How many of all of the sincere Catholics and non-Catholics ~ have prayed for the priests who have sinned so grievously?"

[eucharisteo]

I’ve seen a lot of posts about this topic, or supposedly about this topic, notwithstanding the moderator’s valiant efforts to keep it on point. It appears that the subject of this thread has been derailed to a discussion about the priest abuse scandals.

To address the opening post, in regards to one faith targeting members of another faith for conversion, this has undeniably occurred, whether those involved want to admit it or not. I have read in article on this very forum about the fact that the #1 source of converts to the heresy of Mormonism are Catholics. Clearly these were poorly-catechized Catholics, regardless of their background, because NO CATHOLIC who truly knew, understood and believed their faith would ever leave for any other faith. Your faith is not about people, its about the Truth. No one who truly knew and understood the truth could leave for something less.

To address the derailed topic ~ the scandals ~ how many of all of the sincere Christian people who have posted to this thread ~ both Catholic and non-Catholic ~ have prayed for these priests who have sinned so grievously? This is not a rhetorical question, I’m very sincere about raising this point. It’s easy to pray for people that we like and approve of, much harder to pray for those of whom we disapprove or those we just dislike.

All of us fall short and some fall shorter than others (at least in our eyes if not in God’s) so when we are tempted to sit in judgment in this particular situation are we also praying for these obviously misguided men? I’m not saying any of this to excuse the actions of anyone, but I am saying that since we are REQUIRED to leave judgment to GOD (no matter what Christian faith tradition we subscribe to) shouldn’t we spend at least as much effort praying for these misguided men as we do in condemning them?

And as to the appeal for funds instead of a homily ~ our Pastor, who is one of the pre-eminent Pastors in our diocese ~ gives a talk at least once per year about the Diocesan Appeal for funds used for special projects. During 1st Communion Season (currently) the Priests tend to focus on those who are receiving 1st Communion. There are various times, but not many, during the liturgical year, where the “homily” does not involve preaching the Gospel and, given the attention span of the congregation and the time constraints of 5 masses on Sunday (at least in our parish) I think the Priests can be forgiven for a Sunday or two where the time for the homily is used for some special purpose. PLUS, at least in my parish, there is a short homily at daily Mass too. Those who are interested in greater pastoral exposition on the Gospel can, happily, attend Mass every day if they wish. I see no valid reason for attacking Priests on the subject of the homily.

I believe you took a thread and assumed so much that you failed to see the significance of it. You said we were condemning the priests. No one said such a thing. You said that.

 

[Tsuwano]

As a sincere Catholic, which is somewhat different from a perfect Catholic, I can say I have.

 

[eucharisteo]

Being a Catholic trying to be faithful and a victim of such a crime I can say I pray for my perpetrator regularly. Since I try not to think about it every day I get up for sanity reasons I can say that when I do I pray for him and the other victims that left like me as a result of the abuse. I’'m just now reconnecting to priests form my seminary days that were also students. Some of the former seminarians I found live very gay life styles, which is sad and I continue to pray for them as well. I have learned so many things that have helped restore my faith in the actions of the diocese in which the seminary I attended took to best correct the trend of that era. I know some of the monks from that time that are very faithful priests and monks. It has been somewhat of a healing point for me, not to be used as a weapon to seek justice as some people may end up doing by suiting for big money. To truely forgive one must give up even the financial gain from such a sin and use the sacrifice as a penance for reparation for souls lost or potentially lost because of this sad issue, that occurs in all faiths by the way.

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I confess I have prayed for our fallen priests, especially the victims and their families.

I have also prayed a novena for our Pope, who is underattack again, just like in every age which proves Jesus words come to pass as he told Peter and his apostles, “they will persecute you also, because they have persecuted me”.

 

[Reuben_J]

Corporately and individually. The conclusion of the prayer for the faithful in our archdiocese used to pray for vocation but recently been updated to prayers for priests. Personally I would include them in my prayers too – not just for those who sin grievously but that they persevere and faithful to the call of their vocation; and those who suffer as a result of their action, for healing and restoration.

 

[cradlecatholic5]

Yes, I have prayed for them and continue to pray for them.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

I do pray for the victims of these men, I also pray for them. I pray for our Preist that have remained faithful and are pursecuted for the acts of those that have not. I pray for the Holy Father and all the Bishops tha God lead them in dealing with this.
It is my understanding that we as Christians are called to pray for those that have sinned. That is no matter what that sin is, or by who it is committed. May God have mercy on us all, for all have sinned and fallen short of his Glory.