FIXING CATHOLICISM

My religion of choice is Catholicism but the last decade have made me uncomfortable with it. The beliefs and faith are good but the execution is questionable. But much like Politics the Catholic Church can’t be “fixed”. But it’s day to day operations and underlying approach to its parishioners and community can be greatly improved.

First the priests, yes there was and is scandal but an equally disturbing feature to me is the lack of much feeling of accountability to the parishioners and the community that priest exhibit. The lack of priest in the U. S. has led to not only a lack of services but also to often to an elitist attitude. The best way to repair this alienation from the average man is to normalize priests and the first step in doing this is to allow priest to marry and be married. This would greatly enhance the number of priest and allow them to better understand the people they are spiritually leading and address the void of priest. At the same time Women should be allowed to be priests. Women would bring an understanding and sensitivity that is all too often missing. The male only criteria is a throwback to a time when people also thought the Sun revolved around the Earth. Again, this would increase the numbers of priest which would translate into better coverage, more services and higher standards.

Selective consolidation of smaller parishes, this would create more viable churches. Remove struggling churches that are always hand to mouth monetarily would mean remaining parishes would have more and better attended masses, more school enrollment, more ministries and more priests at each parish.

More services, daily confession and a minimum of two daily masses. More religious events (at least daily or more if possible) stations of the cross, public rosary, prayer meetings, religious readings with homily, bible study etc. etc. Parish churches would now be a source and catalyst for prayer and meditation not just a Sunday obligation.

Masses take as long as they take not intentionally made longer for arbitrary reasons. Mass homilies would be encouraged to be concise and not rattle on. Possibly a designated homilist for all masses at larger parishes to insure presentation, interest and substance. Longer services are not better just longer.

Personnel, since some of the earlier listed changes would create more and hopefully better priests all parishes would have a minimum of (2) priest to facilitate service and small rural parishes would each have one priest assigned. The practice of one priest handling as many as (4) parishes in rural areas would be eliminated. Small rural parishes could be entry level assignments for new priests not just retirement homes for aging clerics or places of “pony express” type masses on Sunday. With the increased requirements for religious services especially in more populated areas the need for multiple, active priests would be vital.

Vow of Poverty, The Catholic Churches and their priests and administrators would take a vow of poverty. Priest would be schooled in the Franciscan methods and encouraged and required to be an example of this. All Orders, Diocese, and parishes would take an inventory of all assets. This means everything including farmland, buildings, homes, rectories etc. Then all assets would be evaluated again from a Franciscan, vow of poverty, point of view and any that were not deemed necessary to run the parish or Order would be sold. There is not a need for various Orders to own farmland for example or a parish to own rental property. Assets deemed unnecessary would be liquidated. Building not used or needed or available due to consolidation would be sold and some where appropriate repurposed into homeless shelters, low income, free, daycare centers or senior community centers. 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the afore mentioned assets would go to outfit and run these facilities. The other 50% put into a foundation to fund these operations as well as parochial schools going forward. The idea being that Catholic parishes would be universal in helping others. Our rejection of monetary influences would be the example we are meant to portray. At the same time 10% of all parish revenue would be annually donated to NON-Catholic charities that the individual parish selects as long as they are to local people or their local community. This would exhibit a sincerity to a universal approach to do good selflessly. It’s time for us to remove money and its accumulation from religion and to realize that religion is about God and no amount of money is worth allowing others to suffer. We need to do the best we can and a Vow of Poverty is the right direction.

Diocese Authority Scaled Back, Diocese the regional meccas of power in the Catholic church should be greatly tempered. Their 10% tax on all parish revenue would be eliminated. Personnel would be reduced and replaced with NON- paid civilian boards that give direction as to new buildings, major repairs and maintenance, consolidation plans, religious procedures, parish priest assignments. They would have expertise in the areas under there control and have no agenda other than doing the best they could. There would be term limits on length of service but with the talent pool within a Diocese’ area finding the correct new members would be easily recruited and be approved by the existing board members being phased out. The Bishop would be the liaison to Rome and other Diocese and be a teacher / consular not an all powerful executive. This lay involvement would be carried down to the parish level. The Pastor would answer to a board (3) appointed by the Pastor and (6) elected by the parishioners with the Pastor unable to overrule the board on management matters. Too often priests are poor fiscal managers and less than realistic about needs and worldly matters. They are “kept” individuals, housing, healthcare, food, security, etc. all provided and guaranteed. Lay people would temper that greatly.

Many of these ideas need refinement and further explanation. They touch some of the problems that exist but obviously not all and represent the church in the United States.

The objective here is to create a smart, compassionate, kind environment, where giving and helping are paramount, example is foremost and praying and holiness are the norm. We would be about more than abortion. Immigrants suffering and dying at our border and across the world would be as important as an unborn child. The sex of our life partner would be no more important than the color of their skin or place of origin. Acceptance and caring for others, is what Jesus showed us by his example. In his time, he questioned and challenged the beliefs long held, for our redemption. The Pharisees rejected him for straying from age old customs and beliefs. They were wrong and sought to preserve their status quo. Lets not make the same mistake. It is obvious that we need change the simple question and answer is “What Would Jesus Do”