Reply #101: I do understand. That social justice part of it all was ingrained in [View All]

[JerseygirlCT]

me throughout Catholic school (1st through 12th). That was also the part that was always most alive, most meaningful.

I moved away in my young adulthood as the treatment of women in the church become too obvious for me to ignore anymore. And after I had my first child, I knew I couldn't raise him to think it was in any way ok. But I really missed having a church home.

I literally wandered into an Episcopal church about that time. Found warm people, nearly the same liturgy, and none of the hatred of women. (In fact, our two rectors since I joined have been women - and one of the interims as well) Lots of the social justice stuff, and beyond that, politics is left outside. I share the pews with conservatives and liberals and all sorts in-between. It's been a nurturing place for me and my kids. I don't know that they'll stick with it as they grow into adulthood, but I'll feel as if I've given them what I can of a grounding there - then they'll do with it what they can.

My parents and the rest of my family are still nominally Catholic, but only my Mom is very serious about it, I think. She spends most of her time now at their food pantry - it's become nearly obsessive (in a good way). So many in need - and she's the kind who wants to help them all. She represents to me the very best of the RCC. Too bad it's not run by women like her!