The recent scandals facing Mother Church puts us all in very difficult times. As Christians and particularly Catholic Christians this recent loss of trust due to the very sinful actions of some makes it understandable that the Church is being attacked in the media with great volume. This only goes to show that a small bit of leaven does have its effect on the entire lump of dough. Let me categorically say that the actions of a few are not to be tolerated or excused one bit in my opinion. Those who perpetrate such acts are not worthy priests of Christ and do not represent him or the teaching of the Church. Yet as heinous as their acts are and as rightly enraged as the victims should be, these perpetrators need divine healing, love and forgiveness even though their acts are inexcusable for anyone let alone the clergy.I therefore want to put a question out to the readers to offer testimony in the comment box below. This question has come to me several times this week. I do ask that everyone please remain respectful and clean in their comments. Personal attacks and swearing will not be approved. Here is the question:
Why has the recent scandal not shaken my faith in Christ and his Church?
My answer to this question is that there are over 400,000 Catholic priests who are faithful every day to keep to their vows and who sacrificially serve the faithful in truth and love. They give of themselves tirelessly and often without much thanks. These faithful men are Christ to the Church and world and I thank God for them and support them. I uphold them at this time at prayer and believe it is a time that we need to acknowledge them and love them for their sacrificial service. Being that my faith is not in individuals but Christ and the truth of his Church, those who have scandalised the Church by their actions are individuals and do not rightly represent Christ and his Church of which is the foundation of my faith. The TRUTH of the Catholic faith stands even in the midst of such a stain on her present name. For these reasons, though I am deeply disappointed and saddened by the news of the scandal and offer my prayers for every victim and their family in the love of Christ, my faith is only stronger in the Church as I see clearly that she does not in any way approve or excuse such abuses. I fully support our Pope, love him and pray for him every day as he has an enormous amount of weight on him at this time. May the victims come to forgive the Church and see that the love and beauty of Christ is there even though in the guilty individuals and by their actions concealed that love by their own wicked and selfish actions. May God protect his Church and all of the vulnerable who seek her love and protection, sacraments and truth.
4 comments:
Why on earth should it have? I don't believe in the preacher, I believe in Jesus. I believe what the preacher says, because in considering the message, I am convinced that it is true. The preacher tells me that we are all sinful, that the world is full of evil and that people are very prone to doing evil. If a preacher whom I have taken to be a good witness to the truth of his words turns out to be a scheming deliberate hypocrite, I feel it as a personal betrayal - but just as I may develop psychological difficulties in forming close relationships due to bad experiences, and yet know that love and trust and openess are good things, so I may be discouraged in living the faith by discovering an apparent witness to be a false person, and still know the Gospel is true.
If Our Lord submits to what one would think intolerable humiliation in the consecration - He comes to the hands even of the worst child abuser, even if Mass is said in some building that grudges the money spent on "rleigious stuff", with smug self-satisfied parishioners who don't really believe, and me more concerned with an itch in my nose or what funny thing I can say to make myself look clever in the evening than with the intercession of the God-Man for me - then news of abuse or other evils is no scandal, but inspires gratefulness and wonder for the condescension of God, horror at the closeness of evil, and incomprehension. Why? Why does one evil cause others? Why do we do evil? Why does God bother with us? And yet He does.
(a reader who wishes to remain anonymous :) )
From a friend on Facebook, also just posted yesterday; couldn't say it better:
Stephen J. Binz - During these difficult days for the image of the Catholic priesthood, it is important to remember that the vast majority of priests are some of the finest men you'd ever hope to meet. This new book contains reflections on their lives. 30 great lives of service.
A Priest's Life: The Calling, the Cost, the Joy
bookstore.wau.org
For me I suppose it's for the same reason that I still go to see the doctor even after the Harold Shipman affair. Politicians of all stripes have recently shown themselves to be corrupt, but I don't assume that politics itself should end; the climate change scientists of East Anglia University acted fraudulently, but though those individuals may have been in error, nonetheless I don't suppose that science itself is something bad.
As the first commenter said, I believe in Christ not in individuals. The Church is for sinners, so it is hardly surprising if some of the worst sinners in history have ended up in the Church too. I might lose faith in the various structures of the Church, in her disciplinary procedures, I might find myself unable to trust certain individuals perhaps, but none of this would make me lose faith in the Body of Christ, the Church.
Also, I think that the Church HAS now started to get herself in order, and although there will be some horrible birth-pangs - as it were - as more terrible secrets are revealed, these will be revelations of the past not the future. The Church has survived worse, and will survive this: the gates of Hell will never overcome her.
Like Peter where else could I go. Every time I fail I can only go to Him who is Truth. No matter how far I stray why should I accept part truth. No there is only one sure guarantee of truth that is His revelation taught by the rock that is Peter.
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