The Church in Spain where I got married
I
have always had a strong faith in God, and I have felt him throughout my life.
Not so much with organized religion—I’m a non-practicing Catholic. My mother
was a devout Catholic, went to Church regularly, prayed daily and wanted her
children to follow in her faith as well. Unfortunately, I had a hard time
taking to the church. I didn’t believe in some of the sermons, and I always
felt that the bible is just a small guide for our faith and that we shouldn’t
take it literally.
Now
that I married in a Catholic Church, I find myself wanting to return to the
Church, but take from it what helps me with my faith. For example, several
weeks ago, the priest we sat and listened to (well, since it was in German, I
sat in my own thoughts while my husband later interpreted what the priest said)
was a radical priest. He condemned so many people that there wasn’t anyone left
to condemn. If the Catholic Church wanted to bring in parishioners, he wasn’t
the one to assign to the task. My husband felt disgusted after mass, and didn’t
want to go anymore. I told him all we have to do is avoid that priest’s masses.
There’s nothing wrong with going to mass and following God’s word—taking away from it what guides our faith. At least, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it.
Religion,
like many things, is very personal. Some don’t believe at all, some are up in
the air, some are like me, and some have strong religious convictions. But no
matter what, I couldn’t help watching CNN the past few days, waiting to hear
from the new Pope. I’ve never done that in the past, but for some reason I
found so much hope and change hanging in the air. Flags from different
countries stood high in the crowds of people gathering in St. Peter’s square.
Anderson Cooper interviewed several people from all parts of the world, and
they also stated that they were looking for hope and change.
With
all that’s gone on in the Catholic Church regarding sexual abuses, people want action
and punishment against these priests. Catholics also want to see a change in bringing
the church up-to-date in relation to the parishioners.
I
couldn’t help but tear up watching all the people from all walks of life gather
together in peace to find out about the next Pope. There were many Americans
hoping Cardinal O’Malley would become Pope, but instead, a Pope was chosen from
outside Europe—Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from
Buenos Aires, Argentina, who chose the name Francis. I didn’t know much about
him, but I found him to be humble, and from what we were told, to be one who lives
in the faith, not in the wealth. I wish him well and hope his legacy will be
one of positive change.
God and Church,
Bea
