Campus priest draws on student voices to illustrate the many sides of Catholicism
By The Rev. Michael Belinsky, C.S.C.
Rev. Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York City, recently wrote in his blog, "Anti-Catholicism is the last socially accepted prejudice." I agree. How true!
Countless people accuse Catholics of blindly following oppressive rules of a bygone entity headed by an old man who wears a dress! Others assert that Catholic Christians have wreaked so much harm on humanity and continues to do so.
Some would have you believe that the Catholic Church is a bunch of buildings in Rome where evil conspiracies are concocted by secretive men who grasp for power even as they are tortured by their own lifeless celibacy.
Dare I disagree? Of course!
Roman Catholic Christians are members of the ancient community founded by Jesus Christ almost 2000 years ago through his Apostles. Jesus Christ is the leader of this universal community which has as its earthly leader the successor of St. Peter, the Pope. Jesus Christ invites every person to the fullness of life through liberation from their sin. He provides us with the faith to be one with this communion through the worship of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit.
For instance, when we read the books of the Bible in church or individually (which, by the way, were put together as "Bible" by Catholic bishops in the first century A.D.) we approach the Lord in love. When we celebrate the Sacraments, "visible signs of invisible graces" (St. Augustine fifth century A.D.), we approach the Lord in love.
Roman Catholic Christians also believe that the Lord's unique presence is found "whenever two or three are gathered in His name," "where hatred is quenched by mercy," "whenever we help our neighbor" and in the Eucharist. His Body and His Blood are not only "food for the journey" or "medicine for our sins" but is the help we need to share God's love, mercy and forgiveness with others by all that we say and do.
Some argue that the Church and its members are hypocrites.
Yep. They are correct.
We are. We are sinners.
We are a people whose actions never completely match our words and our beliefs. One of the beauties of the Roman Catholic Church is that she enshrines the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the standard for our lives even as the Gospel is the very thing which convicts us of our own pettiness, selfishness, indifference, arrogance and hatred.
I was proud when Pope John Paul II publicly asked forgiveness from women, minorities, Muslims, Jews, peoples who were conquered by Catholic colonizers and all others who had experienced persecution, poverty and death at the hands of Catholics and their Church.
But don't just take my word for it. Read these words from some of your classmates for whom I am grateful for their sharing.
Ngoc Pham '11: "I choose to be a practicing Catholic simply because I believe that God is love and that He takes me through hard moments in my life by providing me with His guidance."
Jocelyn Cabrera '12: "I chose to be a practicing Catholic because it is how I was raised ... Over time we stopped going to mass, but I started again to get my Confirmation in high school.
"I chose to continue practicing Catholicism because it has been a huge part of my life and I believe that my faith has helped me through so many things. I also appreciate all the beliefs/tenets we have that ... lead and help us to become better people."
Sean Ducey '13: "I choose to be a practicing Catholic because in high school I got very involved in Campus Ministry-Youth Ministry and have absolutely loved exploring my faith and getting to know my God more every day."
Leslie Fummerton '10: "I choose to practice my faith because it simply feeds my soul. I feel comfort knowing that I can turn to God in any circumstance and He will always be there for me. In my relationship with God, I give praise and thanks, as well as offer up to him my struggles.
"He helps me to see my issues in perspective. I can feel deep down when I start to distance myself and a certain longing pulls me back in. It is something I can't ignore and has become a part of me. I practice without being conscious of it anymore."
Sarah Eldrige '11: "[The main reason] I choose to remain a practicing Roman Catholic ... is the Sacramental lens through which we view the world. Whether it is recognizing our Savior in the Eucharist, in an unexpected blessing, amidst soul-wrenching trials, or in a breath-taking sunset stretching over the ocean, we believe that He is always beside, before, and within us."
Chloe Ruffin '12: "I became a member of the Catholic Church because of its emphasis on family. We are so loving to not only our parish members, but everybody in the world. I am in love with our dedication to serving those less fortunate.
"I am Catholic because the Eucharist has become an instrumental part of my life. I am Catholic because I love the support I feel from all the people involved in the church and the services available to me."
Katy Portell '12: "I choose to be a practicing Catholic because I believe faith is a process which you must keep working at throughout your whole life. I know that I will never stop learning about my faith and participation in Mass helps me to grow and learn through the teachings in the homilies and prayerful meditation."
Emmanuel Aquino '13: "I was raised Catholic by a very devout grandmother and at the time I did not think much of it. As the years progressed, however, I learned that Catholicism was not just something forced upon by family members but that it offered thanks to God for all the wonderful things we seek.
"By becoming a practicing Catholic, I noticed the things around us in which God is always present such as in family, friends and all whom we have ever crossed paths with. The Catholic church has shown me that God is not a distant being but a being that lives and reigns among us."
Jessica Alford '10: "I am Catholic because the Catholic Church recognizes and gives great importance to the seven sacraments ... I also believe in the true nature of the body and blood of Christ at Eucharist.
"The Catholic Church is a supportive community filled with intelligent and kind priests that I can go to when I need important advice about my life. I also love the tradition of the Catholic Church."
The Rev. Michael Belinsky, C.S.C., is the Assistant Director for Campus Ministry
