No Photos

Here's a first.  A post with no photos.

What photo could you possible choose when you are writing about the deep heartbreak of the crisis in the Catholic Church?

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you know that I cherish my faith in Christ and my faith that has flourished through the Catholic Church.

I don't write about politics and I don't often comment about world tragedies here.  Not because I don't have thoughts, feelings, and concerns about them, but I think enough is said publicly and I don't believe I would have anything to add (publicly) that would help.

But to be silent on this subject of the defilement of the sacrament of Holy Orders in the Catholic Church I think would add to the pain and suffering of the victims and the Church.

So what do I have to say?

I've been asking myself that now for days.

To even speak of the crimes against the Church and the youth would not do it justice. 

The words fail.

This is what has come to me.

Please do not confuse the simplicity of the use of this idiom with the seriousness of the situation.

"Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater."

This can be looked at two ways.  Two very important ways.

For some, they are going to want to turn away from their Catholic faith in the wake of this crisis. 

Please don't.

But, for some, they are going to be afraid of losing their Catholic faith that they hold so dear and close to their hearts if truth is spoken.  They are afraid that if they throw out the bathwater, they will lose the baby.

Please don't be afraid.

You don't need to protect the Catholic Church.  That is God's job.  Not yours.  You may need to step up and defend your faith at times in your life.  But that means defending your faith in God and maybe your faith through the Catholic Church, but you do not need to protect your Church with any kind of concealment.

If you don't throw out the bathwater, the baby will not come clean.

So I pray.  

I've been praying that the blood of Christ will wash the Catholic Faith clean again.  

I pray for the victims.

I pray for our priests.  

I pray for courage for those who need to come forward yet.

I pray for guidance for those involved in the process.

When the tragedy of 9-11 happened, I was scheduled the next day to meet with my spiritual director, a Priest (a good and Holy Priest).  I was going to cancel because of what had happened.  It didn't seem like I should be carrying on like everything was okay.  He told me that he thought we should continue on as planned. In the face of evil, we do what God has asked us to do.  Over the years after that, I've come to live that advice.  When there are world problems and tragedies that seem too big for my comprehension, I try to do my life the best I can.  So in the next weeks, I will be back to posting here, doing my life. 

And, it will all be wrapped in prayer.

The last thing:

We may not all share the Catholic faith, but in Christian charity, I ask for your prayers too.