My mother still attends Catholic church. More and more is using phrases like "bad apples", and really separating herself from how the Catholic church is run, and how she believes. She will never stop going. I guess this is her way of making some peace, denial, with what she sees happening.
I think that one can leave Catholicism, but Catholicism never leaves you. The things you write about, how the ritual, song and beautiful buildings are partly what made it wonderful. I can't imagine being (heh, rather than participating) in any other religion than Catholic. My Catholicism was really beautiful. I took to heart the good stuff. I can't abide what they've done to that.
The church I grew up in, though I didn't know it at the time, was quite flexible, liberal about many matters. I was an altar girl for years. I was welcomed. It was never a matter of gender. I thought all Catholic churches were like that. Now I live in what is considered one of the most conservative of all American dioceses. I've never stepped in one here. They wouldn't even sign the document the bishops put out a few years ago about protecting children. It's ghastly how they won't do that. Not sure if it partly a Canadian American divide in how the churches are run.
I'm glad you've found a church that gives you joy. Pretty much the point I think.
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2012-02-20 01:59 pm (UTC)I think that one can leave Catholicism, but Catholicism never leaves you. The things you write about, how the ritual, song and beautiful buildings are partly what made it wonderful. I can't imagine being (heh, rather than participating) in any other religion than Catholic. My Catholicism was really beautiful. I took to heart the good stuff. I can't abide what they've done to that.
The church I grew up in, though I didn't know it at the time, was quite flexible, liberal about many matters. I was an altar girl for years. I was welcomed. It was never a matter of gender. I thought all Catholic churches were like that. Now I live in what is considered one of the most conservative of all American dioceses. I've never stepped in one here. They wouldn't even sign the document the bishops put out a few years ago about protecting children. It's ghastly how they won't do that. Not sure if it partly a Canadian American divide in how the churches are run.
I'm glad you've found a church that gives you joy. Pretty much the point I think.