Laura's Corner

Our Father, Hail Mary.  Forever and ever, Amen.  Although there may be a bit missing in between, you get the picture.  As a previous member of the Catholic Church, my family was raised in the faith.  Although I believe it is positive to give your children direction regarding faith, most families did not question the doctrine of this particular church.  It was a family tradition, passed down from generation to generation. 

Attending Catholic School was considered a “benefit”.  Church followed every Sunday.  Those who have left this particular denomination will usually have the same response regarding their decision.  It is too monotonous; those who attend do not open their bibles and tend look up to their priests as a sort of God.  Ask any man or woman who has remained regarding their thoughts on the Pope, Mary the Mother of Jesus or the Saints.  All are thought to be as a sacred cow of sorts.    One is required to attend confession on a regular basis.  This practice demands that one kneel on the other side of a priest and confess all sins since your last visit.  It is stated that anything confessed to a man of God can be held in confidence, regardless of severity. 

We were graced with the presence of Archbishop Weakland as youngsters.  I recall being chosen as one who was allowed to ask questions.  I do not believe I came up with anything significant, yet I remember the reverence given to this man of the cloth.  Little did we know that he was just a man who struggled like anyone else.  I wonder who he sat across from regarding his confessional. 

Although much has been admitted within the Church regarding the behaviors of priests and nuns, most older Catholics continue to attend this particular denomination.   To delve a little deeper into this particular religion, allow me to bring a few things to light.  When one chooses to become a priest or a nun, they take a vow of celibacy.  This means that your body belongs to God and that it is used solely for His purpose.  You shall spend the remainder of your days serving Him as well.

Because most within this faith do not open their bibles, we cannot fault the fact that they do not know the true words of God, correct?  I wonder, where in the bible does it state that you have to refrain from marriage or intimacy in order to serve God.  I believe one particular book covers the fact that “if man cannot control his physical desires, then he must marry”. 

If the Catholic Church followed the doctrine of their bible, they may have actually avoided the most heinous of crimes, the sexual abuse of children.  Because they chose to instill this “man-made law” the priests and nuns now accused of these crimes are protected within the walls of their own sanctuaries.  Very few have faced prosecution.  Worse yet, most of these crimes were reported only to have the accused moved to yet another congregation to prey upon a new “flock”. 

In lieu of this information, many within this religion have chosen not only to stay, but to support their churches as well via their weekly donations.  Sorry to say folks, but your donations are now going to pay for the crimes of your Elders.  Your hard earned money is going to reimburse your former classmates, children, and the children of your friends whom have been victimized as well.  Why not just give the money to Daniel Acker? After all, he committed the same crimes as your beloved.  You could alleviate us hard working taxpayers of the financial burden which he has caused.   

Although this blog may seem harsh, isn’t it time we face the cold hard truth that so many seem to sweep under the rug.   If you attend a church which has allowed and supported the victimization of children, why not find a new denomination?  After all, like they say, there is a church on almost every corner.