I don't 'spose telling about my father witnessing his brother being beat with a rubber hose by a priest (other atrocities witnessed as well) at the orphanage they lived in would make a difference, would it?
That would only be taken as evidence that it was emotional and not theological.
However, it is also possible that it was God's way to have my father begin to think theologically about theological shortcomings of the RCC. From Dad's perspective, this is the case.
I get the same story from my uncle, his brother, but he did not leave the RCC. His son did, though, and finally, my octogenarian uncle is questioning.
It's also possible that it was satan's way of using an evil person's evil behaviour to cloud your Father's ability to see the Truth taught by the Catholic Church.
That would only be taken as evidence that it was emotional and not theological.
Good post.
The thing is, that by default it was theological too. It was ecclesial terror, and it was not contained to just a few people, and if you were lower class without the ability to apply any leverage, no priest or monsignor would come to your aid.
I wonder how many kids thought to themselves, maybe if I write to the pope, he can get me out of this. But, for the kids I grew up with at least, taking one look at the face of PPaul VI told you he wouldn't liberate you from anything. No kid that I ever knew felt warmth for the pope. The only pope I ever had any affection for was JPII. I was really moved by his death, and the reason I had some affection for him is that I did see love in his face, and he looked a lot like my Father.
It's interesting to me that there I also know about stories like this, but it was a non-Catholic "Christian" who was the perpetrator.
I know personally of such stories and the people inflicting harm were not Catholic, but of other denominations.
Perhaps the lesson for any of us to learn is that bad examples are bad examples--true--but not at all the picture in a "macro" sense.
There are truly good and honorable priests, pastors, ministers and lay faithful.
"Whatsover things are good---think on these things".
It is very soul-healthy and peace-giving to accentuate all the good things that we have experienced or have heard about. The more we do this, the more that good penetrates our lives and environmrent and we can share that life-giving peace of heart with others.
"Where evil abounds, grace abounds more".
I have seen such abuse with my own eyes and heard far worse. But back in the day, kids had no rights.
Why was he being beaten? Did you get the other point of view of the story?
Regards