My Church throughout its whole history is rocked with scandals. Its a fact.
My Church has members who think they are holier than others, but I know some people of other faiths who are too. My Church has dogmas that are maybe unpopular now, but I know that France has only recently lifted the law about women wearing jeans. My Church takes on ideas that are conservative and outdated for many. Yes, other religions have that too. My Church has bad people in it, who doesn't? And that includes me.
In the practice of law, a law-making body draws up a set of rules that is deemed as proper and imperative for the good of everybody on a particular time. We cannot expect an institution of whatever kind to rely whimsically on what we as individuals alone perceive is best. And so we have laws that governs our society and norms that governs our relationship with other people. To break such rules and norms may not necessarily be wrong but improper for many.
I am Catholic because despite of and in spite of its flaws, it brings me to the basics. To name a few: that God exists somewhere, that too much of anything is not good, and that I should always be good in dealing with others. I need to hear mass because it is my reminder that I am accountable to God and at the same time I can ask for his wisdom why things don't always go my way or His forgiveness when I feel that what I have done is such an epic fail.
I remain Catholic because while there are abusive priests, there are priests who also give me nuggets of wisdom in their homily of how life comes in all shapes and sizes. And there are priests who have faithfully served the Church, spreading and living the word of God even in the most hellish of places on earth.
I love being Catholic because I look forward to Christmas and that feeling of having to share the blessings and of being grateful for my life while it may not be perfect. I look forward to Lent where I can reflect the errors of my ways in contrast to Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
My Church is far from perfect. And many times I don't see eye-to-eye with what it stands for. I stay however because the traditions taught me the importance of being a good person and of believing in God. The same way I know my children will learn too. My Church believes in angels and the saints and I know that my prayers have saved me from much trouble.
I believe in the Sacraments and rites and rituals. It is ours to appreciate much as the tribes in Africa have their own.
I don't believe that my Church alone would guarantee my afterlife, I am thankful however that when things get so complex, I kneel down, I pray, I confess, I receive God and I am brought back to the basics, most of which is proven right most of the time.
I rarely talk about my personal experiences with God and I don't intend to justify nor say that we are any better. I am simply saying why this is right for me.
I have admired Pope John Paul II for reaching out to other faiths and to Pope Benedict for his wisdom and steadfast loyalty to the Church. Both are humble servants of God who in the end are human beings placed in a position to decide for the whole flock.
And so, in the event of the Pope's resignation all the commotion in and around it, I remain. I will continue to be at odds on some issues but I know that come Sunday, I will be on my knees and be grateful.
