8/13/24 For centuries, the church has interacted with the world in many ways. The society we live in has been positively improved by the church’s leadership in education, medical care, care of the poor and so many other areas. This is evidenced by the existence of human resource functions in virtually every organization. One cannot visit any service organization without requests for feedback on the quality of the service. The mantra of (CMI) continuous measurable improvement exists throughout our society and is seen as impacting society the world over. The world we live in is a much better place as a result of the Catholic church and its role in the development of the world. Yes, the world is not there yet but is slowly but surely moving in that direction. So, what’s the problem?

Sadly, there is one piece of the world which has not experienced this improvement. That piece is the church itself! To avoid too much of a digression here, check my comments on what is a Christian Community. It is my belief that the Lord intends the church to be a Christian community. From my reading of ACTs that is what the church wanted to be. Unfortunately, that’s not what I see now. The church now is in my mind best described as being a kingdom with all the attributes of a kingdom that God warned about through the prophets. I have to insert here, my belief that the church is filled with millions of lay people and clergy who share the vision of a Christian community and work to make it a reality. But that’s not what the institutional church does (and results in declining membership). The church does not have a human resources outlook. Hiring and firing is based on a clergy network divorced from the laity and good practice. The church does not encourage consultation with its lay members (and in fact refuses to even use the term “parish” council). Despite the fact the Vatican II was viewed as a way to engage the laity, the church has moved away from the intent and spirit of that council back to its hierarchical model. I could go on with examples, etc. but realize that if you don’t understand what I am saying examples will not help, and if you know and have experienced what I am saying, examples are not necessary. So where does that leave us?

Let me continue my rant. I can dig up and document much of what I want to say, but as my comment above suggests, that is either useless or not needed. My view of the church’s history suggests that the church has in virtually every case come out against what I suggest is the intent of the second greatest commandment (per Jesus). From its treatment of Galileo to its comments on the Magna Carta, to its reaction to the Declaration of Independence and Constitution the church has demonstrated its belief that it is the wall between people and God instead of the window (that I perceive is what the Lord wanted). Instead of being a hospital for souls, it acts like a medical insurance plan that denies benefits to those who are not enrolled.