Depressed About Catholic Church

[TotusTuusForever]

As I see the continuous reports of child abuse by the clergy come forth, it becomes apparent how prevalent this was for almost the entire 20th century. I have alway defended the church throughout all of these revelations because I believe that Christ is at the center of the church despite the human failings.

But, I fear that I am beginning to become disillusioned. Even before the child abuse scandals, there were popes who had mistresses and pope who persecuted the Jews in Rome among many other scandals. Where does one draw the line between faith in the church and calling out these crimes and sins?

You can’t blame people for leaving their family when their father beats their mother or molests their brother, or has an affair with another woman. Im just so heartbroken over all of the evil within the Church that I am starting to wonder where the holiness is. How can we tell people not to sin when our church has become the prime example of hideous sins? Turning a blind eye to the ugliness of it all is exactly what we have done for the past decades. How are we supposed to move past this?

 

[IdaCatholic]

I hear you. What concerns me is the willingness of people to “move past this” we shouldn’t move past it we should combat it in all its forms.

 

[TheLittleLady]

there were popes who had mistresses and pope who persecuted the Jews in Rome among many other scandals. Where does one draw the line between faith in the church and calling out these crimes and sins?

Sins are sins, no matter who commits them.

I rejoice when I see how God has protected the Church in spite of the sins of people.

 

[Horton]

Order a copy of this book: https://www.sufferingchurchbook.com/

Bishop Barron answers all of your concerns in the small book.

 

[1ke]

Where does one draw the line between faith in the church and calling out these crimes and sins?

One need not set these two things in opposition to each other.

One can have faith in Christ and his Church and still be disappointed in people who do bad things, and expect accountability and demand better.

 

[StephieNorthCo]

That was my thought as well. The institution, Christ’s Church is one entity, made up of another entity, us flawed humans.

Look at St. Peter: “Hey Cephus, you know this guy Jesus?” “Nuh, uh. Never heard of him. Not me. Nope. No way”. Cock a doodle do.

We are all flawed humans, darn it.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

Fasting and prayer.

 

[Dolphin]

The Apostles didn’t leave Jesus when Judas betrayed them. We can’t leave Jesus when some of the clergy betray us.

 

[Divine3]

Don’t worry. It is the world we live in, we just need saints…so you ask God to be a saint. Just check out the time saint Rose of Lima lived in and also the decades before. After reading some of that history, I am not worried about some individuals in the church…we have great saints, great martyrs and Jesus…he is the only priest ( the priests we have are his servants and need our prayers) There are holy priests out there and just a few Judases. Jesus gave the keys to saint Peter who in the end did just fine. The media is the world and if you fill your mind with the secular media and its twisted worldly ideas and lies…well bye, bye to your faith. “Be of great courage I have conquered the world” We must fight the world, the flesh and the devil. Our lady is our Mother…go to her when you are down, she will help you. She is Mother of the Church.

 

[Psalm30]

That was my thought as well. The institution, Christ’s Church is one entity, made up of another entity, us flawed humans.

Look at St. Peter: “Hey Cephus, you know this guy Jesus?” “Nuh, uh. Never heard of him. Not me. Nope. No way”. Cock a doodle do.

We are all flawed humans, darn it.

I don’t think this is a fair comparison. St. Peter made a one time mistake in a moment of extreme fear and stress, and he immediately repented and regretted what he did. Priests abused children not once, not twice, but over and over and over again with no remorse, AND these deeds were covered up not once, not twice but over and over and over again. It’s not something you can dismiss as “We’re all flawed humans, darn it.”

 

[StephieNorthCo]

That would be a fair point had not Peter done other things throughout his career, causing Jesus to say “Get behind me…”, Paul to need to correct him etc. It’s not a one time only thing.

David, held up as a good king, likewise did many bad things etc.

I believe the word is concupisce.

Nevertheless, the Church, as an institution is protected by the Spirit. It isn’t going to fail.

 

[stpurl]

OUR CHURCH includes you and me and a host of other people who are sinners (The Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints); and at one time or another all of us have done some terrible things.

But you know what? At one time or another all of us have done some pretty wonderful things too.

When we listen to Jesus (and His Church’s teachings, which are beautiful and true), we do great things.

When we don’t listen, you get the abuse (not just from 'people in the hierarchy but everywhere. I know it sounds awful and it is not an attempt to excuse or justify, but the plain simple fact is that the majority of people who abuse children are MARRIED MEN. That’s from the people at the APA, psychologists, in their statistical manual.) Those people, Catholic, non-Catholic Christian, other religious, or non-religious, do not listen to the truth which the Church teaches. And it’s not a ‘Catholic truth’ it is a small-c catholic i.e. universal truth written on the hearts of all people that abuse of a child (among other wrongs) IS wrong.

You can indeed blame people for leaving their family when their father beats their mother, because ‘leaving the family’ includes leaving the innocent mother, now doesn’t it?

It’s like saying, "Dad did something wrong to Mom, so I will leave my dad–plus my mom, my brothers and sisters, my aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and ancestors, etc., over the wrong Dad did. . " That would be ridiculous!

Instead, make Dad accountable. Stay in the family; protect Mom, fight for your family who is ‘all of you’. Indeed, fight even for your Dad. Try to help him to redeem himself.

 

[Psalm30]

That would be a fair point had not Peter done other things throughout his career, causing Jesus to say “Get behind me…”, Paul to need to correct him etc. It’s not a one time only thing.

And he continuously repented of all these things and tried to better himself. He did not cover them up and continue doing them.

I’m sorry, but your analogy is comparable to telling a woman whose husband beats her black and blue that, “Well, no marriage is perfect. Every couple has disagreements from time to time.”

We have to be very careful not to downplay the abuse scandals as “Well, everyone is human and makes mistakes.”

 

[Tis_Bearself]

When you’re thinking about the child abusers and the Popes who had mistresses, etc, are you thinking equally long and hard about all the saints and other good Catholics who worked to help children and women (often when “society” was not lifting a finger to assist them), the good priests, and the moral and upright Popes?

 

[AlmaRedemptorisMater]

The answer is your name @TotusTuusForever. Say ‘totally yours forever’ to the Church and live up to your name.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

Where does one draw the line between faith in the church and calling out these crimes and sins?

These are two related but separate things. The dogmas, doctrines, and traditions are true even if it turns out that the people who make up the church are, well, people with all the fallenness and brokenness that entails.

You must realize that there are eventually going to be reports from every diocese. Those will show that some small percentage of priests and bishops over the last 70 years have failed in the worst possible ways to live up to their call. This is a moment of purification and chastisement for the church, but we cannot let this define us!

Do not lose sight of the reasons why we are all Catholic (hint: it is not because of the priests).

 

[Divine3]

Very few children, your facts are off the wall. The FEW (priests) abusers, who fully represent this sick culture we live in for decades---- the USA, are few in number ,but the sexual abusers who are not priests, now that is a real ugly reality to see.
Research the non priests who are sick children abusers and get an eye opener.
And google is not the place to do your research. Check out the guys in jail too while you are at it. The rapists etc. Amazing to see doctors , lawyers , policeman, teachers, uncles, ministers, a few rabbis, politicians and please don’t leave out actors, producers, sports …did I forget someone? How about the guy next door! Witch hunts … Let’s not forget that nasty biggot in PA who calls himself an attorney General.

 

[Diaconia]

No one is more disgusted with abusers than holy priests whose good names are tinged by association.

Benedict XVI called for the “filth” in the Church to be removed.

But sinful men in the Church do not negate the four marks that it bears: One, Holy, Catholic & Apostolic.

Bad popes do not cancel the authority of Peter’s see.

And most importantly, even terribly sinful priests still deliver the Sacred Mysteries to the People of God.

Stay Catholic because of Jesus, because of the sacraments,
Deacon Christopher

 

[Justin_Mary]

I have alway defended the church throughout all of these revelations because I believe that Christ is at the center of the church despite the human failings.

So how do you reconcile this with all the scandal?

I believe that Christ is at the center of the church despite the human failings.

So even the scandal, not caused by God, but not prevented. This kind of thing has happened before, look at all the stories of the Old Testament.

Christ is still at the Center of His Church. We need to trust him. Turn back to Him in thought & deed. Now is not the time to abandon His Church.

 

[Divine3]

Amen…I am sick of faithful priests being accused unjustly and the Catholic hierarchy in their inquisition , pulling out honest priests because of ugly, greedy , evil minded lawyers
( not all lawyers …thank God. ). Who are looking for big bucks. I would never, ever sue my church. Anyone who lies about a priest will meet God’s judgment. Or lies and destroys their good name, consequences will be in the hands of God.