As a Caatholic I use a strange admixture of available means to help on the journey. Somethimes I say the rosary and after I am finished I ask the Holy Ghost to lead me to some scripture that will enlighten me or that I should think about or in other ways help. About four or five weeks ago,I used that means and I found myself in the Apocolypse,chapters 2 and 3,(the letters to the churches).. It was especially helpful,as I was chatting about something tangential to that on Free Republic.
Anyway the words that especially jumped out were:"they say they are Apostles but are not;they lie"and in two other letters;"those who say they are Jews,but are not;they lie".
Anyway it seemed to me that there was a warning to the churches to be especially careful of those people who claimed to be what they were not.
Reflecting on that in the context of the Catholic Church in America,it struck me that the church is full of people who claim to be Catholic and are not;they lie. This seems to me to be at the heart of so many of the problems in the church and society at this time. It creates confusion and chaos. It is from that perspective that I took your post to heart,understanding why you felt the way you did,yet unwilling to not take the time to point out to you that for all concerned,yourself as well as the Church,you might consider another place to be. Or at the least ask that you not call yourself Catholic while denying what the Church teaches. I hope that helps.
Or,best of all,you could rethink your position and recognize that our leadership is riddled with imposters and as a layperson come back with your New Catholic Catechism and fight them,join us in the battle,we need bright,holy,faithful Catholics.
I also think if you read what the Pope has said in view of where his charism applies,you will be in agreement with those tenets that are necessary and can disagree with his opinions that are his personal ones. Although I find myself in agreement with practically everything he says,once I understand it.
I too appreciate the thoughtful comments of B-Chan, A. Pole and yourself, but with all due respect I cannot comply with your wish that I either find a more suitable Church, deny that I'm a Catholic or return to the fold chastened and mum.
I was baptized in the Catholic Church, made my first Confession there, recieved First Communion there, and finally confirmed there. I will continue to express my thoughts regarding the direction and state of Catholic affairs because I am Catholic, and the Church is not (nor should it ever be) above criticism both from within or without.
If you and others such as yourself consider people such as myself a thorn in the side of the Church, I'm afraid that's something I can't do anything about. The Church can always excommunicate me if she feels I've stepped over the line, it is her right and I would comply.
Establishing a comfort zone for the Church during these difficult and chaotic times by hoping the doubting Thomases make themselves scarce is not something that will or should happen. Most especially because of the imposters you have alluded to.