THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic Sam Miller – a prominent
Cleveland Jewish businessman:

“Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important
institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the Catholic
Church?

Do you know – the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students everyday at
the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a savings on the other
hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion dollars. The graduates go on
to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment
of 700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which
account for hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people – not just
Catholics – in the United States today.

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every way the
Catholic Church in this country. They have blamed the disease of
pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming
adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember. For
example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual
intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual
contact in a study by the United Methodist Church, 41.8% of clergy women
reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen have been sexually
harassed.
Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia.
10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of pedophilia. This
is not a Catholic problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the priesthood
and find it even better than they had expected, and that most, if given
the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of all this obnoxious
PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony that
Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of the Church.
You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests that have probably
been totally weeded out by now..

Walk with your shoulders high and your head higher. Be a proud member of
the most important non-governmental agency in the United States.

Then remember what Jeremiah said: ‘Stand by the roads, and look and ask for
the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it, and find rest for
your souls’. Be proud to speak up for your faith with pride and reverence
and learn what your Church does for all other religions.

Be proud that you’re a Catholic.”

Make it a great day,

Barry

P.S. What am I thankful for today? I’m thankful my son got safely on the bus to Mont Tremblant. I’m thankful I got to spend a little time with my grand daughter last night. I’m thankful my wife seems to be enjoying her new job so far.

What are you thankful for today?