By Helen T. Gray
The Kansas City Star
May 22, 2010
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/05/21/1962313/despite-recent-scandals-many-area.html
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| Pope Benedict XVI has been criticized for the way he and the Catholic hierarchy have handled the sex abuse scandal. Others give him credit for dealing with the problem. |
M ultiple choice:
A. The Catholic Church = sexually abusive priests and cover-up bishops
B. The Catholic Church = the Vatican and church hierarchy
C. The Catholic Church = local parishes, charity and grassroots ministries
D. All of the above
Your answer may depend on your experiences and whom you listen to.
Among area Catholics who were asked about their church, answers varied. Almost unanimous, however, was the view that while the scandals are terrible, the church is greater than the scandals.
“The model for most of us diocesan priests is that the church is more of a community, a parish,” said the Rev. Don Farnan of St. Thomas More. “Most parishioners are not really tuned in to what happens at the Vatican. They are more concerned about what is happening to their neighbors.”
“It’s horrible” when the church covers up sexual abuse, said Margaret Lima, pastoral administrator at Guardian Angels. But the scandals have made her more aware of such abuse in families, “which is much more prevalent” and “how this stays with you for a long time.”
Some Catholics may be embarrassed in social situations when discussions about the scandal take place, Farnan said.
But the Rev. Matthew Ruhl of St. Francis Xavier explained: “People are not embarrassed about being Catholic. People are embarrassed about the scandal.”
And among students at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., “there’s a sense of betrayal by the actions of the abusive priests, but that has not translated into animosity toward the pope,” said the Rev. Meinrad Miller, chaplain.
“My general impression is that students are concerned about the church. They are saddened and maybe angered by the scandal but see the pope trying to do something about it.”
Effect on faith
“I imagine the scandal has helped people to question their faith and to know that we live out our faith, and not necessarily through the eyes of the Vatican,” Lima said.
“People who are still coming are convinced that they are Catholic and that this (sexual abuse) happens in a lot of churches and organizations,” she said. “People are somewhat disappointed in the official stance.
“But they are proud of the church here in Kansas City, that it has tried to address the problem and put in place safeguards. For example, anybody dealing with children goes through background checks and undergoes training.”
Sister Rose Marie, local superior of Little Sisters of the Poor, said: “Certainly, sexual abuse is very wrong, but I feel the media has been unfair to the pope. He has done more than anyone to look into this and used legal means and other means to correct this.”
Among other things, he has told bishops to report sexual abuse to the police.
A recent Zogby poll showed that 56 percent of U.S. Catholics approve of the overall job that Pope Benedict XVI is doing and 45 percent approve of the overall job of American bishops.
As for the sexual abuse scandal, 39 percent gave the pope a positive rating and 56 percent a negative rating in addressing the situation. But 64 percent believe he should continue as pope. For each question, some were not sure.
And 72 percent gave American Catholic bishops a negative rating in addressing the problem.
In a recent poll reported by CBS News, 58 percent of U.S. Catholics said the pope has done a poor job in handling the scandal. And two in five said reports of abuse have caused them to doubt the Vatican’s authority.
Yet, 86 percent said the scandal has not affected their faith.
But Kathy Peterson of Kansas City said she has been so disturbed by the way the church has handled the scandal –– the denials and cover-ups –– that it has been difficult for her to go to church.
“It has affected me,” she said.
But she’s conflicted. She was born and raised Catholic and still likes the ritual of the Mass “because that’s what I grew up with. But I can’t go regularly because of the reminders of the scandal.
“I’m not comfortable with the way the church has handled this at all, no way, shape or form. And I really feel badly for the people who have grown up with this abuse.”
On the other hand, Msgr. Michael Mullen of St. Patrick in Kansas City, Kan., said: “I think the faith of the average Catholic is holding strong. This faith would support the leadership of the church and the responsible way it is addressing this critical issue.”
The problem has been a concern since it surfaced years ago in the United States, he said.
“It involves a small number of clergy,” Mullen said. “Nevertheless, it is important that in the church and the society at large that we show the utmost respect for children and ensure their safety.”
Farnan said the scandals have had some impact on Catholics who are less connected with the church. Among those actively engaged, some say the pope has been unfairly criticized, and others say the church should be more transparent.
“It’s about equal,” he said. “But I don’t think people are so angry that they are leaving the church. Most people who are committed to the church are not going to leave over things concerning the church because they believe it is a human institution, but with divine guidance.”
And those Catholics who challenge institutional thinking would say God and the church are not the same thing, Farnan said.
John Sheeley of Kansas City said people feel strongly about the pedophile problem, but he doesn’t think Catholics are letting that interfere with their beliefs. And faith in the local parish is strong.
“I don’t think a lot of people look in the direction of the Vatican in their daily life,” said Sheeley, a Guardian Angels parishioner. “The local parish gives you examples of how the church works, not something that comes from Rome.”
Miller said he has heard people say that the scandal will shake the faith of young people and that they will turn away from the church. But he sees a growing spirituality among youth, even in the midst of the scandal.
When he became chaplain at Benedictine in 1994, only about 10 students attended daily Mass. Since then, the student population has about doubled, he said, but daily Mass attendance has grown by a larger percentage, and now 300 to 400 attend.
“They are longing for something spiritual,” Miller said. “They are involved in Bible studies. Their attraction to Jesus is stronger than the distraction of the scandal.”
Overshadowing good?
Area Catholics have mixed opinions on whether the sex abuse scandal is overshadowing or distracting from the good the church does.
“In the everyday world, you have people who are very aware of the good works of the church, both Catholics and non-Catholics,” Ruhl said. “There is no end to all the good works accomplished by Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services and other Catholic institutions.”
“For all those for whom the scandal overshadows this, their view of the church is very myopic.”
All over the world, priests, nuns and lay people are doing good works, he said.
“The scandal is painful, but all these people keep working,” Ruhl said. “Overwhelmingly, people have said the gospel message is not impacted by this scandal.”
Mullen agrees, adding the headlines are unfortunately negative. But he said people are stepping up more and more to be involved in the church, volunteering for a variety of tasks.
Kathleen Radford of Raytown, who attends St. John Francis Regis, said, “I can’t explain all the finger pointing at the Catholic Church when clergy in other churches have had similar problems. People must hold us to a higher standard.
“But I think most people –– Catholics and non-Catholics –– separate out the few bad apples from all the good things the church does.”
Charlotte Humphrey of Kansas City said her parish, St. Thomas More, like many parishes, provides assistance for people in need. She is a volunteer in the emergency assistance program that helps with rent, utilities and food.
“I have some non-Catholic friends, and they are appalled by the scandals,” she said. “But I don’t think many are aware of the good things the Catholic Church is doing.”
Sister Rose Marie, whose order helps the elderly and poor, believes the bad publicity is overshadowing the church’s good works. But she said a lot of good will come out of the “humiliation.”
“I believe Christ is always with the church and can bring good out of evil,” she said. “This is a call to live as good Christians, to holiness and to put Christ as the center of our lives.
“Sometimes we need to be shook up.”
To reach Helen Gray, call 816-234-4446, or send e-mail to hgray@kcstar.com.
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