The church is in turmoil, the scandals are horrific, the cover-up repugnant. We have been failed by so many individuals in leadership of the church. We ask ourselves how can any priest hear m confession, preside at mass, baptize my baby, marry my kids, say his prayers and then inflict unspeakable horror on children, mostly boys but girls too, young seminarians, anyone? And why is this stuff covered up, dusted off, kicked down the road? We are angry, hurt and maybe confused.
Most of us fully understand that this is not the Church that Jesus established; that Jesus left in our care. We have hurt her, we have abused her, we have failed her. And you know what I mean when I say " we".
We should also fully understand that these are human failures, not divine failures of Holy Mother Church. And yes, it is perpetrated by a few, not the many, yet the few is way too much.
I will never diminish the severity of these sins, of this evil and will never forget that these acts cause real tangible physical, emotional and spiritual pain for everyone they are committed against. But I also do not want this blog to be scandal, scandal, all day, every day 24/7. I will post anything and everything I feel needed, useful, but I want to continue to post what the Church is; a divine institution, established by Christ Himself and an incredible force for good. Despite our many wounds, we continue to bring people to Jesus, to feed the hungry, to visit the sick, to offer the Sacraments, to live the Gospel message, to live the Beatitudes.
For our part, let's not diminish the scandals, let us not doubt the victims, and let us not condemn all faithful good clergy. Let us never give up on the Church for to do so = giving up on Jesus.
As in all things Catholic, we must be yes/and not either/or.
Pray, fast, stay vigilant and get angry at the atrocities. But remain on the vine, be a branch, love God and neighbor and pray that the Church weathers this sad and terrible storm.
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