What should I do when others mock priests?

[YellowPancakes]

I have a couple of friends who find it funny to insult or bring up the fact that priests are sexually abusing children. I’m constantly praying for them, but I think a lot of the time they are purposely putting me on the spot and expecting me to say something. I’ve managed to keep a resonably cool head when they mock my faith, but I’m wondering if I should say something to them. They will no doubt reply with another question or insult, but I want them to somehow see the good work of priests, rather than their mistakes.

Thanks guys.

 

[Bill_Martin]

Just ignore them. The whole point is to bait you so if you don’t let that happen, they’ll get bored and stop.

 

[YellowPancakes]

I do ignore them. I just feel bad if I don’t say something to defend priests.

 

[Bill_Martin]

I do ignore them. I just feel bad if I don’t say something to defend priests.

It’s not so much about priests as it is about trying to get you to say something they find funny or can mock and get a laugh out of. It sounds like they’re just using that as their vehicle for it. If you want them to stop, saying something would make it worse and I don’t think you should feel bad for ignoring it.

 

[YellowPancakes]

It’s not so much about priests as it is about trying to get you to say something they find funny or can mock and get a laugh out of. It sounds like they’re just using that as their vehicle for it. If you want them to stop, saying something would make it worse and I don’t think you should feel bad for ignoring it.

Okay, thanks. But how about when they ask me specifically for my opiniom?

 

[Bill_Martin]

Okay, thanks. But how about when they ask me specifically for my opiniom?

Well, what is your opinion? There can be several ways of phrasing it to deflect the conversation without encouraging them by giving them what they want.

 

[domNoah]

I have a couple of friends who find it funny to insult or bring up the fact that priests are sexually abusing children. I’m constantly praying for them, but I think a lot of the time they are purposely putting me on the spot and expecting me to say something. I’ve managed to keep a resonably cool head when they mock my faith, but I’m wondering if I should say something to them. They will no doubt reply with another question or insult, but I want them to somehow see the good work of priests, rather than their mistakes.

Thanks guys.

I saw your post and then I published something a few day earlier than the 2nd week of advent because I thought it might be useful to you

If you get a chance listen to this homily on Cowardly Catholics

A little thought from the Homily, We have to love God enough to displease others for his sake, if we don’t love him that much how can we be said to Love him with our whole heart?

If the Church, or her Clerics, Saints or others are being mocked and defamed we have an obligation to defend her. Just as we would not tolerate our Mothers being insulted nor should we tolerate Our Holy Mother the Church.

If you cannot get them to stop or a cat gets your tongue, say that you have to leave now and at least do not stand around and tolerate it. You could also consider sometime after leaving to print up some articles on the sex abuse that blow up the idea that all priests molest children.

God Bless you and may God Grant you Strength!

 

[twoshoes]

I have a couple of friends who find it funny to insult or bring up the fact that priests are sexually abusing children. I’m constantly praying for them, but I think a lot of the time they are purposely putting me on the spot and expecting me to say something. I’ve managed to keep a resonably cool head when they mock my faith, but I’m wondering if I should say something to them. They will no doubt reply with another question or insult, but I want them to somehow see the good work of priests, rather than their mistakes.

Thanks guys.

Friends do not mock a friends faith, if they truly are a friends. If they have a question of faith and were sincere, it would not be in a mocking manner. I think you need new friends.

 

[Robertanthony]

I have a couple of friends who find it funny to insult or bring up the fact that priests are sexually abusing children. I’m constantly praying for them, but I think a lot of the time they are purposely putting me on the spot and expecting me to say something. I’ve managed to keep a resonably cool head when they mock my faith, but I’m wondering if I should say something to them. They will no doubt reply with another question or insult, but I want them to somehow see the good work of priests, rather than their mistakes.

Thanks guys.

When you’re around people you can’t be yourself with and relax, that your views or ideas are mocked, brace yourself you’re in for a shock: they ain’t your friends. Or they’re friends that suck. Either way, it leaves to be desired.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Pray for them.

 

[R_C]

Just remain serene and say nothing. Christ Himself displayed this attitude when silence was way more eloquent than words, particularly when Herod and his court mocked him, as well as when the Roman soldiers mocked him.

I also experienced to an extent this, on a few occasions. It’s, of course, a ridiculous and puerile argument that disqualifies the speaker, and Scripture teaches us:

"Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will be like him yourself.” (Proverbs 26:4)

You do well in praying for them, for the office and dignity of the Holy Orders is greater than the angelic office, for Christ has sent them just like the Father had sent Him. This of course they cannot understand, and it would be, I think, a mistake to even try and explain it to them, for they are not worthy to receive this teaching, and they’d simply disrespect God even more.

But I agree with the poster above: one should not associate with people that talk in this way. This is an advice that we find in great spiritual directors like St. Francis of Sales, but even in the letters of St. Paul.

 

[Delaine75]

Friends do not mock a friends faith, if they truly are a friends. If they have a question of faith and were sincere, it would not be in a mocking manner. I think you need new friends.

I second this! If these “friends” find it amusing to poke fun at the expense of your faith, they’re certainly not showing you very much respect!

 

[pgnat1]

Jesus once said

Forgive them Father, for they not know what they do

 

[april32010]

as a 3rd. degree Knight of Columbus i’m sworn to defend Priests ,i myself have not had to address this.when the time comes and i know it will ,i pray i acquit myself of my charge with conscientiousness .

 

[Adonia]

Just tell them that these are men who have given up their entire lives for the Lord. That they are trying to live holy lives in the context of their calling and that while some priests sin in this way, the vast majority are good decent people. Remind them that sexual abuse is a human phenomena and that the Protestant clergy also has their share of offenders. This is how I have myself responded to others when the subject came up and it seemed to suffice. Other than that, I don’t think there is too much you can do or say.

 

[Adonia]

as a 3rd. degree Knight of Columbus i’m sworn to defend Priests ,i myself have not had to address this.when the time comes and i know it will ,i pray i acquit myself of my charge with conscientiousness .

Ah, I did not know that about the Knights, having to defend our Priests. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[atheistgirl]

I have a couple of friends who find it funny to insult or bring up the fact that priests are sexually abusing children.

as a 3rd. degree Knight of Columbus i’m sworn to defend Priests ,

You can’t defend the indefensible.

The priests, (and nuns and religious women and teachers and dentists and scout leaders and fathers, uncles and mothers!) from any denomination, who abused children should be condemned from the rooftops and suffer to the fullest extent of the law.

Pray for them sure.

I’d ask your friends if they’re aware of any other abuse statistics other than Catholic Priests - do they know the figures for non Catholic clergy abuse? Parental abuse? Familial abuse? Teacher abuse?

I’d have those figures ready, and I’d ask them why, if they’re concerned about abuse, do they mention figures from one group only.

I’d then ask them what they are going to do about it, in terms of practically addressing the problem - if they really cared about it.

I’d point out, if they have nothing to add and aren’t aware of any other abuse figures and the extent of the wider abuse issues in society, they should perhaps go away and educate themselves, so next time you’re all together, y’all can have a meaningful conversation, from which something positive might come - fund raising for groups that support victims of abuse, offering to volunteer at shelters… whatever…

Talk is cheap.

Sarah x

 

[Bill_Martin]

You can’t defend the indefensible.

The priests, (and nuns and religious women and teachers and dentists and scout leaders and fathers, uncles and mothers!) from any denomination, who abused children should be condemned from the rooftops and suffer to the fullest extent of the law.

Pray for them sure.

I’d ask your friends if they’re aware of any other abuse statistics other than Catholic Priests - do they know the figures for non Catholic clergy abuse? Parental abuse? Familial abuse? Teacher abuse?

I’d have those figures ready, and I’d ask them why, if they’re concerned about abuse, do they mention figures from one group only.

I’d then ask them what they are going to do about it, in terms of practically addressing the problem - if they really cared about it.

I’d point out, if they have nothing to add and aren’t aware of any other abuse figures and the extent of the wider abuse issues in society, they should perhaps go away and educate themselves, so next time you’re all together, y’all can have a meaningful conversation, from which something positive might come - fund raising for groups that support victims of abuse, offering to volunteer at shelters… whatever…

Talk is cheap.

Sarah x

I didn’t read the original post as being about defending the specific priests who committed these crimes; I thought it was more about defending priests in general from all being cast as being child molesters just because a very small selection of them are.

I agree with your post however and I think it is important that we take care to make the distinction in conversation. There is no defending anyone who sexually abuses children and I am in favor of a rather miserable life sentence for every single one of them.

 

[atheistgirl]

I didn’t read the original post as being about defending the specific priests who committed these crimes; I thought it was more about defending priests in general from all being cast as being child molesters just because a very small selection of them are.

I’d agree with that. What I meant was if these guys are kicking off about abusive Catholic Priest, agree with them - point out they should be punished to the fullest extent the law allows, this is the view of the Church - but go on to point out how wrong it is paint everyone with the same brush.

Bet they have a favorite doctor or dentist - yet doctors and dentists abuse - ask if they know the figures and if the fact a few doctors and dentists abuse, it would be fair to have just a conversation that implies all doctors are abusive.

Or teachers - bet they have a favorite teacher - do they know the figures for abusers that are teachers? Point out they don’t paint all teachers as abusers, yet the figures are horrific.

Why not?

That’s what I was getting at. Sorry if it wasn’t clear.

Sarah x

 

[aoanh605]

Ngu?i ta thu?ng nói r?ng: “Không có tình yêu nÃo vinh c?u, ch? có nh?ng kho?nh kh?c vinh c?u c?a tình yêu". ChÃnh vì th?, luu gi? nh?ng kho?nh kh?c dáng nh? v?i m?i ngu?i cung gi?ng nhu vi?c b?n ghi nh?t ký, d? m?t lúc nÃo dó, l?t l?i nh?ng hình ?nh ?y, b?n có th? tìm l?i chÃnh mình m?t th?i xua cu.
Ch?p ?nh d? luu gi? l?i nh?ng kho?nh kh?c, th? hi?n nhi?u phong cách c?a b?n thân, luu l?i hình ?nh th?i tu?i tr?, ho?c don gi?n ch? mu?n lÃm d?p . là m?t trong nh?ng nhu c?u c?n thi?t cho nh?ng b?n tr?, c?p tình nhân, gia dình ho?c nh?ng dôi uyên uong s?p vÃ* chu?n b? xây d?ng t? ?m cho riêng mình, nh?m luu gi? l?i nh?ng giây phút dáng nh? nh?t. chÃnh vì th? mà d?ch v? ch?p ?nh du?c phát tri?n khá r?ng
V?i phong cách ch?p ?nh hi?n d?i, t? nhiên, theo phong cách m?i vÃ* hoa m?, nh? nhÃng ki?u HÃn Qu?c. b?n s? không ph?i b? “b? tay” - " b? d?u” hay áp d?t 1 logic s?n có nÃo khi ch?p ?nh. Công vi?c c?a b?n ch? là ch?n l?a nh?ng phong cách riêng cho mình trong các th? lo?i ?nh ch?p nhu: ?nh ki?u phóng s?, ?nh ki?u c? di?n, ?nh phong cách t? nhiên, ?nh da mÃu s?c…
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