Being a "good" Catholic.

CATHOLIC RANT FOLLOWS! YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!!

A drive-by troll who left what will probably be his one and only comment here accused me of not trying to be a good Catholic. After telling him to bite me I started mulling that charge over. It's one I've heard often enough over the time I was growing up in the Church and the last five or so years I've been getting back into it.

First, when have I been accused of not being a "good" Catholic? Well let's see, besides the recent post I've heard it when I owned up to not raising my kids in the Church (after I'd conferred with my parish priest on the topic). Seems some fool sitting at a keyboard who knows jackshit about me and the War Department is more qualified than an ordained priest to give me advice.

I've heard it when I've spoken out in favor of the death penalty. The WD will tell you I've been really conflicted over that one for some time. Part of the struggle comes from having my only sibling murdered twenty four years ago. Kind of messes with your mind. Here again I've received chastisement from various sources letting me know that "good" Catholics don't have a problem with condemning the death penalty.

Noted.

Being less than a "good" Catholic has been laid at my doorstep for supporting various military actions. In my youth is was the Viet Nam War, these days it's our presence in Iraq. The detractors always cite the stance of our bishops and our supposed obligation to respect and support them. Sorry, I have a hard time giving credibility to a group of pedophile enablers. Just a failing of mine I suppose. And I always wonder if the actions of our military are SO heinous then why doesn't the Archbishop in charge of the military's ministry step up to the plate and tell Catholics in the military to get out under pain of excommunication?

Marrying a Protestant didn't help me in the eyes of some I'm sure. My first two marriages to Catholic women didn't work out. The one that had been recognized by the Church was annulled, the other was never recognized. So much for hooking up with Catholic women. FWIW, this one IS recognized by the Church.

So, I've come to the following conclusions;

First, my salvation is MY business. Not the business of any damned fool with too much time on his hands and too much self-righteousness in his head. If I need advice I'll seek out a trustworthy priest.

Second, when I stand before the throne of God I'll be alone. So I might as well just use MY best judgment as to what will make a good case for me then. If I need advice I'll seek out a trustworthy priest.

Last, what the hell is this "good" label all about? Either you're Catholic or you're not. If you are then you're an admitted sinner not worthy of salvation no matter what your good works, in the end you're saved by the love and grace of Jesus Christ alone. No other busybodies involved. Period. Until that end is reached you keep on trying to stay in a state of grace one day at a time. Kind of like recovering alcoholics with their sobriety, except there are some drunks who won't relapse. ALL Catholics have a spiritual relapse, even the Pope goes to Confession! And if I need advice, ...oh hell you already know the rest!!!

So for those nonclerics who might be reading this and subscribe to the idea of telling off those they don't consider "good" Catholics, would you please be so kind as to kiss my plain Catholic ass?

Thanks for listening.