I am no longer Catholic.
On the core beliefs of the Catholic Church I have no disagreement, but its fringe practices ( such as immigration, social justice, and liberation theology) drove me NUTZ! It is not reformable as well since the Church is controlled by bishops appointed by a Pope. There is no opportunity for lay input.
I simply could no longer aid and abet an organization that was working to establish a political system ( Marxism) that would ultimate wish to destroy all Christianity.
You wrote:
“...but its fringe practices ( such as immigration, social justice, and liberation theology) drove me NUTZ!”
ITS fringe practices? What is “its”? The Church has no practice of immigration or liberation theology. Certain Catholics are teaching the wrong things, but liberation theology, for instance, has been flatly rejected by the Church. The fact that some Catholics still support it is another matter entirely.
“It is not reformable as well since the Church is controlled by bishops appointed by a Pope.”
Ever hear of the Council of Trent - the most famous reform council in history? How is it that the Church was able to accomplish so much reform while still controlled by bishops appointed by the pope?
“There is no opportunity for lay input.”
There is, but not by means of voting. And that is EXACTLY how God made His Church. How many lay people do you see with input at the council of Jerusalem in Acts 15?
“I simply could no longer aid and abet an organization that was working to establish a political system ( Marxism) that would ultimate wish to destroy all Christianity.”
That’s nonsensical. The Catholic Church IS Christianity. She cannot wish to destroy herself nor can even Satan accomplish that goal.
On the core beliefs of the Catholic Church I have no disagreement, but its fringe practices ( such as immigration, social justice, and liberation theology) drove me NUTZ!
If I depended upon the politics of my bishop (formerly McCarrick and now Wuerl)(or another American bishop), I would likely agree with you.
But my faith is based upon those core beliefs. And so I don't have much of a choice in where I go. (One of those core beliefs is that Christ founded ONE church)
Bottom line is that Christ promised that the gates of hell will not prevail. This is a spiritual battle we are in, a particularly strident battle at this time. And those weak bishops need prayer. And the strong ones need prayer. A lot of it.
And so if you can't bring yourself to be in communion with us, can I ask you to at least pray for us?