What people here who demand Catholics leave their church don't understand.

[bklyncowgirl]

119. I left the Catholic Church some thirty years ago.

Thank you for saying this so eloquently. I've been reading some of these anti-Catholic posts and becoming increasingly upset and angry.

I consider myself an 'estranged' Catholic.

I got a good education in Catholic schools. They taught me to reason and to question everything. This was after Vatican II but before the pall of orthodoxy settled heavily over the church. Some of the ability to reason and think for myself and the strong ethical sense the nuns and priests instilled made me see that the high officials in the church were doing things that were the opposite of the Christianity I had been taught. Eventually, after disappointing decision after disappointing decision by the Catholic heirarchy, I decided that I could no longer be a part of this church. The straw which broke the camel's back was the decision that Catholic missions and hospitals in Africa would not distribute condoms to prevent the spread of AIDs.

It was not an easy decision for me, but the important thing is that it was MY decision. I have met many good people, over the years, nuns, priests and laypeople who are good Catholics and moreover good human beings. These people, not the Popes and Cardinals are the Church.the I would never, ever, consider criticising anyone who chose to remain in the church.

My mother was a religious woman who went to mass every Sunday and every holy day of obligation, played an active role in the church. The child molesting scandals deeply saddened her but still, she held to her beliefs. I know that if she were here today she would be excited and hopeful at the sight of this new Pope.

I've been following these threads with a mix of fascination, disgust and finally anger. You see, folks, when you go on and on about Catholics being dupes and fools, you're talking about my mother, and that, my friends is very, very personal.