As most of you know, the Pope visited the United States last April. This was mostly a public relations event aimed at mending fences with American Catholics who have become disillusioned due to the recent priest sex abuse scandals. These scandals have caused considerable damage to the image and credibility of the Church and, as such, the Pope made it a priority to visit his flock in the States. To his credit, he offered a public apology regarding the indiscretions and, as I understand it, he met with a few of the victims. From what I can see though, the Church is not getting at the root of the problem; namely, clinging to customs from a bygone era. For example, not allowing priests to wed and maintain normal sexual relations with a member of the opposite sex. Now before you say "heresy" please hear me out.
I never did understand how someone who is single and theoretically celibate could offer advice to a couple regarding marriage and sex. Yet, this is commonplace in the Catholic Church. I don't know how you can offer practical advice in delicate subjects like this with only an academic knowledge. It's kind of like driving an automobile; you can read all the books you want on the subject, but unless you actually get behind the wheel and experience the physical sensation yourself, you have no idea what you are talking about.
I also believe the Church is behind the times in terms of birth control and divorce, which does a disservice not only to their congregation but the world at large. Most of the Catholics I know I refer to as "Cafeteria Catholics" where they pick and choose what rulings they want to follow. For example, regardless of Church doctrine, many practice birth control. They are all good and respectable Catholics in most regards, but they draw the line on the Church telling them they should have a house full of kids. Divorce is another area Catholics are not afraid to violate the Church's position on. Not only do I know Catholic friends who have been divorced, but how about Ted Kennedy who got a much publicized divorce in 1982? Or was that an annulment? Nope, a divorce.
In other words, the Catholic Church is another institution that is not changing with the times and the recent sexual abuse scandals are a byproduct of this. When you think about it, they're clinging to ancient customs is essentially no different than the attitudes of Muslim hard-liners of whom we sharply criticize.
I don't believe Catholics have a problem with the fundamental dogma of the Church, they just want it to be more contemporary to the way we live in the 21st century. Regardless of what the Church says, Catholics will continue to practice birth control and seek divorce. They just don't want to be excommunicated for it or made to feel ashamed. They also want to believe in and respect those that lead and govern the Church, that they understand the parishioner's problems and can help them in times of personal crisis. Academics may be fine for some things, but not for the trying times we currently live in.
Such is my Pet Peeve of the Week.
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Tim Bryce is the Managing Director of M. Bryce & Associates (MBA) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com
For a listing of Tim's Pet Peeves, click HERE.
Copyright © 2008 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.
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Comments: 2
As for the Cafeteria Catholics, a lot of this has to do with the horrid method of educating the faithful in the faith. The average Catholic in the United States is an "Ashes and Palms" Catholic; they typically come twice a year on Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. A few more add Christmas. A large bulk of "Catholics" are Confirmation Mom Catholics, attending Church only becuase they want their kids to get baptism, first communion, and eventually confirmation. Often they don't even bother showing up inbetween.
This isn't to say that there isn't ways in which the traditional church could look at some areas with a more open attitude. But dialogue is rarely possible when people are simply too bored to even begin to talk, never mind listen.
Those same Cafeteria Catholics who are liberal on the Church's position on birth control? They are the ones driving 75 MPG on the posted 55 MPH interstate. They are cafeteria in more ways than religious apparently.