I am fairly interested, because my safety on the Planet depends on strong Christian Churches. We very few Jews (see About page) can’t really expect to survive unless y’all over there are good, strong and fundamental. I have historically (through Benedict) been a supporter of the Catholic Church for Christians. In the last several hundred years, they have mostly been a force for good. They were terribly important in defeating communism, for example (JPII!). So I hope for a return to those halcyon days for the Church. We need it fairly desperately.
Understood.
IMHO, St. JP2 and Pope Benedict were both sincere men who tried their best to be good popes for the RC Church. Yes, Yes, there were things they did that I disagreed with. But there was no question that they were devoted Catholic.
The last couple of popes? not so much.
(just trying to state that last bit as kindly as possible...)
We’ve seen similar “failures in leadership” in several Protestant churches, too. PCUSA comes to mind immediately, also UCC and... and....and....
They’re all of similar kind. Substituting leftist dogma for correct (or even just plausible) Biblical moral values. Substituting (largely failed) materialistic (leftist) philosophies for anything even remotely consistent with our Creator’s law. I’m not just refering to doctrinal distinctives or small issues -— but clear, fundamental moral teachings.
Sorry, clerics ... but your directions are those of failure. Proven failure. And you’re mis-leading the laity, parishioners, member of your congregations in the process.
If you’re (H3LL-bent) on preaching that rubbish, please please at least have the basic honesty to leave the church and set up your own secular organzations ... its false advertising to have you in the pulpit.
“Not many of you should become teachers (clerics), my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly”
James 3:1
James 3:1
The Church has been on a long journey. During that journey it has had to suffer through some very bad Popes and bad leadership. It has made some very bad temporal decisions that caused suffering for both Christians and non Christians . Yet it has been at the core of Western civilization. You are quite right. Decent people of good will will have a very difficult future if the Church withers to a precious remnant.