But what about Church Scandal?

I was recently corresponding with someone who kept bringing up the recent scandals in the Catholic Church. Here’s how I replied:

Your constant refrain concerning scandal in the Church suggests to me that this is a significant issue for you. It’s understandable. It is for many people. In fact, during the early centuries of Christianity this was an extremely important and controversial question: should those who denied Christ under persecution, or who surrendered the Holy Scriptures to be burnt, be readmitted to the Church if they repented? Should those ordained members who renounced their faith be able to return to ministry? There was a schismatic group called the Donatists who said “Absolutely not!”  

At the heart of the matter was the question: what is the Church? The Donatists viewed the Church as a Museum of Saints. The Catholic Church rejected this limited and narrow understanding. Instead, She said that the Church was a Hospital for Sinners. She would therefore readmit fallen away Christians if they repented.

As a consequence, the Church often looks (and smells!) like a hospital. The Church is full of medicine, nurses and doctors, but She is also full of damaged people and the walking wounded. There are often outbreaks of disease. It often doesn’t look pleasant, but it is the best place to be for those who need healing. For this, I’m grateful, otherwise I fear I could never be admitted.

Hospital

4 comments

  • Whoa. Love it. Going to share on FB.

  • You put that so beautifully! My Protestant sister was recently holding up JFK as an example of why the Catholic Church can’t be legit. I couldn’t determine if she was saying that Church teaching produces people like Kennedy (indeed?), or that the Church was wrong not to excommunicate people like Kennedy. I can’t wait to share that line: the Church often smells like a hospital!

  • People today like to bring up modern day examples of people in the Church who are not saints…instead talk to them about the thousands upon thousands who are saints and who have been either canonized or beatified.

  • Greeting and Many Blessings.

    I too believe that the church should be the hospital for the sick; however, there are many wounded soldiers who are fighting the good fight of FAITH! Because these wounded soldiers are the Men and Women of God that we call pastors, the church is becoming more infected. I believe this is why the scripture says,”Judgment will start at the house of God first.” Being a former “First Lady” and “Co-Pastor,” I do understand why many are falling by the way side. I also understand that many are tired of the sick physicians (pastors) that are operating on them. Yes, I love God, but I too am tired of the men and women of God who deceive so many including themselves. I come to terms that I am the church and it’s not the four walls that make me sinner or saint.

    With Love and Respect,

    Cheron K. Griffin
    http://www.3pmbook.com
    http://www.cheronkgriffin.com
    http://www.facebook.com/cheron.k.griffin
    http://www.twitter.com/cheronkgriffin

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