Over the last ten years or so, I've been holding on by a thread to the Church, in order to not allow anyone to "force" me out of my faith that, during both good and trying times, has provided guidance, strength, and refuge. I stay (and occasionally leave but return) precisely because the Church's teachings of living the Gospel, of walkin…
Over the last ten years or so, I've been holding on by a thread to the Church, in order to not allow anyone to "force" me out of my faith that, during both good and trying times, has provided guidance, strength, and refuge. I stay (and occasionally leave but return) precisely because the Church's teachings of living the Gospel, of walking the walk, is foundational to its beliefs, teachings, and culture.
My mom, who converted to Catholicism of her own accord (to her Methodist grandmother's horror) in 1950 at the age of 14, became one of the first women Eucharistic ministers in western Washington and went on to become a professor of theology and religious studies at Seattle University, a Jesuit institution. My upbringing in the church by a mother who lived every facet of Catholic social justice teachings, often in the face of enormous pushback by, it is sad to say, primarily priests who viewed her growing influence in our diocese of the 1970s and 80s as a subversive threat (not ALL, but many; conversely, Deacons often cheered her on!) still holds enormous sway in how I view what leaders in the Church *should* do, what they should teach, how they should lead.
That is to say, Catholics and MAGA are - or should be - polar opposites in their belief systems, their lived devotion to the Lord and to the Beatitudes, and their commitment to put charity, compassion, and mercy front and center in their daily lives. I have been blessed to know angels in the guise of "simple" Women religious, as well as some remarkably devoted priests and lay people who would literally give the shirts on their backs and the shoes on their feet to the people they serve - the underserved and marginalized.
So to hear J.D. Vance accuse Catholics in general and Catholic Charities in particular of somehow grifting off immigrants, well... there is no more perfect example of "projection" than that. And yet, Vance *must* know just how ludicrous and hypocritical he sounds. He may now be a soulless bundle of naked ambition, but he's not stupid. He knows exactly who his boss is. And therein lies the tragedy.
Born Roman Catholic and still am. For the record, Christian Nationalists are NOT real Christians. Their televangelists make me nauseous. I am being judgmental, which is a sin according to my teachings. However, seeing what MAGA is doing horrifies me.,
My Aunt who was in the Navy converted in 1947 -- received her first Communion in the Military Episcopate in the Navy. Growing up, I "inherited" all her rosaries, prayer books, medals, and etc. They are all precious to me and her spiritual material culture was critical in the formation of my own spirituality.
The Catholic Church, though it has its historic misogyny ... has been a treasure-trove of strong women! :) Medieval history is replete with assertive abbesses and feisty anchorites. You should note that the cross of Lorraine, the symbol of French resistance in World War II ... is associated with Joan of Arc. !!!
I agree! And we cannot stop fighting for the equality that has eluded us these past 2,000+ years. My mom actually put together a bibliography of resources related to women and the Church (from many angles). I've been thinking about trying to find it, I know I have it archived somewhere!
She passed away in 2006 from early-onset Alz, which was devastating, of course. But she left behind a few things that I've often thought could be put to good use one day 🙂.
Yes, it's projection. Remember that Trump and his kids used their foundations for grift including campaign contributions to Pam Bondi, the new AG, when she was a FL AG.
Over the last ten years or so, I've been holding on by a thread to the Church, in order to not allow anyone to "force" me out of my faith that, during both good and trying times, has provided guidance, strength, and refuge. I stay (and occasionally leave but return) precisely because the Church's teachings of living the Gospel, of walking the walk, is foundational to its beliefs, teachings, and culture.
My mom, who converted to Catholicism of her own accord (to her Methodist grandmother's horror) in 1950 at the age of 14, became one of the first women Eucharistic ministers in western Washington and went on to become a professor of theology and religious studies at Seattle University, a Jesuit institution. My upbringing in the church by a mother who lived every facet of Catholic social justice teachings, often in the face of enormous pushback by, it is sad to say, primarily priests who viewed her growing influence in our diocese of the 1970s and 80s as a subversive threat (not ALL, but many; conversely, Deacons often cheered her on!) still holds enormous sway in how I view what leaders in the Church *should* do, what they should teach, how they should lead.
That is to say, Catholics and MAGA are - or should be - polar opposites in their belief systems, their lived devotion to the Lord and to the Beatitudes, and their commitment to put charity, compassion, and mercy front and center in their daily lives. I have been blessed to know angels in the guise of "simple" Women religious, as well as some remarkably devoted priests and lay people who would literally give the shirts on their backs and the shoes on their feet to the people they serve - the underserved and marginalized.
So to hear J.D. Vance accuse Catholics in general and Catholic Charities in particular of somehow grifting off immigrants, well... there is no more perfect example of "projection" than that. And yet, Vance *must* know just how ludicrous and hypocritical he sounds. He may now be a soulless bundle of naked ambition, but he's not stupid. He knows exactly who his boss is. And therein lies the tragedy.
Glad hear a positive story.
Born Roman Catholic and still am. For the record, Christian Nationalists are NOT real Christians. Their televangelists make me nauseous. I am being judgmental, which is a sin according to my teachings. However, seeing what MAGA is doing horrifies me.,
It horrifies me as well. It should horrify everyone.
My Aunt who was in the Navy converted in 1947 -- received her first Communion in the Military Episcopate in the Navy. Growing up, I "inherited" all her rosaries, prayer books, medals, and etc. They are all precious to me and her spiritual material culture was critical in the formation of my own spirituality.
BRAVA!! to strong, independent women :-).
The Catholic Church, though it has its historic misogyny ... has been a treasure-trove of strong women! :) Medieval history is replete with assertive abbesses and feisty anchorites. You should note that the cross of Lorraine, the symbol of French resistance in World War II ... is associated with Joan of Arc. !!!
I agree! And we cannot stop fighting for the equality that has eluded us these past 2,000+ years. My mom actually put together a bibliography of resources related to women and the Church (from many angles). I've been thinking about trying to find it, I know I have it archived somewhere!
She passed away in 2006 from early-onset Alz, which was devastating, of course. But she left behind a few things that I've often thought could be put to good use one day 🙂.
Find it! Update it! Post it!
Will do. If/when I find it, I'll post it here and in my own Substack conversation, I guess. I'm glad this conversation came up!
Yes, it's projection. Remember that Trump and his kids used their foundations for grift including campaign contributions to Pam Bondi, the new AG, when she was a FL AG.
The amount of grift and corruption is truly just mind boggling.