fellow catholics?

[toughCookie]

Hi, I don't want to start any controversial subject, but am just wondering if there are any other catholics on here other than myself...and if so, what do you think about the perverted priests situation? I am horrified that the churchs first respnse was to let them get away with it. so if you want, please post or pm me.
Im just curious about others opinions about this. I guess you don't have to be catholic, but I just don't want to start some religious debate.

[wolflady]

I PMed you
**hugs**
Karen

[Soledad]

I was raised Catholic. I still have a lot of love for the church, but as an atheist/agnostic I cannot pretend anymore.

I talk about the state of the Catholic church with my mother (very devout, but understanding) a lot.

I don't think that anyone could not help but be horrified by the perverted priest situation. Molesting children is completely disgusting and wrong. The Catholic church's attempt to shuffle blame and pay out victims was shameful.

However, as much as I feel those stories needed to be told, I wonder why other denominations have not been highlighted. There have been many cases of Lutheran clergy molesting children, but without the huge furore. I'm wondering if there's a reason for that.

How do you feel about allowing priests to marry? My mother is all for it, and she also predicts the American Catholics will succede from the Vatican on other issues such as birth control. I'm conflicted about allowing priests/nuns to marry, because I think it elevates the level of committment. I guess I'd just hope that people would still opt for celebacy even if it wasn't required, as I think that's a special level of committment.

[NoahsMommy]

Doh! I thought this thread was "Fellow Cat-a-holics".

I'm Christian, not Catholic, but I also think its horrible what has been happening.

God see's all, maybe we can take solace in that.

[Sara luvs her Tinky]

I am not sure about the catholic religion. I have never really known any catholics to ask them their beliefs. What I feel is happening from all of this .... I grew up in a baptist church and now am a member of a penticostal church so I believe in Jesus Christ and his second coming... and well I also believe we are living in the last days and Jesus is soon to return... so now is satan's last chances to turn people away from God and into sin sooooooooooo who better than to have as prey than the priests? I think that pedofilia (sp) is just disgusting but like any sexual perversion I am sure it is hard to break so that is how the divil hit them.... and too that can make anyone who is not involved in any religion turn from it because I am sure no one is going to believe in the goodness of God when his chosen priest are molesting children,,,,,, but that is just my opinion.

[Soledad]

I find that there's a lot of misunderstanding about the Catholic church. Part of my family is Baptist and Pentecostal, and they're always tell the Catholic half that they are not Christians, but idol worshippers. Besides be offensive, it's just so wrong. When I went to grade school I was in a mostly Protestant area and one of the school yard taunts against me was that I was a "Mary worshipper". It struck me as an odd insult, even then. Anyone have similar experiences?

I find NZ has a very anti-Catholic sentiment as well.

[Cookiebaker]

I really don't want to step on anybody's toes, and this is only my humble opinion. I have a very firm faith as a Christian...but it boggles my mind how anybody who is associated with the name "Catholic" can remain so. If that happened in our "religeous group" (for lack of a better term), I would run so far and so fast, my faith would be gone. Here the "Church" is supposed to be a pillar of ties to God, and something so awful as pedophile getting mixed up & HIDDEN...and therefore justified is beyond my comprehension. I so agree with you Sara:

and well I also believe we are living in the last days and Jesus is soon to return...

That very thought is what keeps me going some days! (**again, this is only my $.02...please don't hold it against me**)

[Soledad]

Cookiebaker -

There have been plenty of child molesters of all faiths by members of various clergies. I would hope that people's faith was stronger than running away because of someone else's actions.

[toughCookie]

you can't blame the whole catholic chruch for what just some did. but I do blame them for hiding it, or not punishing them, now they are but now its because they have to. Im still catholic, but it really, really left me with a bad taste about the whole thing. before this, I NEVER would have considered changing. never would have had the thought.I don't know if I will or not, but I don't like the sweep it under the rug attitude. it is horrible and the guilty priests should have been turned away, no longer able to remain priests and should have gone to jail.

there are the same perverts in other religions, but thats right, you sure don't here much about that!

as far as the topic of if priests should be able to marry or not, that will not stop the child molesters. others that are not priests, and that are married, they have done the same thing.

[Cookiebaker]

Originally posted by Soledad
Cookiebaker -

There have been plenty of child molesters of all faiths by members of various clergies. I would hope that people's faith was stronger than running away because of someone else's actions.

Yes I agree, that not one single place is perfect. But when it is *SO* widespread and in every newspaper & all over the news for weeks?? Not just a couple of isolated incidents, but an entire downfall?? Every day a new case was being uncovered. And you would like to closely associate that with your faith in God?? Child abuse is one of THE most horrific and despicable things possible...are you saying that it was OK and that we should still have faith in a system that harbors such? I'm not saying I would lose faith in God...I would definitely lose faith in that church.

[toughCookie]

all I know is I believe in God, and that won't change. as far as church goes, I don't know right now.

[Cookiebaker]

Originally posted by toughCookie
all I know is I believe in God, and that won't change. as far as church goes, I don't know right now.

Toughcookie, I personally think that that is most important. Have faith in God...that's the root of everything in life.

[Soledad]

Ah, I see. That makes more sense.

I think that this is one of the major signs that the Catholic church needs to undergo major change. However, the Catholic church is the oldest church, and I do not see why it should be abandoned entirely.

It is a horrible thing, but we do not know about other denominations. I know the Anglicans and Lutherans have also had problems. Just because the media doesn't pick up on them, doesn't mean they haven't had these issues.

I grew up as a Catholic child. I went to Catholic school, attended mass, was in the choir and was an altar girl. NEVER was I in anyway mistreated.

However, I went to a friend's church for a retreat. It was a "non-denominational Christian" church. And that was the first time in my life (13 years old) that I'd been approached for sex by an adult.

[Aspen and Misty]

I am Christian and atend a Christian school.

In bible class we are learing about the second comeing and I to beleave it is to happen soon and that the anit christ is living now. As for what happned in the catholic church. Its sad, when someone does things like this. The real thing to look at though is the children invlolved. Can you even imagine.....

Ash

[Soledad]

I just thought about another point, which is that while there are perverts in every denomination (like the so-called non-denominational one I went to for a weekend), that the Catholic cases are of media interest/public interest because the Catholic church is the only one with such a huge structure in place. I would be interested in seeing the statistics for sexual abuse in other denominations, because I'm certain there are many who would like to concentrate on the Catholics because of their own skeletons in the closet.