I'm a devote member. We have over 3000 members at our church and no abuse or in the past in the entire diocese. I read stories every week about the scandal, even today, two Priests were removed by their Bishop. So they are cleaning it up and Bishops have apologized from stories I have read. Also I have read where some Priests were accused falsely and won in court. We have a new Priest at our Parish, whom some don't care for because he is not as charismatic as the Priest prior. So they went to the Parish across town. I said why? I go to Church for Christ, not how well I like the Priest... Hi, Gosh you put me on the spot. If it weren't because your post sounds so so full of feeling and sincerity, I would not bother responding to it. I believe what you are telling me about your parish...
You said you are devote and so that makes it obvious you are on the side of the church (a church you see under attack). I am not a devote anything. My loyalty is to the victims of the homosexual priests who abused them.
Let me ask you a question. Do you think is time for all of us, to kiss and make up? To forgive and forget, and move on?
I have to tell ahead of time, that we are far away from that point, but I am curious what's your thinking on it?
Something else, whether we like it or not the MSM still is very strong. HOW COME I never hear of the things you are mentioning on any big media outlets? I never hear CNN, NYT, Fox, WP, NBC... say anything about what the church is doing (Like the things you mentioned). If anything, just like now, with the coming conference of the Bishops in Baltimore, the point was already made that the Bishops are more concerned with "finding the language" to give the homosexuals protection/cover... THAT IS WHAT SURFACED ALREADY!... and so naturally, again, this raises the suspicion that there must be a number of homosexual Bishops in the church, since they put so much emphasis on this?
Another question, because I know you are sincere. Don't you think the Pope himself should have gotten involved visibly in this matter by now? (I KNOW, I KNOW, I am ignorant and I don't understand the workings of the church). BUT STILL, don't you think that what the gravity of what happened was bad enough to grant perhaps an exception and get the Pope directly involved?
I could picture a situation where the Pope would make a trip to America for a week or so, to have "conversation" with the American clergy, mainly the bishops, regarding the matter of the abuses. I could picture, after the conversation, a big mass somewhere, and have *** THE POPE, AS HEAD OF THE CHURCH extend and apology to the victims, as well as promise that the church would clean up and not let this happen again, etc, etc.
Do you see my point?... the church has to do SOMETHING BIG!!... to send c loud and clear message that we are ready to turn the corner. (Yes I know the Pope did something like this just a few days ago, and that WAS GOOD!)... but still not enough for us here in America. More acts like that, with a very clear message, have to be done before the world beging to believe that the Roman Catholic Church is serious this time.
Sorry..didn't mean to put you on the spot. LOL
Do you think is time for all of us, to kiss and make up? To forgive and forget, and move on?
I don't look at it as an argument....it is a war/battle...a great evil has penetrated the Church and this not the only battle. The victims are the ones to forgive. Forget and move on...How can anyone forget or move on. This has affected everyone.
I don't read those MSMs sites for Catholic News. Try Spiritdaily.com ...many other catholic sites/blogs if your interested.
From what I read the Bishops approved guidelines for ministering to homosexuals. Nothing has changed according to the Cathechism..they are to be treated with human dignity and respect, but the sexual act is a grave sin, abomination to God.
The Pope just told Ireland two weeks ago..Tell The Truth..
And has spoken out what has occurred in the US, conducted investigations, gave direction regarding ordination etc.
I guess you didn't witness the hard time Pope John Paul was given when he visited here...He told them basically it is a long way to Tipperary. LOL
The scandal is not just predominate in the Catholic Church...affects other denomination as well. I just had the stats two weeks which were alarming, but I didn't save the site. Scandals also in our society (that protects homosexuality), govt, schools etc. It is like an epidemic..a plague.
In 1846, Our Lady in LaSalette gave secrets to two kids Maximin and Melanie..about a tremendous infiltration of evil into the priesthood..it was a prophecy that we were told it was coming. I thought I just add this, but it is not the reason why I see the Church under siege. I wish I had words to tell you...I'm not letting anyone off the hook. It made me angry and furious and sad on other issues as well. Judas betrayed Christ and he walked with Christ and sat at the last supper with Christ. We have the Judases and what I call Pontius Pilate syndrome everywhere, not just in the Church. My eyes are focus on Christ, no matter what comes.