But because for one reason Christ taught us, the flock, to know true shepherds by their fruits. And you might have no problem with it. And you might believe true Apostolic successors, who proclaim the sanctity of life and preach infallible faith and morals do not know better and can not help or keep themselves from covering up something like child abuse. And that’s fine. I do not. **** So…you seem to be saying that you think a Pope covered it up? Tell me I’m wrong in that…please. And of course you would have to define which instances…for example some of them were with 17 year olds…in homosexual encounters…but consentual…which is different then a 8 year old…no? And what time frame was it? Because there was a time when everyone thought that people like that could be rehabilitated…now we know a little more about it. But I do believe the Church does know best. I also know that there are sinners in the Church…any church.
I believe one finds good shepherds among all flocks. You attend an Episcopal church or did the last I saw. I have met some fine Episcopalian priests who spread the message of Christ’s love greatly. I have also met pastors of various denominations who do so. And yes I have known a Catholic priest a time or two (figure of speech!)

in my life who have done so as well.
Umm…no…never even set foot in an Episcopal church. Spent time in the Church of Christ, conservative Baptist, and Assembly of God. Sadly have not met many good shepards amongst those churches I attended. Did meet one exception associate pastor. But what does that have to do with anything? I’m Catholic now for a reason and I do believe my Protestant brethren are missing the fullness of Christ. I did not stay in a church I now longer agreed with…nor did I stay and complain about everything.
You obviously have not read every post I have made then on CAF. ** With all due respect…you have over 2,000 post…so no…I haven’t read every one…have looked through your post enough to see you are fine going against some major teachings of the Church. And to see that you sure do like to argue…hmmm…wonder what fruit there is there?**
If it is such a concern of yours, you will have to ask God when you see Him why He led my parents to have me become a Catholic and why the Church defines Catholic as She does.
With all due respect…that is a cope out. You are old enough (I think) to decide for yourself. I think you like being a desenter.
I have indeed met some folks here who do a much better job than I in spreading Christ’s message of love with open arms. But by in large unfortunately my experience at CAF has done more to drive me further away. YMMV.
Maybe because you are on a Catholic forumn argue some very non-Catholic views…just going out on a limb here…
And I can not help it if my conscience, even after informing it, still does not act in accordance with every Catholic teaching. The only way in which I could get it to do so would be to indoctrinate it to another human beings thinking on everything. I believe God gave me a brain not to do that with it, but to think and reason with.
Really? You don’t think other Catholics do? I got my Bachelors degree Summa Cum Laude…and yet I know that there are Church fathers that have far much more wisdom. But I have to be able to see my own infalible and that I may want things to be a certain way so that I can keep doing things without being convicted.