How can I believe in a Church that aids and abets criminals?

[mailron]

I am a Catholic who is deeply troubled by the ongoing sexual-abuse controversy surrounding the Church. In my opinion, if I, as an individual, shelter and protect a murderer, rapist, or pedophile, I would be guilty of aiding and abetting a heinous crime. A mere apology from me would not suffice. Yet, the Church refuses to accept culpability and has done nothing to bring these perpetrators and offenders to justice. The accused priests and bishops at the center of the scandal continue in their vocations and in their positions, unless they have voluntarily resigned. All I have heard from the Pope and the Vatican are meaningless platitudes. A mere expression of “shame,” “humiliation,” and “deep sorrow” does not correct a wrongdoing. This has shattered my faith in the Church and I do not know where to turn. How do I continue to believe in and follow a Church that actively aids and abets criminals?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

To a certain extent I understand your concern. The scandals that have shaken the Church over the last decade have been heartbreaking for all and faith-shaking for many. It is not unreasonable to be morally outraged at the crimes that have been committed.

And yet I have to ask: Is it possible that you are choosing to listen more attentively to people with agendas opposed to the Church, rather than to the Church herself? How else is it possible to be unmoved by public repentance and unwilling to give leaders in the Church who express such sorrow and repentance the benefit of the doubt? It seems to me that your dismissal of papal apologies is largely indistinguishable from the public statements of groups that have, so far, apparently refused to accept anything the Church has said or done, perhaps in part because being publicly aggrieved over the scandal has become their raison d’etre.

I can only recommend to you that you try to understand that the Church is both divine and human, and your faith must be placed firmly in the Church as the Bride of Christ and not in frail, sinful human beings who belong to the Church and even, at times, act in the Church’s name. If you are serious about wanting to keep your faith, then I urge you to stop exposing yourself to news about the scandal, concentrate on building up your own spiritual life in union with the Church, and offer up your suffering for the healing of the Church – including all those Catholics hurt by the scandal.