I am a girl and we had a priest in our church that was convicted of that crime. I stopped going to church since that was going on. I know I am not supposed to judge them but it's hard to believe what they say when you know some of them are liars. I have been to other churches and sit there wondering if these priests are liars too. How do I get over this and return to church? (serious answers only please)
2006-08-17 08:17:38 · 26 answers · asked by ChicaLoca 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It's hard to get over a bad priest since he is suppose to represent the Catholic faith. But the fact is that you are going to church for YOUR sake, not his. The bond you have with Jesus shouldn't be broken by the acts of the person standing front of you. Life is full of tests and this is just one of them you may need to put a little more effort into since it is having such an affect on your life and your faith. God bless you.
2006-08-17 08:28:19 · answer #1 · answered by Ray 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm Catholic and was working full time in a parish when this all hit the fan a couple years ago. I feel your pain. I was at a mass with the bishop and almost all the priests from the diocese just a week or two after a big local scandal hit the papers... Bishop told the priests that if they cannot uphold their vows and the duties that have been entrusted to them, they should leave NOW. I wanted to stand up and applaud.
I don't blame you for feeling betrayed and not going to church. Priests are supposed to be trusted and this kind of violation shakes anyone with a sense of morality. When you come down to it, this is like any time someone you respect betrays your trust. You can't just stop trusting all priests because there are some rotten ones. For every rotten one, there are at least 3 who are good priests and (in my opinion) 1 or 2 more who are wonderful priests.
Find yourself a new church where you feel comfortable. Get to know the people and the activities... be kind to yourself and realize that it is perfectly normal to feel like you do. Trust takes a long time to be established. If you feel like it, try getting to know more priests. Find out what kind of people they are cuz when you come right down to it, they are just people with a calling and a special job. And if you can, pray for the good priests, that they might continue to do the job God has given them.
2006-08-17 08:28:13 · answer #2 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Isn't strange to learn that the pious ones are the most evil? Well maybe not so stange, just take a look around, and suddenly the world is a scary place. Would your trust a President that flips the finger on national TV to the entire country, Rattles of 'God Fearing Americans' speeches and has eyes THAT close together? I don't think so Same with the guy in white with the bling. Return to the church? are you a sheep? Do you actually need to follow someone elses doctrine? Get some self respect and make up your OWN mind that you are going to love your brother and neighbours and not condone violence and abuse the way you have been doing in the 'Church'! Be Strong enough to believe in yourself. you will ultimately make better and more peaceful contact with your maker, whoever she is, on your own terms.! Try reading books by Raymond Buckland to show you a more thoughtful and gentle way through life. Good luck with your search and Bright Blessings.
2006-08-17 08:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I was raised a catholic, and I can tell you that there are good and bad priests; just because they say that they are "the word of God" doesn't mean that they are nice people. If you think that the priests are lying, then try to become a better catholic by yourself. Follow the main teaching, regardless of what the priests do, read the bible, go to church and think about Christ. Do all of this to become a better person yourself, it's what religions are supposed to teach us. You will meet truthful priests eventually, and then you can discuss your experience.
2006-08-17 08:32:19 · answer #4 · answered by JRN Prophet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope.
Protestants, didn't stop going to church because their pastors are molesting children, having affairs and taking money...
As Christians, some folks make the mistake of thinking that because God is "on our side" the devil can't "get us." I recommend reading the Book of Job on that account.
Temptation abounds. That's why we pray the Our Father. "lead us NOT into temptation."
You're probably too young to remember days when the parish priest was a member of the family. He had a home to go to and be loved every night. Then came Vatican II.
Suddenly all our "devotions" were not so important. Priests were raised up as "sacramental machines." Baptism, marriage, confirmation, mass. There was nothing for them. No way to nurture themselves.
All that has changed. Priests are now being raised up who have outlets. Friendships. Sports. Retreats where they can be nourished spiritually.
We are such a gimme gimme society. Who nourishes those who nourish us? Pray for our priests. Pray for all our religious.
Pray for yourself. Ask God to help you see clearly. And DO shop around for a Catholic church you are comfortable at. I have one right across the street from me. But our pastor gives homilies on the latest film he's seen. So I travel to one where I get spiritually fed.
HUGS!
2006-08-17 08:27:59 · answer #5 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Priests are only men too. Some are good men, and some are bad men. In the Middle Ages priests bought their positions and had mistresses, but people still went to Church. You should want to go to Church in order to pray, not to see the priest. The one great truth of this world is that every Christian is a hypocrite, but Christ can still use us. Pray for the priests, and then put them aside and focus on who you came to church to see and eat.
God bless.
2006-08-17 14:59:30 · answer #6 · answered by thechivalrous 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going to have to discover, that just becuase a few priests molested children, doesnt mean that they all are. Thats not a very good thing to do... If the priest is convicted, he will be expelled from the church (I hope) and you shouldnt have to worry about about him hurting anymore children.. You should also not worry since you are a strong woman and if one every tried to hurt you, you could tell him to **** off!
And im not Catholic...
2006-08-17 08:24:16 · answer #7 · answered by pentalityism 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ummm.....why would you stop goin to church? The teachings and the ceremony don't change because some were corrupeted. All religionas and all orgnaizations have corrupted members.
Don't avandon the message because of the messenger. They are humans just like all of us, and they have weaknesses and they gave into them. It doesn't mean jesus did the same and that we have to turn our back on him.
If you have doubts about your religion and what happened and judge them, ask a Mormon about Joseph Smith and his 17 wives or the rabis why their religion say everyone else is set to damnation but jews alone or Muslims how come theie religion wants to eliminate every other belief in the name of God.
2006-08-17 08:24:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I stopped long before that. I think I stopped going when I was going to my Catholic high school. Isn't that ironic? I only went during that time because they forced us to, and then I probably have been to church a handful of times since I graduated for special occasions.
2006-08-17 08:23:20 · answer #9 · answered by dmc81076 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not all priests are molesters... however, in my church, the priest that performed my marriage, was later asked to leave due to some charges. and my son made his 1st communion, same church, different priest... he too was asked to leave... my problem with it....is the cover up.. dont put these sick people around kids that they can harm... let them say mass at a prison... just not around kids.... they cant throw a blanket on the problem and think it will go away
2006-08-17 08:27:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋