Why I Could No Longer Be A Catholic

[Javl]

Why I Could No Longer Be a Catholic

An old friend of mine recently posted the following sentence on his Facebook page: “I know this is totally not a PC thing to say, but can someone please explain to me why anyone is still Catholic?”

It’s a fair question. And my Politics Daily colleague, Melinda Henneberger, has one answer. In an honest and moving piece she wrote a few days back, Melinda tells us that she’s as put off as the next person by the current sex abuse scandal roiling the Catholic Church, as well as by the Vatican’s latest attempts to play the victim and point fingers. At the end of the day, though, Melinda is going to hang in there with this church, because being Catholic is integral to who she is. “In the end,” she writes,“it is not about them.”

Melinda’s argument is a variant on one that many of my pro-choice Catholic friends use when defending their choice to remain in a church even when its hierarchy (and – it must be said – most of its adherents) condemn a practice which my friends find perfectly legal and justifiable. They are somehow able to separate their personal beliefs on this issue from official church doctrine, and can carry on as practicing Catholics because they buy into other church teachings.

In both versions, these arguments imply that the messenger doesn’t matter. If you yourself can find solace and meaning in embracing Catholicism at its “base,” it doesn’t really matter what the hierarchy says or does.

I respect the views of all concerned and I strongly believe that everyone has to find their own way toward religious practice. Lord knows I do. But personally, I’m not convinced by this idea that we’re free to ignore the Pope. I’m currently contemplating becoming part of a faith – Judaism – which has its own issues. (Among others, it’s not at all clear that they’d be willing to take me.) But even if I were contemplating re-entering Christianity, I doubt that I could stomach becoming a Catholic right now, despite being raised in an observant Catholic family. And while the sex abuse scandal wouldn’t be the only factor, it would certainly weigh heavily in my thinking.

This point was driven home to me this past weekend, when an old friend from the States came to visit us at our home in London. She’s a practicing Catholic who would very much like to raise her children in the Catholic Church. But she’s increasingly troubled by the sex abuse scandal, and has refused to give the church any money since the scandal first broke in America back in 2002. Her husband, an attorney who was raised as a Baptist but – other than the scandal – is reasonably comfortable with Catholicism, wonders whether his wife would be willing to continue to be a member of any other institution where all of this was going on inside it.

He’s got a point. You certainly wouldn’t keep sending your kids to a school whose management tacitly condoned pedophilia or looked the other way. Nor would you work for a business that did so. I doubt anyone would even join a gym with this track record, no matter how much they liked the equipment and the staff.

Nor is it clear to me that it is just a management problem. As the writer and former Catholic priest James Carroll noted recently, the sex abuse scandal isn’t just about the current Pope. It’s about an institution that systematically undervalues women, champions obedience and authority over self-expression and democracy, and actively suppresses normal (by which I mean any) sexual impulses through its chastity vow.

My friend who just visited me is actively reconsidering whether she wants to remain in the Catholic Church. Apparently, many of her friends back home have been encouraging her for years to join the Episcopal Church, often described as “Catholicism without the Pope.” While she was here in London, she attended an Easter service at a local Church of England parish and felt quite comfortable there. What’s holding her back – as I suspect holds many Catholics back right now – is the cultural betrayal she feels for her Catholic grandparents who’ve passed away but instilled in her the service-oriented aspects of Catholicism that most resonated.

The American Episcopal Church has already fragmented over issues such as homosexuality and the ordination of women, and now seems headed for a definitive schism with the broader Anglican Communion. Maybe the Catholic Church will do the same. Or maybe change will come from within. That’s certainly Carroll’s view. He thinks that a revolution is already afoot at the base of the Catholic Church and that it’s only a matter of time before the church hierarchy is forced to follow suit. Others are less sanguine.

Personally, I think the Catholic Church would have a lot of takers if it undertook true, bottom-up reform or developed a free-standing liberal wing.

And who knows? Even someone as conflicted as I am over religion might decide to show up.

I found this on AOL News and thought I’d show/share it with all in CAF. This type of attitude saddens me. I find that it’s typical of a lot of those that call themselves Catholic.
In a way I blame the heirchy for not insisting on a better grounding in the Catholic faith similar to that found in many Protestant denominations.

When I taught the children in CCD I was admonished for using scripture to explain Church teaching. I should follow what the other teachers did and make a game out of teaching in CCD, “How else are they going to learn?”. This stunned me. Hiow can you make a game out of Jesus’ and the Apostles teachings? I think that this point is where most Catholics start and end their instructions. The majority of Catholics really know nothing of their “faith” and follow thru like robots.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom haMeshiach

 

[jonpd]

Unfortunately the media is misrepresenting the sexual abuse in the church and many people are not hearing the whole story. We have major publications using material from those who have a financial or other interest in the outcome (such as the lawyers who seek to gain from the lawsuits) and don’t properly investigate the story. They are attacking the Holy Father because of his orthodoxy and traditional beliefs, in spite of the fact that he has led the fight to clean the church of these abuses and has done more than anyone to reform how the church deals with these issues.

 

[Edwardjohn]

I found this on AOL News and thought I’d show/share it with all in CAF. This type of attitude saddens me. I find that it’s typical of a lot of those that call themselves Catholic.
In a way I blame the heirchy for not insisting on a better grounding in the Catholic faith similar to that found in many Protestant denominations.

When I taught the children in CCD I was admonished for using scripture to explain Church teaching. I should follow what the other teachers did and make a game out of teaching in CCD, “How else are they going to learn?”. This stunned me. Hiow can you make a game out of Jesus’ and the Apostles teachings? I think that this point is where most Catholics start and end their instructions. The majority of Catholics really know nothing of their “faith” and follow thru like robots.

PAX DOMINI

Shalom haMeshiach

I agree, and my Catholic instruction and following “thru like robots” are a couple of the things that reinforced my decision to leave the Church when I was a young man. However, the Lord was faithful and seriously, deserves all the glory, for bringing me back. I don’t know what to do about the problem of instruction. But I do know that if it hadn’t been for my roaming through other denominations and then seeing the truth shining like a light, I would be lost and dead. I think that we, as Catholics, have to really start and continue to take the gift we have been given seriously. Eternity, and where we’ll spend it, is no joke.

 

[rinnie]

My answer for the OP. I would love to answer you why I am Catholic.

Because of the Eucharist. Where else can you receive the living Body of Christ except for the Catholic Church.

Jesus gave authority to the Apostles to be passed down by the laying of hands. No other Church has the authority to do so.

That is why I am and will always be Roman Catholic

Do any other Churchs claim to have Apostolic Succession? Nope!

 

[mickeyj]

Because of the Eucharist. Where else can you receive the living Body of Christ except for the Catholic Church.

The Lutheran church.

 

[rkrispies]

My answer for the OP. I would love to answer you why I am Catholic.

Because of the Eucharist. Where else can you receive the living Body of Christ except for the Catholic Church.

Jesus gave authority to the Apostles to be passed down by the laying of hands. No other Church has the authority to do so.

That is why I am and will always be Roman Catholic

Do any other Churchs claim to have Apostolic Succession? Nope!

Ummm . . . correct me if I’m wrong, but the Eastern Orthodox have valid Eucharist and valid Orders and valid Apostolic Succession.

 

[ciero]

My answer for the OP. I would love to answer you why I am Catholic.

Because of the Eucharist. Where else can you receive the living Body of Christ except for the Catholic Church.

Jesus gave authority to the Apostles to be passed down by the laying of hands. No other Church has the authority to do so.

That is why I am and will always be Roman Catholic

Do any other Churchs claim to have Apostolic Succession? Nope!/Q

The Eastern Orthodox churches have the Eucharist and Apostolic succession.

 

[ciero]

The Lutheran church.

The Lutheran communion does NOT have the Eucharist or Apostolic Succession.

 

[LoverofChrist]

The Lutheran church.

In the Lutheran church, the Eucharist is a “symbol” of the body of Christ.

 

[crazzeto]

I agree, and my Catholic instruction and following “thru like robots” are a couple of the things that reinforced my decision to leave the Church when I was a young man. However, the Lord was faithful and seriously, deserves all the glory, for bringing me back. I don’t know what to do about the problem of instruction. But I do know that if it hadn’t been for my roaming through other denominations and then seeing the truth shining like a light, I would be lost and dead. I think that we, as Catholics, have to really start and continue to take the gift we have been given seriously. Eternity, and where we’ll spend it, is no joke.

Start instructing your self, and stubbornly open up the Church to your students (even if your colleuges want to admonish you). I’m lucky, my parish appriciates people trying to do this and we have a whole lot of great people teaching our kids. We’re a (already) large and fast growing parish (seriously, we’re bigger than the Cathedral) because of it. If you’re stuck in a “bad parish” they might not at first appriciate usage of scripture to explain church teaching for instance… But keep it up, eventually the effects will be felt and will be undeniable.

 

[crazzeto]

In the Lutheran church, the Eucharist is a “symbol” of the body of Christ.

This is an inaccurate representation of what Lutherans beleive, quite firm was Luthers belief in the real presense. His error wasn’t the belief that it was the body and blood of Christ, it was his lack of understanding that Apistolic Succession must be maintained for that to remain true, as well as his heresy of comsubstantation.

 

[LoverofChrist]

This is an inaccurate representation of what Lutherans beleive, quite firm was Luthers belief in the real presense. His error wasn’t the belief that it was the body and blood of Christ, it was his lack of understanding that Apistolic Succession must be maintained for that to remain true, as well as his heresy of comsubstantation.

I know MANY Lutherans and they believe it to be a “symbol”. We have had many discussions on this subject. So, my inaccuracy comes from them.

 

[Edwardjohn]

Start instructing your self, and stubbornly open up the Church to your students (even if your colleuges want to admonish you). I’m lucky, my parish appriciates people trying to do this and we have a whole lot of great people teaching our kids. We’re a (already) large and fast growing parish (seriously, we’re bigger than the Cathedral) because of it. If you’re stuck in a “bad parish” they might not at first appriciate usage of scripture to explain church teaching for instance… But keep it up, eventually the effects will be felt and will be undeniable.

Thanks, Isn’t there some kind of “paper” required to prove that you’re capable? I have been doing a lot of self-instruction. Just wondering how a person would start; volunteer, what?

 

[crazzeto]

I know MANY Lutherans and they believe it to be a “symbol”. We have had many discussions on this subject. So, my inaccuracy comes from them.

The problem there is with authority, like with all other protistant denominations the Lutherans have none. Hence we see even more heresy creeping in, like the ordination of women and gays both of which Luther would oppose. Any Lutheran who really understands his faith, and confesses the book of concord to be true will believe in the real presenes. Luther him self wrote anyone who denies it can not be saved, it’s funadmental to Lutheranism (as far as that goes in any protistant denom).

 

[crazzeto]

Thanks, Isn’t there some kind of “paper” required to prove that you’re capable? I have been doing a lot of self-instruction. Just wondering how a person would start; volunteer, what?

No, no paper requried. You just volenteer to teach, and you start teaching. I would suggest constantly educating your self, reading the bible nightly and the catechism as well.

Hopefully your parish will be well orginized and have good materials for you to work from. Mine sure does, and I can’t tell you how much it helps. Later of in you wish, you can explore becoming a Master Catichist. That’s actually something I’m considering exploring among others.

 

[LotusCarsLtd]

When I taught the children in CCD I was admonished for using scripture to explain Church teaching. I should follow what the other teachers did and make a game out of teaching in CCD, “How else are they going to learn?”. This stunned me. Hiow can you make a game out of Jesus’ and the Apostles teachings? I think that this point is where most Catholics start and end their instructions. The majority of Catholics really know nothing of their “faith” and follow thru like robots.

I recall my religious education in a Catholic school as being subpar and I’ve heard similar stories from other Catholics and ex-Catholics. Only a few friends of mine have had good religious educations through their schools. I’m not sure what the problem is but there is certainly a problem here that needs to be fixed.

 

[Edwardjohn]

No, no paper requried. You just volenteer to teach, and you start teaching. I would suggest constantly educating your self, reading the bible nightly and the catechism as well.

Hopefully your parish will be well orginized and have good materials for you to work from. Mine sure does, and I can’t tell you how much it helps. Later of in you wish, you can explore becoming a Master Catichist. That’s actually something I’m considering exploring among others.

Thanks again.

 

[LoverofChrist]

I recall my religious education in a Catholic school as being subpar and I’ve heard similar stories from other Catholics and ex-Catholics. Only a few friends of mine have had good religious educations through their schools. I’m not sure what the problem is but there is certainly a problem here that needs to be fixed.

There is a huge problem and as someone who helped teach a CCD class, I have some suggestions. The program needs re-written. So many of the kids that come to CCD have no support at home. The kids will tell you that their parents just want them to get Confirmed and that is all they care about. The kids don’t know basic prayers (I taught 8th graders and most did not know the ‘Our Father’) and they don’t go to Mass on Sundays. Parents need to be more actively involved in teaching their children! I realize that parents are busy with jobs, home and children but they find time to golf, go to the bar, hunt, fish, scrapbook, etc. They need to set aside some of that time for their children and their God. They need to change their priorities and they need to pray!

 

[Edwardjohn]

I recall my religious education in a Catholic school as being subpar and I’ve heard similar stories from other Catholics and ex-Catholics. Only a few friends of mine have had good religious educations through their schools. I’m not sure what the problem is but there is certainly a problem here that needs to be fixed.

Complacency.

 

[Monica4316]

It’s about an institution that systematically undervalues women, champions obedience and authority over self-expression and democracy, and actively suppresses normal (by which I mean any) sexual impulses through its chastity vow.

wow… perfect example of modernism