I've posted before that I semi-regularly attend a Catholic service with my parents. The church is located in a more affluent part of the city in which I live, surrounded by nice apartments and a large private hospital across the road. The church and its grounds reflect the area in which it is located; well maintained and somewhat grandiose. It often hosts visiting priests from around the world, namely Africa and South America. It can at times be a challenge to understand them. It triggered a conversation with my younger brother (whose faith probably sits somewhere between mine and that of my parents) as to whether there are still priests coming through the ranks from 'western' parts of the world. Whether these religions can survive without relaxing some of the constraints imposed on them (i.e. celibacy in the case of the Catholic church).
It seems like it is becoming more difficult for an individual to take such a vow in light of increasing ridicule / hostility in western societies. Granted a good proportion of the (justified) opposition stems from the abuse that has taken place for an extended period of time; but again that comes back to issues such as celibacy. On the one hand enforced celibacy could be what separates out the true believers (that the church wants as priests), on the other it could make them less relatable to the real world.
I don't know how much of the ridicule is independent of the scandals, but if it is then it's a sad reflection on society. The service I attend isn't trying to brainwash anyone and the more recent, resident priests have tried to inject a bit of humour be it football teams or other local matters. Yes there are collections and (going back to the location) they seem to do well, but people are taking away something in return. It's hard to explain what that is (each to their own), much like someone attending a meditation class trying to prove what they got from the class. For me it truly is the one time of the week I actually stop and concentrate on how grateful I am for my three beautiful, healthy (touch wood) kids, the support of my family, the opportunities I've been given in life and the wonderful city/country I've been fortunate enough to be born in (relative to other parts of the world) and how I hope that collectively we can all do better. Sure this reflection could take place anywhere, but the reality is it would never happen with as much concentration/sincerity as it does in a place of worship.
I don't quite understand why some feel the need to mock that with such gusto. Is it really such a bad thing that people use religion as a means for a time out, to recalibrate their moral compass etc? I see the derision as perhaps one reason why young people are not taking up the vocation of priesthood. By all means eradication of the abuse must be achieved, but it does not require the full abolishment of the church. Being a priest and being an outstanding individual are not mutually exclusive.
If the decline continues then it takes away something special for a lot of people. I see significantly less upside. Some may cite abuse but as I've pointed out before significantly more abuse occurs in the family home and also occurs at the hands of other 'trusted' individuals such as teachers, coaches etc. It would be interesting to see the extent of the opposition in the hypothetical scenario where systemic abuse had not occurred. Unfortunately we'll never get to see that 'what if'.
It seems like it is becoming more difficult for an individual to take such a vow in light of increasing ridicule / hostility in western societies. Granted a good proportion of the (justified) opposition stems from the abuse that has taken place for an extended period of time; but again that comes back to issues such as celibacy. On the one hand enforced celibacy could be what separates out the true believers (that the church wants as priests), on the other it could make them less relatable to the real world.
I don't know how much of the ridicule is independent of the scandals, but if it is then it's a sad reflection on society. The service I attend isn't trying to brainwash anyone and the more recent, resident priests have tried to inject a bit of humour be it football teams or other local matters. Yes there are collections and (going back to the location) they seem to do well, but people are taking away something in return. It's hard to explain what that is (each to their own), much like someone attending a meditation class trying to prove what they got from the class. For me it truly is the one time of the week I actually stop and concentrate on how grateful I am for my three beautiful, healthy (touch wood) kids, the support of my family, the opportunities I've been given in life and the wonderful city/country I've been fortunate enough to be born in (relative to other parts of the world) and how I hope that collectively we can all do better. Sure this reflection could take place anywhere, but the reality is it would never happen with as much concentration/sincerity as it does in a place of worship.
I don't quite understand why some feel the need to mock that with such gusto. Is it really such a bad thing that people use religion as a means for a time out, to recalibrate their moral compass etc? I see the derision as perhaps one reason why young people are not taking up the vocation of priesthood. By all means eradication of the abuse must be achieved, but it does not require the full abolishment of the church. Being a priest and being an outstanding individual are not mutually exclusive.
If the decline continues then it takes away something special for a lot of people. I see significantly less upside. Some may cite abuse but as I've pointed out before significantly more abuse occurs in the family home and also occurs at the hands of other 'trusted' individuals such as teachers, coaches etc. It would be interesting to see the extent of the opposition in the hypothetical scenario where systemic abuse had not occurred. Unfortunately we'll never get to see that 'what if'.
