It would probably be a good first step if abusers were actually punished with severe and meaningful punishment. But I think given the current leadership of the Catholic Church, that's impossible.
Sigh. Same stuff different day. But hey, the synod that could barely be bothered to talk about this stuff will probably bring these people flocking back right?
> The SPI concluded that the Church should prioritize regaining lost trust.
I wonder what would happen if we prioritized a radical imitation of Christ (I am not sure what that would look like, but I think it would be fun to find out what it would look like.) It is disingenuous of me to say "we", though, because it necessarily happens one person at a time, as one person's prioritization, even though it affects everyone they encounter plus somewhat more.
Recovery of trust can only be parish by parish. I think most Catholics in the US have little trust beyond their immediate parish unless they've somehow gotten to know their bishop a bit. Every parish needs great love, watchfulness, connection building between parishioners. End drop-off religious ed and comfortable anonymous attendance. Bishops need to be seen in parishes/schools as much as they can to earn trust for themselves.
went to Switzerland last month, and learned some things:
- pastors and bishops in Swiss catholic churches are voted by the congregation
- Switzerland had a civil war based mainly along Catholic and Protestant line. with Protestant side ended up winning.
- Basel-Stadt that's mentioned in the article, was formed as half-canton from the split of Canton of Basel because of this civil war, with Basel-Stadt being the Catholic one. which is sad to see that many catholics there disaffiliate.
and i can't help but wonder how sustainable is Swiss Guard when many Swiss men disaffiliate from Catholic Church.
I wonder if we are making American assumptions about a Swiss situation.
My understanding has been that many people who at long ago stop practicing religion paid the Kirchensteuer out of a sense of duty to support the social welfare functions performed by the churches as well as to maintain historically and culturally significant buildings and monuments. Last month, in the Swiss federal elections, there was a move towards the right-wing political party, which is less interested in social welfare and support for cultural institutions. Perhaps the election results and the withdrawal of church membership are the same social phenomenon.
It would probably be a good first step if abusers were actually punished with severe and meaningful punishment. But I think given the current leadership of the Catholic Church, that's impossible.
Sigh. Same stuff different day. But hey, the synod that could barely be bothered to talk about this stuff will probably bring these people flocking back right?
> The SPI concluded that the Church should prioritize regaining lost trust.
I wonder what would happen if we prioritized a radical imitation of Christ (I am not sure what that would look like, but I think it would be fun to find out what it would look like.) It is disingenuous of me to say "we", though, because it necessarily happens one person at a time, as one person's prioritization, even though it affects everyone they encounter plus somewhat more.
Recovery of trust can only be parish by parish. I think most Catholics in the US have little trust beyond their immediate parish unless they've somehow gotten to know their bishop a bit. Every parish needs great love, watchfulness, connection building between parishioners. End drop-off religious ed and comfortable anonymous attendance. Bishops need to be seen in parishes/schools as much as they can to earn trust for themselves.
went to Switzerland last month, and learned some things:
- pastors and bishops in Swiss catholic churches are voted by the congregation
- Switzerland had a civil war based mainly along Catholic and Protestant line. with Protestant side ended up winning.
- Basel-Stadt that's mentioned in the article, was formed as half-canton from the split of Canton of Basel because of this civil war, with Basel-Stadt being the Catholic one. which is sad to see that many catholics there disaffiliate.
and i can't help but wonder how sustainable is Swiss Guard when many Swiss men disaffiliate from Catholic Church.
I think the bishops are elected by the Cathedral Chapters. The parishes might have a form of trusteeship.
20% church income tax is wild
It’s misleading, the Swiss system is complex, that rate is a multiplication factor versus your state tax. In reality you’ll be paying less than 1%.
I wonder if we are making American assumptions about a Swiss situation.
My understanding has been that many people who at long ago stop practicing religion paid the Kirchensteuer out of a sense of duty to support the social welfare functions performed by the churches as well as to maintain historically and culturally significant buildings and monuments. Last month, in the Swiss federal elections, there was a move towards the right-wing political party, which is less interested in social welfare and support for cultural institutions. Perhaps the election results and the withdrawal of church membership are the same social phenomenon.