Thoughts from a lifelong Catholic

[UrbScotty]

I was baptized into the Catholic Church when I was just a couple months old. I consider faith to be an important part of my life. I agree with many (but definitely not all) of the teachings of the Catholic Church. I believe in what the Nicene Creed says.

Some DUers are Democrats due in large part to their belief that there is no god. Others are Democrats because they do believe in God, but they are not Christians, and so the Republican Party does not listen to them. Well, I’m somewhat different: It is in large part because of my Catholic faith that I am a Democrat.

What kind of Catholic can help but want to be a Democrat when hearing the words of Christ in the Sermon on the Mount, for example? “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled. … Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the Children of God,” the founder of Christianity is quoted as saying (Matthew 5:6-9).

In recent weeks, months, and years, however, I have seen three disturbing trends emerge regarding the Catholic Church: two from within the Church, and one outside, here on DU.

First of all, some in the hierarchy seem to have felt it appropriate to deny Communion to certain politicians whom they think they are committing a sin. Jesus did not deny sinners a seat at the table; in fact he came for the sinners, not for the righteous. It’s discouraging that some bishops have decided that it would be better to turn away from those they believe are sinning, instead of offering to discuss these issues with them. This is especially disheartening when I her that some “sins” – especially homosexuality – are treated as being more grave than other sins, such as those explicitly prohibited by the Ten Commandments.

Speaking of which, on the night before the crucifixion, it is believed that Jesus told his disciples, “I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.” If I want to love a man because of what Jesus apparently said, why can’t I?

My second gripe, if you will, is about the abuse some clergy inflicted upon young people, and the slow reaction thereto by some higher-ups in the Church. To love one another as Christ loved us does not mean inflicting such horrible pain and difficulty on these families.

My third gripe, however, concerns those on DU (and elsewhere, obviously; I’m focusing only on DU for this thread, though) who seem to bash the entire Catholic Church just because a few Catholic bishops and clergy seem to forget what Christ really taught. Those who do so are not only tinkering with DU’s ban on “broad-brush, bigoted statements,” but are also sinking to the level of many of these nutjobs. Making these hasty generalizations is the job of certain other people.

Anyway, thank you for allowing me to share these concerns. May God bless all of you, if He exists.

[RevCheesehead]

1. Well said, and thank you.

I think it's time for DU to grow up and start treating one another with respect.

And that's all I have to say about that.

[peacetalksforall]

2. Right on...there are excellent priests and excellent Catholics - all

patriotic.

I was taught by the church that there should be sepearation of church and state - that and not owning up about the kids makes me ill. But, as in our government and Israel's - it's the leaders who disappoint me, but I know that all members and devotees don't always agree with their leaders in today's world. The leaders make it all imperfect.

[demosincebirth]

3. You covered it very well, but still, some will pick an issue why they ..

left the church, etc, and not mention all of the good it does for social justice and the poor throughout the world.

Just for starters, let them look up the Catholic Relief Agency and what they do throughout the World, and St Vincent de Paul Society and what they do in the inner city of any metropolitan area.


Thank again for the great post!

[spindoctor]

4. With you all the way

Although I probably can come up with some more gripes ;)

[Az]

5. I have real sympathy for liberal Catholics

I can acknowledge the good that the Church represents. I can acknowledge the compassion that is inherant to many of Jesus' teachings. But I cannot ignore the fact that the Church has another face.

I don't hold this other face against the individuals that call themself Catholic. I let each person represent themself rather than slap a label on them by association. But many of the actions of the Church have hurt people and continue to hurt them. This despite the fact that many adherants do not share the same views.

It cannot be an easy situation. I know the ties the bind one to the Church are not easily severed. And in many cases there is no desire to do so because there is a great deal of good the church does. But in a liberal setting the positive nature of the church is overshadowed by its other face. And its members catch an unfair amount of grief for it.

Furhtermore I can well imagine the pain some feel as a result of this difference of opinion. Combine this with the fact that the hierarchy will not bend or even consider the position of the people they tend to. Doctrine is doctrine and consideration does not come from social pressure.

You have my sympathy. I wish there were a way to ease the stress.

[etherealtruth]

7. "I let each person represent themself ...

...rather than slap a label on them by association." I think that's all anybody can ask for.

Do we (Americans) want to be judged solely on our leadership? How about our history (think slavery, genocide, institutional racism...)?
But we don't cease to be Americans and Catholics don't cease to be Catholics ...

[UrbScotty]

8. Well put.

No, I don't want to be judged by our leadership, regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican is in office. No one person can represent 300 million Americans, or especially 1.1 billion Catholics.

[mmonk]

6. Actually, I was going to write

my bishop complaining that some in the Church are on the dark side. If they align themselves with the religious right, they are in bed with the devil as far as I'm concerned. I plan to tell him that separation of church and state and the establishment clause of the constitution is what helped protect the church in America. Any Catholic that aligns with the Dominionists will be erasing that which has protected it for generations.

[UrbScotty]

9. Write him.

Hopefully he will at least listen to your thoughts.