In response to a moving message from a young friend, former member of Regnum Christi, lay branch of the Legion of Christ, who described his struggle to continue believing in the Church, hierarchy and clergy, I tossed off the brief reply below. This is not the first time I have noticed the problem of Religious and Spiritual Crisis after the LC/RC; I have seen the spiritual and religious devastation wrought in many hearts and souls, beginning with the victims of Fr. Maciel's sexual abuse; there I experience atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, bitterness, hopelessness, mistrust of the Church Hierarchy, separation from Catholic practice and the sacraments, abandon of prayer, etc.. (One notable exception is Saul Barrales, "Brother Charity" who lives in Mexico City. Bless him for holding on to his faith despite everything.)
At the other end of the spectrum there are quite a number of "Practicing Catholics" among the former members. Some of us tend to generalize: the longer you were in the worse the damage, including damage to your Faith and Religious Practice.
Dear Friend,
I believe this is a common problem for many former members or those involved. It is also an issue dear to my heart. I don't have time to write about it in depth. Maybe there is something in my memoir. I would love to have the time to write about this. The Legion experience can easily throw your relationship with the Church hierarchy and clergy into a tail spin; after all the Legion is still a bona fide religious order and the Vatican is allowing it to continue despite its serious defects...
Personally, however, I was able to salvage my Faith in Jesus and God from the shipwreck, and hold on to them dearly. On the other hand, you can still question the clergy and be a member of the Church...
When I was a priest in Mexico I used to love to shock my RC students at the School of Faith by saying. "Priests are a necessary evil. If they get in your way as you strive to reach God, forget them!"
I do not visit Facebook frequently; I am glad I found your message. You can reach me at irishmexican43@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment