At Mass Sept. 2 we began with singing the hymn “The Church’s One Foundation.”
However, the Church’s foundation appears to have significant fissures. Our quixotic pope (no judgment, just an observation on my part), is neglecting the needs of the Church Jesus established.
The underground Church in China has been undermined. Ambiguous statements on divorce/remarriage, homosexual unions, non-Catholics receiving the Holy Eucharist, and the failure to reform and properly address priestly sexual abuse do not reinforce traditional Church teaching.
Pope Francis needs to render to God and not Caesar. The Church must come first! A watered-down teaching of Catholic teaching serves no one. Let us pray: Our Father...
William J. Barker lives in Charlotte.
One of the greatest enemies of the Church is once again afoot: scandal. Swift and sure justice needs to be done for the victims of abuse. They were lambs terrorized by the shepherds who should have protected them.
We should not forget, however, that the Church endures, even when it is betrayed from within. It is not merely an institution. It is not only a community. The Church is Christ in the world. And Christ Himself was betrayed by one He loved. The Church always has had and always will have its Judas. But Christ’s betrayal and Passion was then followed by His glory. And it is a glory that endures still – to the end of time.
I have always cherished the words of Blessed Frederic Ozanam, reflecting on the great turmoil of his own times: “Hope! The fault of many Christians of our day is to hope too little. They believe that every battle and every obstacle will be the downfall of the Church. They are the Apostles in the boat during the storm: they forget that the Savior is with them!”
Scott Salvato lives in Davidson.