I have a question and a problem, and of course it is related to clergy sex abuse and the wider Church. I think that there is a pretty strong connection with the lack of belief of Church teaching in the laity and clergy and the Sexual abuse scandal. Here is what I mean. If you go to church and you sit in the pew but do not believe in the true presence in the blessed sacrament, you have no belief in the Church’s teaching on reconciliation and you do not believe that abortion and euthanasia are wrong even though the Church teaches that they are wrong then I must ask why is it you consider yourself Catholic and why it is that you bother to come to mass? The same can be said about some clergy. If you do not believe in God why are you wasting your time pretending that you do.  If you do not believe in Church teaching, especially about moral issues, then why are you still here?  I know a Jewish woman who only considers herself a cultural Jew. She even says she is atheist.

I do not get it?  And please spare me the argument people need to stay in the Church for conversion. That is a straw-man argument. Staying in the Church, even though you know the Church’s teachings but do not believe them, just wastes your time and mine. Being obstinate in your sin does not help your soul AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT, THE SALVATION OF SOULS!

It is ironic that St. Paul, St. Augustin, St. Francis and St. Ignatius did not have the church per se have the Church but did have an intimate encounter with God.  The great thing about doors on the Church is that you can not only exit, (and some should), but you can also enter.  What a concept!

Now what about these errant priests? I will be the first to admit that I know and believe what the Church teaches in scripture and in the deposit of faith but often fail to live it,  that is sin, (and that is why we have reconciliation).  But molesting a child or living a double life is not only anathema but also obstinate in its choice.

Why does all hell break out when you make the suggestion that some people leave the Church?  If you are not in the pew, you cannot give any money.  Ohhhh, is that the answer? Where does the salvation of souls fit in?  Obstinate sin and unworthy reception of the Eucharist will damn your soul. (That is not me speaking but the Church speaking.)

So, what are we to do? There has been much too much silence on what the Church actually teaches. Theologians, bishops, priests and others have embraced a watered-down version of theology or even a theology that forsakes the truth for feelings and in the process creates a God that would be unrecognizable to the apostles. Truth does not change…ever.

And yet there are many people in the Church, or say they are in the Church even though they are not, who do not want to teach the hard truths. Heaven forbid we do not feel good about ourselves all the time and no matter what. Heaven forbid we teach about the difference between venial and mortal sin. Heaven forbid we ever say that there are some people in hell because of the wicked or luke warm lives that they have led.

Where are our HERO’S? Where are our saints? If you bring up this subject you are labeled a trouble maker and you are possibly canceled, (Fr. Altman was). The Church has never taught that faith comes piecemeal. So I’m begging…if you do not believe in something that is in the Church’s scripture or tradition then please get out, you can always come back when you do believe.