Is it too early to throw in the towel, as many have already done?

Since the beginning of human history there have always been those church leaders that fell from grace. Roman Catholics are not the first whose ordained clerics found a way to upset their congregations by more than one type of sin. The sins were not always of a sexual nature, but that probably stood as the most severe.

If anyone would search back in church history they would find that perhaps more non-catholic pastors than Catholic priests were culpable of scandalous activity. Some of the most notorious pastors were Jim Bakker where he received and spent church member’s money for his PTL ministry. His ministry built a 2,200 acre resort, Heritage, USA. Unfortunately there was corruption that ended the resort and other scandalous behavior ending with Jim being sent to prison.

Another well-known minister, Jimmy Swaggert, who also teamed up with Jerry Falwell. He was always pronouncing everything bad regarding the Catholic Church. He demoralized the Catholic Church until he was caught at a motel with his pants down in an illicit affair. He no longer stood in judgment of the Catholic Church for anything he felt it was doing wrong. How easy it can become for some of these ministers to treat the Catholic Church and our priests in a way to assist in pulling our parishioners away.

However, it isn’t the manner they have been successful in pulling the Church to their way of thinking, it has been just a small portion of adding to the confusion we all are viewing. What is that vision that attracts so many undecided Catholics to leave? It is a view to the future where a new god is their way to create what they have missed. Remember when Moses went up on the mountain to be with God and received the stone tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments? (Ex 9: 7 - 14). Time with nothing positive occurring can become monotonous. So the Israelites decided we need a ruler who will adhere to our private needs, one of our own making, and one who will do our own bidding. Almost sounds like a lot of the rumbling going on in our own diocese where it may be a time for change, in their view. A golden calf, representing a ruler that is inanimate and will fit our wants.

This is what has happened in our too bored and too strict society within the church. So those who have left are repeating to their friends and throwing their towels to another golden calf. “The church couldn’t control their own ministers, so we will create a new church, and a new god. This will be our new bishop and to him or her will our adherence to obedience be given.”

At a time when the evil forces and their demons are convincing the general populace of the Church to seek a new guidance controlled by something they believe will solve their problems, they are walking a path that will not help them.

When Moses descended the mountain and saw the turmoil of the people, he realized the same words that Jesus spoke many years later; “When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mk.6: 34).

We are the sheep, the flock of Christ, wandering in the wilderness. Some (many in the thousands) are like the one lost sheep. These are the ones who have thrown in the towel and are searching for something they do not understand. Some may find that lonesome entity in their quest for change. But most will not. They will discover that once they pull away from their roots the results will become another blank wall. Without that chief shepherd to guide us, we will start searching again and again. The Catholic Church, as weak as it may be, is the Church Jesus spoke of and Peter and all who sit on the Cathedra are the chief shepherds in their time.

Twice the Father of Jesus spoke so eloquently with these words at Jesus’ baptism; “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Lk. 3: 22). And at the Transfiguration; “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” (Mt. 17: 5).

“And so I say to you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Mt. 16: 18 - 19).

It is rather difficult to believe that this was just an expression without any validity. Nevertheless, this is Catholic theology and is dogmatic in its pronouncement. That covers our sacraments which can only be given through the ordained priesthood. Think twice if these do not hold prevalence to you.

Ralph B. Hathaway