My friend, they are making it hard on you, but hang in there.
You sound like a pretty smart kid and you’ve shown great courage to stand for your faith so far. Frankly, I’m really impressed and wish I knew 10 more kids like you.
Most of what I see you recounting is just anti-Catholic hogwash. We encounter such drivel from time to time and some of it needs no answer because it has no basis in fact. Fantasies like that will always fall when you ask for proof because none exists.
The pedophile allegation is just specious garbage that can best be shot down with a simple (and quiet) “prove it”. They can’t since they’re afraid to even meet most priests because they’ve believed all the lies they’ve been told. They won’t like it, but they really don’t want to see stats like those found at
Sexual Abuse of Children by
Protestant Ministers and there’s a lot more to be found
at this link…
There is some bright spots in all this. At 18 you can do as you please as an adult so you need only ride this out until then. I know it’s uncomfortable and very difficult, but I feel sure that you can handle it. You’re pretty strong and you’ve got a lot of folks here praying for you, which never fails to help. You’ve also had some good advice as well.
That stuff about not being able to get a job because you’re a devout Catholic is just scare tactics. Very likely, it will never come up and even if it does I suspect that some good Catholics will rejoice to hire someone like you. Either way, don’t worry about that and if you must answer, there’s always the ever popular, “the Lord will provide”…because He will.
Lastly, I am involved in a small Catholic prison correspondence ministry and your story is not unlike some of what I hear from some of my guys. One guy was threatened for being Catholic (though the guy later apologized) and others have guys come up to them on the rec fields with questions, challenges, or questions and some of that gets heated as well. A calm demeanor always helps and they’ve learned not to take bait.
Bishop Fulton Sheen was an awesome guy who is now on the path to canonization. One of the things he said has become almost a motto with me. Check this out…
“There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church.
There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church—which is, of course, quite a different thing.
As a matter of fact, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.
Wanna mess Grandma up? Next time she starts on you about your faith, just look out the window and quietly say with a smile, “Y’know, I love you too Grandma.” and don’t say another word no matter what.
You’re gonna be fine kid. Just hang in there and remember what St. Peter tells us in his 1st epistle…
9] Do not return evil for evil or reviling for reviling; but on the contrary bless, for to this you have been called, that you may obtain a blessing.
10] For “He that would love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking guile;
11] let him turn away from evil and do right;
let him seek peace and pursue it.
12] For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.”
13] Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is right?
14] But even if you do suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15] but in your hearts reverence Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence;
16] and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17] For it is better to suffer for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than for doing wrong.
