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Roman Catholic Church has forgotten Christian message
Read the article / show / issue that provoked me to write a letter and my response below that or go straight to my response
Date Posted on this Site
July 25, 2006
Publication
Windsor Star
Publication Date
July 14, 2006
Published Content
I recently tried to have my children baptized in a Catholic church only to be dismissed because I am raising them as an unwed mother who does not attend church every Sunday.
I have been a Catholic all of my life, received all the sacraments and genuinely live life as a caring Christian. The teachings of the Catholic church state that we should live life without passing judgment on one another, love each other unconditionally, demonstrate equality and fairness to our friends and enemies, and treat each other the way we want to be treated.
It seems more than hypocritical to dismiss decent Catholics trying to baptize innocent children because their caregivers do not meet some ridiculous standards.
Am I to tell my children they aren't worthy of being called Catholics because of these standards? Despite that, I will continue to raise them the way any good Catholic would, all the while knowing the churches that are stating these teachings aren't practising their own policies or beliefs.
Anyone can walk into church on Sunday and call themselves Catholic. Actually, being a Catholic requires a lifetime commitment to live each day the way God wanted us to.
It's time the church evolves to accommodate society today. The average family no longer consists of both parental figures. There are many more diverse family units. Are they too unworthy?
What about the average shift worker or part-time employee unable to attend mass? Since when do we have to be in a church to have our prayers heard?
Wanting to raise Catholic children is not cause for subjecting ourselves to that kind of judgment and criticism. The Catholic Church has forgotten about the children and desperately needs to be aware that they are truly the victims here.
JACKIE LEBERT
Leamington
My Response Letter
I am dismayed that the Windsor Star would publish such a letter, given that it does not relate to any contemporary news item or topical public discussion. It appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to give voice to an attack on the Catholic Church.
What makes it even more appalling is the way the letter writer twists the truth of Christ's teaching. If she thinks that the church made up such "ridiculous standards" as weekly mass attendance and the solemnity of marriage, she needs to check her Bible. After instituting the Eucharist, Christ said do this in memory of me (Luke 22:19). The Apostles understood this and came together on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7), a tradition unchanged since the death of Christ.
What the letter writer really wants is to be part of an organization but free from its obligations. You cannot play soccer if you don't follow the rules. This is no different.
I pray the writer sees the truth.
Was my response published?
No
Did I get a response?
No