The headlines are screaming about how our Pope knew about the abuse of the deaf children in Milwaukee. The New York Times gets it wrong; Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI) was not in any position to give that priest a “pass”. The American Spectator has more, as does Jimmy Akin.
But that’s not what this post is about.
This post is about how some of my friends are hurting over this. How can people calling themselves men of God hurt little ones so? Does this mean they are not men of God? How can this happen in our family, how can our Mother Church allow her children to do this to each other?
The Anchoress answers:
I remain within, and love, the Catholic church because it is a church that has lived and wrestled within the mystery of the shadow-lands ever since an innocent man was arrested, sentenced and crucified, while the keeper of “the keys” denied him, and his first priests ran away. Through 2000 imperfect — sometimes glorious, sometimes heinous — years, the church has contemplated and manifested the truth that dark and light, innocence and guilt, justice and injustice all share a kinship, one that waves back-and-forth, like wind-stirred wheat in a field, churning toward something — as yet — unknowable.
Our Church’s founder is divine, but we are witnessing her humanity. And people are sinners.
St. Peter holds my answer. Peter, who beheld the very face of Christ and was not faithful. Peter who said no to God when tested in the crucible of the most important event in the salvation history of mankind. Peter, who was constant even as others are deserting, unable to believe.
“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ”You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” John 6:66-68
I am a Catholic not because the Pope is a good person, not because I like the people, not because it’s easy or I like the music or because my mother was. I am not a Catholic because I need something to do on Sunday mornings or because I think rosaries are nice or because Mother Teresa is inspirational.
I am, and remain a Catholic because I believe He has the words of eternal life. To whom would I go? He is the Son of God. And I believe that He established a visible church, a city on a hill whose light cannot be hid, a Church who continues the mission of the Apostles and inherits their authority.
Please don’t miss Jen’s post on this. Safe Miracles
Related: please read The Anchoress’s thoughts on excommunicating oneself for the sins of others, too. Don’t forget Part 2.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think this is a great post. I don’t have any particular love for the Catholic church but I think you make a great point that what is done by some doesn’t change your faith and that is a powerful statement.
I read in Fr. Longenecker’s blog “Standing on my Head” a post that proposed that the faithful generally have three aspects of themselves by which they are attracted to God. (This is a great oversimplification and Fr. Longenecker said as much, btw.) These are the head or mind, the heart or soul, and the body or action. Those whose spirituality is most focused in their heads are most interested in study and contemplation. Those most focused in their hearts are most interested in devotions and adoration. Those most focused in their bodies are most interested in service. These three areas are good to keep in mind when evangelizing; in conversion stories I’ve read, any of the three can be used by the Holy Spirit to lead a person to the Church.
I find that I am Catholic originally for “head reasons.” I like catechesis and apologetics. I love reading and writing about the faith so strongly I sometimes describe it as a calling. But I also find that being fully Catholic, God has also captured me with heart reasons. I’ve been seduced by the sacraments. I could never leave them now, no matter what my head said. Or what a priest or bishop does.
In stories of abuses, I find comfort in head-responses—for example, explaining the sociological and theological reasons behind sin, or defending the innocent (such as the Holy Father) from libelous accusations. But I also find comfort in knowing the sacraments will always be there, no matter how much pain I am in personally or corporately (i.e. as part of the suffering Body of Christ).
I think for those who are hurting and looking for answers, they can be found in prayer. My favorite prayer of all of them is found in the Mass after the consecration, when the priest exhorts Christ to “protect us from all anxiety.” Pray for peace, rather than your own hopes and desires, and you will surely receive it. It could be through your head, your heart, or your service; it might not appear in the form you expect; but God will surely grant this prayer.
Does the fact that the church stands behind these preists and protects them ever test your faith in Catholicism? Does it ever frustrate you?
It is appalling when the bishops and people overseeing these priests just move them along. I don’t know if it’s denial or WHAT their problem is. But I guess I can separate the people from my faith. A bad bishop – that’s not my faith. A priest engaged in evil, heinous acts can’t change that my belief that the CHURCH is true. Those men are members of the church, but they are NOT the church. A bad priest doesn’t change the fact that Christ is the son of God, or the fact that we are created by God.
Yes, it is frustrating and I’m glad things are coming to light. It’s beyond time we swept out the filth, calling them to repentance and protecting others.