|
LETTER to the editor
“Gaile Pohlhaus's account of being denied admission
to the bishops’ meeting [In the Vineyard, June
29, “Banging a Drum in LA”] should hardly surprise us;
in fact, it is absolutely in keeping with the Church
leadership’s arrogant, out of touch attitude.
What is important is that VOTF and others publicize
these actions so that all Catholics can better appreciate
where they stand in relation to their Church. In effect, ‘we
the Church’ are peons. We contribute absolutely everything
the Church has or has ever had, yet the Church pays less
than no attention to our calls for reform and recognition
of the terrible injustices of the recent past.
How the Church can focus on trivial changes to the
text of the Mass, while simultaneously trying to avoid
taking any responsibility for the widespread sexual abuse
among members of its own clergy (including some bishops),
is simply beyond belief, and is certainly way beyond
anything that Christ every taught.
As I read Gail Pohlhaus's account, it reinforced a
decision I had made some time ago to stop attending Mass,
this from a one-time daily communicant, Eucharistic Minister
and director of a hospital ministry. I simply had gotten
to the point where I could no longer stand the hypocritical
attitude and pronouncements coming forth from every level
of the Church's hierarchy. Attending Mass became a study
in anger and frustration. Not attending Mass has brought
me closer to God, closer to prayer and closer to my fellow
human beings.
I am a Hospice Volunteer and contribute to a wide range
of charitable causes. Actually, since leaving the Church,
I feel clean and at peace. I still consider myself a
Catholic, and when the hierarchy of the Catholic Church
really starts paying attention to the teachings of Christ,
then I will be pleased to reinvolve myself.
My path has evolved in a natural and peaceful way – from
skepticism to disillusionment to separation. The whole
process has taken about five years and I cannot believe
that I am alone on this journey. I will continue to support
VOTF because I see it as the best hope for reform; hardly
a day goes by that I don't think of VOTF and Martin Luther.
VOTF has played an extremely helpful role in helping
me resolve a number of conflicting issues and for this
I will be forever grateful. You are doing good and important
work and I urge you to continue reporting what is really
going on. Over the years, I have always found you to
be fair and impartial, but more importantly, you reflect
the spirit of Christ. In a way, I have left the Catholic
Church and have joined the Church of VOTF because I respect
you and I respect your objectives.
VOTF is up to the challenge and you are worthy of all
the support you can muster.” Peter von Raits, Santa
Barbara, CA
|
