S
StevenFrancis
Guest
I can not for the life of me figure out why the U.S.A. (mainly), and the EU to some degree, (empty churches in Spain, Italy, Germany, and France?), have such utter disdain for the Church. I could understand MAYBE, to some miniscule degree in Eurpope, though I think it’s well past time to get over it. But the U.S.A.? We’re only a little over 200 years old. We’re a blip on the map in Church history. Why so cold? It’s just awful. I’ve only been confirmed in the RCC for a little over 2 years. I already feel like a leper in biblical times. Yes…there were some pedophile priests. Anybody look into the pedophile ministers in Protestant churches? (I know two wrongs don’t make a right, just illustrating a point). Most people almost spit on the ground when you mention Catholics in the U.S. I hear people saying “I’m a recovering Catholic”, and everybody laughs and laughs. Every opportunity and possibility for a dig, or an anti-Catholic storyline on T.V., or line in a movie is taken. Even my own family is moderately anti-Catholic. (It used to be much worse. My Dad used get the veins popping out on his forhead when he would talk to me about Catholics). Even my own father never explained why. I had Catholic friends my whole life, and never saw anything different or bad about them.
To be honest, most of their families seemed to be a little closer knit than mine. They usually had more kids, and nicer moms. (Mormon families too, for that matter). So what IS the deal? What have the Catholics possibly had time to do that was so terrible here in the United States? We were established well after the schism, well after Luther and the selling of indulgences etc. (Frankly, I tend to think that Luther would have reconciled with the Church long ago, were he still alive. He was very smart. He would have reasoned out the sola scriptura thing (sola scriptura not being biblical), and the Church stopped the abuses they were doing ages ago. His “Faith alone”, was a backlash and a reaction to the abuses of indulgences, and the improper use of relics. He was already quite a Marian, and believed the Eucharist to be central, and to be the real presence. Well…long and short of it, he was a disgruntled Catholic. Instead of riding it out, and working for understanding and change in THE Church, he made his own, and ever since, that’s been how things are handled.)
Oh…I’m getting VERY sidetracked here. I guess I’m just a bit upset about protestanism to begin with, even though I was raised by protestants. It may have made some sense as a temporary protest in the 16th century, but certainly has no basis now. It’s just a mess, and takes away from the divine Liturgy we could ALL be practicing together, and the sacramental life we could all be living together. I know, I know. I just need to take a breath and be patient. Jesus promised us that HIS Church will stand for all of time, and will in fact be the very Kingdom of God he spoke of.
Back to the topic. Why is Catholicism so despised in the USA? Can it be fixed? If not, I will happily endure the ridicule, pain, persecution, estrangement from my family, hatred from society, just for the chance to spend one more minute in front of the blessed sacrament, or to be transformed one more time by the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Each moment that I spend as a Catholic Christian makes any kind of pain worthwhile. I just sometimes wish that it wasn’t so hard. But then, perhaps, I wouldn’t be feeling the immense joy that comes from understood suffering. Who knows? I don’t even understand my OWN past life now. That man died on April 15, 2005.
I’m just venting I guess. I just wish that if people have a hatred for the Church, that they would stage their protests elsewhere, and not in the presence of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Lamb of God. And for a Priest to administer the sacrament, and for a Bishop to approve? That’s it. I have never done it before, but I feel inspired to write a letter or two to the US Bishops and the Vatican. It’s time for this Country to change. Right now. I would much rather be hated for our piety, than hated for our disgrace and dishonor of Christ’s Holy Church.
People are afraid of Benedict XVI putting the hammer down in the U.S.? I say, bring it on Papa. We NEED the hammer. Quite desperately apparently.
Come Lord Jesus…
Peace to all,
Steven
To be honest, most of their families seemed to be a little closer knit than mine. They usually had more kids, and nicer moms. (Mormon families too, for that matter). So what IS the deal? What have the Catholics possibly had time to do that was so terrible here in the United States? We were established well after the schism, well after Luther and the selling of indulgences etc. (Frankly, I tend to think that Luther would have reconciled with the Church long ago, were he still alive. He was very smart. He would have reasoned out the sola scriptura thing (sola scriptura not being biblical), and the Church stopped the abuses they were doing ages ago. His “Faith alone”, was a backlash and a reaction to the abuses of indulgences, and the improper use of relics. He was already quite a Marian, and believed the Eucharist to be central, and to be the real presence. Well…long and short of it, he was a disgruntled Catholic. Instead of riding it out, and working for understanding and change in THE Church, he made his own, and ever since, that’s been how things are handled.)
Oh…I’m getting VERY sidetracked here. I guess I’m just a bit upset about protestanism to begin with, even though I was raised by protestants. It may have made some sense as a temporary protest in the 16th century, but certainly has no basis now. It’s just a mess, and takes away from the divine Liturgy we could ALL be practicing together, and the sacramental life we could all be living together. I know, I know. I just need to take a breath and be patient. Jesus promised us that HIS Church will stand for all of time, and will in fact be the very Kingdom of God he spoke of.
Back to the topic. Why is Catholicism so despised in the USA? Can it be fixed? If not, I will happily endure the ridicule, pain, persecution, estrangement from my family, hatred from society, just for the chance to spend one more minute in front of the blessed sacrament, or to be transformed one more time by the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Each moment that I spend as a Catholic Christian makes any kind of pain worthwhile. I just sometimes wish that it wasn’t so hard. But then, perhaps, I wouldn’t be feeling the immense joy that comes from understood suffering. Who knows? I don’t even understand my OWN past life now. That man died on April 15, 2005.
I’m just venting I guess. I just wish that if people have a hatred for the Church, that they would stage their protests elsewhere, and not in the presence of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of the Lamb of God. And for a Priest to administer the sacrament, and for a Bishop to approve? That’s it. I have never done it before, but I feel inspired to write a letter or two to the US Bishops and the Vatican. It’s time for this Country to change. Right now. I would much rather be hated for our piety, than hated for our disgrace and dishonor of Christ’s Holy Church.
People are afraid of Benedict XVI putting the hammer down in the U.S.? I say, bring it on Papa. We NEED the hammer. Quite desperately apparently.
Come Lord Jesus…
Peace to all,
Steven
Bring it on Papa Benedict!! I would LOVE to see the ax fall as well!! Let the pieces fall where they may, we need a heavy hand! Let’s see some of that “Rottweiller” spirit.