The Church got a little purer and smaller today.

[rpannier]

The new pope just took one small step toward his goal of having a more purer Church today. I have decided that I will not attend Catholic Services any more. I have been a Catholic all of my life. Even when I strongly disagreed with what the Church said, I was always able to find places I agreed with the Church and my personal relationships with many in the Church kept me an active member. Examples: When my mother contracted cancer, Sister Diane Marie put my mother's name up on the prayer wall at the Convent and the Sisters included her in their prayers and at mass everyday. While I don't think they were responsible for my mother recovering, I have always appreciated the gesture (especially since they never asked for any money).
When I was faced with a major crisis, Father Andy and Father Ian were there to listen and offer advice on how to deal with the situation, their help was invaluable.
I live in Korea now and have for sometime. I was pleasantly surprised when all the Priests, Bishops and Cardinals in the Archdioceses of Seoul, Incheon, Daegu and Busan agreed to give up half their salaries and give that money to people who were unemployed or employed, but in serious need of help. They did this to no fanfare, they did not make a major announcement. They just did it and it became known to people through third parties.
This is the Church that I loved. One that cared about people.
I was a strong critic of the Church when I felt it was wrong -- The sex abuse scandal being the most obvious.
With this Pope, I see all of the things I did not like about the Church with none of the things I did like. Rome wants my money, but then tells me to shut-up and go sit in the corner, because I have no say, unless I am parroting their line. I am a bother. They want to be smaller and purer. Today they took their first step. They got one parishoner smaller and I guess purer.

[More Than A Feeling]

1. What a sad testimony

Has the flavor of longing reminiscent of the immediate aftermath of Nov 2nd. Tough to lose a country, hard to lose a church.

Cherish the good memories, let the bad ones fade away.

[seabeyond]

2. i am sorry to hear this

i have been harsh on catholics and the choice of the church today. but i have listened to my friends for years talk about their love of their church. i know how the church is in the heart. and i am sorry to hear. have you thought about talking to you priest. letting him know what his has done to you. my problem i am really having is

you are having a religious crisis, not a spiritual crisis,. you faith is still strong. it is just in the religion. isnt that what their job is ultimately to help you in this crisis. dont they want people that love this religion to come to them, talk to them,

or is it this is what we believe, you believe or go

anyway, thank you for sharing

[JohnnyRingo]

3. I don't think your faith should be bonded by masonary and fresco

It comes from your heart, and is evident only to yourself.
That's why it counts.

Sitting in the front pew doesn't make one a better person.

[carnie_sf]

4. You can believe in the message of Jesus

and not be enamored of the people who purport to speak for him. I, myself am in precisely that position. It seems that the people who value tradition over spirituality have taken over the church. So be it. My God is way too big to be confined to a building or buildings anyway.