Catholic—Why Bother?

As a Catholic in the United States I have been living with the "new normal" since the shocking revelations of child abuse within our Catholic Church. Since the confrontation of the American bishops in Dallas by those victimized, all of us within the Church, clergy and laity, have had to adjust our thinking, perception, and believing.

On all levels of the Church, dioceses, parishes, schools, and programs, procedures have been developed to raise our awareness of the abuse problem and to take steps within our communities to prevent such abuse in the future. The "new normal" involves submitting to questionnaires, to finger printing, and continuing education by ministers with the Church. We have grown accustomed to these prerequisites for doing ministry within our Catholic communities.

Things seemed better. Bishops and even the Pope have met with victims through the country and apologized and offered various forms of assistance and support to those victimized. After the initial reporting of numbers and flashing the stories in the news, one began to feel that a handle was had on the problem. We thought, with continued vigilance, we were somehow in the clear.

Relationships within the Church seem forever changed. How we see our Bishops and authority in the Church has changed in the popular mind. Priests and deacons and their diocesan Bishop relate differently in how they interact. Laity, priests, and ministers on the parish level have found a new way to interact. The exchange of confidence and trust between these groups is forever changed. Some of these interactions have been healed and life continues in the Church.

Another "New" Normal
With our American and Catholic feet under us again, we had set out to rediscover many things about the Church. We had begun to search out more transparency and trust. Our faith was put back in order after many questions and confrontations about the existence of the Church. Not perfectly, but we had begun to believe again, to pray, and to serve in various ministries.

Then from across the ocean more revelations were made in the media. We read about the Church in Ireland and its years of abuse within the institution. Then it was Germany and other European Churches. Again we had

more questions and more embarrassment about the Church we had been formed in and in which we traditionally have found God present. How is one to deal with the information and the reporting? Within the Church some are defensive. Others are concerned and supportive of the victims. Still other believers either choose to walk away from the Church or, at least, entertain the possibility. In all of it there's a sadness to our ecclesial situation.

Some simply ask: why bother to continue in our Catholic life? Perhaps, one of our earlier errors was to see the Church without sin and to fail to see the need for ongoing conversion within our Catholic community. Problems of abuse of young people is a reminder of the reality of sin within the Church. We rightly hear well the need for conversion, both institutional and personal. With urgency believers within the community need to seek out the grace of God's presence among us. In that transformation we have the hope of change and repentance.

To Whom and Where
We read in a gospel conversation between Jesus and the apostles about their continuance in the works of the Kingdom. As Jesus suggested their freedom to move on apart from him, the apostles responded: "To whom shall we go? You alone have the Words of everlasting life."

Why bother being Catholic these days? The presence of God in his Word and the action of God in the sacraments among believers offer us the possibility of continued new life. They offer the energy and zest to find conversion of heart and manner of living. The community offers a place to affirm and confirm our transformed humanity in Christ.

The abuse of minors reminds us of our own sinfulness and of our community. While criticizing the lack of transparency in our authority structures, we can seek out a transparent life of prayer, worship, and mission. Our error comes when we identify the Church with the Kingdom of God. No, we are a Church on the way to the Kingdom, but we have not yet arrived. We are not yet saints, but sinners in need of God's forgiveness and mercy. The best news is that we have in our graced humanity the possibility of being signs of and ways to God. Easter reminds us that we live in hope. Being Catholic is worth the bother.

CDH