Why I left the Catholic Church

[Church_Militant]

Hey CM,

I thought I was the resident “ogre” on this thread.

PAX TECUM,

Jullien

 

[Island_Oak]

…Probably I shouldn’t have come to this site to air my grievance since obviously I’ve left myself open to attack here. People trying to promote their faith should not jump all over someone just because they disagree with them. It only serves to confirm my point of view.

This site probably doesn’t do much to promote the faith, from what I’ve read here. There are alot of critical people who post here and rip other people to shreds over what seem to me to be minor matters.

Then I’m prompted to ask: Why did you come here to vent? Were you hoping to be talked out of your decision? It doesn’t seem plausible if you paint all Catholics with the same brush. So what exactly are you here looking for?

 

[mrs_abbott]

I was a convert to the church 13 years ago. In the past 2 years I’ve gotten more and more fed up. Yes, I’ve tried to participate and improve my parish, but there were so many petty rivalries and poor leadership that I gave up.

What church did you convert from and why, may I ask? If you don’t want to share, that’s fine.
I, too, am struggling with embracing the Catholic Church. Right now, I’m not really involved in any church but I know I need to be. I feel a void from missing public worship and prayer.
Just know that you’re not alone.
Keep praying to Christ for guidance!!!

 

[Mr_Jullien]

Thanks for the responses, unfortunately this was probably not the best place to go with my jumbo of feelings and complaints. Ironically I did receive two very compassionate PMs that I just read that were actually from non-Catholics who post here, one of whom also left the Church for similar reasons. I’m sorry I offended so many people here, I guess I was trying to reach out one last time.

These people recommended that I seek out a church where I can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ. I’m not anti-Semitic btw, I was just trying to point out an area where it appears the Church has done an about face in it’s attitude over the years.

Thanks to everyone who answered compassionately.

You know; leaving the Church (the “ONE TRUE” Church Christ, Himself, established) over hurt feelings or even because one disagrees with some of Her teachings, is like leaving a spouse (who one loves) just because one doesn’t get along with his/her in-laws.

Where’s Loyalty to Christ and His Church, here?
Where’s the Unconditional Love we’re to have for Christ? (You know, the same Unconditional Love He has for us?)
The **Crucifixion **is the best example I can see.

Sorry, but it’s obvious you were looking for an excuse to leave, and by posting your **accusations **here, you knew you’d find it.

Good luck,

Jullien

 

[DARichards]

Disheartened,

Let’s just assume for a moment that all you have said is true. Assume that there are as you say:

It’s clergy have alot of emotional problems, and there is so much disagreement on liturgy, politics, and a million other things.

As Catholics we never proclaim that the Church is perfect. As a matter of fact, it can’t be, because I am a member!! I converted to the Church this year from the Protestant background and believe me the problems don’t go away in any other Protestant denomination. In one sense, they get worse. In many cases, the churches are ruled as individual “mini-kingdoms” and decisons are based soley on what the pastor “feels the Holy Spirit” is telling him. There is no check in balance system, just what he says. There is no way to determine if what he is teaching is the 1oo% truth. But I digress. The Catholic Church is the Church of Christ because that is what He established. Our teachings are 1oo% true because we know that the Holy Spirit guides our Holy Father and the Magisterium into all truth because we are the Mystical Body of His Son.

As Catholics, we are not called to be victims of what other people in the Church are doing wrong, but to be catalysts of reform. There are ways to change our individual parishes. Not all these ways are immediate, or always quick, but working within the framework of the our structure and keeping our eyes on the Eucharist and our Lord is worth it all.

 

[Disheartened]

What church did you convert from and why, may I ask? If you don’t want to share, that’s fine.
I, too, am struggling with embracing the Catholic Church. Right now, I’m not really involved in any church but I know I need to be. I feel a void from missing public worship and prayer.
Just know that you’re not alone.
Keep praying to Christ for guidance!!!

I converted after marrying my husband. Unfortunately he died suddenly in a car accident a couple of years ago, I’ve had a stressful time dealing with this and with my 3 kids. My church wasn’t very supportive, that probably contributed to my bitterness and disillusionment. I then started questioning many things. Anyways, I need to go and pick them up at school, thanks.

 

[Mommyof02green]

Thanks for the responses, unfortunately this was probably not the best place to go with my jumbo of feelings and complaints.

Going into a room with a bunch of stranger to poor your heart out, generally speaking, is not the best thing to do. However, its convenient and at times easier, because we can all hide behind this a cloud of you don’t know who I am. There is a level of “secrets” that we can enjoy. Nobody knows my name, where live, where I work, etc…

Ironically I did receive two very compassionate PMs that I just read that were actually from non-Catholics who post here, one of whom also left the Church for similar reasons.

It’s always sad to here that people left because A) the people around them are bad examples or B) They just didn’t agree with church teaching or C) In their eyes not enough was done.

I’m sorry I offended so many people here, I guess I was trying to reach out one last time.

Reach out for what??? Feel free to PM me if you don’t wish to share in the public forum!!!

These people recommended that I seek out a church where I can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to have a genuine walk with Christ??? Does your genuine walk depends on how the person in the pew next to you acts??

Sure it make it easier when people around you are “holy”, however does them being “holy” make you more “holy”??? Does them being “sinners” make you more of a “sinner”???

You do know that your Catholic Parish is not the only Catholic Parish right??? Have you tired another Catholic Parish???

All Catholic Parishes should be the same. All are bound by the same teachings… However, some parishes do carry those teaching out better then others. Have you ever considered going to a different Catholic Parish to rebuild and strengthen your faith. Then after your faith is strengthen go back to your current parish and help them. Build your faith in a different Catholic Parish, be strong, nourish yourself and then go back to the other parish and just a strong beacon of light.

I’m not anti-Semitic btw, I was just trying to point out an area where it appears the Church has done an about face in it’s attitude over the years.

Things can appear to be all shorts of things. The question is it REAL??? Has the Church really done about face on issues???
Dive into Church History and find out if it’s real or not??? Don’t judge by how it looks!

 

[Mr_Jullien]

I realize that, but I realize that there has to be more to the story! The OP stated that they were an convert to the faith! So something had to move them to convert. What was it???

Now the OP wants to leave and clearly has some hostility. **-- True, but OP started his/her post with blatant hostility. – **
Where is the hostility coming from??? Do they have relatives that were not happy about them becoming Catholic??? Did they join the CC thinking it was going to give them “lasting happiness” and everyone would be Saints??? Did they think that once they joined the CC everything would be a cake walk?

Also the OP has stated that they have been hurt by follow Catholics. What happen??? Who are these follow Catholics??? Also did a follow Catholic hurt them right before posting??? Was that the last straw for them??? Did they just lash out here on the forum???

When we are full of anger we say and do things that we don’t mean to do. I’ve had my moments where I just snapped at the kids or hubby for no “real” reason. Is that what the OP has done here???

I’m not suggesting that we all can’t speak freely. However, I think that some times holding back our tongues until we know the whole story is good. I’m just choosing to hold back my tongue until I know the whole story.

Again I don’t take any of this with a grain of salt. I’m just choosing to hold back until I know the whole story. I may never know the whole story. However, that won’t stop me from praying for the OP. You are right honest dialogue is much more effective. Hopefully the OP will come back and share what is really going on. Although, they may not…if they felt everyone was being to judgmental.

You are not wrong, your “feeling” are just as vaild as the OP. You have been hurt by what your follow “Catholic” (maybe ex-catholic) has said. The OP has been hurt by what their follow “Catholics” have said and done. There is nothing that can be done about the hurt that has already been caused.

However we can stop futher hurt from happening. One way to do that is to stop and and ask: What is really going on here??"

I’ve read that God made man be is strong in body, keen in mind, practical and inventive. He is protective and comforting, full of assurance, confidence and self-knowledge with special abilities to provide and care for his family.

And God made women to be a gentle, loving bond who encourages, consoles, builds, reconciles and makes all things new and vibrant. The woman is strength in time of suffering, courageous in failure, intuitive in time of danger.

So maybe you are just be “protective” and I’m just being “consoling”.

your welcome.

Hi M2G,

All your points are valid, to be sure. And you’re right about me being “potective”. Especially when it comes to Christ’s Holy Catholic Church.
A person can say anything he/she wants to me, or even condemn me. But when people start in on the Christ’s Church, yeah; I’m very protective. Maybe even over-protective. I admit it: Guilty.

Even though we’ll never know the truth, IMO, OP was looking for an out. I mean; if that was his/her way of “reaching out”, I’d hate to see him/her angered.

I agree that everyone needs to vent from time to time, (believe me: I have two kids who think they “know-it-all”, and parents know nothing) but looking back on OP’s initial post… What can I say? It was just too hostile a post to begin any kind of charitable and sincere dialogue.
In fact, it appears as though OP had already make up his/her mind.

I find it exceptionally sad that OP couldn’t find one **good **thing to say about the Catholic Church and Her members.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I get several appeals, in the mail, a week, from various Catholic Charities, who are **desperately **trying to help the poor, the sick (who can’t afford hospitalization/healthcare) and spread the Gospel.

When I see holy priests, who are dead tired after serving the needs of the parish, continue to offer their services with smiles on their faces, I get a bit testy when people codemn the whole Catholic clergy.

When I see Catholics, who take time out of their busy schedules, offer to chauffer the elderly or infirmed to Holy Mass or doctors approintments, it cuts at me to see posts like the one OP started.
How about Food for the Poor? Or local parish clothing drives?
Even poor parishes do these things. Yet OP couldn’t find one good thing to say about Catholics or the Catholic Church.

Yes, it is very sad that OP never saw any of this. I have to wonder if he/she even bothered to look.

Am I over-protective of Christ and His Church? Yeah; I am.

God bless you and your family M2G,

PAX,

Jullien

 

[Mommyof02green]

I converted after marrying my husband. Unfortunately he died suddenly in a car accident a couple of years ago, I’ve had a stressful time dealing with this and with my 3 kids. My church wasn’t very supportive, that probably contributed to my bitterness and disillusionment. I then started questioning many things. Anyways, I need to go and pick them up at school, thanks.

It’s not easy when we loose a love one… especially a spouse. You are left to raise your kids by yourself. The hurt and anger you must feel I’m sure is unreal. However time and God does heal it.

I remember, when we lost our niece to a horrible car accident in 2003. She was 16 and just got her license to drive. It was her first time she went driving after getting her license. She never came home to us, but she went home to God.

At that same time, my Dad was lying in a hospital bed, with only 1/4 of a heart working, feeding tubes and in a state that some would call “brain dead”. Dad had been lying in that hospital bed for 2 YEARS, the day our niece was in that car accident. We all were heart broken. And asked if today was that day that someone had to go home to God, why didn’t He take Dad?? Why did He take our 16 year old niece??

It wasn’t that we wanted Dad to die either, but we realize that he was older, his state was already poor… She was young and had a whole life in front of her. We question why, why, why…

Dad finally did pass, God did finally take him home, but that didn’t happen until 2004. Dad would of been 55 today.

Contact your Diocesan Office. There are support groups that can help. Believe Me

 

[Mommyof02green]

All your points are valid, to be sure. And you’re right about me being “potective”. Especially when it comes to Christ’s Holy Catholic Church. A person can say anything he/she wants to me, or even condemn me. But when people start in on the Christ’s Church, yeah; I’m very protective. Maybe even over-protective. I admit it: Guilty.

No one is faulting you, especially me. I just hope and try to take a softer approach.

Even though we’ll never know the truth, IMO, OP was looking for an out. I mean; if that was his/her way of “reaching out”, I’d hate to see him/her angered.

I agree that everyone needs to vent from time to time, (believe me: I have two kids who think they “know-it-all”, and parents know nothing) but looking back on OP’s initial post… What can I say? It was just too hostile a post to begin any kind of charitable and sincere dialogue.
In fact, it appears as though OP had already make up his/her mind.

It is true that the OP may have already made up her mind. However given her latest post I’m not surprise that she feels the way she does.

I find it exceptionally sad that OP couldn’t find one **good **thing to say about the Catholic Church and Her members.

It is true! It is exceptionally sad that she hasn’t had 1 Catholic to help and support her in her hour of need. Giving her latest post it’s down right heart breaking.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I get several appeals, in the mail, a week, from various Catholic Charities, who are **desperately **trying to help the poor, the sick (who can’t afford hospitalization/healthcare) and spread the Gospel.

When I see holy priests, who are dead tired after serving the needs of the parish, continue to offer their services with smiles on their faces, I get a bit testy when people codemn the whole Catholic clergy.

When I see Catholics, who take time out of their busy schedules, offer to chauffer the elderly or infirmed to Holy Mass or doctors approintments, it cuts at me to see posts like the one OP started.
How about Food for the Poor? Or local parish clothing drives?
Even poor parishes do these things. Yet OP couldn’t find one good thing to say about Catholics or the Catholic Church.

How could she given what she just has now shared with us. Here she is a person in real need and she is not given any help.

Yes, it is very sad that OP never saw any of this. I have to wonder if he/she even bothered to look.

your right it is very sad that she hasn’t gotten the help she needs. Loosing a spouse is hard. Loosing a spouse and having to raise kids without your spouse is like climbing a cliff without safety gear. Or at least that is what my Mom has said to me. I was grown and out of the house when Dad got sick… However, I still had siblings that Mom and Dad were raising.

Am I over-protective of Christ and His Church? Yeah; I am.

God bless you and your family M2G,

PAX,

Jullien

God bless your family as well.

 

[Atreyu]

Mom of 3, I notice you’re a relatively new poster yourself. I’m sorry you find my post fishy, but I came here to express my sadness. I was a convert to the church 13 years ago. In the past 2 years I’ve gotten more and more fed up. Yes, I’ve tried to participate and improve my parish, but there were so many petty rivalries and poor leadership that I gave up.

Mikey gave a nice answer, devoid of disdain, but some of these other answers confirm my belief that Catholics are full of cruelty for one another and the Eucharist doesn’t help people in any way to love their fellow humans.

When Peter and Paul were being persecuted by the pagans, when they had to operate underground to avoid being executed, did they give up? When the Corinthian Church and others stuffed up time and time again, did Paul forget about them? Think about it.

 

[Atreyu]

You know Dis, I’ve been thinking a little about this thread and particularly about whether or not my post just above is going to be helpful or just make things worse. I think I’ve decided that you came to the wrong place. As much as I am loath to admit it, this Apologetics forum is not perfect! Well, that should be obvious really, but while it is a very good forum, it falls short in many ways.

So why did you come to the wrong place? Because I think you aren’t in need of Apologetics. From your original post, there were really only a few doctrinal things (such as the extent of the change in Catholic teachings over time) that you seem to have issues with. Indeed, these would be good things to discuss in this forum, if you choose to do so. But most of your grievances seem to be over experiential things, rather than doctrinal things. But most of the posters in this Apologetics forum are used to discussing doctrinal issues - that is what we do here. And I think most people do it quite well; walking the tight-rope of charity and reproof very well, most of the time. But when someone comes here and posts about experiential things, it’s something that we just can’t understand. Why would the sins of others - even how other Catholics treat you - be a cause to leave the Church? This is the mentality (imo) of the majority of Catholic posters in this forum; we just can’t understand why someone would leave the Church over something that isn’t a doctrinal issue. Does that make sense?

I think speaking to a priest in person would be a much better avenue for you, imo.

 

[Gilbert_Keith]

Disheartened

*These people recommended that I seek out a church where I can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ. *

I suppose these people don’t believe that Catholics can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ?

I guess maybe you’ll be back after you figure out that historically Protestant have changed their minds a lot more often than Catholics … 30,000 denominations!

 

[elijahson]

I recently left the Catholic Church. The reason for this decision is many.

For one thing, I found out many things by reading on the internet on sites like this and others. I found out that Catholics are as unhappy and mean as I thought they were. I used to think it was just me, but then I went online and found out what people really thought. I was also treated unkindly by Catholics online.

I saw the hypocrisy of the Church. For instance, the Church has changed it’s official stance on a number of major topics to adapt to the times. They used to forbid usury many years ago, till they noticed that the Jews were taking over the banking and that they needed to get in on the action. Now the Church embraces usuary, in fact there is a Catholic Credit Union. Churches often go into debt to remodel.

The Church used to despise the Jews and participated and sometimes instigated anti-Semitic episodes in Europe throughout the ages. Now, the Jews have so much clout in the world that the Church changed it’s stance on the Jews and acts as if they are the greatest group of people in the world, even though the Jews these days don’t even follow their religion any more like they used to.

The Church claims to advocate for the poor, but then they forbid birth control and pretend that having more children doesn’t cause problems for poor people, when in fact that’s not true. The Church is loud about that, but turns a blind eye at the fact that wealthy contributers use birth control.

The Church makes a big deal about it’s own communion being the only real one and the best one. Meanwhile, the Church is not even a functional Christian community. It’s clergy have alot of emotional problems, and there is so much disagreement on liturgy, politics, and a million other things.

There are alot of other things that have finally driven me away, including the fact that my own parish is a dysfunctional wreck.

We love you and will pray for you…please do the same for us…but please remember that truth is still true even if NO ONE does or lives up to it…

 

[whatevergirl]

I recently left the Catholic Church. The reason for this decision is many.

For one thing, I found out many things by reading on the internet on sites like this and others. I found out that Catholics are as unhappy and mean as I thought they were. I used to think it was just me, but then I went online and found out what people really thought. I was also treated unkindly by Catholics online.

I saw the hypocrisy of the Church. For instance, the Church has changed it’s official stance on a number of major topics to adapt to the times. They used to forbid usury many years ago, till they noticed that the Jews were taking over the banking and that they needed to get in on the action. Now the Church embraces usuary, in fact there is a Catholic Credit Union. Churches often go into debt to remodel.

The Church used to despise the Jews and participated and sometimes instigated anti-Semitic episodes in Europe throughout the ages. Now, the Jews have so much clout in the world that the Church changed it’s stance on the Jews and acts as if they are the greatest group of people in the world, even though the Jews these days don’t even follow their religion any more like they used to.

The Church claims to advocate for the poor, but then they forbid birth control and pretend that having more children doesn’t cause problems for poor people, when in fact that’s not true. The Church is loud about that, but turns a blind eye at the fact that wealthy contributers use birth control.

The Church makes a big deal about it’s own communion being the only real one and the best one. Meanwhile, the Church is not even a functional Christian community. It’s clergy have alot of emotional problems, and there is so much disagreement on liturgy, politics, and a million other things.

There are alot of other things that have finally driven me away, including the fact that my own parish is a dysfunctional wreck.

aw…we are not all mean. That’s a shame. I, too, get very frustrated and saddened by some of the attacking posts I read on here…most by ‘practicing’ Catholics. Bashing what people are wearing in church…gossiping…backbiting…it’s sad. But, the Church is a human church. Fallible. Not all of what you have seen online is the way that all Catholics are. Unfortunately, it exists in all religions…because people are human, and we make mistakes…we say things we shouldn’t…and we sin. That being said, regarding birth control…I think that the Church’s stance on that has more to do with…‘God will find a way, trust in Him,’ than wanting to restrain people and rule their bedrooms.

I think that before one leaves their faith…they should investigate what it is that might need better explaining. Not that your reasons are not valid…but, pray and God will lead you to the right path. I personally feel that the Roman Catholic Church is what Jesus intended. Did it intend some of the negatives? No…but, again, it’s a human church. You will find sour pusses, and negative people everywhere…not just in the Catholic faith. I mean…we also have to reach out to others and stop their pain, too. Those who hurt others…are hurting, inside themselves. Whether that be here or anywhere…that’s my take.

I hope I’ve helped…please pm me anytime you wanna talk…I’m all ears for you.

 

[prv]

I’m sorry about the bad experiences you’ve had with other Catholics. I’ve been Catholic for eight years now, and I have to admit I haven’t been impressed with many of the Catholics I’ve met. But, I don’t believe the Catholic Church is true or not true based on the fervency of most of its members. Remember Jesus said very few take the narrow path of salvation and the weeds would grow up right alongside with the wheat, so it doesn’t surprise me to see alot of lukewarm Catholics that aren’t happy or a particularly good witness to the world of the Catholic faith. But there are sincere, committed Catholics out there and they do impress me with their love for the Lord and others, and those are the Catholics who encourage and inspire me and that I keep my eye on as an example for me to follow. It was reading the life of a Catholic saint (before I became Catholic), St.Maximilian Kolbe, that made me realize what it really meant to love Christ and how far short of that I fell. The lives of Catholic saints outshine anything I’ve seen.

I’m not up to speed on the topic of usury, but I am on the topic of birth control. Having children doesn’t keep people poor. In fact, in many countries where people have large families it’s because children are their “social security.” Children take care of their parents when they get older and are unable to care for themselves. We’ve kind of lost sight of that in our culture, but it’s the way it is in many others. What causes widespread poverty is lack of education and job opportunities, the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. The answer to poverty isn’t to eliminate the poor by birth control and abortion. You should read George Grant’s Grand Illusions, the Legacy of Planned Parenthood. It’s a very sobering, documented history of the modern birth control movement. It sprang from anything but altruistic motives, and its attitude towards the poor was anything but compassionate. The Catholic Church is the only Christian church that hasn’t compromised on this issue, but maintains 2,000 years of apostolic teaching.

As for anti-Semitism, the Church has never encouraged or taught that. Many Catholics through the centuries have been anti-Semitic, but if you take the time to read church history you’ll find the Church often acted to protect Jews, not kill them (Pope Pius XII is credited with saving thousands of Jewish lives during his papacy, and during that time the chief Rabbi of Rome converted to the Catholic faith, and showing his respect for the pope, took the pope’s baptismal name as his Christian name). And the Catholic Church is the only Church I know of that has acknowledged and asked forgiveness for her past failings of her members. I see a consistent charitable attitude towards non-members, even non-Christians, in the Catholic Church than I do in others. I’ve never heard other people bashed from a Catholic pulpit like I have from non-Catholic pulpits. Yes, I am disturbed by some of the things I see happening in the Church, especially at the parish level – heretical teaching, lukewarmness, ignorance, liturgical abuses, etc., but the Church has always had its problems and always will, more prevalent in some ages than others, but the Church is still the Body of Christ and for that reason I belong to it. I do what I can to try to make the Church better, to light a candle instead of just cursing the darkness, and thankfully the Church accepts flawed people like myself or I would still be on the outside looking in. I am grateful for the truth and the riches of grace I have found in the Catholic Church, and I pray God will open the eyes of your heart to see them too.

As for the Catholic Church being the only one to apologize for its failings, that is what I see, too. I know of no other religion which has done this.

 

[prv]

Disheartened

*These people recommended that I seek out a church where I can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ. *

I suppose these people don’t believe that Catholics can have a genuine walk with Jesus Christ?

I guess maybe you’ll be back after you figure out that historically Protestant have changed their minds a lot more often than Catholics … 30,000 denominations!

Understood, and there are porbably more being formed by the week, if not the day. Anyone who wants to establish a “church” can do so, and those who are disastisfied with even this can form their own church. And the cycle repeats itself. This cannot possibly be the will of Christ our Lord any more than abusive clergy, religious, and lay people.

 

[Mr_Jullien]

M2G: How could she given what she just has now shared with us. Here she is a person in real need and she is not given any help.

You’re absolutely right! (My Cable connection kept phasing in and out on me, and I missed several posts, including the post where DH shared her tragedy)
I just saw her most recent post a couple minutes ago.

She went through an horrific time, and her parish community should have been there to support her when she needed them most. Especially, her parish clergy.
I do not find fault with her bitterness, there. Any normal human being would feel abandoned in the same situation. Those she thought she could count on weren’t there for her. Now THAT is cold and unkind.

I regret DH left out this critical important fact in her OP, but instead, she posted:

**I recently left the Catholic Church. The reason for this decision is many.

For one thing, I found out many things by reading on the internet on sites like this and others. I found out that Catholics are as unhappy and mean as I thought they were. I used to think it was just me, but then I went online and found out what people really thought. I was also treated unkindly by Catholics online.

I saw the hypocrisy of the Church. For instance, the Church has changed it’s official stance on a number of major topics to adapt to the times. They used to forbid usury many years ago, till they noticed that the Jews were taking over the banking and that they needed to get in on the action. Now the Church embraces usuary, in fact there is a Catholic Credit Union. Churches often go into debt to remodel.

The Church used to despise the Jews and participated and sometimes instigated anti-Semitic episodes in Europe throughout the ages. Now, the Jews have so much clout in the world that the Church changed it’s stance on the Jews and acts as if they are the greatest group of people in the world, even though the Jews these days don’t even follow their religion any more like they used to.

The Church claims to advocate for the poor, but then they forbid birth control and pretend that having more children doesn’t cause problems for poor people, when in fact that’s not true. The Church is loud about that, but turns a blind eye at the fact that wealthy contributers use birth control.

The Church makes a big deal about it’s own communion being the only real one and the best one. Meanwhile, the Church is not even a functional Christian community. It’s clergy have alot of emotional problems, and there is so much disagreement on liturgy, politics, and a million other things.

There are alot of other things that have finally driven me away, including the fact that my own parish is a dysfunctional wreck.**

Blaming and leaving ones parish is one thing. It’s quite another matter to blame the whole Catholic Church and make blanket statements/accusations about Catholics and Catholic clergy in general, no matter how hurt one is.
Furthermore, it’s illogical to expect to gain understanding from the very people (and the Faith we hold so Sacred) who are being attacked.

I agree, she had a horrible experience with her parish, but is that any reason to blame and leave the Holy Catholic Church?
I don’t mean to come across as cold-hearted, but I just can’t justify leaving the Catholic Church because of an apathetic and uncaring parish.

I don’t know about other parishes, but in mine, I notice that the elderly are the most compassionate and empathic toward young and middle aged adults.
They’ve been there and back and know what suffering is. They’ve lost spouses, parents, siblings, and some even lost children.
IMO: If DH turned to the elderly of her parish, she’d get a markedly different response.

It’s worth a try, at least, before renouncing the Catholic Church, Its members and the Faith.

PAX,

Jullien

 

[Milliardo]

Thanks Pete for the positive response. Yes I’ve been hurt by Catholics and that’s affected my view.

I’ve been hurt by Catholics myself, but I never fault the Church for that. People do it; that’s a fact. A Muslim, Hindu, Protestant, etc. can do that to you as well. It’s a fact. If that’s a reason to leave, then you won’t have any reason to stay in any religion or organization, since people will hurt. There are people like that anywhere, in any group. It’s a sad nature of some people, but it can’t be helped. I’ve learned to ignore such people, to not be hurt by them. Some of those people are, in fact, my co-members in our parish choir. But it has never become my reason to leave the Church or even the choir. Learn to adapt, to tune out such people. I’ve done that, and I don’t lose sleep over them. You’ll never be happy in any organization if you let such people affect you, and you will always find yourself leaving groups because of them until you have learned to block them from your consciousness.

 

[SORROWS]

As a lifelong Roman Catholic I have had the most beautiful endearing love and respect for my Church. I’ve met different people from all walks of life but Catholics are the most amazing, giving and generous people I’ve ever encountered.

Their devotion and journey of compassion never fails to astound me. Our Heavenly Father must be so proud of those who criticize little and remain as humble and spriritual as humanly possible. They are an inspiration to me.

I’ve never left the Catholic Church …Never! I would never do it because I know my part in being a good Catholic. I could never blame the Church for human nature. My Religion is like a wall that separates me from living the easy pleasurable life rather than follow the beatiful doctrines that are in place to please My Lord.

The Catholic Shephards - the Priests have given their lives to follow Christs teachings to lead His flock. They do a magnificent job. In our eartly world we could never understand the selfless job that theirs entails. I do not go to Mass to gossip about the lives of Priests but to hear the Word of God.

For this I am eternally thankful.

Those that wish to leave are free to do so. Too many stay around and complain. They are welcome to find another religion that will hopefully meet their spiritual needs if that is not being fulfilled. The Catholic Church is the greatest gift Our Lord left us. When my time comes, I will die a Catholic with joy in knowing I did the best I could to bring Glory to God.

Blessings to all,
Sorrows