The American Catholic Church: The church that acts like a political
organization.
http://blog.christian-democrat.net/2007/08/american-catholic-church-political.html
A common complaint of the Catholic Church in general is that it is in
possession of a great deal of "worldly possessions." The Church is in
control of vast wealth and even the local churches sometimes don't
know where it all comes from. Still, Catholic Churches around the
world still manage to improve the lives of those living in their
communities, as well as the communities.
This cannot be said about the American Catholic Church. I write this
as a member of my local archdiocese and observer with a social science
education. The American Catholic Church conducts itself more like an
exclusive political organization more so than a Catholic Church entity
that is supposed to save souls, help out the less the fortunate - and
be the universal church. None of this can describe the Catholic Church
in my community.
The church for "contributing members only." It appears that the only
souls worth saving are those that have the means to fill envelopes
every Sunday. To be considered a "member" one must submit an envelope
with "personal contributions" - and you have church membership and are
counted. Those who cannot afford to contribute through the weekly
envelope system are not counted as "members." This means that people
that are too poor to contribute money are not regarded as members of
the Catholic Church, even though they have conformation papers stating
that they are, indeed, Catholics. Firsthand knowledge has taught me
that not having the means to stuff your envelope every Sunday means
that the services you receive from the Church are substandard. The
pastor treats meetings with you like brisk business meetings and phone
calls are often not returned. The confessional booth mannerisms
suggest that you not return for another confession, and the impression
is that the Blessed Sacrament is for "paying customers only."
Help for Mexican nationals only. Now, just try to get a bag of
groceries out of your own American Catholic Church. On one occasion, I
was treated as if I was stupid and told to dial "7-1-1, like 9-1-1 to
find a food pantry." As a person with a post-graduate education, well,
I'm not that stupid. So, try to get a loaf of bread out of the
American Catholic church. This is unlike what I hear through the
grapevine about "illegal immigrants," who get food, housing, jobs and
the like from the American Catholic Church. So, if we put "two-and-two
together" we see discrimination on the basis of citizenship status,
and quite possibly race as will. Being an American citizen in need of
help means being placed last of Mexican nationals, and this kind of
discrimination and purposeful neglect is the most un-Godly and un-
Christian. What's more of an insult is that some Catholics have the
audacity to describe this as a "social justice!!!"
Before, I described the two acceptable roles for variable membership
in the American Catholic church, (that is, having monetary means or
being a Mexican national). The main theme is that poor, needy American
Catholics are discouraged from active Church participation. What this
does to the human spirit that yearns to be a full participant of the
Catholic Church, but is purposely left out is a smack against human
dignity and the foundation of salvation itself. What's more, part of
my growing desire to get out of America and away from the hypocrisy of
the American Catholic Church is to go to a country that is strongly
Catholic and would welcome my education, skills, and desire to serve
the Church in their nation and community. The American Catholic Church
nothing but a political organization that is made up of wealthy
Catholics working of behalf of Mexican nationals. I want a REAL
Catholic Church in a Catholic nation that serves the needs of all
people!
Check out this American Catholic Church website for what I mean- at
the bottem of the page:
http://www.josephite.com/parish/la/sd/
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