Your reflection spoke to me today — I had distanced myself on LinkedIn from a now former boss by removing him as a connection. He was not a good example of a leader, but I still had some guilt about removing him as a connection. I felt better about it after reading your reflection.

Thank you and God bless you.

Hi Chris! I will definitely keep you in my prayers. My mother and father in law left the church until the day they died because of being hurt by those who serve in the parish too. I worried and continue to pray for their salvation to this day.

Our faith and salvation is found in Jesus Christ though, not the church or the people in it. Even Jesus found serious faults with the leaders of the Jewish faith. He even advised the faithful to do what they said, but not to follow their example.

If I could give you any advise at all, it would be to take your time and really read the New Testament. The words of Jesus can be very healing.

I hope you give us another try. A few bad apples are just that.

You go on to write: “Life is hard enough sometimes, without allowing other people to make us even more miserable. Don’t feel guilty if you need to distance yourself from negative people sometimes.” This I have done. Sadly, I have distanced myself from parish life of almost 28 years. A church I loved to attend, get to Mass a half hour early just to sit and enjoy the beauty and quiet. All gone because of the insecurity of a certain parish priest who did not have the courage to try and make amends with me, but instead involved his deacon who spread lies. I keep asking God why He is allowing what has been done, and has been spread by His Son Jesus’ representatives! Those who should be nurturing us spiritually, should be finding ways to heal the rift. The slander caused by these religious is so deep, I can’t help wondering if there will ever be a healing resolution.

Please pray for me, the former parish priest, the deacon and parishioners, and the new priests who don’t have the courage to find the truth. Thank you.

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