Madam, – When discussing the recent abuse scandals and “cover-ups” with friends I have been conscious of perhaps one positive outcome to the whole debacle – the stark realisation that the Catholic Church is, unhappily, light years removed from the original teachings of the Gospel.
Jesus was born in a stable, not in a palace. He was the son of Joseph, a carpenter, a quiet, simple man and obviously with few of the trappings of this world. The apostles were also simple folk, fishermen who earned a living trawling for fish. They were not theologians. They dressed as fishermen, with sandals or went barefoot.
The early Christians lived by the motto of “Do as I do, not do as I say”. Their dictum was “love”.
Jesus was not judgmental. Quite the opposite. Think of the woman at the well, the woman taken in adultery, Zaccheus, etc. Yes, Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple in no uncertain terms, but perhaps he was suggesting that we should put our church in order.
I believe that the foundation of the Catholic Church must have been extremely solid to have withstood the arrogance and pride of its members and hierarchy throughout the ages. I must admit that this is what helps me to hold on to my faith. – Yours, etc,