal damage of contraception, still one to profess the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (because He said so!), still one of the very few to proclaim the queenship of Mary and the crucial role she plays in salvation history… all those teachings that put people off from becoming Catholic are why I’m Catholic, and always will be. I believe in the truth (Truth) of Catholic teaching. I am witness to the abundance of grace poured out on those who live by them.

    If Pope Francis starts teaching doctrines that break from the continuity of the Church’s Magisterium, I will consider him a heretic and will seek out the real successor of Peter and the hidden Church upholding the doctrines and traditions I adhere to. But I will not be moved off this Rock by a bunch of unbelieving pervert bishops. 

    Have you read Chesterton? His gift was recognizing and explaining how the Church lives with the paradoxical realities of life and faith. It’s just as true to say the bishops have failed us as to say She is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” despite them

    • #26
  27. Dave Carter Podcaster
    Dave Carter
    @DaveCarter

    I had a little time to myself this evening, and I spent it reading first Professor Rahe’s piece at The Federalist, and then your piece here, Front Seat Cat, — and I’m so glad I did!! I’m a fairly recent Catholic convert, and I’m still sorting through my own thoughts on all this (post forthcoming in a week or two).  I don’t expect all of the Church faithful to be paragons of virtue any more than I expect a hospital to be filled with healthy people. Still, when the doctors are making the patients worse off, we definitely have a problem, right?  

    All the same, we can (and should, and will) rail against bad doctors and call for their dismissal and disciplinary action while still valuing the healing properties medicine. Likewise, my commitment to the Catholic faith remains solid for reasons that Western Chauvinist so ably listed in comment #26. 

    I believe it was Chesterton (though I’m not positive) who commented that the enduring miracle of the Catholic Church is that it has in fact endured against the apparent best efforts of its own leadership to wreck it. But you are right, Front Seat Cat. The prayers and actions of the faithful, and particularly the laity, are needed desperately now.  Thank you so very much for writing this.  

    • #27
  28. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Dave Carter (View Comment):

    I had a little time to myself this evening, and I spent it reading first Professor Rahe’s piece at The Federalist, and then your piece here, Front Seat Cat, — and I’m so glad I did!! I’m a fairly recent Catholic convert, and I’m still sorting through my own thoughts on all this (post forthcoming in a week or two). I don’t expect all of the Church faithful to be paragons of virtue any more than I expect a hospital to be filled with healthy people. Still, when the doctors are making the patients worse off, we definitely have a problem, right?

    All the same, we can (and should, and will) rail against bad doctors and call for their dismissal and disciplinary action while still valuing the healing properties medicine. Likewise, my commitment to the Catholic faith remains solid for reasons that Western Chauvinist so ably listed in comment #26.

    I believe it was Chesterton (though I’m not positive) who commented that the enduring miracle of the Catholic Church is that it has in fact endured against the apparent best efforts of its own leadership to wreck it. But you are right, Front Seat Cat. The prayers and actions of the faithful, and particularly the laity, are needed desperately now. Thank you so very much for writing this.

    God Bless you Dave. As a cradle Catholic I always wonder what the faith looks like from one who comes in as an adult. That may be a good post, not to put you on the spot. 

    • #28
  29. Fake John/Jane Galt Coolidge
    Fake John/Jane Galt
    @FakeJohnJaneGalt

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Her clergy supports it, hides it, promotes it, preys on its laity and we are supposed to take moral guidance, direction from these jokers? We are supposed to confess our sins to this group diseased cesspool of perverts? From idiots that make child wash out their mouths with holy water after oral sex? 1000 children, 300 clergy in less than one state that the Church knew about it and instead of doing anything covered it up.

    So from your point of view the institutions of the Church, the priests, prelates, pope, etc are not part of the Catholic Church and have nothing to do with it? Their sins, actions do reflect on the Church or its actions? Because I am having a very hard time with this notion that the clergy can be corrupt and all is well.

    They are a part of it, sure. So was Judas Iscariot. I’m all for having the bishops investigated, tried, and jailed by civil authorities for their crimes. There’s even talk of a civil RICO investigation. I admit to some trepidation about inviting government authorities into the Church — this could end badly under a hostile regime (Little Sisters of the Poor) — but I want to see some perp walks. And, as Pseud keeps pointing out, the number of good and faithful bishops in the Church’s history — willing to die for Her sanctity — has always been vanishingly few. Sometimes only a single soul in an entire country.

    But, this is still the First Church of Christ, still the Body of believers, still one of the very few to teach the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, still the first to recognize and most stubborn to resist the personal and societal damage of contraception, still one to profess the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist (because He said so!), still one of the very few to proclaim the queenship of Mary and the crucial role she plays in salvation history… all those teachings that put people off from becoming Catholic are why I’m Catholic, and always will be. I believe in the truth (Truth) of Catholic teaching. I am witness to the abundance of grace poured out on those who live by them.

    If Pope Francis starts teaching doctrines that break from the continuity of the Church’s Magisterium, I will consider him a heretic and will seek out the real successor of Peter and the hidden Church upholding the doctrines and traditions I adhere to. But I will not be moved off this Rock by a bunch of unbelieving pervert bishops.

    Have you read Chesterton? His gift was recognizing and explaining how the Church lives with the paradoxical realities of life and faith. It’s just as true to say the bishops have failed us as to say She is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” despite them.

    The basically difference it you view her redeemable.  I do not.  I believe she will continue to exploit the laity until it is corrupt or leaves.  The last 20 years and the Pope’s actions seem to show that as so.  It is time for all of us to recognize the Church is broken beyond repair and walk away.  The Leftist have won again.  

    • #29
  30. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    Fake John/Jane Galt (View Comment):

    The basically difference it you view her redeemable. I do not. I believe she will continue to exploit the laity until it is corrupt or leaves. The last 20 years and the Pope’s actions seem to show that as so. It is time for all of us to recognize the Church is broken beyond repair and walk away. The Leftist have won again.

    Wow, what a bummer I guess we should just secede everything to the left and the nihilists. Hey, in the long run we’re all dead right? I’m not ready to throw in the towel. I’ve got kids and unlike my parents generation, I would actually like to leave the world better then how we found it. This is the earthly struggle, contrary to popular belief, struggle and adversity is the norm. Betrayal, lies and corruption is the norm. What gets rid of it is a few brave people to expose it and those who will fight to fix it. Sometimes those people don’t succeed but they have a to try, because you never know when someone else will pick up the baton and finish ththe race. The vast majority of the American revolution we were losing. Our army was pathetic, we had no money, we lost battle after battle but we didn’t give up and now we have America. It is a constant struggle to keep her and it is the same with the church. In my opinion

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