This week: A conversation with Paul Brian Campbell, S.J., VP for Mission, Identity, and Online Community at Loyola Press whose blog, People for Others inspires and delights.From the blog description: "Paul dares to believe that people for others will, quite literally, make the world a better place." We start by ruminating about being Roman Catholic these days. Visit his blog to see what I have to say.
What helps you remain in the Catholic Church during times of crisis?
Meredith,
The cynical and, sadly, partly true answer to your question is learned apathy and inertia. I feel so bludgeoned by what has been happening in the Church since the sexual abuse scandal started coming to light, that I sometimes feel like a turtle that has withdrawn into its shell and is waiting a long time before attempting to stick its neck out again.
There have been moments when I’ve been tempted to flee to some cleaner and tidier form of Christianity like the Episcopal Church or the Quakers. But then, I remember what you recently and beautifully expressed about spending: “...way too much time muttering, 'I’m outta here,' stay anyway and quote James Joyce through gritted teeth: 'Here comes everybody.'"
Another part of the answer is that I myself know how the Church has always been in crisis. If we weren’t being persecuted by authorities, then we were the ones organizing the persecution.
I find that I have to keep going back to Jesus Christ.
I believe that Jesus is the Incarnate Son of God, I believe that He founded the Church (but not the Vatican!) upon St. Peter and his sometimes scandalous successors. Most viscerally, I believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. I cannot imagine being able to separate myself from the Body of Christ.
What worries me most is the thought that by staying in the Church and within its hierarchical structure I am defending the indefensible and collaborating with the corrupt. I keep telling myself that the Holy Spirit is in charge and that what needs to change will change. Trouble is, of course, with the Church you need as much patience as God has…
Paul
