Good things about the Roman Catholic Church

Asry

I'm just setting up this thread because I've noticed the amount of threads on this board that are deriding the RCC. There's also alot of attention in the media about the awful things that the church has done or covered up, and I was wondering if there's really anything good at all that we can say for them?

I'm a Catholic myself, but posters who've been here awhile would remember me trying not to be. But St Sylvester's (the church in my parish) has really done some great things for the old people here, and I just wanted to say that. Mostly people in nursing homes, lonely people with nobody to talk to. With my granddad himself having been in a nursing home (not what we wanted but it came to the point that there really wasn't any other option), and with us visiting him every day, I couldn't help but see how many other people had no family or friends to visit or anyone to just talk to. It's really, really distressing. And the people that I did see were either the priests themselves (in their civvies, as it were) or church volunteers. I think it's really, really great.

I don't know if anybody else has any stories of kindness or goodness like that? It just seems like everything's falling apart, and with so many people having been so hurt or let down, I just don't really know what to say anymore.

Manach

That the individual clerical members of the RCC show a high level of caring and compassion when dealing with family bereavements, which I can attest lasted for several months.

alex73

I am a Catholic, I have see both sides of the Church, The amazing good of some of its members and the bad of others. What I can attest that that if you follow Christ with your heart and soul you will find the truth in the church. Don't place your trust in the world and its possesions as they will fail. The Catholic Church, Spritual Body of Christ is Holy.

I remember going to a relgious school which was run by nuns. One Nun in particular would spend hours after school helping us with Maths, Hours that were given free because she said if we failed maths in the leaving then we have limited oportunities. An amazing woman. Today sadly ours schools have lost these people, if you want help today you have to pay for it. And 25 euros an hour for grinds does not come free. Our society has become one of who has money progresses better than those who don't. Many poorer kids like me had a lot of help from priests and Nuns (and no I was not abused and nobody I know in the school was)..

Ireland is quick to forget who much selfless given ther church has done. During the 1800's when the English were not going to educate the poor irish it was the Catholic Church that took the role of educating people to Read.

I didn't go to a Christian Brothers school, but I know many people who did and they all speak of how good they were treated...

Lets not forget the Good People who did show good example and who are true catholics.

prinz

Two of the best teachers I have ever had were members of the Dominicans. Incredible teachers and people. I have also come across a few members who left a lasting impression and fond memories... for example the priest who did the funeral for my grandfather. Most of the day is a bit of a blur because it was years ago, but I can still vividly remember things the priest said. The priest who did my marriage prep day too.

I have also come across some right mini-Hitlers. You get good and bad as with everything and every walk of life.

Slushfund

I don't thing this thread will last long before it's trolled and destroyed, but for what it's worth:

The scandals have exposed the latent hatred out there for decent catholics and clergy, and those who deliberately refuse to distinguish between honest catholics and clergy and the minority pseudo catholics and pseudo clergy. Overall the scandals have exposed a lot of ulterior vested interests inside and outside the Church. I think thats a good thing.

Once it's cleaned out, which will take a few years yet, it will be a much stronger better Church.

Catholic Charities worldwide distribute billions in aid, goods and services each year.

Catholicism also provides a fantastic sense of a caring commuinity for young and old.

marty1985

I started one of the threads you refer to.

Since you are asking for good things about the RCC, I would just like to point out that I know there are great people within the church, caring and upright people who work very hard for others.

Spacedog

Can we please sticky this thread, and merge all positive comments about the catholic church into it.

Asry

Thank you everyone for being so lovely. I am a bit worried that the thread is going to get wrecked. It's good to hear good things sometimes. Everything seems so bad right now, with the abuse scandals and the economic climate and everything.

Spacedog

Asry wrote: »

Thank you everyone for being so lovely. I am a bit worried that the thread is going to get wrecked. It's good to hear good things sometimes. Everything seems so bad right now, with the abuse scandals and the economic climate and everything.

Those things dont really matter to the faithful, the main thing is getting back to normal. so much negativity. :rolleyes:

Penn

Priests making house calls to the elderly. Always admired them for that, and I know it cheers my Grandfather up.

Spacedog

oh yes, and they do also help the needy, and do a lot of good for many many communities.

moomooman

Like most people in Ireland, I got an education from them.

If it had been up to the government to build and run all the schools, I'm guessing that wouldnt have happened :rolleyes:

Pace2008

They have some breathtaking architecture and one of the greatest art repositories in the world.

Spacedog

oh yes, schools are an important part of the churches work, it's important to teach kids not only Christianity but without their intervention, Irelands children would have little to no education if provided only by so called vocational and community schools.

If it so important for the church to maintain links with the youth of the community so as to both pass on the word of God to the next generation, and to warn them of the immortal dangers of indulging in other religions, atheism and anti-authoritarianism.

prinz

Associations with some great people over the years, Max Kolbe, Oscar Romero (and the many other RC priests murdered around the same time in El Salvador), Jerzy Popieluszko.... the list goes on.

Penn

moomooman wrote: »

Like most people in Ireland, I got an education from them.

If it had been up to the government to build and run all the schools, I'm guessing that wouldnt have happened :rolleyes:

Spacedog wrote: »

oh yes, schools are an important part of the churches work, it's important to teach kids not only Christianity but without their intervention, Irelands children would have little to no education if provided only by so called vocational and community schools.

If it so important for the church to maintain links with the youth of the community so as to both pass on the word of God to the next generation, and to warn them of the immortal dangers of indulging in other religions, atheism and anti-authoritarianism.

Aye. It's amazing how children in pretty much every other developed country in the world have managed to learn how to read. In case you didn't realise, people become teachers in State-run colleges. They educate to a standard set out by the State Department of Education. Priests have very little input into what children are actually taught. I went to a Catholic Primary School, and a Christian Brothers Secondary School. Bar the occasional visit from the local priest, I was educated by the State. And trust me, I got a good education.

Sorry to derail the thread. I posted before giving genuine admiration for the RCC for some of the good work they do. But these comments about education are ridiculous.

prinz

Barrington wrote: »

Sorry to derail the thread. I posted before giving genuine admiration for the RCC for some of the good work they do. But these comments about education are ridiculous.

You should probably be aware that the second poster at least has a 'colourful' history on this forum before you start confusing him/her with a genuine contributor.

Spacedog

prinz wrote: »

You should probably be aware that the second poster at least has a 'colourful' history on this forum before you start confusing him/her with a genuine contributor.

The second poster didn't realise his occasional posts were being monitored so closely. nice to know one is being listened to though.

anyway, lets sticky this thread folks, it's so positive and uplifting.

mikemac

For all the stories you hear about CBS schools, the brothers in my place were brilliant.
Now maybe corporal punishment was over when I went but I wouldn't think these brothers would ever do it anyway.

Though they weren't shy at roaring at you when you were playing hurling and performing badly

The brother who was a principal always has a kind word to say and genuinely interested in people.
He died quite young in his 50's from illness and the funeral was huge, well over a thousand attended and shops in the town closed out of respect

gimmebroadband

In the 60s when we were kids, we didn't have much. My dad had to work in the UK to send us money, which didn't stretch too far. My mom didn't eat on occasions so that we kids could. Our parish priest came to our house one Chrismas with a box of food and goodies, some 40 years later i still remember that kindly priest. (R.I.P.) Last year my dad departed this life, and our local CC couldn't do enough for us!

The CC also has Jesus in the tabernacle! (No offence to any other denomination intended.)

alex73

Barrington wrote: »

Sorry to derail the thread. I posted before giving genuine admiration for the RCC for some of the good work they do. But these comments about education are ridiculous.

I would say a I got over 100 hours of maths tutoring from a Nun at school. She never asked for a penny, I would never have passed maths if she had not pushed me. Today where would I get that help.. Your comment on education is no fair. Many Irish catholic religious gave their time beyond the call of duty to educating the less well off who could not afford grinds. Today most schools don't have nuns or brothers and if you need help you mostly need to pay for it, there are some good teachers who help, but mostly if you want entra you have you pay for it.

MrPudding

I would like to thank the nuns that taught me as a young child. For around half of my years at primary school I was taught by nuns. Thanks to the regular beatings I received from them I came to learn that there was nothing in this organisation for me. Without these beating I would probably have grown up to believe the rubbish they spouted. So, whilst it might be a bit unorthodox, the beatings I received at the hands of the members of the church turned out to be a really good thing. Thank you Sister Olive and Sister Geraldine; I truly believe that if there is a hell you are burning in it now.

MrP

CiaranMT

alex73 wrote: »

I would say a I got over 100 hours of maths tutoring from a Nun at school. She never asked for a penny, I would never have passed maths if she had not pushed me. Today where would I get that help..

Our maths teacher did that, not just with me, but with the whole class. She does it for every 6th year class she takes, she just had my brother in fact.

Now that I think about it, numerous teachers of ours put on extra classes and the like for students, free of charge.

You don't have to be a Catholic figurehead to be generous with your time.

Spacedog

MrPudding wrote: »

I would like to thank the nuns that taught me as a young child. For around half of my years at primary school I was taught by nuns. Thanks to the regular beatings I received from them I came to learn that there was nothing in this organisation for me. Without these beating I would probably have grown up to believe the rubbish they spouted. So, whilst it might be a bit unorthodox, the beatings I received at the hands of the members of the church turned out to be a really good thing. Thank you Sister Olive and Sister Geraldine; I truly believe that if there is a hell you are burning in it now.

MrP

reported for trolling, you are off topic and your post should be either removed or moved to the merged abuse thread for immediate obfuscation.

MrPudding

Spacedog wrote: »

reported for trolling, you are off topic and your post should be either removed or moved to the merged abuse thread for immediate obfuscation.

I'm sorry, but how is it off topic? I genuinely believe my beatings were a good thing about the church.

MrP

lmaopml

MrPudding wrote: »

I would like to thank the nuns that taught me as a young child. For around half of my years at primary school I was taught by nuns. Thanks to the regular beatings I received from them I came to learn that there was nothing in this organisation for me. Without these beating I would probably have grown up to believe the rubbish they spouted. So, whilst it might be a bit unorthodox, the beatings I received at the hands of the members of the church turned out to be a really good thing. Thank you Sister Olive and Sister Geraldine; I truly believe that if there is a hell you are burning in it now.

MrP

I would like to say sorry to you on behalf on anybody who persecuted you under the banner of Catholicism - too late perhaps, and far too little, but I'm sorry if you had a miserable experience with some miserable people who happened to be Catholic. Not everybody did Mr. Pudding - I hope you have some good experiences too of people who are Catholic in your lifetime...I really hope so.

On topic; My Parish Priest is a hero of sorts - he is constantly on call and constantly good natured, he's also a very interesting character with great knowledge. My view of Catholicism has been coloured immensely by him and his very untired 'ears' that have listened to me...also the Teachers that put up with my contempt in school, yet put themselves out to help me - which I am only now beginning to appreciate and understand was voluntary and not something I was entitled to..lol. The guys connected with the Church who helped my mum in sickness and organised help for my dad in his....I'm so grateful. Neighbours, friends, the community that are Catholic in my immediate vicinity and who are the salt of the earth imo - and are under the radar good people.

MrPudding

lmaopml wrote: »

I would like to say sorry to you on behalf on anybody who persecuted you under the banner of Catholicism - too late perhaps, and far too little, but I'm sorry if you had a miserable experience with some miserable people who happened to be Catholic. Not everybody did Mr. Pudding - I hope you have some good experiences too of people who are Catholic in your lifetime...I really hope so.

You have nothing to apologise for really.

As a matter of fact I did have some good experiences. My grandmother was caretaker of the church so I spent a lot of time with various priests and remained surprisingly unraped. I can think of several of them that were genuinely good people, but, I actually feel sorry for them.

MrP

lmaopml

That's good Mr. Pudding. I'm glad that you had some good Catholics in your life too.

PDN

Asry, the idea for the thread was nice - and in an ideal world those who aren't Christians would all have the good manners to observe the spirit of the OP. Unfortunately it's not an ideal world and a few trolls haven't the manners of a pig.