How Should Catholics Respond to Church Scandals? 

Dear@ContriteBlackCatholic, I read this complaint in every comment section, and I myself have experienced "lost" comments as well. I do not think it is being done by the host. My comments tend to not be controversial. Maybe RU-vid is flagging some word, or the length of the comment, or reference to a link? Or maybe it's just sunspots or some failure of the equipment. My advice is, try again. And try not to feel isolated or put-upon. We are all experiencing the same glitches.

@ContriteBlackCatholic - My comments are regularly censored as well. RU-vid needs to be purchased by Elon Musk or someone who will treat it as a free speech platform.

​@@GizmoFromPizmo Totally agreed, Gizmo. Sometimes it cuts good debates short. If I recall right, you were one who disgrees with this host on nearly everything. Let me tell you something; I have no clue why you stick around in all these videos, but I must only suspect there's a sense (or hint) of curiosity. I read some time ago a quote of the effect that to be certain in your beliefs is not bigotry, but it is when you're not able to imagine where you might have gone wrong. I make sure to ask myself that for a variety of ideologies and religions. Wise, smart people have fallen into serious error. It's of Christian humility to assume you may have fallen as well. What I'm trying to say is that, even though we may strongly disagree on so much, I'm very impressed with your attitude. That is, if I got the right impression from you.

@@alonsoACR - They call that "running scared". I've been at this for several decades now and (without bragging) I have the most consistent and coherent theology of anybody I know. But I told this to God a long time ago: "I would gladly trade everything I know about Him for a little better understanding." Understanding people stuck in denominations is kind of easy. I played that for a little while. But this I know about denominations: Every one of them has at least one fatal flaw. Every one of them has some area where they have to stop believing God and start following the almighty denomination. I understand Catholicism better than most folks. My parents sent me to Catholic schools and I spent some time as an altar boy - back in the Latin days. So, I know and love Catholic culture (at least German and Irish Catholic culture). Worshiping things other than God is reprehensible but Im not completely grossed out by it because I grew up around it. I've studied enough denominational "Christianity" to know that they all have a fatal flaw or more. Catholicism is probably the most flawed and I understand why. If you're convinced that you can do no wrong, you begin to do whatever the hell you want. There is no constraint in such a religion. If you remove the fear factor then your religion has freedom to branch into all manner of spiritualism. So, I'm running scared. Am I missing something in God's word? So I examine the scriptures daily and meditate on His word. I don't have to worry about offending my denomination because I don't have one. I don't know any denomination that understands God's word as well as I do. My theology is, in fact, offensive to every denomination I know about. I've been kicked out of several churches in my area - churches that should agree with me but they don't. They can't. Every denomination has something that they do well. Catholicism's adherence to God's word regarding the body and blood of Jesus is unique in the religious world but Satan always finds a way to corrupt everything. Catholics won't see that they don't believe in the bread and wine being the body and blood of Jesus as much as they believe in the power of that magician in a robe to transubstantiate those elements. The clergy is a killer in every denomination. These gatekeepers separate people from the God who saved them. Jesus said it best, "For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."

@@GizmoFromPizmo Truth is more important. Lack of harassment is more important. Civility is more important.

Welcome home! Consider it my confirmation gift. I hope it helped!

@shamelesspopery Thank you. I'd like to say it helped a whole lot, but the memories of the spiritual battles that happened around the time I began my conversion seem to have taken the place of the memories of the what and when of the intellectual side of things, so I don't remember as well which books helped the most. I can say your book definitely played a role, but, even though it's only been a year since I read it, I can't remember how large of a role it played.

Awesome book, isn't it

@@SomeCatholicDude I like it a good deal

This was very helpful. Thank you!

That might be true if only in Church sad that 😊

I empathise with you on this problem. Joe however does give good pointers👍

It gets TIRING. And this from "Christians" - are they really?

@@HAL9000-su1mz What especially annoys me is the cathophobic hecklers and trolls accusing our Catholic Church of being demonic and pagan. In order to help me frame a response to the objector, I will ask, “What is your sect/denomination?” Curiously, 99% of the time the objector refuses to disclose the sect or denomination they represent. I will then respond with, “Are you embarrassed or ashamed of your sect or denomination?” Then I might receive the reply, “I’m nondenominational”, which cracks me up, because ALL schismatic groups breaking away from the Catholic Church are founded by men on the traditions of men! So, I then reply, “I am faithful to Our Lord Jesus Christ, by being faithful to His Church that He established on Simon Peter and the Apostles.” At this point the objector usually goes back to their grievances, to which I reply, “You are not honest or charitable enough to identify yourself, then I will not respond to your objections.”

Amen! and that Love was so deep as Jesus knew that Lazarus life on earth would now be extra hard (after being raised back to life) because of those who deny Jesus.

Watch Bishop Sheen on suffering. He has helped me through 4 cancers and a stem cell transplant. Also: Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.S.R. (†) has a great book "Arise from Darkenss"

Why would you speak to a dead woman when that is forbidden

@@Redwarfa Because she is not dead, she is alive in Christ and is in heaven with God, other saints, and the angels. Also the prayer of the righteous is powerful, and our prayers are heard by those in heaven and brought to God - the Bible itself attests to this in several places.

@@pielisse007to whom did Paul address his letters ? The old testament says that consulting with the dead is an abomination and Jesus says the only way to the father is through him and that he sits at the right hand of the father I ask Jesus to direct his angels but I never pray to or through an angel,what would be the point?

Oops fixing it now! - Zach (accident-prone editor)

What's wrong with emotions? Sometimes it's best to sympathize in love and compassion, to cry with your brother or sister.

Jesus is a healing surgeon, His Word and commandments are like a sword that heals...

That's a very good topic. You can do very deep on these matters, but what I do (and what one may notice at their very first read of the New Testament) is that Jesus only gives truths, but never simple truths. Think of the verse about hating your own family. Or the one where we appear to be called to turn the other cheek or, that when we're robbed we don't even passively resist, but enthusiastically hand over everything. It's never simple. It's multi-leveled. Prime example, Matthew 6:25-34. Very famous passage. There's first of all that multi level thing, first about the Father taking care of wild flowers, clothing them better than Kings, yet the flowers are just thrown and burned, as they matter nothing compared to us. See what I mean? Also that advice of not caring about food or clothes is insane. How is that even reasonable? "But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (v. 33) There's the answer. Still a bit enigmatic, but to put it in other words, it's telling us (for example) it's much healthier (mentally and physically) to make it your aim to climb the highest mountains than to get a doctor's appointment every week. You aim for good, honest work, and for a good life, and whatever you need will come along with it. It's a byproduct of Good, so it shouldn't be your goal. Turning the other cheek, etc. is an insane level of pacifism unpalatable even to the most pacifistic. But Christ wasn't a pacifist. He kicked moneylenders out of the Temple by knocking down tables and with a whip. Not to mention that he almost seemed to be more fond of soldiers than of other Jews. Again, there's levels. It's better a good peace than the best battle. But it's not good to stay still when it's a bad and unjust state of affairs. The "sword" is talking about division. Seek peace and unity in your family, but not if it's at the expense of forsaking eternal truth. This is surprisingly hard to carry over. Think of "overruling". Obey your parents commands, but God's commands go above. And so on.

@@alonsoACRexcellent input. God first always. Thank you and God bless you.

They began well. Ended not so well. However, read up on the 1571 Battle of Lepanto! Pope Pius V and the Holy League saved Europe from Muslim conquest and freed 15,000 Christian slaves.

“IF” you have not already, please consider going to Adoration of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament (also known as “Holy Hour”). Call your local parish and find out when they offer it. Then, just go and sit in silence in Christ’s Presence. Take your bible. Read scripture, pray, contemplate. Tell the Lord of your search for truth, of your doubts, worries, even fears. Then, be as patient with Him as He has been with you. When you receive the grace to know that HE IS THERE, you will be forever changed. Miracles occur in Christ’s presence - of that I can personally attest.

In Acts 9:31, "church throughout all" in greek is "ekklesia kath holes" and that is where we get the name Catholic(Kath holes) Church (Ekklesia).

Acts 15:22 is "hole te ekklesia" so, while it refers to all the church, it is not the source of the name. But since 'kath holes' was used 6 chapters earlier, this verse is likely refering to that.

We know! You've told us a few dozen times. I'm sorry you feel that way!

@@shamelesspopery Would support you personally Joe as I think you do excellent work. I wish Tim Staples comments were allowed to be a balance view on the round-table. Prior comments from Chris Check's gave me the impression he has a dislike of the Pope and I wonder if this was to echo his irritation. . Karlo's and Cy's comments lacked charity. Catholic Answers itself notes in Donum Veritatis the serious harm done to the community of the Church by public opposition to the Magisterium of the Church. One can talk about the issue with charity, but it crossed the line to accusations. I would love to support Catholic Answers again, as they do a good job explaining even Humanae Vitae, but I lack confidence they can discuss current issues.

There is always hope! Whenever someone irritates me, I figure that is someone I need to pray for!

@@susand3668 I look at most as victims. It helps. But not with all of them. Some are truly vile. Thus, we both pray.

OMG kitty?

I have a friend who says he runs towards the places he sees Satan attacking the most. Some say the Catholic Church is too liberal. Some say she is too conservative. Some say she is too "New", too young, some say that she is too out-dated and old. The Catholic Church teaches just what she taught from the beginning. There is an unbroken line of anointed popes, and an unbroken line showing how we have come to the theological understandings that we have today based on those teachings from the Apostles. Jesus has never abandoned His Church at any time, ever. And the Holy Spirit has never stopped guiding the Church, though we cannot always see His guidance, because "the Wind blows where It wills" (John 3:8) As to Jesus not calling the Church "Catholic", that's okay. The word "Catholic" is descriptive, like "Holy" or "True". In the Bible, it is called, simply, the "Church."

​@@susand3668Thanks. Need more as my wife doesn't submit to me but heading towards SDA whose evangelists are evangelising currently in PNG to which I believe they are doing that before our Popes visitation in September.

@JackHerman, In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus says to 'make disciples of ALL NATIONS' - If/when His church is in all nations, it would be 'UNIVERSAL' ! ( the word catholic means 'universal' !)

Ignatius of Antioch, in about the year 107 AT THE LATEST, referred to the newborn Church as "universal", in Greek, Katholikos, i.e. Catholic.

Dear@@JackHermanKikiraNyosy-oe9vo, Are you in Indonesia? You said that the pope is coming to visit in September! That is exciting! I will be praying for you and your wife! And yes, I can imagine that the forces against the Church are stirring up against the pope's visit!

It's uncatholic to believe you have a better understanding of what the Catholic Faith is than your superiors. God uses their authority to correct our course, that's the whole point of the Church.

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription How you figure vso?

@@erolhosdil3809 I don't understand what you mean...

@@erolhosdil3809 Humble yourself. You sound stupid.

OK. It's ALL your fault. We shall send constables to take you into custody!

Interesting theory, that there is no organizational Church that survived beyond the time of the Apostles... But it is not a Christian belief. Jesus says, and it is Christian belief that every word in the Bible is inspired by God, that we can and must to go to the Church to settle disputes. (Matthew 18:17) But you say that BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS MADE OF SINNERS, it has been conquered by the Gates of Hell. Can you not imagine God being able to teach His Pure Gospel Truth out of the mouths of sinners? You quote sinners when you quote both Matthew, who ran away when Jesus was arrested, and Peter, who sinned majorly twice -- first, by disowning Jesus, and second, in Antioch, when he wavered in his ACTIONS -- NOT his teaching. We know that he taught correctly the Gospel of Jesus by reading Acts 11:3-18. And in Galatians 2:11-14, Paul asserts that Peter WAS eating with Gentile Christians, but that he wavered when Judaizing Christians came from Jerusalem, teaching that the Scriptures MUST be followed. Peter had wavered. Yet we read in Acts 15 that when Peter goes from Antioch, where he had been corrected by Paul, to Jerusalem, his is the teaching that silences all the "Bible-believers" and confirms the Christian interpretation of circumcision to be of the heart, not of the body -- so that all are equally members in the Body of Christ, the Church.

Sedevacantists are the remnant of the Catholic Church. The gates of hell have not prevailed. Bergoglio keeps trash talking Sedevacantists. Must be over target.

@@thefakewitchdoctor when is the last time the pope spoke about them?

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription Google it. Try other languages. Make the effort

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription you can Google it if you're willing to make effort. He referred to Sedevacantists as mushrooms.

you're not one to talk about lying

@@tafazziReadChannelDescription So, if you want to accuse me of lying, do show where. If you can't, it seems you have a problem, and your god hates lies and liars.

Troll reported for hate speech.

That is an interesting way to discern, but I think it fails the test against the Bible. Paul calls himself an Apostle and Father to those to whom he brought the Gospel. Humility is recognizing the Truth of the dignity God has given those whom He has called to higher offices.

@@susand3668 - That is a distortion of the context. Jesus is by no means prohibiting anyone from calling his dad, "father". The context is king. The context is religious titles and the attitudes of people called by religious titles. Your counter argument is the typical response of the person who will not submit to the King. It doesn't matter what Jesus or the apostles command, it's "my denomination, right or wrong!" George Washington is the father of our nation. Being a father is NOT what Jesus was prohibiting. You can be the father of someone in the Lord but don't let them call you "Father This-or-that" because that's a bridge too far. We're not trying to see how close we can get to the edge before God will slap us down. Cite me B/C/V of the instance where someone called (as a religious title) a fellow Christian, "Father". You can't do it because it's not there. Bottom line: Christians don't use religious titles. So if you find someone using a religious title then you can be sure he's not Christian. That is, the gates of hell have prevailed against him.

Dear@@GizmoFromPizmo, please dial down the accusations against me. They don't fit. Jesus is my Lord. You want Matthew 23:9 to carry the entire burden of discernment of one religious group over another. And you don't want to hear about Paul calling himself "father", nor about God the Father giving His Name to all families, nor about John writing to fathers in the Church. True, "overseers" ("bishops") and "shepherds"("pastors") and "elders" ("presbyters" or "priests") were also titles for Church leaders in the first century. Let's look at Matthew 23. In verse 1. Jesus starts his talk to the crowds and His disciples. Verse 2, He says the scribes (Strong's Concordance says this word also means a teacher in Jerusalem) and Pharisees ARE in the seat of Moses, and should be obeyed (verse 3) but not imitated (verse 4). Then lists things these leaders of Israel are doing wrong (verses 4-7). In verses 8-12, Jesus addresses His followers. For 3 verses he tells them "you are not to be called teacher", "you are not to call anyone father", "you are not to be called instructor." Then comes the high point of the chapter -- verses 11 -- "The greatest among you will be your servant" -- and verse 12 -- "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." These are clearly key teachings. Humbling oneself appears in Luke 11:14, Luke18:14, Matthew 18:4, James 4:6, -- And Philippians 2:8, which says Jesus humbled Himself taking the form of a slave. -- And Philippians 4:12, in which Paul takes Jesus as his model (I know how to humble myself). -- And 1 Peter 5:1-11, when Peter tells his fellow elders and shepherds to give humble service. Those texts above had the word for "humble oneself." The following are injunctions to Church leaders to BE humble servants: -- John 13:4-16, with Jesus washing feet to show how a Teacher leads in His Kingdom.. -- Matthew 20:25-28 and Mark 10:42-45, Jesus contrasts the leaders who lord over their flock. "It must not be so with you." -- 1 Timothy 3:1-13. Paul asserts that striving to be a leader is a noble task. I do not think Matthew 23:9 means what you think it means.

@@susand3668 - It is a direct commandment. You say that Jesus is your Lord? What did Jesus say about people who call Him Lord but don't do what He says? Luke 6:46 - And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Jesus says that those who call Jesus "Lord" and then disobeys Him is like a person who built his house on sand and not a firm foundation. Read Luke 6. Nullifying the direct commandment of God by twisting other passages of scripture proves that you are full of deceit. Furthermore, bishops, elders, deacons, apostles, teachers (rabbis) are OFFICES in the church and not titles. Matthew 23 is talking about religious titles. Context is king but you ignore the context to perpetrate a false doctrine. Believers believe God. Doubters ignore Him. Since you ignore the clear teaching of the Master then what conclusion must I draw?

Dear@@GizmoFromPizmo, did you even bother to read through my careful exegesis of Matthew 23? I have certainly not ignored the context of your verse. In this chapter, Jesus is warning His followers, who will be leading His Church, against pride. He is using the titles that the Teachers of Israel love, as examples of their pride. Jesus is not teaching a lesson on titles. He is teaching how the Church should be administered. What you can do now is to explain where I am wrong -- that the ONLY thing Jesus is teaching in Matthew 23 is that no leader of the Church should allow someone to call him "father," since that appears to be your contention. And show other examples of this teaching, to bolster your position. But don't keep calling me names. (Luckily for you I am an old lady, and have been young like you, so I am giving you another chance. But really, I think this is the third time I have said this.) Please, I am telling you for your own sake, lay off the insults, the mockery, the meanness -- these are greater signs of pride than a title. Don't say to yourself "It's okay for ME to say mean things that hurt people's feelings, because I am just saying the Truth. I am not doing it IN ORDER to hurt people's feelings." All of us think we are telling the Truth. What you are telling me by denigrating me is that you think you are better than I am. You may well be. BUT not one of us has been given the authority to beat each other over the head with our "Truth". The Bible says for us to tell the Truth IN LOVE. Ephesians 4:15. Cursing me with false accusations is not Christian Love. (Yes, I do expect an apology.)