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Catholics are often one issue voters. Now that the Dobbs decision was made they will push for the national ban. What is troubling, however, is that the bishops have recently begun to support the radical right beyond the abortion question, in a sharp swerve away from Catholic social justice teaching. It has finally driven me away,. For years, I would tolerate the church leadership by telling myself that the faithful are the church, not the hierarchy of priests and leaders. Too much corruption and now the support of the far right from so many bishops and priests are the proverbial straw.

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I am sorry that you've recognized that your spiritual path has some things not desirable. I cheer you for the ability to see it and make a healthy decision for yourself. It must be a bit painful to reach that decision, but it demonstrates how healthy you are. And you will find something that is more true to your spirit, I am sure.

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Thank you. It has not been faith that troubled me.

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Carmen I just read that the Vatican has been ‘investigating’ 40 bishops for years regarding sex charges and have yet to release the results regarding many. Could these wayward priests be considered, in WW II terminology, a ‘Fifth Column?’ Do you think they are a small or large retrogressive element?

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I have not followed in great detail all the elements regarding the sex scandals, on the surface a deeply troubling problem within the church. Political positions of the bishops is what has bothered me, and represents a divided church that needs much reform.

"Cathleen Kaveny, a theology and law professor at Boston College and Boston College Law School, told NCR that she thinks the bishops need to pivot from the way they have discussed abortion and reassert their independence from political parties."

https://www.ncronline.org/news/next-weeks-us-bishops-meeting-may-showcase-countrys-sharp-catholic-divisions

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A friend who was studying to be a minister was shocked after one of one of his classes. The subject matter of that class had him in tears. What put him in shock, had him in tears, was learning how much killing had been done in the name of Christ over the last 1500+ years. The Catholic Church of Rome in particular was the power behind and the perpetrator of the killing/ murdering of millions over millennia. Some estimate the total to be 170 million.

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Sadly, a verified reality. Any religion that becomes inflexible, dogmatic, and self-righteous too easily drifts away from its own core principles.

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Amazing that they taught true history of Catholicism to their future ministers. Weeding out process perhaps?

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Unfortunately he wasn’t studying to become a Catholic priest/ minister. The Catholic Church teaching the true history of Catholicism to its future priests/ ministers…. one can only hope that day will come.

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