It takes bravery to be a proud practicing Catholic in 2010.
I say bravery because there is a lot of conflict occurring both in and around the church. Society cannot seem to decide whether our religion is good or bad. Some of this is because of the pre-Vatican II Catholic school upbringing that turned many future hippies away from the church, others are turned off by the violent history, and still more refuse to join a church that cannot "keep up with the times."
Though pedophile priests are nothing new in Roman Catholic history, many victims surfaced in the early 2000's demanding justice. To many this was a shock, and caused a large number of people to leave the church, especially when they found out cardinals had known about these crimes and simply switched the priests to other parishes. :O
In this blog, we're gonna explore more fully what is going on with the church in the present day. For as many stances that the church has taken which are unpopular, there are instances in which they have shown great clarity, good will, and intelligence. For example, Catholicism is one of the only Christian religions in the nation that does not see the study of evolution as a conflict to the belief in God. This may sound like an obvious decision to many people. However, if you think about what the Catholic church has been teaching for 2000 years, it is amazing that they so easily gave up their belief that everything was created in a day. This also shows something else which is very positive. They are learning from their mistakes! I bet Galileo and Copernicus wished they had been more forgiving the first time around....but we're making progress dammit! 8)
While the Catholic Church is sometimes talked about as "The World's Largest Corporation," it is also one of its largest benefactors. Catholic priests, nuns, and parishioners are seen around the world doing good works such as providing medical care for those who cannot afford it, taking steps to reduce poverty, and trying to eliminate hunger. Catholic Charities USA is also moving forward by encouraging people to recycle in order to raise money for impoverished children. I remember watching "The Mission" when I was a teenager and becoming nauseated by the way Catholics treated the natives in the Americas. Luckily the church has let go of their past stance of, "Oh, you're not European and don't want to become part of our religion?...okay you shall die now." The fact that the word of God was abused for the love of power, though not surprising, is still disgusting. However, without excusing this immoral behavior, I think I can explain it.
For a long time, becoming a priest or a nun was not so much of a choice as it was an assignment. In most cases, the first son got the land while daughters were married off to improve the family's wealth and alliances. What were parents to do with the ugly daughter who nobody wanted to marry, the wild child who they needed to control, or the third son for whom there was no inheritance left?
Off to the church with you!
This provided their children with an education, a high position in society, and increased the prestige of their family name. As a result of this, us Catholics have a long list of lunatic popes, sadistic priests, power hungry bishops, and nuns who really got around (if ya know what I mean ;) )
Nowadays, becoming a nun or a priest is a very personal decision in which a person feels called by God to serve the church. The vast majority of those who join convents or seminaries in the present day, do so with good and holy intentions. Yaay Catholics! Another step in the right direction!
There is only one problem. We can't find enough people to join the priesthood or become nuns. Eeeek! There is a major shortage of priests and in order for the Roman Catholic faith to survive another 2000 years we need more leaders. But there are so many young Catholics out there! Why can't we find anyone to fill these positions?
In my opinion there are two main reasons. The first reason being...you guessed it...no sex. Perhaps, more importantly, no romantic love. Whether it is considered to be right or wrong, society drills the idea into our brains from the time we are out of our mother's womb that our self worth and happiness is found with someone else. Biologically we crave sex, and our culture forces its importance on us each day. There would be many more leaders within the church if marriage were allowed. However, I do believe I understand why celibacy is considered necessary in the priesthood and to live as a nun. For one, it is a great sacrifice which helps to show your commitment to the Lord. In scripture, Jesus' apostles left their jobs, their wives, and their children to follow him. In addition, the church did not gain the wealth it has today with priests making babies and leaving half of their assets for their children after their death. Granted, this is purely my opinion, but monetarily speaking, it makes sense. However, Catholics are not the only ones who value celibacy. Buddhist monks also abstain from sex and romance as well.
The second reason the Roman Catholic Church is running out of leaders is women are not able to become priests. (Perhaps, priestess sounds a little too Pagan for them...lolz) There are many women who feel the calling to preach, serve their community, and be at the pulpit. They could become nuns, but in reality, modern day women want a more active role in the church. In my opinion, if the Catholic Church does not grant women the right to become priests, they need to increase the powers of women as nuns in the church. They claim it is because only men were present at the last supper when Jesus presented the gift of the Eucharist. In actuality, I think even the pope can admit we have no idea exactly who was in the room at the time. It was not common for women to share meals with men in that period so it seems that we lose by default. Not fair! I do not mean to discount the role of nuns in the church. It is obvious that they are an essential part of our faith community, but their subservience is something that needs to stop. Women should have equal say in church decisions, and honestly it has taken us waaaay to long to realize this. Frankly, it is a stance that repels many from converting to Catholicism in the first place.
Our stance on abortion and birth control makes us even less popular. I understand both of these positions. However, making abortions illegal doesn't lead to less abortions, it leads to more dangerous back alley abortions which can cause accidental death and disease. This is where I believe the church is making a big mistake. Though they may see it as a religious issue for them, for everyone else it is in fact a state and health issue. There is separation between church and state for a reason. The same goes for issues such as gay marriage. When I put my cash in the basket on Sundays I do not do it to influence politics. I do it so we can help the local homeless, supply soldiers with care packages, and put gas in the popemobile. ;)
This brings us to another big mistake I believe my religion is making today...calling homosexuality a disorder. Forgive me if I do not recall the last time we put a gay man in a mental ward for this "illness." Most people have at least one person in their lives who is openly gay. At my parish we sing, "All Are Welcome" at the beginning of mass. I don't think that stance makes gay couples or their friends feel very welcome. While Catholic leaders maintain this is not something derived out of fear but morality, citing scripture with examples, I have to say I highly disagree. Even if they believe marriage is only for a man and a woman, I do not remember a single phrase in the New Testament told by Jesus which said that homosexuality was wrong. The Book of Leviticus says it is a sin right next to where it says I need to be in a red tent during my period. Therefore, it is not the Catholic stance on gay marriage within their own church which makes me angry as much as it is their intolerance, and yes, fear-based, claim that it is a disorder.
So Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the NEW Catholic guilt. It isn't your guilt revolving around the fact that you did naughty things in the back of Davy's car when you were 15, or that you lied to your grandma last week. It is the guilt that arrives when you say you are Catholic and someone says, "You mean the religion filled with pedophiles, homophobes, and misogynists?"
"Yup that one." :)
So after all this why are me and so many people in this world Catholic? Here it is...
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
This is it. These are our core beliefs. This is what unites us as a faith. For all the bad rep Catholics get, we do a lot of great, good, and powerful deeds. Our religion is beautiful, from the murals on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the inspiration it gives us in times of hardship. Millions of people find love, solace, and comfort in our traditions and our faith. Most importantly, things are changing. Slowly but surely we are getting closer, I think, to what Jesus really wants from us as a people. To treat others the way we would like to be treated, and to love others as he loves us. We cannot let the crimes of a few men destroy us as a faith. We know the truth. We know our beliefs and we stand by them. Even when Catholics disagree, such as with my stance versus the church's on women's role in the church and gay rights, we work within our faith to improve things rather than just leaving. We love our faith so much we try to make things better from within it rather than calling it quits.
So next time you hear someone bashing the Catholic Church you can tell them that all of our parishioners, priests, nuns, popes....they are all just men and women who make mistakes sometimes, but the vast majority do our best to serve God and those we love. We go out of our way to help people we do not even know halfway across the world, and we're doing the best we can. Just like you. :)
So in essence whether the majority of our society thinks I should be or not.
I am proud to be Catholic <3
For more information on the Roman Catholic Church's stance on modern day issues you can visit www.catholic.com orwww.americancatholic.org
For more information on Catholics trying to make changes within the church you can visit
www.catholicsformarriageequality.com
and
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