My Catholic faith is one of the elements of who I am that came from my biological parents that I’m grateful about. Yes, I said it. I’m typically proud to be a Catholic. I raised my daughter in the faith. I share it with my husband.
However, especially recently, I have a very complicated relationship with my faith, and I have various reasons for it.
First, hypocrisy. Some priests preach victimhood. They preach values contrary to mine. I cannot even attend a mass by these types of priests.
Additionally, I applied for two roles with local parishes for communications roles. During the processes, I was treated as a side concern by one and had my communications experience nearly overlooked by another. Both parishes seemed to think they were better than others. I would not want to be part of such Catholic organizations. (They eventually hired individuals wh0 have n0 where near my experience.)
Rob and I went to the same Catholic university. The alumni association is full of long-time board members who are power hungry and drink the school kool-aid. One person (a former president of the board) attacked me during a virtual meeting as I was stepping up to volunteer for a board role. After that, defending myself and Rob defending me, led to the board trying to tell us h0w to behave. All this after we had volunteered for decades with the organization. The issue was elevated (by us) t0 the alumni association and then, to the university’s general counsel. Again, a reason my relationship with my faith is challenging.
Individuals who claim to be Catholic are n0t representatives of the faith in my opinion.
When my biological father died, my biological sisters acted like they were the best Catholics, including one who wears a head covering like pre-Vatican Two. My entire biological family thinks they are the best Catholics. Being showy and holier-than-thou-Catholics is not part my faith.
From those Catholics who don’t act like Catholics to priests who actually tear down the faith instead of building it up, I have a very complicated relationship with my faith. And I’m ok saying so. Being a real Catholic is who I am.
