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Opinion Open Letters Catholic clergy should focus on the real work...
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Thursday, 16 February 2012 07:00
It's been well-documented for years now that 95 percent of practicing Catholics use contraception and that approximately 87 percent of priests are willing to give absolution for this "sin."
Indeed, whenever I worked with counseling clients tortured by this issue, I knew the names of a number of gentle, compassionate priests to whom to refer them for absolving "guilt." That is the reality. (For other views of it, see Rob Rogers' brilliant Feb. 9 cartoon and Donna W. Brett's superb letter "Catholic Bishops Haven't Persuaded Their Flocks on Contraception," Feb. 10.)
I love the Catholic faith, that is, the essential heart of it -- the places where it most bears a strong family resemblance to Jesus. But, just as when we love a person, we rarely love all aspects of that person's behavior, my church's behavior in several realms evokes deep sorrow in me.
Heart-wrenching suffering abounds in our war-torn world. Multitudes are hungry and homeless. What a tragic waste of time, energy and money it is when an all-male hierarchy unabashedly intrudes into the bedrooms of the faithful. What would Jesus say?
I cannot resist imagining that he would counsel them to open wide the gates of leadership to women. It's possible that ending, at long last, the church's institutional sexism -- now, there's a real sin -- would eventually shift its sustained focus away from women's bodies and onto spreading Gospel messages.
C'mon, guys, how about it? Isn't it time to stop tilting at windmills, time to take off your heavy robes, put on your gloves and get to the work you were called to do? If not now, when?
EILEEN COLIANNI
Oakmont
Comments (10)
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written by TS, February 16, 2012 - 05:09 PM
Boldart: You assume that sexual abuse is solely owned by the Catholic Church. You might be interested to know that other Christian denominations and other beliefs have had scoundrels that have abused their children. And while we are at it, why don’t we include teachers who have for years had individuals who have abused the innocent. So are we to brand all of these groups as having no moral authority to stand for what they believe is right?
Take a look at your local community using one of the apps that are available which show the exact location of sexual offenders. I am sure you will be surprised how many are within a mile from where you live. This problem is not a Catholic problem but societies in general.
I am proud the Church has taken a stand against abortion and any other abortion inducing drugs. The Church has always been for the sanctity of life and that has never been unwavering. Sorry, it doesn’t matter what most people think, Catholic or non-Catholic, it will not change the Church’s position.
So I suspect that you throw in the Church’s past problems in your argument to eliminate any rebuttal from its faithful. Although it is fashionable in todays enlightened society to make bigoted comments regarding Catholics but that is okay. Jesus loves you.
Sally: before I hear that abortion is legal, let’s not forget that slavery was once legal too.
Take a look at your local community using one of the apps that are available which show the exact location of sexual offenders. I am sure you will be surprised how many are within a mile from where you live. This problem is not a Catholic problem but societies in general.
I am proud the Church has taken a stand against abortion and any other abortion inducing drugs. The Church has always been for the sanctity of life and that has never been unwavering. Sorry, it doesn’t matter what most people think, Catholic or non-Catholic, it will not change the Church’s position.
So I suspect that you throw in the Church’s past problems in your argument to eliminate any rebuttal from its faithful. Although it is fashionable in todays enlightened society to make bigoted comments regarding Catholics but that is okay. Jesus loves you.
Sally: before I hear that abortion is legal, let’s not forget that slavery was once legal too.
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written by sally, February 16, 2012 - 06:40 PM
Sally: before I hear that abortion is legal, let’s not forget that slavery was once legal too.
Slavery was legal before we decided it shouldn't be. Abortion was illegal before we decided that it shouldn't be.
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written by gorillagogo, February 16, 2012 - 06:49 PM
Boldart: You assume that sexual abuse is solely owned by the Catholic Church. You might be interested to know that other Christian denominations and other beliefs have had scoundrels that have abused their children. And while we are at it, why don’t we include teachers who have for years had individuals who have abused the innocent. So are we to brand all of these groups as having no moral authority to stand for what they believe is right?
TS -- The real scandal wasn't the pedophilia, it was the Church's systematic cover up and refusal to turn perpetrators over to law enforcement. It's the same reason the whole Penn State scandal was so shocking.
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written by sally, February 16, 2012 - 06:52 PM
You might be interested to know that other Christian denominations and other beliefs have had scoundrels that have abused their children. And while we are at it, why don’t we include teachers who have for years had individuals who have abused the innocent.
The difference is that when the teachers are caught, they are removed from teaching and when found guilty, lose their license and go to jail (depending on the gravity of the offense).
In addition, the school districts do not then circle the wagons around the abusing teacher, nor profess to be the moral authority on behavior.
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written by TS, February 16, 2012 - 07:51 PM
The Church's moral authority on behavior Sally, comes from the teachings of Jesus Christ. You may not agree with that but that is your privilege.
Yes, some in the Church have covered up the abusing clergy and that is the real scandal. I personally do not believe it is a problem now considering the tough policies the Church’s has in place. The case with the local priest was reported by the diocese immediately to the authorities.
While the school districts do a great job protecting children from abusing teachers, tell that to the parents of the California school district that over looked for years abusing pedophile teachers. This case is just developing.
While even Jesus had one of his own fail him, the church has had many who have failed also.
Sorry Sally, I have a hard time reading your comments about moral authority when you refuse to answer my question about the 300,000 plus abortions in the US during 2009. Tell me exactly what Jesus would say? I am waiting...............
Yes, some in the Church have covered up the abusing clergy and that is the real scandal. I personally do not believe it is a problem now considering the tough policies the Church’s has in place. The case with the local priest was reported by the diocese immediately to the authorities.
While the school districts do a great job protecting children from abusing teachers, tell that to the parents of the California school district that over looked for years abusing pedophile teachers. This case is just developing.
While even Jesus had one of his own fail him, the church has had many who have failed also.
Sorry Sally, I have a hard time reading your comments about moral authority when you refuse to answer my question about the 300,000 plus abortions in the US during 2009. Tell me exactly what Jesus would say? I am waiting...............
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written by gorillagogo, February 16, 2012 - 08:36 PM
While the school districts do a great job protecting children from abusing teachers, tell that to the parents of the California school district that over looked for years abusing pedophile teachers. This case is just developing.
I tried googling this but can't find anything about a California school district that spent years covering up pedophilia among teachers. Care to elaborate? Links would be much appreciated.
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written by TS, February 17, 2012 - 06:55 AM
here is the link. This story is on CNN and NY Times to name a few. Google on: los angeles school district fires entire staff
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02...-fire.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02...-fire.html
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The Catholic Bishops have enough on their plate without getting into a political fight with the government over Catholic church doctrine concerning use of contraceptives. A doctrine that almost all sexually active Catholic women have ignored for decades.
The bishops continue to take heat over the still festering priest abuse problem. A recent case where a local priest was found to have child pornographic material on his computer indicates this problem has not gone away.
The Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh has projected a huge shortfall of priests over the next five years possibly culminating in the closure of more churches.
A recent Wall St. Journal poll indicated that only 30% of Catholics attend weekly mass.
The Sacrament of Penance (confession) once had long lines on Saturday's at every Catholic church. The lines are long gone and in some instances, confessions are by appointment.
As the writer points out, it is time the bishops do the job they were entrusted to do. More time spent in the pulpit teaching, and less time politicking.