Desperate Times Calls for Desperate Catholics

Published November 03, 2009 @ 07:34PM PT

As someone who was raised Catholic, went to 15 years of Catholic school and is still asked to rise at eight o'clock in the morning when I visit my parents to go to church, the following news is quite the shocking revelation: the Catholic Church is now accepting applications from Anglicans.

For those who are not well-versed Christianity, here's a quick definition of an Anglican: those who historically protest the Catholic Church and have been traditionally more liberal on their stances on the ordination of women bishops, gay priests and gay marriage.

But it looks like desperate times in the church call for desperate Catholics as being reported by Laura Flanders at Grit TV:

Now facing flagging attendance and shrinking contributions, some of that hard-lining is going soft. Given the chance to fill some empty pews, by allowing conservative Anglicans into the ranks, the Catholic Church is backing off. Those conservative Anglicans are disaffected by their own church's more liberal stances on contraception, gay rights and women's autonomy but they're not about to excommunicate pro choicers - not yet. So suddenly, Rome is willing to do as the Anglicans do.... and call debate over reproductive rights a difference of opinion. Heck, they're even willing to create loopholes to let married clergy stay married.

Fancy that. So what about all those fights over all those years? What about all those denied a place in their faith, and most of all, those who died due to botched and politicized abortions? All those who were forced to bear children against their will, or were infected with HIV due to lies about condoms - or no sex ed at all? Now we find out they suffered simply over a difference of opinion?

I personally believe that everyone needs a sense of spirituality and often religion can provide that. When I was growing up, the Church gave me an understanding of the concept of having faith and I gained an understanding of social justice and community service that I still appreciate to this day. However, the stances of the Catholic Church toward women definitely make even the Christmas carol hard to sing. It's a good thing to see the Catholic church opening up to other ideas about what the Bible means, but is it too little, too late?

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Comments (7)

I gained an understanding of social justice and community service that I still appreciate to this day.</blockquote>

This is the Catholic Church I grew up in as well. I'm not sure what happened over the years. I think there is a huge disconnect between the majority of American Catholics and the Vatican and I hope we're headed for a showdown. I also really hope the next pope comes from outside Europe, perhaps the Third World, where he might have a better understand that Catholicism should be about helping the poor and needy not Vatican ideology.

Posted by Danine Spencer on 11/04/2009 @ 08:44AM PT
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"I gained an understanding of social justice and community service that I still appreciate to this day." is a quote from Jen's column above. I tried to do a blockquote but it didn't read the tags. Sorry!

Posted by Danine Spencer on 11/04/2009 @ 08:46AM PT
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It was bad enough when all the scandal about "Father Feely" came out (I'm from Boston, Mass) but when the Bishops came out in favor of Illegal Aliens I knew that the Catholic Church and I would part.

What is is about the Church having a *blind spot* when it comes to obeying the law?

What's next, "special dispensations" for bank robbery as long as you kick back 20% to the church?

They shouldn't be getting involved in politics!

They just do what they "feel like doing?"

I wish I could do that!

I don't belong to any church now and am much happier! I say my prayers to God not to the church.

It's funny, the Bishops say that "illegal aliens are human beings."

Yeah, but, you don't have to live in the U.S. to be a "human being" do you?

And why are they only advocating that the U.S. take in illegal aliens and not other countries?

One thing for sure, they're driving out lots of people who used to be Catholics with this nonsense!

I am now a "free agent".

Posted by Thomas Porter on 11/08/2009 @ 04:13PM PT
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Definitely agree. If they are able to choose a Pope from Latin America, it would make a lot of sense. However, whether or not the Catholic church will ever be truly accepting of women and gays remains a larger question.

Posted by Jen Nedeau on 11/04/2009 @ 08:54AM PT
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*sigh* Yes, there is work to do on that front.

Posted by Danine Spencer on 11/04/2009 @ 08:58AM PT
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Check out the article at the National Catholic Reporter website entitled "Misogynist? Homophobic? We have the church for you!" which points out that the Anglicans being welcomed by Rome are the ones who have opposed their own church's policies of tolerance and acceptance. The Vatican will now accept married priests evidently, provided they are chauvinists.

Posted by Rhonda Case on 11/05/2009 @ 07:47PM PT
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Celibacy is a tradition of the catholic church since about the 10th century. It does serve a good purpose and those who are thus called know this very well. As for accepting women, where would we be if that were the not case.

Any appreciation of these matters requires a purity which the current culture disavows. Comments are mediated through the lens of our culture. To change that is indeed a radical shift more than change.org. But good food for thought.

Posted by Brian Earley on 11/06/2009 @ 06:58PM PT
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Jen Nedeau is a social media consultant, progressive activist, feminist speaker and writer. She currently lives in New York City, where she works full-time as the Director of Digital Strategy at Air America Media. In August 2008, Nedeau was selected to be the Editor of the WomensRights.Change.Org where she facilitates daily discussion about the feminist movement. Additionally, Nedeau volunteers as the Chief Technology Officer for New Leaders Council, a non-profit that offers exclusive training for young leaders. You can follow her on Twitter @HumanFolly or learn more here: www.jennedeau.com.