Can we have a positive thread about Catholicism?

[PadgettsDream]

There is currently a thread running where there is a lot of criticism of the Catholic Church which is in many cases fair enough and it needs to be discussed but that thread in my opinion often strays into outright anti-Catholic sentiment and even bigotry against Catholics and Catholicism in general.

So I wonder if anyone would like a space to talk about the positives of the Church? I myself was raised Catholic, went to a convent School and it was wonderful really. I did not have any bad experiences and the Church has always been a source of strength and comfort for me. It doesn't dominate my life, I'm not brainwashed by it but its been an important foundation for me and I am thankful for it. In my own family history the Church stepped in and helped when nobody else would.

Any other positive stories?

Oh cop into yourself Trufflepig she did no such thing.

But people don't make a personal commitment to honour these events. Their horrors are a h

Sadly it appears that Catholics are not allowed to have a positive thread about our faith even when there is a current thread running where anything goes as far as anti-Catholic bigotry goes. I knew the UK had an issue with prejudice against Catholics but It has been eye opening to say the least and I'm surprised that it is so bitter and hateful towards us. I am almost sorry I started this thread only to make Catholics a target yet again. People seem to love a chance to kick and bully others sadly just for being part of a particular group, that is bigotry.

@Jackandjillswell

"By the same token no-one is choosing to ignore The Holocaust, The Albigensian Crusade, The Armenian Genocide, The Katyn Forest Massacre. William the Conqueror's Harrowing of the North."
This is my point. Instead of quoting ancient historical events which no one chooses to worship on a weekly basis as far I know, I'd really like a Catholic worshipper to explain how they can reconcile the atrocities committed with their practice. As yet, no one can.

To bring the thread back to the positivity intended by the OP, would anyone like to state their favourite part of the church year?. I particularly like St Brigid's Day - I think it's the link with Spring time.

@Trufflepizza But people don't make a personal commitment to honour these events. Their horrors are a h

Can you expand a bit more on this so we can understand your point?

Okay Trufflepig the atrocities are not part and parcel of the worship. You don't have the sacrament of child rape for example.

There are bad actors everywhere in every institution and faith.

@Trufflepizza Instead of quoting ancient historical events which no one chooses to worship on a weekly basis as far I know, I'd really like a Catholic worshipper to explain how they can reconcile the atrocities committed with their practice. As yet, no one can.

What are you talking about?

Are you really saying a Catholic chooses to worship the abuses committed within the Catholic Church on a weekly basis, because that's how it's coming over?!

I mean I'm currently in Germany - should I not visit because of the Holocaust?

Yes, I read a report recently it happens in hospitals where other staff suspect or know that there are medical professionals purposefully harming patients or even murdering them. They don't want to deal with the scandal so just try and off load that particular medic to another hospital and often the whistle-blowers are demonised. If the same logic was applied to the medical profession, to care homes, children's homes, schools, universities, the BBC, Westminster, the Royal Family, Football Clubs, all other religions and denominations ad infinitum then all these institutions would be similarly demonised and anyone involved with them would be told they were literally condoning abuse that they are not is evidence that what is going on here is indeed anti-Catholic bigotry.

Yes, a student made a complaint about a male lecturer where I once worked (some of the students were under 18). The complaint was upheld and lecturer stepped down. The student wouldn't support the Uni taking action by bringing the incidence to the police so their hands were tied legally. Last heard the man was abroad working at a Women's Uni.

Thank you @OscarsAmmonite2 I really think the best tactic is to just ignore these people, they hate us and they only want to fight and abuse us they have no interest in reasonable discussion.

St Brigid's day is lovely indeed. Everyone always says how grey that period of time is but for Catholics it is a rich and meaningful time of year.

I love Easter, obvious perhaps but I especially love Easter Vigil Mass where new converts and confirmed in my church which I think is quite common, it feels like a very special time.

My friend was confirmed in the Catholic Church at Easter. She said it was more emotional than her wedding!

I've also recently taken to the Epiphany. I've got chalk to make an inscription above our front door

Oh that's lovely. I hadn't realised Easter was the time for that but it makes sense.

I was going to have a mooch around the Berlin churches but DH is down with a cold and I don't want to drag him everywhere.

I would really like to see Tokyo Cathedral.

It's been years since I've been to Rome. I think ds would like to go but it's more the Romans he's interested in. I think I would like to go though...

@OscarsAmmonite2 Oh the Tokyo Cathedral is fantastic looking! Japan is on my holiday destination wish list so if I ever get their I will definitely visit. When I was younger and going travelling my Mum told me that for every new Church I went into I'd get three wishes! Obviously her way to try and encourage me to go to mass while I was on the road!

I'd like to go to Japan myself. Dh's grandparents were Presbyterian missionaries during WWII and we're based in China. Got captured by the Japanese - dh's father was born in a prison camp and separated from his mother as a newborn. The other male Chinese prisoners kept him alive. Astonishing story.

@Psyclops I didn't want to get into this debate on this thread, but

neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when other distorted notions and practices gain ground, and irrational and violent reactions increase”

Isn't this exactly what's happening with the Trans debate?
Women's feeling their safe spaces being invaded etc

Just take a wander over to the Women's Rights/Feminism thread and see for yourself.

Were based not we're based

I said I don't want to debate it on this thread. I'm happy to debate it on another one.

I think DH would just wish he hadn't a cold!

Of course there's Gaudi's Cathedral too...