Posted on 05/06/2002 5:55:35 AM PDT by gohabsgo
Author James Martin said in his study: "The Last Acceptable Prejudice? Anti-Catholicism in the United States" (03/25/00), "The leaders of Bob Jones University, where Gov. George W. Bush appeared during his presidential campaign, call Pope John Paul II the "Anti-Christ," and the Catholic Church "satanic" and the "Mother of Harlots." Martin states as well: "It is, of course, impossible to summarize 400 years of history in a few paragraphs. But even a brief overview serves to expose the thread of anti-Catholic bias that runs through American history and to explain why the eminent historian Arthur Schlesinger Sr. called anti-Catholicism "the deepest-held bias in the history of the American people."
To comprehend the root of American anti-Catholicism, one needs to study the Reformation, where ideas about Rome and the papacy traversed to the New World with the earliest settlers. These settlers were, of course, predominantly Protestant. 200 years ago, the Irish swarmed into New York City. They were entering a city in which an American flag once raised in Manhattan had the U.S. colors on one side, and "No popery" on the other. The anti-Catholicism of the early decades of the 19th century was very much rooted in Protestant fears that immigration would turn this into a Catholic country dictated to by the pope in Rome.
It was not until the mid 20th century -- urged on by the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and the example of John F. Kennedy´s presidency -- did Catholics prove themselves and explain themselves as Americans to the bulk of Protestant America.
Religion is the most complex historical mystery of our lives, and as children, we are hard-coded to subscribe to the belief system and the values provided by our parents. I am an Irish Catholic American, going through the typical childhood passages of Baptism (don´t remember much about that one), Confirmation, First Communion, and then later lots and lots of Confession. I am happily married, having jumped through the hoops of the required Engaged Encounter three years ago, and married in a Catholic Church. I love and honor my wife, I have a deep and abiding respect for the sacrifices and the values my parents instilled in me, and am assuredly blessed by the good Lord to have twin babies on the way, due in November.
I provide this background to tell you who I am, and to describe to you my preparedness for the inevitable outcome of simmering hostility toward my faith. It is in progress now with the priest scandal, with the worst assuredly yet to come. The preparedness isn´t a "quickening," it´s not outrage at a work of "art" paid for with my tax dollars depicting the Virgin Mary covered in excrement, and it´s not even maniacally hateful films like "End of Days," "Dogma" or "Stigmata." I have come to expect this sort of depiction. No, this information is included to inform those who seek to destroy what I hold dear, that I have become more resolute, faithful, and humbled by the message of charity, sacrifice, and forgiveness provided in my faith. I have no choice but to vigilantly protect and defend a belief system that has literally saved my life.
I was taught that the Saints preserved us, and that there were and are Guardian Angels, like the Angel Gabriel in Luke 2:10-11 who announced to frightened shepherds that a savior had been born: But the angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord."
But now I am afraid. I am afraid of the cowardice and failure of the Roman Catholic Church to live up to the standards they preach to us on Sundays. Our faith is being ripped to shreds. It seems that new and more ugly revelations on priestly acts of homosexuality towards little boys, acts of pedophile abuse towards little girls, the movement of criminal priests from parish to parish further exposing new victims to these heinous acts, continue daily, with no end in sight. It is horrible, and I just as much as anyone, want these abusive, trust breaking criminals removed and punished at once. I can only pray that Rome will do the right and honorable thing, but am not holding my breath.
But, with all of the gloom, I believe that the faith will survive, and we will be stronger for it. What the priesthood, and the flock need now more than ever, is a return to a more devout life. We are sinners, but we have been given a gift — the gift of redemption for our sins — and eternal life. This is not to be taken lightly, but many, like myself, do. Now we find that our leaders do as well. There are eternal truths, as much as multiculturalists attempt to deny it. There are consequences for our actions, controlled by a power greater than us. And regardless of the context, equal and opposite reactions to our thoughts and actions not in concert with G-d´s guidance, always seem to operate consistently, providing us with hard lessons, as well as wisdom from experience. This is the hopeful side of my message.
The real world situation is far different. In an article in The New York Times Magazine (9/26/99), Andrew Sullivan recounted how, in the 1980's, the "mainly gay" activist group Act Up desecrated Communion hosts at a Mass in St. Patrick's Cathedral. "Some of the most anti-Catholic bigots in America are gay," Mr. Sullivan opined. What is the church to do about homosexuality? By definition, the Bible considers it an abomination. But is it really any surprise that the clergy has been affected, at least to some extent, by the same disease that is infecting the rest of the culture?
As well, there is a movement among those who detest Catholics, the Church, the symbolism, the rituals that have been such an important part of our lives, in an intense and concerted effort to deal a crushing, demoralizing blow to us. The enthusiasm they have to slice open wounds and smell blood is palpable.
I recently read an article that concluded with: "Catholicism is a false religion, and Islam promotes violence and hate." I do not know nor care who the writer is. The point is, he made a statement, one which he is entirely free to make, that not only personally condemned my belief system, but implied that Catholicism is somehow associated with the hatred of radical Islam. What took me so aback is that the writer made a statement that I myself have not been programmed to, and am incapable of, making about any religion (with the exception of Islamic Wahhabism).
We will recover. What I love about being Catholic is the ritual, the passion in Christ, the demands that we will never be humanly capable of meeting, confessing my sins honestly, expecting more from myself, being able to confide in one of the most understanding people I have ever known, my Aunt Peggy, a former Dominican Nun (it's popular to make fun of Nuns if you haven't noticed). Christmas, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night, taking Communion and drinking wine symbolic of the blood of Christ at Midnite Mass. There is something about being Catholic that I refuse to let anyone drop their load on.
Years ago I would listen to my Dad talk about my Grandfather, a wonderful old boy who has long since passed on, born and raised in Armagh in Northern Ireland, talk about Reverend Ian Paisley. Few in human history have ever possessed the volcanic level of hatred Paisley has toward Irish Catholics. Interestingly enough, Paisley received an honorary degree from Bob Jones University of South Carolina in 1966 and is a regular preacher there. Yet, I avoided these conversations for the most part, partly because I´d rather play sports and reach my own conclusions about religion. But to listen to the divisiveness of their stories was eye opening nonetheless.
So fellow Catholics, the assaults, many justified, many unjustified, some invented by opportunists and their parasitic lawyers, have commenced, once again. The church has only itself to blame. But don´t take the easy way out, not in this time of both national, and religious peril. Build an inner strength and an honest foundation in your life. Be true to higher expectations, even when those around you have failed to deliver.
Defending our belief system will not be easy. You may lose a couple friends over this. You may have the finger pointed at you, persecuted for your honesty. Keep up the good fight, and have faith. Be an eternal optimist. And let not your heart be troubled. I have no animosity toward any Christian denomination, neither in the past, presently, or in the future. Though I cannot expect this equal treatment and respect from those who wish to see the Catholic Church perish in the ashes of it´s own human foibles, I will pray that our enemies can accommodate their roiling anger, with equal amounts of understanding and compassion.
The majesty of the Church is awesome. One visit to Rome or Florence or even a little church in some obscure part of the world does it for me. The body of believers, which is the "real" church....is everywhere.
But the Catholics just seem to bring so much substance to the table. Dang, I love those stain glass windows and pure white marble altars.
God Bless you...
Not exactly the example I would use to justify my faith...
Having said that, I would like to say that more important than the name of the church one belongs or the rituals one clings to is the deepest belief in our hearts! So hopefully, you will understand that even though I believe some Christian religions(in name) are missguided, some of their members are true devote lovers of the Lord. This is not intended to get a discussion going on the validity of any Church. A church is only as genuine as it's members, and the members only as genuine as their deep beliefs. God seeks us to worship Him in SPIRIT and in Truth.
Few could argue effectively against the sordid history of the Catholic Church and how originally it was set up by the Roman Gov't (the first 'Pope' was a Roman official) - in hopes to dilute or eliminate the true Christian church - or how many of the sacraments and beliefs are strikingly similar to the ancient Chaldean pagan religion. Reference Halley's Bible Handbook, and Alexander Hislop's The Two Babylons.
And finally, it seems to me that this gentleman is effectively jointing the victims groups. Dude, remember the battle is the Lord's. If it (the Catholic Church) is of God, who can prevail against it? But if it isn't, then one day the walls will surely come down.
Mallon needs a reeducation in his faith. The wine is not symbolic of the blood of Christ. Roman Catholics believe in the real presence of the body and blood of Christ, as confirmed by the words of Christ in Scripture, in the consecrated host and wine; transubstantiation.
Hogwash. St. Peter was not a Roman official. Halley is a notorious Catholic bashing bigot and in the book calls the Pope the antichrist. Hislop attacks all of Christianity, not just Catholicism. Both of these books should be in the fiction section. If you wasted money on these books, you've proven that P.T. Barnum was correct.
Lets not load these Homosexual Priest Perverts Sins on the Souls of the Faithful Catholics They have enough to confess on their own.
Cardinal Stafford at the Press conference suggested what we as Catholics Need is "A day of Atonement", Which is utter nonsense.
Again, blaming all catholics for the Crimes of the Homosexual Priests and The Enabling Bishops and Cardinals, who kept it all secret.
What we need is a Complete Purge of the Evil and a Purification of the Ranks of the Hierarchy.
We need to put Real men of Courage in charge of our Hierarchy with the ability and Authority to throw out the Infidels.
Because that church has been the object of bigotry, past and present, we're supposed to lay off?
I think not.
Red Herring alert.
The big question remains, what will be people's view when the Archdiocese of Boston goes bankrupt from the suits against it?
It is arguable that what is left of authentic Catholicism and orthodox tradition is living off of the near-spent legacy of the pre-Vatican II Church. That includes progressive liberal enterprises like those at Georgetown University or of Richard McBrien of Notre Dame, both institutions which rose to success and prominence BEFORE Vatican II and the 1960s. Take away the gothic buildings and the libraries built from the entirely pre-Vatican II coins of Irish laborers and little-old-ladies' pensions, and you'd just have whiny liberals in bad modern buildings scarcely distinguishable from their secular liberal counterparts in NOW or the Sierra Club. Imagine what the Church in America would be like minus the St. Patrick's cathedrals if it was entirely designed by Weaklandesque iconoclasts. Without the pre-Vatican II legacy, Catholic liberals are nothing. No one will read the ravings of Richard McBrien or Maureen Fiedler a hundred years from now, but the writings of Aquinas, Augustine, and Newman will still inspire faithful Catholics.
God Bless.
If you scroll down to the part subtitled "Sacramental model" here this is a pretty good explanation of the Catholic idea of "the Church." It doesn't directly take up the Protestant-Catholic differences, but the spiritual explanation is pretty good. The larger issue is really how wide is the distribution of the spiritual and invisible nature of the Church as the Mystical Body of Christ. That's usually where the controversy comes in. The section on "The Political/Society Model" takes up some of this 16th-century stuff. At any rate, this introductory survey of the various theological models of the Church gives some idea of the diversity of thought on such matters even among just Catholic theologians.
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