I feel as though the faith of my youth has turned it's back on me. It used to give me such peace and comfort but now I see it as becoming increasingly irrelavant. Was I naive? Probably. I view the Catholic Church'Community to be unempathetic judgemental and intolerant towards anyone having differing opinions or beliefs and to me that is unacceptable. I witness backward movement, unresponsiveness, and unconcerned exclusiveness.
What happened to the changes that were deemed important from Vatican II? I thought it was important to allow for greater freedom and encourage growth and community involvement? A friend's parent said to me in explaining her reason for leaving the Catholic Church,"I wanted more." Another coworker commented," I don't know how a woman can be a member of the Catholic Church."
These are the issues that disturb me:
Abortion I do not feel it is a good option but I believe there are some situations such as in the case of rape, incest, medical complications when this might be the best option. I can't imagine myself being in this situation and being asked to carry the baby to term. It could be more than the person could bear mentally,emotionally,and perhaps physically. It disturbs me that those who have had an abortion may be attending Mass only to have the priest chastise them and label abortion 'murder.' I believe these women must be suffering enough without hearing how sinful this behavior is. If the woman has made her peace with Jesus(God) then I say- back off.
Sr McBride I think the bishop should have met with her privately and the issue could have been taken care of. Sr. McBride is a holy educated woman who felt she was doing her job by sitting on the hospital ethics board. Could she have foreseen the situation she was to be faced with perhaps she would have refused to join. When faced with the issue she chose what she felt was the best option with the information she was provided. I think it was hurtful and over reaching for the bishop to excommunicate her. I am sure she has the ability to review her actions and make peace with Jesus(God) so the bishop should have butted out.
St Joseph's Medical Center: Unless the bishops are going into the business of examining the medical procedures (past and present) of all medical care facilities affiliated with the Catholic Church bishop olmstead should mind his own business. St. Joseph's provides quality medical care and they created an ethics board to deal with controversial cases. The decisions made should be private (HIPPA protected) and this bishop should not be involving himself in these matters.
Discontinuation of Female Alter Servers: I can only imagine the response of those young boys who were victims of sexual abuse by priests (who were protected by bishops). What an addition of insult to injury! It gives the appearance that the concerns of these victims will be ignored and lesson being- expect more of the same behavior from Catholic priests/bishops.
Mass Changes: Again the point of Vatican II was to make the Catholic Church more inclusive and to involve the community and decrease micromanagement. The congregants wanted to get more out of the mass-greater understanding and participate in a more meaningful manner. The retro changes only serve to advertise loud and clear that the celebrant (priest of bishop) is to be the focus of the Mass. I abhor watching bishop olmstead go through the pomp and circumstance of removing his headpiece. The celebrant should strive to be at one with their congregation. It's not about the celebrant (priest or bishop) but about Jesus(God) and Their Teachings. It also galls me that the male hierarchy feel no responsibility to answer to their community and if they do chose to answer they expect their answer to sufficient as in -the discussion is closed.
Rewriting History to Suit their Needs:Why have those(males) in power been allowed to destroy historical documents, cover them up, ignore, and disallow equal female involvement in decision making and leadership?
So I find myself at a cross roads. I grew up Catholic but I don't like what I see and experience here.
Considerations:
Is there another church that will meet my needs?
Is the Catholic Church heading in the right direction? Will the Catholic Church continue to lose members and relavancy in America?
Does the Catholic Church Heirarchy even consider any these issues and do they have any intention of addressing them( and should I stop caring) ?
Will the majority (Cafeteria Catholics) continue - ignoring the dictates they don't agree with and accept their ever increasingly distant and more miniscule role in church matters?
If you have any constructive information to share I would appreciate it.
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