Reputation of Catholic Church ‘in tatters’, says priest

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I’m happy to see that the Irish bishops have responded. The respond sounds very genuine. It certainly does not make the problem go away. But we know that this is not going to happen with any apology. At least, this is the beginning. One must always look back to see what happened. Otherwise, how can we go forward? It’s like traveling without a map.

I’m glad to see a suggestion in the statement that there is a big difference between “mental reservation” and putting someone’s safety in danger. I believe that I spoke to that in a previous post. We may never allow vulnerable people to be in harms way. That’s immoral.

The next question is what systems can be put in place to protect the vulnerable. We know that there are always going to be people who prey on the vulnerable, not just among the clergy or religious. Children, elderly, poor, sick, disabled, minorities and other helpless people have been the target of sinful behaviors since the creation of Adam. We all agree that no system is perfect. All that being said, it behooves us as men and women of peace and life to try to deliver systems that minimize the possibilities of harm.

I wish that I had a magic wand to make every person safe, heal every broken heart, and restore hope to every disappointed soul. But the best that I can do from where I sit is to work to create systems that reduce the possibilities, preach to the unconverted, help people heal, and remind people that God is good, despite our sinfulness.

I am so sorry and feel so helpless. I don’t know what else I can say or do. It’s frustrating for me. As a religious, especially a Franciscan, I committed my life to being the least among my brothers and sisters, in reparation for sin and for the reign of Christ’s life among us. I wonder if there is something that I have not done right, because I can’t seem to help that many people. In speaking with my superior today, he challenged me by asking, “What have you not done? If there is sin in the world, then you have failed and you must examine your conscience and your life. As a son of St. Francis, it is your mission to surrender your life on the cross to conquer sin. What have you not surrendered?” I left his presence with a heavy heart and a great deal to think and pray about.

All that I can say is that I am soooooo sorry that this has happened and if I could give my life to make it go away, I would.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF
 
hi…
very nice post…
am expecting more post from you…
thanks…
 
JReducation said:
All that I can say is that I am soooooo sorry that this has happened and if I could give my life to make it go away, I would.
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And while a single person like you exists, the Church will be Triumphant.

If you ever find that magic wand by the way… see if there’s two. And if I find one, I’d be happy to give it to you, in the full confidence that you’d know better than I what to do with it.

And in the meantime… we do what we can. We move the mountain one teaspoonful at a time. There is, after all, work enough for everyone, is there not?

When it seems that you must despair - think not on the task ahead, but what you’ve already accomplished. Then go and do more.

Sisterly Hugs - maybe not physical, that’s probably not permitted, but the thought is there to my Brother, from a very imperfect and unreligious Zoe
 
Zoe_Brain said:
And while a single person like you exists, the Church will be Triumphant.

If you ever find that magic wand by the way… see if there’s two. And if I find one, I’d be happy to give it to you, in the full confidence that you’d know better than I what to do with it.

And in the meantime… we do what we can. We move the mountain one teaspoonful at a time. There is, after all, work enough for everyone, is there not?

When it seems that you must despair - think not on the task ahead, but what you’ve already accomplished. Then go and do more.

Sisterly Hugs - maybe not physical, that’s probably not permitted, but the thought is there to my Brother, from a very imperfect and unreligious Zoe
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I’ll accept that hug. Everyone needs a shoulder, even a contemplative. And I’ll add one more thing. We must never forget that the road to peace and healing is prayer. I’m reminded of a little story from St. Francis’ life.

The Church during his time has pedophiles, womanizers, tyrants, heretics, thieves and more. Anthony came over from Lisbon to join the order and was assigned to Padua. He wrote Francis a letter asking for permission to teach the brothers theology. Anthony’s idea was to train brothers who would go out and train priests to be holy men. Francis wrote back and said, “Make sure that you do not extinguish the spirit of prayer.”

While Anthony thought that better seminary formation would save the priesthood of his time and wanted to train brothers to be seminary professors, Francis understood that the brothers could do more good for the Church through prayer. Years later Anthony would write that this was a turning point in his spiritual life. He became a great saint and probably prayed many souls into heaven.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF 🙂
 
The Blessed Virgin at Fatima did not say to “study orthodoxy”, but admonished us to “Pray, pray very much, and make sacrifices for sinners; for many souls go to hell, because there are none to sacrifice themselves and pray for them.” Prayer is the way to union with God. These spiritual aspects are what is missing in today’s Church with the search for the “historical Jesus” and with the de-emphasis of Jesus’ Divinity. Tatters may mean “tribulation” in another translation.
 
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