No Papists Allowed..

So I went to a local parish today to purchase an ad space in their bulletin. (which will hopefully be a great way to get business for a Catholic attorney). Anyway, I went in, gave the little old lady who is the secretary my business card, and she introduced me to the "bookkeeper". We made some small talk about the ad, and I spoke to them briefly about my school.

Then things got bad. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but the conversation turned to the lack of Catholics in the Diocese. I said that I felt having more respect for the Mass would be a good start to getting people back to church. This, for whatever reason (read as: Call to Action) made her, uh, not so happy.

I then got an earful of how we need to have MORE lay ministers (how about less?), priests who can marry, and (of course) women priests. My head hurt. I didn't want to get into a huge fight, and of course I wanted to maintain some degree of charity. Considering this parish has had many problems over the years with the laity attempting to take over the role of the priest, among other things, further angering someone who effectively runs the show (the priest there is afflicted with diabetes, and while a good priest, doesn't have the support from either the parish council or the rest of the parishioners to make large impacts) didn't seem like the best thing to do.

I responded with a "lawyer-ish" answer. "Well, I am no theologian, so I don't think I am qualified to debate the merits of that; my opinion is not really worth anything..." (attempting to not anger her). There was an interjection. "OF COURSE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN OPINION." ugh. I think that might be the banner on the Call to Action website: "The Church is wrong! Your opinion matters!". Anyway, I tried my best to not let the situation get away from me. The best thing I could think of to say that would be forceful (and slightly infuriating) enough to end the debate, yet not so powerful a statement that it would continue in ad hominem attacks was: "Well, my allegiance lies with Rome, so if Rome does not approve of something, neither do I. If Rome does approve, then I approve." Oops. Not the best thing to say to someone like that apparently.

"Things will change, and there will be women priests, things will be better, maybe not in my lifetime, and certainly not with this Pope, but it will happen."

Hey lady, that's my Pope you're talking about there! I knew it was no use. Nothing I could have said would change the years of corrupt teachings this woman has been fed. I decided I would stop and just get out of there ASAP, before I lost it.

_______

Unfortunately, there are far too many people that fail (whether willing or out of ignorance) to understand the teachings of the church. They like to rationalize improper views, and embrace secular views about their own Church. Many of these people are also in positions of leadership in parishes across the country, and around the globe. It should be a wake-up call to those of us who wish to remain faithful to the Magisterium of the Church that we must get off the sidelines, and be involved in our parishes and ensure that our children are being brought up properly in the faith.

"Evil triumphs when good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Ok, I have to go...I have to find the sign-up sheet for Parish Council....