Jinx 2 said:
As I understand it from Catholic friends, there's a wide spectrum in the Catholic church re: issues such as contraception and even in allowing people to oppose abortion as a personal choice while not believing they should attempt to impose that believe on everyone in our society.
I've been wondering if there would be a schism, and I thought the pedophilia scandal might bring it about.
The only spectrum is within the people. The Church is VERY clear on all these teachings. Lay people and (Sadly) some priest and bishop, have false beliefs about this. I pray everyday (literally) that they quit spreading false teachings and heresy.
There will be no schism in the Church. If one doesn't like the precepts of the faith, they should not belong.
Jinx 2 said:
What appears to have happened instead is that lots of people, particularly young people, have left the church and that formerly Catholic nations like Ireland, after being exposed to atrocities like orphanages where children were so badly cared for many didn't survive and were buried in mass graves (so much for "pro-life"--since those children were illegitmate, they and their mothers were considered unworthy of decent care and became fodder for physical and sexual abuse) and the pedophilia scandal, that there has been a decline of more than 80% of participation in the Catholic church.
Places like Ireland were "culturally" Catholic. Many of those that have left the Church were, like me, poorly catechized, Post-Vatican II individuals. They were never properly taught what the Church teaches. If you ask many of them, they feel lost now because they no longer "follow" the Church, but they don't know who to "follow".
I agree with former Pope Benedict XVI when he stated that "the Church will get smaller" before it grows again. I wish that the lay members would understand what the Church truly believes. Until then, I hope that we grow with the faithful who authentically live out what the Church teaches.
Jinx 2 said:
I'm branded as a hypocrit by some Catholics on this site because I advocate for lots of policies I consider "proliving," including allowing women to choose for themselves what to do if they become pregnant because I do not believe either a church or a government should make such a momentous decision for anyone.
You find the abuse of children despicable, but you are OK with the murder and dismemberment of them? Interesting.
Jinx 2 said:
Your church, IMO, is too easy on its leaders and too harsh on everyone else. Including people who aren't members, but whose lives you want to govern with your beliefs.
The Church HAD been to easy on it's leaders. That was back when doctors and scientist were telling the Church that they could rehabilitate these men. This was sadly when law enforcement didn't do the job that they should have done. That was when bad bishops did cover up rather than removed.
Today, the Church as a Zero-tolerance policy towards the abuse of anyone.
I am the first to admit that I'm embarrassed and angered by the abuse and cover up. I want those the clergy and lay people who either committed and/or covered it up removed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
While I'm frustrated by all of this, I'm not going to leave the Church.
You don't leave Jesus because of Judas.