What can we do?

[CutlerB]

To be perfectly honest: I feel helpless, useless and doomed in our society. That is, our German, and, as far as it actually exists, our Western society. I am sure that many of you will agree.

The things that currently bother me most are these:

1. 
   *]The German “Bundesverfassungsgericht”, sort of like the Supreme Court for the German constitution has granted “married” homosexual couples the right to adopt children in certain circumstances, just a few minutes ago.
   *]A survey, which seems to be representative, in German society has delivered the result that most Germans and Catholics in Germany want the Church to allow women priests, abolish celibacy for priests, allow divorced and remarried couples to marry in the Church and pay less attention to it’s principles but rather “listen to her members” when discussing “controversial topics”.
   *]With homosexual “marriage” and abortion being pushed in the States a large part of Western society is going down the drain.
   *]The fierce opposition, ridicule and misrepresentation of the Church in the media.
   
   On top of all this, our media here in Germany is flooded with so-called “debates” by “qualified” people, suggesting to the average person that they are sooooo qualified to speak on matters pertaining to Church doctrine and practice. This became manifest once more with things like the abdication of Pope Benedict (“Is this a sign of reform? Will the Church change her doctrines?”), mishandling of a probably raped woman’s case (“The Church is so far behind the times.”) and a few other things.
   
   In these TV shows, pseudo-experts talk their heads off, mostly ranting and raving. Almost never does one find an actual honest representative of the Catholic position on things. Either they are select controversial figures, who have in some way already made a fool of themselves and come on the show with that conception already present in people’s mind, or they present people who claim to be qualified, like some laypeople who have left the Church for some obscure reason. Never is anything like a Council or Papal Definition mentioned. The latter would shut down all debate on women “priests”, but that’s not what people want to hear. The media needs something to keep bashing the Church with, and people believe it.
   
   I am completely frustrated by all of this relativistic, dim-witted and cowardly culture we seem to find ourselves in.
   
   Does anyone feel the same, maybe with some more examples? How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

 

[Christy_Beth]

Alone we can’t do much. And I think that Germany isn’t the only place where this is going on. Here in the States there was a huge deal after the sex scandal came out. The Church was protrayed as being extremely bad and that Church officials were allowing this. One time my brother came up with a rant, on Facebook, that said the powers behind all are problems were Washington D. C., London and the Vatican. I say this because I had told him I was Catholic and he said he wouldn’t say anything bad about the Church. I sent him a private note to remind him about this, his response was to say all kinds of inaccurate stuff against the Church. In a case like this, it’s easier to deal with. Ok, so I told him to lay off. Being my brother, he hasn’t said anything since. Try to address this stuff where you can, as you can. One voice may seem to be lost in the wind, but God hears you. As people stand up to speak out, there may be others to follow your lead. Good and holy leaders are needed in these dark days.

 

[CutlerB]

Alone we can’t do much. And I think that Germany isn’t the only place where this is going on. Here in the States there was a huge deal after the sex scandal came out. The Church was protrayed as being extremely bad and that Church officials were allowing this.

Oh boy, that was massive here too. And it’s still not over, although the Church is really doing a lot to clear stuff up and help. It’s found its way into society in the most distasteful ways… so-called “comedians” still keep cracking inappropriate “jokes”. Even respected people can’t help but take their turn at it. I can’t hear all the nonsense any longer, when people start saying “The Catholic Church is a harbour for pedophiles!” but they don’t know that studies have shown that the numbers are either below or on average, depending on the one you look at.

Just in January this year, the Bishops’ Conference cancelled the contract about analysing many of the cases with a renowned professor of criminology. The Church had very good reasons for cancelling it, but they explicitly stated they would continue the project with someone else, who didn’t betray their trust, as the first man did. The media framed it as “The Catholic Church is not interested in bringing light into these dark cases of abuse” and that is now what everyone believes. Politicians are putting pressure on the Bishops because of that type of reporting, but it is just patently false!

 

[Dave_B]

Does anyone feel the same, maybe with some more examples? How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

I think we all feel the same here. Its just a fact of life that Christainity in Europe is in decline.

I know how not to combat it, is for churches to go liberal and wishy washy, that is why the Church of England has declining membership, and the conservative protestant sects have growing membership.

 

[balto]

I think we all feel the same here. Its just a fact of life that Christainity in Europe is in decline.

I know how not to combat it, is for churches to go liberal and wishy washy, that is why the Church of England has declining membership, and the conservative protestant sects have growing membership.

I second this. The way to combat it is to do the exact opposite. I am in my early 20s and I was taught all that wishy-washy stuff in catechism while I was growing up and I remember thinking it was all really silly, but I just kept doing the motions as an “insurance policy” in case all of this stuff really mattered. It wasn’t until I met other people in college that were very devout about their faith that I wanted to know why they knew so much more about the faith than I did and why they were so confident in it. Now I find myself seemingly craving it. I know it sounds really weird, but I think young Catholics really have a desire for the old, more orthodox ways. Young people get just about everything else wrong, but they seem to get this one right. They need to be taught the authentic faith and be given a reason to adhere to Catholicism. This whole “God loves you, go paint a rainbow” stuff just makes people think that everything is all a matter of personal preference, so why not “modernize” the Church? I think what we need to be doing is strengthening our families and churches with the faith. If the authentic faith is not being preached and practiced at home and at church, then why would it happen at the national level? The only problem is that this is a generational fix and not an immediate one, which is what we’d all like.

You may think that just living a devout life isn’t having an impact on anybody, and a lot of people won’t like it that you are living a Catholic life. But there’s a lot of other people like myself that will become curious and want to know why you are getting so much meaning out of your Catholic life when they’re not, because we all know that nobody’s getting fulfillment out of the kind of life that society wants you to live.

 

[Glomung]

What can we do?

Be steadfast and stick to the truth regardless of what happens around us.

Every culture on the planet is in decay, it can only go so far before even the most sinful and dimwitted notice that “it just doesn’t work this way”.

 

[TimothyH]

Pray, put it in God’s hands and be faithful to the small things which God places in front of us each day - getting up on time, smiling when we don’t feel like smiling, praying when we want to go to bed instead, answering the phone when we know it will be that difficult customer on the other end of the line.

His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy. (Matthew 25:21)

Faithfulness in small matters. That is what we are called to do.

To dispair is to lack trust in God.

-Tim-

 

[beehumble]

To be perfectly honest: I feel helpless, useless and doomed in our society. That is, our German, and, as far as it actually exists, our Western society. I am sure that many of you will agree.

The things that currently bother me most are these:

1. 
   *]The German “Bundesverfassungsgericht”, sort of like the Supreme Court for the German constitution has granted “married” homosexual couples the right to adopt children in certain circumstances, just a few minutes ago.
   *]A survey, which seems to be representative, in German society has delivered the result that most Germans and Catholics in Germany want the Church to allow women priests, abolish celibacy for priests, allow divorced and remarried couples to marry in the Church and pay less attention to it’s principles but rather “listen to her members” when discussing “controversial topics”.
   *]With homosexual “marriage” and abortion being pushed in the States a large part of Western society is going down the drain.
   *]The fierce opposition, ridicule and misrepresentation of the Church in the media.
   
   On top of all this, our media here in Germany is flooded with so-called “debates” by “qualified” people, suggesting to the average person that they are sooooo qualified to speak on matters pertaining to Church doctrine and practice. This became manifest once more with things like the abdication of Pope Benedict (“Is this a sign of reform? Will the Church change her doctrines?”), mishandling of a probably raped woman’s case (“The Church is so far behind the times.”) and a few other things.
   
   In these TV shows, pseudo-experts talk their heads off, mostly ranting and raving. Almost never does one find an actual honest representative of the Catholic position on things. Either they are select controversial figures, who have in some way already made a fool of themselves and come on the show with that conception already present in people’s mind, or they present people who claim to be qualified, like some laypeople who have left the Church for some obscure reason. Never is anything like a Council or Papal Definition mentioned. The latter would shut down all debate on women “priests”, but that’s not what people want to hear. The media needs something to keep bashing the Church with, and people believe it.
   
   I am completely frustrated by all of this relativistic, dim-witted and cowardly culture we seem to find ourselves in.
   
   Does anyone feel the same, maybe with some more examples? How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

1. 
   Our Lord told us not to worry. So pray the daily rosary, and try some fasting too. Of course go to Mass and confession, and be in good form and cheer with others.
   
   God bless you.

 

[ProdglArchitect]

To be perfectly honest: I feel helpless, useless and doomed in our society. That is, our German, and, as far as it actually exists, our Western society. I am sure that many of you will agree.

The things that currently bother me most are these:

1. 
   *]The German “Bundesverfassungsgericht”, sort of like the Supreme Court for the German constitution has granted “married” homosexual couples the right to adopt children in certain circumstances, just a few minutes ago.
   *]A survey, which seems to be representative, in German society has delivered the result that most Germans and Catholics in Germany want the Church to allow women priests, abolish celibacy for priests, allow divorced and remarried couples to marry in the Church and pay less attention to it’s principles but rather “listen to her members” when discussing “controversial topics”.
   *]With homosexual “marriage” and abortion being pushed in the States a large part of Western society is going down the drain.
   *]The fierce opposition, ridicule and misrepresentation of the Church in the media.
   
   On top of all this, our media here in Germany is flooded with so-called “debates” by “qualified” people, suggesting to the average person that they are sooooo qualified to speak on matters pertaining to Church doctrine and practice. This became manifest once more with things like the abdication of Pope Benedict (“Is this a sign of reform? Will the Church change her doctrines?”), mishandling of a probably raped woman’s case (“The Church is so far behind the times.”) and a few other things.
   
   In these TV shows, pseudo-experts talk their heads off, mostly ranting and raving. Almost never does one find an actual honest representative of the Catholic position on things. Either they are select controversial figures, who have in some way already made a fool of themselves and come on the show with that conception already present in people’s mind, or they present people who claim to be qualified, like some laypeople who have left the Church for some obscure reason. Never is anything like a Council or Papal Definition mentioned. The latter would shut down all debate on women “priests”, but that’s not what people want to hear. The media needs something to keep bashing the Church with, and people believe it.
   
   I am completely frustrated by all of this relativistic, dim-witted and cowardly culture we seem to find ourselves in.
   
   Does anyone feel the same, maybe with some more examples? How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

1. 
   Many others have given great advice, and I will reiterate some of it. Particularly, pray, go to mass and be a good Catholic. At this point, the only way we can convert people is to live a good and Godly life; they’re too filled with hate to listen to our logic, so they’ll have to see it with their eyes.
   
   The media will never be on our side because we stand in stark contrast to “the norm.,” and if they don’t pander to the lowest common denominator (“the norm”) they won’t make money. Those people who want the Church to “listen to the opinions of the people on controversial subjects” don’t seem to know enough about the faith to realize it isn’t a democracy; I pity them, and pray that God reveals the Truth to them. As to the rest of the world that hates us, let them. In the end, they cannot topple the Church. It’ll be their loss when judgment day comes up. I only pray that God’s mercy reaches them before it too late.

 

[Nita]

How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

The personal problem for me is not to let it get me depressed or feeling hopeless. When those feelings start, there are several things I call to mind.

1. ** I remind myself that God is in control**. Whatever is happening in the world is happening only because He allows it – and if/when He allows evil, He has a good reason for doing so. (Even tho I perhaps can’t figure out what it is.)
2. Regarding specifically the dissent and grave sin by members of the Church. I have a couple of ways that help me see some of the benefits that can be derived from that situation.

**I see it as exposing **members of the Church, particularly those in leadership roles, who hold heretical views. Once dissent is no longer silent and hidden, we can identify who the “enemies within” are.

As dissenting views became more public, those issues began to be discussed more openly in just everyday conversations among ordinary lay Catholics also – causing them to think about Church teachings. And, in connection with that, sort of** forces us to choose who and what we will believe** - defined truth or dissenting opinion. It has spurred many, myself included, to study and learn what the actual Church teachings are.

I have really come to treasure the defined doctrines of the Church. What a gift Jesus gave to His Church when He entrusted His keys to it’s leader here on earth. Those doctrines are the sure standard by which we can judge whether something is true or not. Can you even imagine trying to survive this mess without that solid base?

1. I see it as** a way God is purifying His Church**. It takes awhile - doesn’t happen overnight. I think of the Jews in the dessert, where a *generation had to die *because of their rebellion before the entry to the Promised Land could occur. (Numbers 14:20-35)

Observations regarding priests and religious: Dissent and liberalism doesn’t spur desire for religious vocations. Vocations to the priesthood may be down, but those who do come tend to be very faithful and committed.

Observations regarding laity: Many are leaving the Church because they disagree with its truths or just don’t care. The strong family and cultural pressure that may at one time have kept them from leaving has weakened dramatically. Long term, I think it will be mostly firm believers who will remain and live the faith.

In our human history,** God saves a faithful “remnant” to begin rebuilding**.
(eg. Isaiah 10:20-22 In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean upon him that smote them, but will lean upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. )

 

[mountee]

You certainly touched on a subject that has dominated my thinking for several years. My husband and I are avid travelers and have been in Europe several times in the past couple of years. Wherever we go we always visit the beautiful cathedrals and I attempt to get to Mass when possible. No matter where we have been lately, Ireland, Germany, Austria Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Russia we find the same song as you have sung and we have here in the states, declining Catholic, as well as other churches, membership. Truthfully, I blame secular themes for it as well as liberal thinking. People want to be politically correct so they jump on the bandwagons of gay marriage and pro-choice themes. They bash the Catholic Church as being out of date with the world. Finally, and some of the credit comes from the people posting on this forum, I have come to realize that we can only do our best to pray, stand firm with the Church and attempt to live happy, peaceful lives for others to admire and want and we need to credit our faith for the ability to do this.

 

[steve_b]

To be perfectly honest: I feel helpless, useless and doomed in our society. That is, our German, and, as far as it actually exists, our Western society. I am sure that many of you will agree.

The things that currently bother me most are these:

1. 
   *]The German “Bundesverfassungsgericht”, sort of like the Supreme Court for the German constitution has granted “married” homosexual couples the right to adopt children in certain circumstances, just a few minutes ago.
   *]A survey, which seems to be representative, in German society has delivered the result that most Germans and Catholics in Germany want the Church to allow women priests, abolish celibacy for priests, allow divorced and remarried couples to marry in the Church and pay less attention to it’s principles but rather “listen to her members” when discussing “controversial topics”.
   *]With homosexual “marriage” and abortion being pushed in the States a large part of Western society is going down the drain.
   *]The fierce opposition, ridicule and misrepresentation of the Church in the media.
   
   On top of all this, our media here in Germany is flooded with so-called “debates” by “qualified” people, suggesting to the average person that they are sooooo qualified to speak on matters pertaining to Church doctrine and practice. This became manifest once more with things like the abdication of Pope Benedict (“Is this a sign of reform? Will the Church change her doctrines?”), mishandling of a probably raped woman’s case (“The Church is so far behind the times.”) and a few other things.
   
   In these TV shows, pseudo-experts talk their heads off, mostly ranting and raving. Almost never does one find an actual honest representative of the Catholic position on things. Either they are select controversial figures, who have in some way already made a fool of themselves and come on the show with that conception already present in people’s mind, or they present people who claim to be qualified, like some laypeople who have left the Church for some obscure reason. Never is anything like a Council or Papal Definition mentioned. The latter would shut down all debate on women “priests”, but that’s not what people want to hear. The media needs something to keep bashing the Church with, and people believe it.
   
   I am completely frustrated by all of this relativistic, dim-witted and cowardly culture we seem to find ourselves in.
   
   Does anyone feel the same, maybe with some more examples? How have you found a way to cope with all of it or how to combat it? I look forward to your responses.

1. 
   Unfortunately, nothing is new under the sun. Remember these thoughts… Psalm 14
   
   We are saved individually. Therefore we as individuals need to remain faithful regardless of what fools *do and believe. *Obviously there are alot of fools out there, but not EVERYONE. There will always be those who go against the Church and what is taught.