......”I could never let the actions of criminals and idiots drive me away from Christ’s Church”.....
You might think differently if you had children abused in the one you were attending. I surely would get my kids out of there in a heart beat because Christ has many churches that are His and adhere to His plans. I would find as safe a place as I knew to be....at the very least.
We have a responsibility for our children beyond that of which church we attend. I might also say if it was a Protestant church I would also leave to protect my child...we do not sacrifice the safety of children on the alter of any church.
I know someone who was abused. It is horrific, but evil exists everywhere- and in every church. That does not alter the fact that the Catholic Church’s teachings adhere most closely to Christ’s wishes. It is as safe a place as I know to be... spiritually.
I would never leave a system of belief I thought to be Truth because of what a pathetic, evil individual did. I would just punish that individual to the best of my ability. Then I’d leave the rest to God. He sifts all.
I don’t say this lightly. I have had my own heart broken by some leaders in the Church. But I persevere because of Christ’s words and the sacraments. One of my children was an altar server and I kept a very vigilant watch. It took me 7 years to recover from my own hurts from representatives of the Church. No matter what, I would not allow my faith to be like the seed that fell on good soil but was carried away by birds. I believe we should protect our faith from everyone and everything.
No evil human gets between me and my Lord.