Quote:
Originally Posted by graciegirl
Because Ed, there is a huge difference between the "institutional" church and the community of God.
It is a huge shame and a terrible thing, the abuse of children and especially from those who wear the cloak of the clergy... but it isn't the center of our faith. It isn't the heart of our religion. It isn't the reason we go to church.
We go to church because we love God and find His presence there.
Should we stop?
Sometimes I attend daily Mass. It is a beautiful thing to enter the quiet church in the morning and find several hundred people there on their knees. I am guessing that they are saying please and thank you. It is the faith they have clung to for their entire life.
This morning was the funeral of a 93 year old man who had been married to his wife for 68 years. She was in the front pew as we all celebrated his life.
There is still good in the Catholic Church. Just as there is much good in all churches. I am sure you feel love toward your own church. You can't throw the baby out with the bath water.
These are just my own personal feelings.
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And your lovely personal feelings do not in any way contradict what I said. I did not advocate giving up on your church, but think you would agree that there has been a huge problem, which should be addressed. If the church has served you well, and the priests in your parishes have been Godly and righteous then you should, by all means, support their ministry. I try to couch my opinions with qualifiers, such as "in my opinion", or "if it were up to me", etc., and never expect that everyone will or should agree with me. I get spiritual nourishment from my church, but I don't think either the church hierarchy or the people in charge locally are anything other than well-meaning people who felt moved to pursue a career in organized religion. They are not infallible, and if they are not serving the Lord and their congregation, they should be fired. I have moved denominations before, and would not hesitate to do so again if I felt it was warrented.