Young Adults, Catholic Faith & the Abuse Scandal

APRIL 2010 

 

Given the painful revelations of the sex scandal, why are Catholic churches not empty?

Despite all the terrible news about the Catholic Church sitting at the top of everyone's RSS feed for days on end, it was still standing room only at the Holy Week events I participated in. While it is strictly anecdotal evidence, I've long been amazed that people still come to church when the reports of the sex scandal are so dire. Can you imagine any other organization on earth weathering this type of negative publicity over this long a period and still being able to function? Young adults speak out on the matter at Busted Halo.

 

The Resiliency of the Catholic Church

This is the first installment in an eight-part series that reflects on fundamental Catholic beliefs as expressed in the Creed. This series is based on a set of talks given at Faith, Hope and Charity Parish in Winnetka, IL.

There will be four main topics, each divided into two sections: (1) "Reflecting on the Mystery of God"; (2) "Gazing on the Face of Christ"; (3)" Being Church in a Secular Society"; (4)" Living in Hope: What Catholics Believe about Death and Eternal Life". Check out the whole series on Catholics on Call.

 

The Mystery of Celibate Love 

I don't know any sister, brother, or priest who has ever set out from the beginning to make the celibate choice. 

And I don't know any successfully married couple who has ever set out from the beginning just to have sex. Celibacy alone does not make religious life and sex alone does not make a marriage. Both loves are bigger than how they're defined? More...

 

The Story of a Xaverian Missionary in Chinatown

"I asked God so many questions: 'Do you exist?' 'Is it possible to know you?' He never answered until I was celebrating my silver jubilee as a priest. 

I entered the sacristy in my hometown and saw the Sacred Heart statue I used to pray before. Now it was in the sacristy. He seemed to speak to me in my heart and say, 'Michael, have I answered all your questions?' And for an instant, at 55, I could see my life in retrospect. I said, 'Yes Lord, beyond all expectations." Read more...