Staying, Leaving?

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I went to bed last night after not quite finished reading about “the latest bombshell.” Went to mass this morning with a confused and heavy heart. The readings so pointed to the situation: in place of sacrifice and laying down their lives for her,
“that she might be holy and without blemish“ (Ephesians 5)
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they have betrayed the bride of Christ.

I sat behind a family of six, the children ranging from 8 to 18, the boy was confirmed earlier this year, the youngest is to receive her first communion this week.

At the sign of peace, I noticed the father hugged each one with unusual tenderness for this routine liturgical gesture. Later, his action became clear, as he stood up right before the final blessing, looked around at everyone, saying “My heart was broken this morning, … “ I knew immediately that he was referring to “the latest bombshell.”
“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34)
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He could barely speak through the emotion, but went on to thank our pastor for his faithfulness and to express on our behalf, love and support. We affirmed his words with quiet applause; Father reminded us that the church is holy even as people in the church are sinners, recalling Peter’s response to Jesus when other people turned and went away:
“Master, to whom shall we go?” (John 6)
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I and many others stopped to thank this upright man, this courageous husband and father, for opening up what was held in our own hearts.

Driving home, shedding tears and sobs, the sun seemed to come through. I had personally offered the mass for the Pope, bishops and priests, for true repentance, penitence and reparation. This is Jesus’ Church, the Bride of Christ. He is faithful, will not abandon her. He will bring beauty out of the ugliness. I trust in Jesus and will not leave.
“As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24)
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Heck no I’m not leaving.
I lose respect for anyone who abandons Christ’s Church just when she needs them most.
I know these are difficult times for us all. Double down on your faith.

“Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”
 
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Appropriately enough, this was the Gospel reading today. My pastor connected it to the current scandals.
 
O, you men consecrated to Christ, what have you done?

You have ripped at our souls, ripped faith from our hearts,

snatched trust out of our hands. You left us bleeding.

Do you remember loving Him with every part of your being?

What changed your holiness, the declaration of your vows?

Perhaps it was your sickness, perhaps Satan. The latter, I believe.

You became Judas with every sin you committed.

You betrayed my Jesus.

You betrayed His people

His Church

His unconditional love for you.

My mind still reels with thoughts of the children you harmed.

While you feasted on your glory, children hid in the dark.

Children you harmed screamed in silence. Searching in vain for hope that was not theirs.

Merciful God, help the victims of Your clergy to heal.

I cannot forgive you, though His words guide me to forgiveness.

Not yet. I hurt too much.

Maybe someday, not today.

But when I do it will be in obedience to my God.
 
I throw my lot with that of Christ’s true Church. With God’s help, I will cling to my shepherd.
 
Just an aside within the thread: welcome to the Church!!!

I love being Catholic and wish everyone would become Catholic, and we need people who convert as adults because they have the wonder of children and the ability to express it on an adult level, to us.

Not everyone will welcome you, but not everyone welcomes anyone. I was once told about a church down the road which would be better for my family (which on that Sunday seemed to consist of 5 children and one on the way). Yes, in a Catholic church.

Pray for those who don’t accept you and thank God for those who do!
 
I left. Feels much better. Shaking my head at the “moral leadership” in place now.
 
Hope1960 said:
Where, if anywhere, are you planning to go?
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Not planning to go anywhere actually. I’ll stay right here with my golden rule and try to treat people with empathy and fairness…as I always have.
 
Nigel7 said:
Heck no I’m not leaving.
I lose respect for anyone who abandons Christ’s Church just when she needs them most.
I know these are difficult times for us all. Double down on your faith.

“Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour?”
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That image,those words of Jesus are very vivid for me at the moment going through my head these last few weeks . :pray:t4:
 
Inspite of the issues that the Catholic Church is facing right now, I choose to stay and remain faithful to the Church. My faith is not based on the influence of people around me but rooted in the teachings of Christ (through sacred scripture and tradition) which the Catholic Church had preserved for 2000 years.
 
All sorts of Catholic prophecy dating from several centuries ago and up to former Pope Benedict’s and Sr. Lucia’s words have suggested we are in a decisive battle NOW and that the Church will emerge smaller but purified. I’ll stick with the Church although worse times, I believe, are ahead.
 
I think it’s important to donate to your parish. A parish needs money to keep the lights on. The parish need funds for heating and air conditioning the buildings. The parish needs money to provide for our priests, who are available 24/7.
 
If a handful of unholy men is enough to drive some people away from the one true Church and it’s Sacraments, then the faithful are not as faithful as they should.
 
Ioannes_L said:
If a handful of unholy men is enough to drive some people away from the one true Church and it’s Sacraments, then the faithful are not as faithful as they should.
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Is it really just a handful? What %?
 
I have been heartbroken and physically nauseated since this latest monster reared its ugly head. Last night I reflected on my spiritual journey. Born Catholic, then away from the Church for a long time, converted to Judaism, wasn’t accepted…joined an eastern meditation path and left when the leader turned out to be a charlatan, returned to the Catholic Church 12 years ago.
So I thought…where can I go? If I become Protestant I’d have to abandon the BVM and my beloved saints. No adoration, no confession.
I’ll have to wait til the nausea and heartbreak go away. I’m adopting the stance of Scarlett O’Hara’s statement …‘Oh I don’t want to think about that now. I’ll think about it tomorrow.’ …and try to avoid the newscasts.
 
Hope1960 said:
s it really just a handful? What %?
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The numbers I have been seeing are that about 9% of priests in the US have been involved in sexual acts with minors. Add to that the numbers that knew about that 9% and did nothing, and where do you get? A third? More? Frankly, I am becoming concerned that 9% is an underestimate based on the recent reports from Boston.

Its past time that the faithful come to terms with the fact that this is not just a handful of bad actors. There is something rotten in the structure and culture. Until the Church admits that and deal with it, this will not be solved.
 
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