Don’t Give up on the Church!

By Isabelle de Gaulmyn
La Croix
September 3, 2018

https://international.la-croix.com/news/dont-give-up-on-the-church/8321

In a radio interview on Aug. 29 I attempted once again to explain the crisis engulfing the Church as best I could.Off mike, however, I couldn’t prevent myself from whispering a word of encouragement to my interviewer, noting that the current climate is particularly tough for Catholics.“Oh, but you’re not going to resign too, are you?” she quipped.She was referring to the former French environment minister, Nicolas Hulot, who had announced his resignation a day earlier.Well, why not resign?The latest developments in the U.S. Church’s pedophilia affair plus various French cases, not to mention the undignified dissensions and battles within the Roman Curia, are certainly enough to discourage ordinary Catholics.We feel revolted and disgusted by the years of silence, complicity and disgrace where not one leader, either in Rome or locally, had the courage to raise his voice in protest against crimes including rape or to show at least a little solidarity with the children assaulted in their intimacy.We are outraged and dismayed at the Church’s incapacity to take effective measures for in depth reform. The burden is indeed heavy and the effect on the Church seismic.It would be easy to up and leave, to finish with a Church that is sometimes so difficult to accept. Leaving would certainly be more comfortable. So why stay?Perhaps, precisely because of the suffering. This is what Catholics of all kinds have expressed to me in recent weeks in a series of conversations and emails, letters and testimonies.I don’t know if there is any other institution – religious or not – whose members have been so affected by such crimes and failures.The suffering of Catholics today is sincere, deep and authentic.This suffering undoubtedly explains why many feel hollowed out in their attachment to the Church and their faith.Clearly, it does not dispense us from implementing the necessary reforms. However, a Church that suffers is also a Church that continues to live. And continues to believe.