tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post630332694473556298..comments2024-03-28T13:27:46.447-06:00Comments on Mysteries and More from Saskatchewan: Dear Pope FrancisBill Selneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-78776710547701897022018-11-02T22:03:42.265-06:002018-11-02T22:03:42.265-06:00Kathy D.: There are certainly people in Ireland an...Kathy D.: There are certainly people in Ireland and other countries angry with the leadership of the Church. There has also been a drop in attendance of other Christian Churches in the same time period.In Ireland the Presbyterian Church attendance had declined about 40%. Attendance is a challenge for all Churches in First World countries. Attendance is also an issue with other faiths. I have read that about 20% of American Jews attend services weekly. A lot of people in First World countries do not attend regular services of any faith.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-78120510435713920492018-11-02T20:35:11.398-06:002018-11-02T20:35:11.398-06:00In the early 1980s, 80-90^ of people in Ireland we...In the early 1980s, 80-90^ of people in Ireland went to mass. Now it's down to about 35%, in single digits in Dublin. There are many reasons, including the Magdalene laundries scandal and break-up of mothers and children (see film "Philomena," based on Philomena Lee's biography), and then the child sex abuse scandal. <br /><br />Many Irish people are very angry about all of this. That's not the media's fault. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-84299474992208567752018-10-26T21:02:42.768-06:002018-10-26T21:02:42.768-06:00Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Sexual abuse of ...Kathy D.: Thanks for the comment. Sexual abuse of children has been a major issue for the Church. Catholics have been very conscious of the issue. I am sure some have left the Church over the issue. Those people generally left years ago. Media reports stories. Media also comments. I disagree with the emphasis that this is the only issue within the Church. Media also rarely states the Church is much more than its leadership.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-8692722245220228172018-10-23T23:59:57.464-06:002018-10-23T23:59:57.464-06:00That is Donegal County.That is Donegal County.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-6378554240481996152018-10-23T23:58:58.058-06:002018-10-23T23:58:58.058-06:00i don't classify people as sinners quite like ...i don't classify people as sinners quite like that. Pope Francis made a lot of mistakes as have previous popes, bishops, cardinals in protecting abusive priests. The Church has lost an enormous number of adherents in Ireland and Germany and other European countries, many because of this crisis.<br /><br />Abuse of children, teens and young people is very serious Many are scarred for life In Donegal Country in Ireland, the NY Times reported on many cases of child abuse. The priest was finally prosecuted because of an investigation by a former police detective. But 15 men committed suicide because of their childhood abuse.<br /><br />This is a huge crisis. And it's not because of the media. The media just covers the news and reveals what has been hidden. The news is still the news and facts are facts. <br /><br />Because some of my ancestors were from Ireland, I follow news there. And the Church has lost many adherents because of this history which finally came out. Protecting children who are the most vulnerable people is the responsibility of all adults -- religious and nonreligious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-14434990201573789792018-10-20T22:29:57.092-06:002018-10-20T22:29:57.092-06:00Kathy D.: Pope Francis has lost more popularity ou...Kathy D.: Pope Francis has lost more popularity outside the church than within the Church. Within our parish and diocese we recognize the great harm done. At the same time it does not preoccupy us. There is little perspective on the issue outside the church. For major media it is the only issue for church. Within our parish Pope Francis is respected. The book and his interaction with Emmanuele reflect his personality. He is not perfect and acknowledges, as all Catholics do, that he is a sinner.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-34016977819828581522018-10-20T18:22:40.503-06:002018-10-20T18:22:40.503-06:00I can't understand a discussion about Pope Fra...I can't understand a discussion about Pope Francis and the Catholic Church without discussing his loss of popularity due to his mishandling of the child sexual abuse crisis. He is getting heavy criticism on this issue. His popularity has declined. There are investigations by governments in several states and in other countries.<br /><br />The pope has fired some cardinals and some bishops in Chile, among others, in response to the public pressure.<br /><br />But this is a massive crisis for the Church and for him.<br /><br />Many parents in the U.S. are worried for their children's safety in sending them to Catholic school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-7954518833612242672018-10-10T21:19:16.678-06:002018-10-10T21:19:16.678-06:00Margot: Thanks for the comment. I spent decades te...Margot: Thanks for the comment. I spent decades teaching judo to children. I enjoyed listening to what they had to tell me. Their questions, as in the book, were often direct and penetrating.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644690488802388716.post-90975026976348171982018-10-10T06:14:04.746-06:002018-10-10T06:14:04.746-06:00What I like about this, Bill, is that it really se...What I like about this, Bill, is that it really seems to respect children's views and concerns. Too often, adults assume what children are thinking, hoping, and so on, and don't really listen to them. And those questions get to the heart of things, don't they? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com