The Catholic Hierarchy (aka the Opus Dei wing of the Religious Reich) has picked a fight with the Obama Administration on whether or not they should be legally required to offer birth control in their insurance package to the employees of their businesses.
There are many excellent diaries on this site explaining the insanity of their claim that this is a war on religion.
But I want to ask 'the Catholics,' the people in the pew, the parishioners:
Where are YOU? Where is YOUR voice against this insanity?
I put it to Catholic parishioners: "If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem."
Many Catholics are good and thoughtful people who try to live their lives as best they can and indeed do live honorable and productive lives. Many of these are unhappy with a lot that the 'hierarchy' says and does: on contraception, divorce, women, abortion, stem cells, gays, gay marriage. The way that these parishioners make their peace with the church is basically to say: 'I stay in the Church to change the Church,' or 'what the Vatican does, doesn't bother me,' 'I am happy in my church of St X and Fr. X is a good guy, so I am ok,' or simply, 'I just ignore the Vatican stuff, and keep myself happy with the sacraments and liturgy and community which give meaning to my life.' And on, and on and on....
There is also the Mel Gibson wing of the Church and the Opus Dei branch of the Church who want Church government interference in every aspect of not only their lives but the lives of all other citizens of this country as well. This diary is not aimed at these people; they are essentially extensions of the hierarchy.
But in my opinion, the rank and file Catholic majority have taken the position that "there are two churches." The first church is the 'people of god' in the pews struggling to live life the best that they know how in this complex world. And the second church is hierarchy which has publicly taken a position of regressive conservatism; avowedly wanting to take the church back to 'pre Vatican II times.' In the face of the regressive policies and statements of the hierarchy, these people retain their sanity by compartmentalizing a lot of what the hierarchy says and follow their own consciences and continue to use contraceptives, get remarried after divorce, engage in gay relationships and generally ignore the insanity of that hierarchy, with a shrug that is normally given to a crazy old uncle. All the while, still enjoying church membership as they exercise their freedom of conscience.
However the time has come to question the role that the Catholics are taking in allowing their hierarchy to continue down its regressive, and essentially destructive, path. The hierarchy can no longer be shrugged off as a crazy old uncle.
All this compartmentalization and 'looking the other way' by the Catholics is causing a psychological split in the minds and emotions of church members and church itself. It is the same kind of split that an abused spouse cultivates as s/he tries to continue living with an alcoholic by justifying or excusing abusive behavior: "Oh s/he's drinking and beating me up is not so bad, s/he gives me a home and I know s/he loves me." How different is that from being silent and looking the other way and saying that it is only the hierarchy speaking, when bishops and the pope essentially 'beat up' their parishioners with their inhumane demands on their personal lives? How do you think gay teens feel? Divorced persons? Girls who are raped and who seek abortion?
What has happened now is that this hierarchy is trying out their particular brand of abuse on the non Catholics by trying to deny women contraceptive care who work in their businesses. And guess what? They won't take it.
Catholics need to take a long hard look at themselves and consider whether they have silently propped up these medieval attitudes and policies of the Vatican? Their silence and complicity has made it possible for the hierarchy to become as regressive and repressive as it has. Well meaning 'people of god' are acting as enablers to the 'drunk with power' hierarchy. If the hierarchy does not feel any push back and thinks that its power is still absolute with its flock, why wouldn't they continue on their drunken path of destruction?
Yes, I am aware that there are Catholic groups who actively protest the Church's stance on abortion, contraception, the ban on women priest, and gay marriage. But I am talking about the parishioner in the pew. Why do you just sit there when the priest reads a pope's/bishop's political statement during their services? Why do you not stand up and/or leave in protest?
I will tell you why. Because the Catholic Church has drummed into your head that the First Commandment is "Thou Shalt Obey the Hierarchy." Period. And reinforced it with the very new doctrine of Papal Infallibility. That LOCKS YOU IN. No way to pursue a matter of conscience. The mere thought of standing up in a Mass and contradicting what is read or walking out would make many 'loyal' Catholics blanche. The culture of obedience and fear has been driven deep down into the Catholic psyche and needs to be weeded out.
What about freedom of conscience? What about thinking for yourself and expressing yourself to the hierarchy? Rather than in whispers in the confessional, why not express yourself clearly and loudly in the church premises? Its time for all Catholics of Conscience to rise up and stop being enablers and call out their hierarchy for their multiple abuses. This should be a matter of conscience. Its time for all Catholics to stop being an abused member of their church.
Do you really support the teachings of the Catholic Church on:
1) women (no priesthood, no rights to pregnancy prevention or choice)
2) gays (against god's plan, while the church hierarchy is FULL of gays.)
3) divorce, remarriage
4) its unabashed alliance with the conservative Republican party
5) forbidding freedom of conscience for all their people. Forbidding freedom of thought, especially for their theologians and universities, requiring theologians to sign 'loyalty statements.' Requiring people to think and follow their mandates like sheep, without bringing the light of reason, science and experience to what they are doing.?
6) Celibacy, etc., etc.
If not, why are you not letting your views be known IN YOUR PARISHES? Why sit there quietly week after week creating this split in your psyche where you compartmentalize what the hierarchy is saying and what you really believe. And then often you need permission to think your own thoughts and feel your own feelings. For fear of being disobedient and sinning.
No this approach of the hierarchy is aimed at keeping their 'flock; psychologically and emotionally at the level of PERPETUAL CHILDREN WHO COMPLETELY OBEY THEM UNDER PAIN OF SIN AND WHO ARE KEPT IN CHECK THROUGH GUILT. The hierarchy tries to keep the people under their control; tries to keep them from thinking for themselves and pursuing a serious spiritual journey in their lives. And tries to keep them for behaving like a serious adult and citizen.
There are many Catholics who refuse to be kept as children. Who do think for themselves. Who do follow their consciences and pursue a serious spiritual journey in their lives.
However that is not enough in these times. Their voices need to be heard LOUD AND CLEAR in local churches and communities, not just railing against a far away Vatican 'hierarchy.' Make your voices heard locally. Organize discussion workshops in your churches on this issue. Write to your local churches as well as your bishop. Let them know where you stand. Organize petitions to be presented to your church, your diocese. Don't keep silent. Do not be afraid of offending the hierarchy. It is YOUR CHURCH. YOU are the PEOPLE OF GOD. The Hierarchy is supposed to SERVE YOU. It is not enough for people from outside the church to point out the injustice posed by the hierarchy in their social attitudes. You have to do this because you are their base. You are supporting them, and don't ever forget that important principle. It depends on you. Take up this responsibility and ACT LOCALLY. And ACT LOUDLY.
You are their ba$e. Pure and $imple.
Once again, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.