[rochester_veteran]

... when I hear stories like this, I have to wonder if maybe there IS a satanic force at work behind the scenes...

Satan is at work behind the scenes. It's when we believe he doesn't exist is when he succeeds. Don't forget, Satan is the great deceiver.

I'm a Catholic and my church was infiltrated by those who've undermined church teaching, by those who think they know better and seem hell-bent on destroying it. This is similar to what seems to be happening in the Presbyterian Church and we're lossing parishioners as well. The priest shortage is also a result of this. I refuse to leave though and will stand tough and pray for the reform of our Bishops here in the U.S.

[Miss Marple]

I recently became a Catholic. We had over 60 taken in at Easter vigil in my parish, and many were converts from other denominations and not "marriage conversions."

Our local parish is growing.

We also have a pretty decent bishop, which I know is part of any parish's problem. Have you looked for another parish?

[Tokra]

I refuse to leave though and will stand tough and pray for the reform of our Bishops here in the U.S.

Good for you! That's exactly what the Church needs - fighters, not quitters. (kind of hypocritical coming from me - a back-slid Catholic.)