I have been Catholic for almost 9 years now and was shocked to realize this author was a Notre Dame alum, claimed to be a good Catholic but was concerned about the extreme views held by many other Catholics.
It was like having cold water thrown in my face. This person was referring to me and almost every other Catholic I know!! In my writing, I get some pretty nasty comments from non- Catholics but just never expected it from one of my brothers or sisters.(the above example was not directed at me but to a general audience)
The question I have is this: have I been living in my post-confirmation bubble for years now or have times changed that much in 8 3/4 years?
Since when is following the teachings of the Church, including the respect for life, considered by other Catholics to be “extremist”? Are those of us who do that a minority?
This has profoundly shaken me in my spirit. Any insights or suggestions I am missing here?
Pax,
Pam
Blessings to you, Pam. I can honestly say I know well the gut-wrenching feeling one gets when at odds with their fellow Catholics - the very ones we should be in solidarity with. I should be even more understanding of them since, at one time in my life, I bought into the liberalism and rebellion that was coming from within the Church. Someone in an earlier post mentioned Humanae Vitae and although I loved the priest we had at that time, he, like many other young priests, was in downright disobedience. I remember advice he gave me that was in direct opposition to Church teachings I had followed my entire life. Although I never completely succumbed to the madness, I nevertheless, was in rebellion toward the old stuffy ways of the Church and wanted to move forward with the other Progressives. I eventually returned to the more Narrow Way with the grace of God, but believe I am now doing penance for my past sins.
After my “conversion,” we spent many years in an area of the country where truth was always taught (at least at our parish,) and the most beautiful spirituality existed; in other words, a full Catholicism enriched with all of the Tradition of our past. Our pastor was a true shepherd who protected us from the wolves and craziness that seemed to be abounding in other places. Well, we moved back home and much to my shock and surprise, it was hardly the same Church. I never appreciated just how protected we were. Your “cold water in the face” is an apt description.
We are now in a very liberal diocese, which over the years, has become a spiritual wasteland. We’ve lived here three years now and have seen liturgical abuses and scandal so much so, that we have changed parishes four times. Many Catholics here are not even in full Communion with the Church, although they regularily receive the sacraments. I was shocked and very angry at first, hurt, indignant and wanted to fix the entire thing. I have written letters to the priests and have sought counsel. Although teaching religious ed was my ministry for a long time, I no longer do that because of the watered down sacramental preparation most of the children get and I still shudder at the lack of catechises for both children and adults. I really must be one of those extremists, huh?
We are trying to sell our home and move to a larger city where we will not be locked into this kind of thing. One main thing I try to remember to soften the pain is that “Catholics” are not exempt from the very strong worldy influences of the “isms” afflicting society today. Relativism, individualism and secularism all play a part in our relation to our church. There is so much loss of faith at times, one can hardly see the real thing. And we must not forget the signs of the times…this present age we are living in of general Christian apostasy.
For who I am, and the life I must live to please Christ, I’m afraid I am not one to compromise. I try not to judge others, but when the opportunity presents itself, I must, in faithfulness, respond with truth. Sometimes it’s a very lonely life in this little town.
I study, pray, and read, go to CAF and listen to good Catholics rant and rave at each other, and S-M-I-L-E, somehow comforted that amidst the confusion and pain, the Church is still here - and it will always be here to speak to us through other solid Catholics and the saints who have gone before us.
