Losing Faith

[ElizabethPH]

I tried going to confession today. I didn’t make it. The new priest we have wasn’t there.

Our parish is overcoming some changes. One of which is our priest of several years has been dismissed because of misconduct.

They announced this at the pulpit. And of course I know nothing more. He is gone. Done. No more.

He buried my husband. Has heard many of my confessions. And I liked him. He was a traditional priest, never varying from the norm. And I liked that.

I thought he was the best…

It’s all so sad and confusing.

Elizabeth.

 

[MaryAgnes]

I tried going to confession today. I didn’t make it. The new priest we have wasn’t there.

Our parish is overcoming some changes. One of which is our priest of several years has been dismissed because of misconduct.

They announced this at the pulpit. And of course I know nothing more. He is gone. Done. No more.

He buried my husband. Has heard many of my confessions. And I liked him. He was a traditional priest, never varying from the norm. And I liked that.

I thought he was the best…

It’s all so sad and confusing.

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth,
Seems as though you have been taken aback because the person you knew and respected as your priest has been removed from the pedestal you had him on. Perhaps your sadness and confusion comes from your disbelief that he is guilty of misconduct. But keep in mind that priests are people too–they sin. Holy Orders is not some magical formula for instant holiness. Sometimes priests’ sins are more serious because they have misused their office and caused scandal.

I hope you are not really losing faith though. While the human element of the church has proven to be a disappointment for you, the Church in the spiritual/sacramental sense is always true. It is in that sense that Christ is always present present in his Church. Sometimes it’s hard for us to remember there is such a distinction.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Elizabeth,
Seems as though you have been taken aback because the person you knew and respected as your priest has been removed from the pedestal you had him on. Perhaps your sadness and confusion comes from your disbelief that he is guilty of misconduct. But keep in mind that priests are people too–they sin. Holy Orders is not some magical formula for instant holiness. Sometimes priests’ sins are more serious because they have misused their office and caused scandal.

I hope you are not really losing faith though. While the human element of the church has proven to be a disappointment for you, the Church in the spiritual/sacramental sense is always true. It is in that sense that Christ is always present present in his Church. Sometimes it’s hard for us to remember there is such a distinction.

MaryAgnes

Thanks so much for responding to my post. I think you are especially right about the distinction you mention. I really haven’t lost faith in that respect, only in the present changes the parish is going through. Having been disappointed in the old priest and now the new one… not being there for confession, (and he adds things during Mass that I’m not used too) I guess it all got me going. I thought I had dealt with it and moved on…but I really haven’t. Coming here has helped me put it into perspective…thanks

 

[Brady]

I’m going to get in trouble over this one.

Priests are not infallible, and you have no idea of the trouble. Unfortunately there seems to be a history developing of “covering things up”. Not that that is so but it APPEARS that way and throws a shadow on the church. I for one would like things in the open “without even the appearance of sin” But don’t prejudge the priest or assume he is God. Your faith is in God not the priest.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Hi Brad,

Wow this is an old thread I nearly forgot about. We’ve had two priest since and things are finally settling down. You are certainly right Brad, my faith is in God.

 

[Starwynd]

I’ve come to realize that one should never base their faith on the actions of others. It’s simply a weak way to have faith.