Scandal

Question

Comments

Are You Greatly Scandalized at the Behavior of Some Inside the Catholic Church (Either Now or in the Past)? / Are You Offended By the Sins of Certain Catholics?

Consider:

* To begin with, it should be noted that many faithful Catholics are also scandalized by the behavior of other Catholics. However, misdeeds don't make the Catholic Church false any more than the many scandals in the Old Testament made the Jewish religion false.

* If scandals in the Church should trouble persons so greatly as to call the entire Church into question, why doesn't Scripture speak this way concerning Judas' betrayal of Jesus? Or Peter's denial of Jesus? Or Thomas' failure to believe? Or over the fact that Christ's disciples all fled Jesus in His agony (see Mt. 26:56)?

* Why should persons be so troubled over the fact that scandals have occurred when Christ clearly tell us to expect them (see Mt. 13:24-30, Mt. 18:7, Lk. 17:1)? [Note: This is not to imply that scandals are not scandalous, of course, but rather that scandals are, unfortunately, to be expected.]

* Even if certain actions of popes have been scandalous, this does not mean the Church is false (just as King David's sinful behavior didn't make the Jewish religion false). What would you have thought of a Jew in the Old Testament who abandoned the Jewish religion simply because of David's sins?

* Scandals are not caused by the Church herself, but because her members fail to live up to her teachings.

* Even if the actions of certain prelates (or even popes) have been sinful, this in no way calls into question the entire Church. Scandals of her members cannot make the Church itself false. The Church is either true or false, regardless of the behavior of its members. We must be able to draw distinctions between the sinfulness of her members and the sinlessness of the Church itself (see Eph. 5:27). We know from Scripture that the weeds and the wheat will grow together (see Mt. 13:24-30). And, remember that sin and scandal can in no way disprove the dogma of papal infallibility since infallibility has nothing to do with preventing the sins of a person, but with preventing errors in official Catholic doctrine. Note: For more information on the limits of papal infallibility, click here. 

* Persons should not be overly scandalized at sin in the Church considering that the Church is "a Church of sinners, for sinners, so that they can do something about their sinfulness." We are all sinners and there will never be a time on earth that the Church does not contain sinners. 

* Why do you blame the Church for the sins of her members, especially since she tells them not to sin and requires them to repent of their sins if they do sin? 

* Remember that the chosen people in the Old Testament also were guilty of sin, but it didn't make them members of a false religion or evil or tools of the devil or anything else the Church's enemies say about her.

* Why is it you blame the Church for her members' sins, but when American citizens act wrongly, you do not blame the entire country?

* Do you not realize that some who call themselves 'Catholic' are Catholic in name only? Why should the Church be blamed for this instead of the individuals themselves?

* If you are troubled by the bad example of certain Catholics, have you considered that many do not even understand their faith properly (some may not even know the true Catholic faith!)? Why blame the Church because some of her poorly educated members act wrongly and not in accord with her true teachings?

* How exactly do you expect the Church to be able to stop all her members from sinning when even Christ couldn't do that?

* Even Christ had a Judas. Would you walk away from Christ because of Judas?

* The Church can make mistakes of a non-doctrinal nature because she is composed of weak and sinful human beings. Do you expect her to be perfect, to be God Himself?

* Why is it you are so troubled by certain sins of the Church's members, but ignore the unparalleled sanctity of her many saints?

* Why is it you are so troubled by certain sins of the Catholic Church's members, but virtually ignore the sins of those in your own denomination?

* Considering that "the value of a thing must not be judged by its abuse," why do you judge the Catholic Church based on abuses of her teachings and not by those who truly follow her teachings?

* One's sins are one's personal failings, and not the teaching of the Church. It is not the Church's fault if Catholics do not live the life of true Catholics - rather, it is their own fault.

* One can only imagine how much worse a person would be if not for the moral teachings of the Catholic Church!

* Evil is committed precisely because Catholics do not live up to Church teaching - not because they do!

* Even abuse by clergy is no reason to reject the authority of the Church. Judas was an apostle even though he betrayed Christ. A bad president still remains president - and one certainly wouldn't overthrow the entire office of the presidency because of a bad president or refuse to admit presidential authority. Obviously the person, not the office, is the problem. Note also that "far greater is the damage done to society from the unlimited number of heresies promulgated than bad acts by some clergy members."

* Even false religions that complain about events in Catholic history have "unpleasant events" in their own history, many of these heinous and bloody. And, other so-called 'Christian churches' have also experienced 'clerical abuse' (although such occurrences may be much less likely to be reported by the mainstream media).

* Yes, there have been scandals and sin in the 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church, but that is to be expected. We are all sinners. But, do remember that at least we have a history! Many of those who criticize us have no history, since their religions were founded so recently.

* If not divinely guided, the Catholic Church would have fallen many years ago. Since the founding of the Catholic Church by Christ, many (most?) other human societies have fallen.

* Sinful members or not, the Catholic Church is the only Church founded by God - the only true Church. And, membership in her fold is necessary for salvation. Note: Click here for more information on this topic.

* If you have been hurt by a Catholic, please allow us to express our regret and sorrow. We know that God sees everything and will repay all persons for their sins. Do not forget, however, that Christ does expect you to forgive even your enemies in order to gain forgiveness for your own sins (cf. Mt.5:43-48, Mt. 6:14-15, Lk. 6:35).

* Finally, if you do not have personal and complete knowledge of some "evil" the Church (or her members) is supposed to have committed, would it not make sense to give them the benefit of the doubt? Often those outside the Church portray things in a completely inaccurate light and confuse the issue. Not all negative things are true, many are out of context, some are misunderstandings, abuses which are not sanctioned by the Church, and some are lies. Remember that the Church has fierce enemies - including the prince of lies (Satan) - that would like nothing more than to see her destruction.

"[Like our Lord, the Catholic Church is both divine and human:] Treat the Catholic Church as Divine only and you will stumble over her scandals, her failures, and her shortcomings. Treat her as Human only and you will be silenced by her miracles, her sanctity, and her eternal resurrections." (Benson)

Are You Too Offended By Scandal (Or Some Personal Event) to Enter (or Return to) the Catholic Church?

Consider:

* Click here or scroll up for 'Are You Greatly Scandalized at the Behavior of Some Inside the Catholic Church (Either Now or in the Past)? / Are You Offended By the Sins of Certain Catholics?'

* How does it benefit you to lose your salvation over someone else's sin?

* What would you think of Jews who wouldn't enter the Church because of the actions of Judas or Peter and lost their salvation? Would you blame Judas or Peter or the individuals themselves?

* You walk away from the Church because some of her members abuse and betray her? How does that make you in the right?

* Does it make more sense to walk away from the problem or try to fix it? Do you not become part of the problem when you leave? Remember that "you can't improve the Church by splitting it apart!"

* You are depriving yourself of the Sacraments for what? Why are you allowing someone else's sinful behavior to cause you to discard the means necessary for salvation?

* Would one discard one's own mother because she was given a black eye by one of her wayward children? Would you not console her? Why then do you simply abandon Holy Mother Church because of her wayward children?

* Do you give up being an American because of a bad president or because of some bad citizens? Why then give up the Church because of some of her bad members?

* Leaving the Church, where does that get you? How does it help you to shoot yourself in the foot?

* Adding another sin (rejecting the Church) doesn't erase someone else's sin, but makes more sin!

* Remember that if you chose to abandon her, she did not abandon you, but is instead always ready and pleased to accept you back.

* Would it not make more sense to stay within the Church's fold and remain steadfast in the faith, praying fervently for her weaker members? Christ certainly did not reject the sinners who crucified him but shed every drop of blood to save them.

* Do you actually think it pleases Christ that you reject His Church - which is called His body in Scripture (cf. Eph. 1:22-23, Eph. 5:22-32, Col 1:18)? Do you actually think Christ is pleased that you have allowed some earthly concern to cause you to turn your back on Christ in the Holy Eucharist (His own flesh and blood!)?