To God alone will I offer my credence!

To God alone will I offer my credence!

A follow-up to “I stopped going to church”!

How depressing to see so many Catholics leaving the church, especially those who have been solid members for years.  As they relate their reasons it is obvious what causes their retreat from church attendance has been the scandals of recent years.  The most powerful attitude they stand for is anger directed to the hierarchy of the church.  From the pope down to the priests of each parish their significant verbal assault does not discuss the chance for any defense.

Listen to any of those who are on the lines of attack and try to understand their solemn stand on removing top bishops, cardinals, and even the holy Father who in their opinion have done nothing to quell this adversity.  However, there is one aspect that needs to be immersed in this battle; credence towards the personhood of Christ who went to Calvary for our sins, regardless of the severity of their affront on Catholicism.

The realization that this theme appears over and over in print or preached from pulpits siding with the victims as it should, but also as a reminder of the mercy of God.  Is it possible to research the pain of departure from God at the beginning of human history?  

A prosecutor will dig deeply into the past of a defendant to see what type of person this has been who is on trial for one or more attacks on other people or destruction of personal property.  Once the attorney has dug up enough dirt he begins his attack.  That same scenario exists for the persons in the pew to bring down those in the level of holy orders.

This attack leaves no room for defense and the sooner removal from the church is completed the happier these attackers will become feeling they have saved the Catholic Church from spiritual destruction.  However, they must read the CCC 1829.  “The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and mercy; charity fosters beneficence  and fraternal correction; it is benevolence; it fosters reciprocity and remains disinterested and generous; it is friendship and communion:”  

“Love is itself the fulfillment of all our works.  This is the goal; that is why we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest.”

Now we all are hurt by this type of seduction upon these young defenseless children and can agree the law must be the final judge.  The role each of us must take is to remind ourselves of all sin no matter how atrocious it may be. Jesus did not die in degrees of forgiveness, he lifted up his spirit for all sinners, you and me.

Ralph B. Hathaway

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