- Spoke out about poverty & hunger in this country and this nation turned it's attention (though not enough) to dealing with the issues and the government at the behest of the people created programs that had good intentions but were never properly funded.
- Spoke out in favor of civil rights and thus gave members of Congress the courage and cover to pass the Voting Rights act and other civil rights legislation.
- Spoke out and called for the end of US involvement in Vietnam and our leaders found a way out.
There was a time when the Catholic Conference of Bishops mattered, they made a difference for justice and peace. When the Bishop's spoke the nation listened.
And, then we learned the awful secret they were hiding.
And, now when the Bishop's speak many of us just think that they have no moral authority, they are hypocrites and who are they to tell anyone how to lead his or her life let alone how this nation's government should function when they are so guilty of such egregious immorality.
We learned this week that New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan, arguably the most important Cardinal in the US, with the support of the Vatican hid $57 Million so the children his Priests damaged could not access the money in their court settlements.
Cardinal Dolan chose to love money more than his flock.
What would Jesus think of what Cardinal Dolan has done?
Will Cardinal Dolan get into heaven?
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/02/us/dolan-sought-vatican-permission-to-shield-assets.html?smid=pl-share
For the record
I was raised in the United Church of Christ and still very much ascribe to it's Statement of Faith. I consider myself a Christian with Humanist influences. I do not believe in Hell - I find it hard to believe that a G-d who would create us in "his" image would then relegate his creation to such an awful place.
Is there a heaven? I can not say. But, Bishop Dolan is going to be pretty shocked when he sees Muslims, Buddhists, Quakers, Troy Perry (founder of the MCC) and just really good people there.
My mother was raised sort of Catholic and my father raised Baptist - When they started to have children they wanted raise them in a church that did not say no to everything so of course they chose the United Church of Christ.
"...they have no moral authority, they are hypocrites and who are they to tell anyone how to lead his or her life let alone how this nation's government should function when they are so guilty of such egregious immorality."
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree with you more. But...
Some Catholics (like me) remain as a self-identified "practicing Catholic" because in our lives, we have seen enough good in other people of the Church, like Sr. Simone Campbell. We are horrified at the shame these leaders have brought on our Communion, but also to thousands of people.
This is not the first time leaders of the Roman Catholic Church have done evil things. Perhaps another Counter-Reformation-like time is in order?
Thanks for commenting - Not being a member of the Mother Church I am hesitant to be critical but when something like this happens I can barely contain my anger. People of great faith give of their hard earned wages to the church they believe in - with the hopes and faith that the leaders are going to use it for good works. True reform can only happen if women are not allowed to be part of the process.
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