Interesting thread. I still have faith in God but very little respect for the hierarchy of the church any more which has strayed too far away from its origins, when many of the first early leaders were women. I suppose I only remain a Catholic (a failing one at that) for reasons of social justice.
Nearly all the intelligent Catholic professional women I know who have been inspired by their faith to use it for the good in their working lives, or who feel a sense of vocation, have become disillusioned with the church and have moved way , way beyond it, taking their energy and faith with them. Many have felt that the church simply doesn't know how to relate to them outside of the role of wife and mother, devout widow or nun. (This is a slight exaggeration perhaps but largely true.)
I felt a surge of hope when Pope Francis was elected which has now largely diminished. He is slightly more enlightened than many of his predecessors but ultimately he is an elderly South American man, one who is battling huge opposition to reform within the Vatican. Incidentally, I remember watching news pictures of various papal conclaves over the years and being moved to see the archbishop's walking forward as one, preparing to vote. On the last occasion, I remember feeling profound sadness that women were excluded from this important spiritual process.
Most of the priests I know personally are seriously mysogynistic, sadly even a few good ones who would dispute that they are. They have no idea what it is like to be a woman in the 21st century or the issues they face. I am not convinced many of them care. Half of them seem afraid to look you in the eye. I've been involved with lots of volunteering in various Catholic parishes over the past thirty years and have encountered many priests who are petty tyrants; unprofessional and disorganized ones at that, obsessed with exerting control, in a myriad of petty ways, to the detriment of the parish. They don't seem to have much faith in, or respect for, the laity. And congregation numbers reflect that I think. I think the training and recruitment of priests needs serious reform and of course we need married priests and women priests.
And I am convinced that the hideous scandals of paedophilic priests would not have been so widespread and numerous had women been given more agency within the church; and very little seems to have changed on that score in recent years either.
Sorry for such a depressing post. I have enjoyed reading posts that are more hopeful. LastFiratEverything I would love to learn more about your campaigning organisation.