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?

For balance though, liberation theology has been a force for good. Of course it was curbed and not supported by the Pope.

Even though I assume Jesus would have thoroughly approved.

Hi Padgitts - I'm a disappear into the background kind of person and to be honest I didn't much like worshipping in the more modern building the local church was in. Have not managed to get ds confirmed yet - COVID got in the way.

@MrsTerryPratchett I think you will find the current Pope is no stranger to liberation theology.

@OscarsAmmonite2 Mine is Teresa after St Teresa of Avila too! My family have ties to the Carmelite order through family with vocations and so it was a natural choice and one I am still very happy with. I really recommend reading her books they are wonderful, Interior Castle was life changing for me.

I went to an RC convent school, it was a very happy time for me. It genuinely was such a lovely community of learning. No males around, so we were able to develop confidence without fear of being belittled or judged on our appearance. We were encouraged to question and to have strong voices. We were prepared for life as independent women. We were always told to attack the argument, not the person, which you see so much of on here.
My sisters feel the same, and we often reminisce!

I like the way my local Catholic Church has had a foodbank for 20 years or so. Just quietly getting on with helping those who needed it in the parish. They joined with the local C of E Church recently as the latter has a large space for a portacabin. Appalling that a sizeable store is now needed, but Churches Together rose admirably to the challenge.
The parish my school is in has had strong community links too, which I’ve always been aware of even before I worked there.
I know that atheists can put into a community too. We all can and I’m not dismissing that. However, I won’t dismiss any faith either, on the basis that predatory and abusive men saw their opportunity to hide behind the goodness when safeguarding wasn’t seen as necessary or was strong enough.

It all seems so much less showy than the evangelical church near me, if that makes sense? If I attended events there I always felt, well, preached at, particularly when my DS was little and I just wanted to attend a baby group. But I can go in a Catholic Church anywhere and feel there are no people between me and God, despite not being able to take Holy Communion.

There’s also such a deep sense of history in the family seats of old Catholic families. Some survived by being politically useful, keeping their heads down etc, but such was their devotion to their faith that they risked everything to keep visiting priests hidden and safe. This sense of history and enduring faith is also important to me, I suppose.

I can't think of any positives other than a sense of belonging to fellow Catholics

^^ this totally

Excellent points, @SpamhappyTootsie .
You wouldn't criticise the Scouts because some predatory men used the organisation to cover their misdeeds.

Ah I see well glad its not for anything negative then! I do know what you mean about the older buildings being nicer though. I am quite tempted to go to one of the Latin masses out of interest which run in Glasgow. Good luck with your son's confirmation.

This sounds like mine Maireas. They had me from 3 to 17 🙃

@Maireas and @OscarsAmmonite2 Like mine too! People don't understand but the Nun's were such amazing, strong women and wonderful role models for us girls. I'm only sad that most of the convent schools are gone now.

When I left for university I was so sad!, @OscarsAmmonite2 ! I didn't like university at first because I thought some people were selfish, rude and inconsiderate in comparison, so it was a bit of a shock! Anyway, I learned to tune stuff out and found some amazing friends.

Do you know what - I've never been drawn to the Latin rite! I also like a weekday Mass when it's quieter.

I like following the church liturgical year - gives me a sense of peace.

No, I would expect them to apply safeguarding procedures to everyone equally and in my experience of a Catholic school that is most definitely done. Whether in school, at Church or on a Retreat residential (which was a very moving experience for me, as an aside).

@Hoppinggreen of course there are atheist who have done selfless acts of bravery but you weren't talking about them, you mentioned the Catholic people who had deep faith. You are trying to diminish their acts of bravery by saying their faith had nothing to do with it. When you have a deep faith such as these people had, it becomes part of your very core. You keep saying God may or may not exist but for those Catholics and for a lot of us God definitely exists and this strong belief influences your actions. Faith is as important, as bravery and compassion, you might not agree but it doesn't change mine and others belief. These people acted because they were brave and compassionate but their love of God was a big factor also.

All the bad things were done by individuals as well. The Church is made up of individuals and they vary like all individuals do. I've known kind compassionate priests and nuns, I've known others who were far less likable. Isn't every organisation made up in a similar way? I've certainly met ministers of other denominations who fit into both categories.

Who knows why some of us end up as heroes and some as villains, I don't think you can know how much their faith influenced their behaviour and it would seem unfair to dismiss something heroic because it was inspired by faith.

Oh me too Mairead. I was educated by the Loreto sisters.

Sorry I meant Maireas!

They were. We were absolutely encouraged not to consider ourselves lesser than men. We had very rigorous debates as well, I recall! I learned to be confident and articulate.

Absolutely all institutions, especially large ones can have the potential for abuse and cover ups and often it is the whistle-blowers who get punished we see this in the BBC, the police and other religious groups but also see all kinds of schools and care homes. It is sadly very human behaviour and not about the intent of the organisation or Church itself.

Loreto - excellent foundations for learning. Our order of nuns definitely used the Jesuits method - very good for the intellect!

Our foundress Mary Ward was very inspiring. Good Yorkshire woman 🙂

One of the most troubling moments of my life was when I was helping as a volunteer at school and a boy disclosed to me about the abuse he was suffering at Cubs. He was very open about it, perhaps because I was so shocked I just kept quiet and listened. I was very happy to hand it over to the appropriate person at school. Didn't stop me going on to be a leader at Cubs.

Good points, @PadgettsDream .
Any abuse, current or historic, needs to be confronted and dealt with openly and according to law.

I don't think its something I would do often, I've read about Vatican 2 and understand why but I am still curious to experience it and it isn't quite as frowned upon now.

Yes the sense of seasons with its different feasts and holy days it a much needed balm in my life.