Catholic guilt

Who's feeling it?

I am. Mom will be proud.

No matter how I feel about religion, I still respect the Holy Father and find many Catholic traditions beautiful.

So, the Pope's impending death is affecting me more than I thought it would. I'm sad that he's suffering... but he seems to have been suffering for quite some time now. I disagree with the Vatican adamantly on a number of issues, but I have always respected that they were at least far more consistent in their beliefs than Protestants appear to be. As well, my Catholic family is hardcore liberal so I've always had that influence.

Bless you, Papa. Go be with your God.

Ditto most of that.

Really sad right now.

but watching the Pope up in his window with his mouth gaping open, his head swaying, trying to speak was really depressing.

I disagree with much of Catholic dogma. Also, if the Pope is the head of the Catholic Church, then just like the head of a corporation he bears some responsibility when wrong or bad things are done, even if he had no direct control over the instances (ie: the priest abuse scandals).

But I think Pope John Paul II is good at heart. He has served his God well, and his people well.

even consider myself a Catholic, but I feel terrible about John Paul II dying.
It's the end of an era--he became Pope when I was a sophomore in a Catholic high school.
I feel an odd nostalgia and sadness, and even some anger for the backward steps the Church has taken recently. And, throw in a little guilt to make it hurt in the gut....

tho, more like confusion, like why am I feeling this way if I haven't been to Church in ten years. Why am I lashing out at people who are making Pope jokes. Why do I suddenly feel there's a Catholic backlash here on DU...

I don't know, I'm just thinking about these things lately.

like what is this thread doing in GD?

in this forum?

I think it is entirely appropriate.

Does that make sense?

I didn't want to put it in the Lounge, because it deals with current events that are being discussed all over GD. Plus, I'd wager a guess that people that don't want to discuss this are hiding in the Lounge right now.

...just for starters?

The Catholic Forum;
The Christial Liberal Forum; and the Prayer Group Forum.
Atheists and Agnostics Forum too, while you're at it.
I'm sick of theology for now.

most of us who are posting here aren't even religious, we're talking about a man who is dying and how he inspired us...I don't post in the Religion forum, so I probably wouldn't have ever even seen this thread if it was posted there...

Again, does that answer your question?

and you're telling me its not about religion? WTF!
I'm done for now.

I'm not questioning my faith (or lack thereof, rather) as much as I've been on the verge of tears all day and it's taken me by surprise. Not that I thought that I'd be happy when the Pope passed or anything - nothing like that - but the overwhelming feelings caught me off guard.

I disagree strongly with many of the Churches teachings and don't really feel I need it as part of my life, but all this has made me reflect on all of the good things I remember about being raised Catholic, and many of the good thing that, despite it's flaws, the Church has done.

I'm not a prayerful person, reflective, mediative maybe, thoughtful...but I'd just like to say, I hope Papa John finds peace soon.

of philly from 5.

i never had a priest, brother, nun or other staff ever come on to me, more of the opposite, a good swat with a brush or ruler, a few times and i am certainly note religious today, let alone Catholic - since 16 - but i respect the church and what it has done for many of the poor around the world and will never forget this pope who stood up to the current dictator threatening world peace by engaging in ILLEGAL preventive war by INVADING and BRUTALLY occupying a country that posed 0 military threat to US, IRAQ.

in-spite of all it's - the church - great many past injustices and current.

we are all involved with an eternal mandate to evolve ;->

:hi:

peace

The whole "Catholic Church is evil" slant that has been going around lately...I said it before, and I'll say it again, I still don't care for most of the Church's standing on way too many issues, but at a time like this, I wish people could just put those things aside for about five minutes and think.

A number of things have distanced me from the church over the past several years, and the rampant oonservatism replacing liberal and progressive goals has upset me.

I disagree with some of what he says, but above all he is a good man. I am sincerely worried about who will follow this man who has done so much to reach out and embrace other faiths and peoples. I had the opportunity to watch him speak in June 2003 when I went to Italy.

Go in peace, Papa. May you feel not pain but the eternal love and serenity of heaven.

It's hard to hide true spirit no matter where it shows itself. And his spirit was bright and soothing and enduring...I have always appreciated him from afar.

Yeah mom would be proud too. I am surprised at the sadness I am feeling.

Yet, it is moving to see someone have such a dignified passsing and be so loved, by so many. The power of that love has done much good for the world.

I strongly disagree with the church on many of their positions and take issue in general with organized religion, but there is no denying what a powerful and sometimes magnificent force it has been in our world. By the same token, the loyalty people have to their religions has also created attrocities and brought about much human suffering.

It's somewhat emotional, even for me, as a non Christian. This is a major world event and it's fascinating to witness it.

I think it's wonderful that you can find respect and love in your heart--despite some disagreements you have with the Vatican.

What a testament to your lovely character!

I was raised Catholic. I'm not a practicing Catholic, but it is a beautiful religion, and I benefited from having it in my life for many years.

Your sentiments are very gracious. Your liberal, Catholic parents are very proud of the person you've become, I'm sure.

:)

For the suffering of the Pope, for all those around the world who are sad. I lost the head of my Order this last year-I remember what it was like. One is happy that the person is drawing closer to the Beloved, yet one is also sad. We Sufis call the day of passing The Wedding Day, because it is the joyous reunion of the soul with the Beloved. May those who are saddened by the Pope's passing remember the joy there will be as John Paul II rejoins The One.

I think John Paul II's legacy will be the humility he showed many times by admitting the church is not always right.

I remember when he apologized for the persecution of Galileo and the snickers that accompanied it. Nonetheless, he was right to do it. Even if it was 400 years after the fact, the Holy Father himself made it clear that the church is not infallible.

I was very happy when he began to reopen ties with the Orthodox churches. 1000 years had passed and nobody could remember what caused the split (Augustinian original sin?). I was happy to see that the Pope could make efforts to bridge that gap.

Though I hope his successor will focus his efforts in different ways, I think John Paul II has laid a decent moral foundation to renew the call for social justice.

It really feels like I'm losing a member of the family.

how liberal John Paul really was, relatively speaking of course, I still have my gripes with him and the Church, but he did speak out against the war in Iraq, and remained ambiguous on supporting Kerry, in spite of the abortion issue...I think he will be remembered as a good man.