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?

I don't think you read what I said - I'm not going to debate it on this thread.

Tokyo Cathedral...

Normally I prefer older churches. I know York Minister is CofE but the stained glass is lovely. I could always take a visit to the Loreto orders main house while there.

I'd better pop off - I've just eaten my body weight in apfelstrudel and I'm due to visit the Reichstag soon.

Have you been to Cologne Cathedral?

Magnifcent !

https://www.koelner-dom.de/en

I haven't yet but a good German friend lives near Cologne so I'd like to arrange to meet her at some stage. Will check the Cathedral out - thanks!

Okay we won't be doing the tower! We discovered our inate fear of heights yesterday at another attraction in Berlin. We are only doing the base of the Reichstag Done today. I don't know if it's getting older or not!

@OscarsAmmonite2 Enjoy the rest of your day in Berlin, the Reichstag is amazing and I also loved the Fernsehturm and the Stasi Museum!

Tokyo cathedral reminds me of the Japanese art of Kintsugi, repairing broken objects with gold to make them stronger and more beautiful.

School's Church is quite modern . Very light. Amazing hammered metal hung statue of Christ above the altar. No cross, just Jesus. I find it very powerful.

Fernsturm is very very high. Nearer my God to thee is clearly not working for me 😄

@OscarsAmmonite2 😂

@Jackandjillswell @OscarsAmmonite2 Imagine your child came home & with great glee announced they'd finally gotten the job of their dreams, but the only issue was the company is well known for raping babies and covering up decades long of abuse amongst its staff. How would you feel?
I am a born and bred Irish woman, raised in a Catholic home, went to catholic school, all of it. It breaks my heart to think of the pain caused to thousands by those bastards who committed it. The very fact there was a cover up, when opportunities arose to expose the perpetrators, to help heal the pain - as Jesus would have wanted - but instead, changes were made to the constitution to protect the rapist priests. That women were forced into servitude for getting pregnant, that women are still unable to have bodily autonomy... I just can't understand how anyone can intentionally sign up for this institution- and that is why I'm asking how do you reconcile your decision against all that has happened? Not aggressively in any way, just genuinely gobsmackingly curious.

We've already explained repeatedly but you aren't listening. Look, you've made your point repeatedly and I don't see what you're achieving here. Can you not just leave us here in peace? Or is this serving some weird power kick? 😂

No power kick whatsoever, that's a strange thing to say! I'll leave the conversation now as I didn't t want anything but a reasonable explanation. I think you and I both know that never came.

Just dropping in briefly - the podcast ‘Bible in a Year’ by Father Mike Schmitz is good to listen to
It was originally recorded in the pandemic - so all available to listen to. He has a nice voice to listen to and it can be really enlightening

Don't put words into my mouth Truffle . I've explained my stance earlier and indicated that I'm a child sexual abuse survivor who had a mother who was critical of the church on that issue but not willing to stand against my great uncle who had molested me. Ultimately it boils down to the individuals you are around.

Repeatedly referencing child abuse here is incredibly triggering for me - this was intended as a space for people to share what they like about their faith.

I had to sit through Christmas dinner in front of him because otherwise it would upset the apple cart. If I find some solace in my faith then you have no right to judge me.

Ironically I disclosed the abuse at a religious retreat at school and the facilitator persuaded me to tell my mother and then checked that I had.

Not that it made a blind bit of difference - Mum only did what suited her.

Thanks Red roses I'll look into this!

@Trufflepizza I explained the reason I am a Catholic, and others have also. I think you were looking to stir trouble and truly didn't want an answer.

@OscarsAmmonite2 the bible in a year is very good. Dr Mike Schmitz goes through the bible verse afterwards and he is brilliant in the way he explains it.

This is obviously very triggering for you, and I hope you find peace.
Enjoy your visit to Berlin 🌸