Maura sent me a link to a Washington Post article on the recent trend in non-monetary compensation for priestly sexual abuse victims.
This is ridiculous.
I’m not saying that priests who sexually abuse children should go without punishment. The preventive programs in place for all people in church ministry are long overdue. The victims of such abuse clearly need healing and deserve help getting it.
But they do not need to exhume a priest who’s been dead for over 45 years because he is buried near their parents. Do they not think God has judged these men according to their deeds (Romans 14:10-12)? Do they not think that their parents in the “hereafter,” knowing about the abuse, would have forgiven their abuser? It’s the Christlike thing to do, and forgiving does not require forgetting. You can’t hold a grudge in heaven.
It drives me crazy when victims demand that the sites where their abuse occurred be sold. How many generations might benefit from that retreat center? How many dioceses are staggering under the debt of these multi million-dollar settlements? How many people have a false and negative image of the Church due to these outrageous demands?
These people need to spend some time in prayerful consideration of their actions and the effect on their brothers and sisters in Christ. Asking the Church to help you heal is one thing. Having a monument erected for yourself is a testament to your own unforgiving pride.
Tags: Articles, Catholicism
I finally upgraded to WordPress 2.1. (It’s not that I think you all are particularly interested, but this way, I’ll remember when I look through my archives going, “When did I update?”)
EDIT: After waiting over a month to update, trying to avoid having to update again for as long as possible, I had to upgrade to 2.1.1. I can’t win.
… but before I get back to work, there are links to share. Ironic Catholic has posted some great stuff I’ve been linked to before, but in particular, I liked “Worship Faux Pas and How to Avoid Them” (the kneeler one actually does bother me!) and “Insta-Prayers For Each Meyers-Briggs Personality Type.” I’m an ISFJ, and that one is totally me.
Tags: Blog-Hopping, Catholicism
Via Happy Catholic
You are a 100% traditional Catholic!
Congratulations! You are more knowlegeable than most modern theologians! You have achieved mastery over the most important doctrines of the Catholic Faith! You should share your incredible understanding with others!
Do You Know Your Baltimore Catechism?
Make Your Own Quiz
Thank you for taking this quiz on the Baltimore Catechism. If you scored high, congratualtions, “go and make disciples of all nations”. If not, go to EWTN, and study some more, then re-take this quiz and see how much you’ve learned!
I’ve only ever glanced at the Baltimore Catechism online, actually. I think of it when I get to talking with Lucille about childhood faith formation. She was shortchanged by only knowing the Baltimore Catechism side of the Church, the “here’s the questions and answers; memorize them and you’re good” side. I pray that she’ll get to really know the Church, and thereby come to love it as much as I do, and more.
Tags: Catholicism
Category: Uncategorized — Lindsay @ 3:52 pm
Personal story time:
When I was in the fourth grade (maybe fifth), I tried on a yellow dress I’d never worn before. My mom wanted to see if it fit. Once I had it on, she looked at me and said, “I think you need a bra.”
I laughed in her face.
When I was in the eleventh grade (I’m sure about this one), Mark asked me out on my first date. I, terribly nervous, went to my mom to ask permission to go.
She laughed in my face.
Clearly, my problem with nervous laughter is hereditary.
Tags: Family
