Happy Easter and various thoughts
Firstly, a happy easter to those who celebrate. I am not overly religious but I do acknowledge the importance of my faith (Catholic) in my life and acknowledge the significance of these days. Easter isn't just about chocolate,lol
But I am saddened when I hear people condeming believers because of the scandals in the Church. I believe faith is a personal relationship you have with your God. What goes on at the highest levels has little to do with how I practice my faith. It would be like me refusing to play tennis with my local group because I disapprove of the way the ITF (International Tennis Federation) conducts itself. Or refusing to follow the cricket because Shane Warne brings the game into disrepute by his carrying ons!
I spent many years in my 20's exploring Catholicism, it's history and it's teachings. I've debated, discussed and been challenged in my thinking. To blindly accept everything isn't good. We must explore and read in order to understand the Church's place in our lives. It isn't going to be for everyone but to castigate and abandon it after reading only the secular press is just close minded.
I've read about people not going to Mass this Easter because of a dislke for Pope Benedict. What a load of hogwash! How sad that their faith is tied into one man and that it has no personal connection for them. Yes, if something is going on they don't like they should make a stand. But is removing themselves from the Church the way to do it? Change never comes by turning our back on things. I gained alot by attending the Easter ceremonies and I didn't think about the Pope once,lol!
I've heard the term "Cafeteria Catholics" as those who pick and choose which parts fo the Church's teaching they support and it is a term meant disparingly. But surely it is smarter to have analysed and evaluated rather than blindly following everything or just walking away.
I'm aware from talking to others that the Church in Australia is, at its grassroots, far more liberal than in the US. I was taught by a group of nuns who 35 years ago were not wearing habits and who challenged our thinking. Tertiary education exposed me to the Jesuits - another liberal, intellectual order. So to those who have had a more conservative approach to Faith, I can understand their actions.
i also want to speak up for the priests, nuns and brothers who have done good and are being tainted by the association of religious who behaved appalingly. Not all of them are bad and I hope we can all remember that. Maybe my years of teaching makes me look at things this way - I saw many male teachers too frightened to comfort a child when they hurt themselves on the playground because the actions of a few labelled all male teachers as 'paedophiles". So I guess I feel the need to defend the good ones,lol!