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Original poster

Can we have a positive thread about Catholicism?

547 replies

PadgettsDream · 01/08/2023 23:55

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?

OP posts:
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13
Iwasafool · 02/08/2023 18:27

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:17

I'm not certain about the Latin mass, I love being able to interact in the mass and with the priest facing the congregation. Those who go say it's beautiful though.

I like the priest facing the congregation. For those of us of a certain age I think we did feel we could interact as we knew the Latin Mass and we had learnt what it all meant at school. There was something quite special about the Mass being the same wherever you were in the world and going back into history.

Iwasafool · 02/08/2023 18:28

Maireas · 02/08/2023 18:13

Blimey, @Iwasafool - I remember Vatican II as well! I had a beautiful mantilla to wear to Mass and I remember when they changed the rule so you didn't have to cover your head. I was most disappointed! (My mother continued to wear a hat, I think she found it strange not too).

It did feel very strange to go into church with your head uncovered. I think it took a while to get used to it and I was only a teenager, it must have been hard for older people.

roarrfeckingroar · 02/08/2023 18:29

Tulpenkavalier · 02/08/2023 12:37

For me to accept Catholicism as a positive force, 4 things need to happen:

Take full responsibility and make amends for past abuses
Accept homosexuality as equally valid as heterosexuality
Admit women to the priesthood
Allow priests to marry

Would you say the same about Islam?

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:29

@Darkandstormynite nobody is dismissing the abuse, what happened was horrific. The cover up was worse. Unfortunately evil gets in everywhere, evil people do evil things and the Catholic church had their share of evil people but they also have very good and wonderful people too. The hurt that was caused is inexcusable, how it was handled is appalling but the Catholic faith itself goes deeper then the evil of some men and women.

SiegmeyerOfCatarina · 02/08/2023 18:30

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SiegmeyerOfCatarina · 02/08/2023 18:30

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Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:33

@PadgettsDream me too, the church I go to, so a Latin mass on Sundays but it's extremely early. Some of the priests do include a bit of Latin in their mass, so I feel I get the best of both worlds.

roarrfeckingroar · 02/08/2023 18:33

I'm starting to reconnect with my faith and am enjoying this thread. Thanks OP.

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:35

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:29

@Darkandstormynite nobody is dismissing the abuse, what happened was horrific. The cover up was worse. Unfortunately evil gets in everywhere, evil people do evil things and the Catholic church had their share of evil people but they also have very good and wonderful people too. The hurt that was caused is inexcusable, how it was handled is appalling but the Catholic faith itself goes deeper then the evil of some men and women.

Yes, my mother was critical of the church on this issue and rightly so. However when I disclosed familial sexual abuse to her, her response was 'how do you think this makes me feel?'. She didn't report it to the Gardai because it was easier for her not to (not to spare me a court case).

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:37

roarrfeckingroar · 02/08/2023 18:33

I'm starting to reconnect with my faith and am enjoying this thread. Thanks OP.

Yes, I'm enjoying it too

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:41

@OscarsAmmonite2 that's awful and must have been breathtakingly for you.

Jackandjillswell · 02/08/2023 18:41

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Why is that relevant?

It's a public forum so people can post what they want within MN guidelines 🙂

So why are you ducking the question?

heartbunny · 02/08/2023 18:42

UnhappyHost · 02/08/2023 18:20

Impossible to be positive about a deeply homophobic and misogynistic institution, that covered up widespread sexual abuse over decades. I’m surprised it isn’t considered a sin to label people who are pointing this out as bigots.

Well, to sin means to just miss the mark. So to set out with the right intentions but just not quite get it right.
But it does seem there are some bigots on the thread so no that would not be a sin.
That can be your Christian fact for today. You're welcome.

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:44

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:41

@OscarsAmmonite2 that's awful and must have been breathtakingly for you.

Yes it was and I was only 15. I'm not in contact with my family now but I have a lovely DH and a ds so I'm doing okay.

Very kind of you to reply 💐

Maireas · 02/08/2023 18:46

How very sad, @OscarsAmmonite2 . I hope you're on the path to healing 🌹

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 18:49

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:50

Maireas · 02/08/2023 18:46

How very sad, @OscarsAmmonite2 . I hope you're on the path to healing 🌹

Yes my parents were a bit troubled. I hope they are well - they live very far away and I'm not likely to bump into them. I'm doing well though - thanks 💐

I think I'd like to do a retreat at some stage or visit somewhere like Iona. Anyone have anywhere they are fond of?

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:50

Maireas · 02/08/2023 18:46

How very sad, @OscarsAmmonite2 . I hope you're on the path to healing 🌹

Yes my parents were a bit troubled. I hope they are well - they live very far away and I'm not likely to bump into them. I'm doing well though - thanks 💐

I think I'd like to do a retreat at some stage or visit somewhere like Iona. Anyone have anywhere they are fond of?

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 18:52

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This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Oh no Gingerbreadandtea I'm so sorry to hear that.

Maireas · 02/08/2023 18:58

Sorry to hear about your experience too, @Gingerbreadandtea 🌹

Diidlysquat · 02/08/2023 18:58

Of corse Catholics are horrified by the abuse but it’s unfair to tar everyone with the same brush. I attended Catholic school throughout school and never saw anything untoward, it was a very nurturing environment. There are things I disagree with about the church, but hey nothing is perfect

Ita a good moral code to stick by and has served me very well in life.
Always asking yourself - is this the right thing to do for others and not myself?
Always trying to put others first.

Maireas · 02/08/2023 19:00

@OscarsAmmonite2 and @Gingerbreadandtea - have you ever seen those Pilgrimage aeries? A group of celebrities undertake a journey of pilgrimage to Christian sites. Anyway, on one there was a lovely retreat they stayed at, which really appealed.
I'd love to go on retreat.

Gingersnapsandtea · 02/08/2023 19:01

@OscarsAmmonite2 ,thank you, it was a long time ago and I've gotten over it. My faith played a big part in helping me do that.

OscarsAmmonite2 · 02/08/2023 19:02

Maireas · 02/08/2023 19:00

@OscarsAmmonite2 and @Gingerbreadandtea - have you ever seen those Pilgrimage aeries? A group of celebrities undertake a journey of pilgrimage to Christian sites. Anyway, on one there was a lovely retreat they stayed at, which really appealed.
I'd love to go on retreat.

I'll check it out when I'm home - sounds great! I really liked Fern Britton's TV series on faith in Sundays where she interviews people about their faith.