Depressed About Catholic Church

[PetraG]

@on_the_hill. You might like to check this out before you believe all in the PA report.
https://www.catholicleague.org/pa-grand-jury-report-one-year-later/

From the Catholic League story you cite:
“The politics of sexual abuse is almost as disgusting as sexual abuse.”

No. No, it is not. The objection that the investigations have been prejudiced seems fair, but that statement is outrageous and way over the line. No, no, no…we cannot be going there.

I live in the Archdiocese of Portland in Oregon. The abuse crisis and the bankruptcy were awful, but it wasn’t the same as a child or teen or any other vulnerable person being victimized by a sexual predator who had abused a position of such high trust as the priesthood is. Not. Even. Close. The changes in how adults who have any contact with children or youth are taught to prevent this kind of predatory behavior have been very good. It is extremely sad that the rules came to be for the reasons they came to be, but the rules both protect young people and the priests and other members of the faithful who might otherwise be subjected to false allegations.

 

[otjm]

I think you need to rein it in just a little bit. The people those “ugly, greedy , evil minded lawyers” represented hve lived lives dsirupted and turned upside down because of the sexual abuse; a goodly number of victims have committed suicide. Thing=k about that for at least a minute: the abuse and destruction to their self image was so great they killed themselves.

That just begins to touch on the damage the priests did, and the bishops failed to stop.

Those “ugly, greedy , evil minded lawyers” “Who are looking for big bucks.” are a great blessing to the Church; they have forced the Church - and particularly the bishops and diocesan administration to face up to the reality of the abuse and the damage it has caused, and do something. Had those attorneys not sued the dioceses, it would be continuing, for all likelihood.

It may well be that had you been a victim you would not sue. But you really need to rethink your attitude towards the means that God used to bring judgement on this terrible wrong and those responsible.

 

[otjm]

Actually, you are likely low by at least half, of the ones who did no wrong; records and evidence only goes back 70 years, but you did not account for all the good ones clear back to the beginning who did no wrong, and have departed this life.

 

[Divine3]

I have no doubt that God’s justice will be forth coming for any child who has been abused by anyone, especially someone in an authority position.

 

[CRV]

I wasn’t aiming to. As I thought I explained in previous posts.

I was simply trying to point out that the vast MAJORITY of priests did not commit abuse, and cited links to illustrate a point by way of example, and to put things into perspective.

Highlighting the good instead of focusing on the bad.

 

[otjm]

as to your question, let’s put it in perspective of Christ and the Apostles.

We accept that the night of the Passover was the first Eucharist. Judas was present and received the Eucharist, and within hours he betrayed Christ.

there are multiple issues with other apostles not “getting it”, showing (blind) pride, flip flopping, denying Christ. And that was all before the Ascension, and most of it while Christ was trying to lead them.

One will see what one looks for. If one wlooks of saints, one will find them, If one looks for holiness, one will find it. If one looks for sinners, one will find them everywhere.

Christ did not promise the Church (members) impeccability. He promised the Spirit, and the guidance for all truth.

It is easy to get caught up in all the scandal; it is what makes the news media thrive - whether it is about the Church or about any other part of the human milieu. If the news media is the source of the concerns you express, then perhaps dialing back on the media is appropriate.

I suspect that I am older than you; and I have known probably 4 or 5 priests who have been accused of sexual abuse. But I don’t spend time dwelling on the matters, and I basically find that I can fill up my day, week and month with plenty of activity - including through my parish - that I don’t really have time to do so. The news is full, right now, of stories about a serial sexual abuser who killed themselves in jail; I simply avoid the stories as I really have no need to pursue them. Likewise, the Church. I have better things to accomplish.

There is plenty of good to be done; join in. You may find that changing focus will alleviate some of the concern and stress.

 

[otjm]

It wasn’t intended as a correction; your focus is spot on.

 

[Divine3]

For every child or teenager who has been abused…tell me where was the parent? How many parents have allowed their children to be alone without ever questioning where they are, who are they with and what’s going on. And that’s not just about the few priests who are Judases. You are entitled to your opinion and so am I. Not all baptized Catholics kill themselves after traumatic abuse, some have recourse to the sacraments, to running to Christ for healing and some courageously carry their cross.

 

[Erikaspirit16]

What I have read in this thread is a lot of people trying to minimize the crimes, which honestly makes me have even less confidence in the explanations of the church about the abuse crisis. I’m just at a loss for words at this point. I feel like so many in the church just don’t get the severity of it all.

I agree, and that’s what bothers me, too. There should be absolutely no excuses—none of this nonsense about other religions, schools, etc. etc. etc. None of it matters. What matters is that priests, bishops, and even cardinals committed unspeakable acts and ruined lives. It’s absurd to say “well, it wasn’t 1,000, it was only 853…” If you use that argument, you just don’t get it. Some of them compounded it by various acts of blasphemy. Virtually none have been punished in any way. For decades it was all covered up. This simply shouldn’t happen. Zero tolerance. Zero.

 

[Erikaspirit16]

You and I can do exactly zero about it…

Wrong. We can discuss it with others. We can talk to the local priest. We can write letters to our bishops. And–the key here–is that we hold the source of revenue. In some ways the Church is like a business; if some scandal doesn’t affect the bottom line, they’re not going to fix it.

 

[CRV]

Thank you.

 

[Beryllos]

And–the key here–is that we hold the source of revenue.

I don’t think it is the key. The song says “money can’t buy me love,” and neither can it buy holiness.

 

[jeannetherese]

I recently read an article

Could you share a link to the article please?

 

[Erikaspirit16]

I don’t think it is the key. The song says “money can’t buy me love,” and neither can it buy holiness.

I’m not sure you got my point. So far, the Church has done very little (and yes, different people will have different opinions about that). So we can write things on forums, etc. etc., but if you want them to sit up and take notice–and action–hitting them in the pocket book is the only concrete action most of us can take.

 

[Erikaspirit16]

I recently read an article that said that a survivor of McCarrick’s abuse told John Paul II about it and he only said he would pray for him and nothing was ever done after that.

I’ve read that too. But it’s impossible to footnote everything you’ve read…that’s what Google is for.

 

[jeannetherese]

No one on this thread has suggested that you leave the Church, far from it.
The Church was instituted by Christ. Why would we turn away from His creation? He promised that the gates of Hell would not prevail over His Church.
Individuals within the Church may use their free will to do wrong, to sin. They will have to reckon with God for their actions.
You also are accountable to God fro your actions, as am I, and as are all of the members of His flock. We need to turn to Him constantly and to work to strengthen and uphold the Church He has given us.
Prayer, fasting, sacrifices, acts of reparation, efforts to attain personal holiness can all be offered to God. When we go to Mass tomorrow, we can offer our Mass to God for the sake of those priests who have fallen into sin and for the sake of those whom they harmed.
May God bless and heal them all.
Amen.

 

[jeannetherese]

Without documentation, such arguments lack credibility and can be slanderous.

 

[CRV]

And–the key here–is that we hold the source of revenue. In some ways the Church is like a business; if some scandal doesn’t affect the bottom line, they’re not going to fix it.

Whilst I understand where you are coming from in this viewpoint, I’d also like to point out that the parish still has to pay it’s bills including any staff wages, insurance of buildings & liability insurance, maintenance, keeping the Church lights on, keeping stationary (newsletter) etc., candles, Communion hosts & wine, lights on in Church etc etc So in with holding your financial contributions (which your conscience may be in favour of doing), you may be penalising innocent others (staff for one). Have you considered this consequence if you do decide to withhold your financial contributions, and especially if a lot of people do?

 

[po18guy]

Was going to reply, but what’s the point…

 

[Erikaspirit16]

Have you considered this consequence if you do decide to withhold your financial contributions, and especially if a lot of people do?

Why yes, I have. First off, you would see immediate action on the abuse problem. But as for the “innocent” parish, I get that. But what if you boycott Dow Chemical because they make napalm? Doesn’t that hurt the “innocent” workers? (As I’ve said in other threads, I give my money to the Sisters of Notre Dame, who run schools and clinics for girls in India.)

If you’ve got another way to force change, I’m all ears. And please don’t tell me to pray for change.