In light of a recent article I read, regarding the Dutch Roman Catholic Church, I decided to make a few comments in response. The article was in regards to castration of boys who were homosexual back in the 1950's. This is a horrific story of faith practice gone wrong.
Why stay Catholic in a time when there seems to be so many strikes against the Catholic Church? As a Catholic, I understand the priest is not immune to sin. In situations where this occurs we are to pray for them that they may see the error in their ways while also seeking justice. Good thing we worship God and pray for His people, lay and ordained. We pray with the followers for the community as a whole. My favorite quote is "the church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints."
There are many scars on the body of Christ. We do not deny that they exist but in our humanness, we often try to paint over the ugliness, putting on a facade, a happy face, hoping that the scar will not show and ultimately defame the good that comes from faith. Unfortunately, the paint starts to crack and the old crud underneath is revealed and we are forced to face the ugliness again.
I choose to stand through the trials, I choose to stay the course. There are trials and treachery in all of life. We will encounter great betrayal from friends, family and yes, even our church. The Lord knows that the ship he's steering will not always be a shiny prism of light as where there is great goodness, there can also be grave tragedy. Just as the day turns to night.
So as a mathematician sees the truth in the equation, I see the truth in the Church and the teachings. So as a crooked businessman may use his truth in numbers to swindle his clients out of money or to cover up a mistake of a collegue, so may a priest or other religious use true biblical teachings for personal gain or for reason to inflict harm on another person. The action of a person does not disprove the truth at the root of it all.
We all have equal responsibility to take the truth and use it for good but some choose to breach their responsibility and for that they are wrong, no doubt. I feel terrible for the victims of this exercise that took place in the name of right teaching. However, it doesn't make me want to renounce my faith in Christ's church, it makes me want to understand my faith more in that I may help lead others in the right direction and help guide those who may be misguided.
