Response to attacks on the Catholic Church (Michael Broach)

Citation: Me!

When sending an e-mail to my Pope Pius class (high school religious award class for Boy and Venture Scouts), I mistakenly entered the e-mail address for one student incorrectly.  Consequently, it landed in the e-mail inbox of a woman in Marietta, Georgia.  She used the opportunity to attack a few things surrounding the Catholic Church.  Below is her message and below hers, is my response.  Enjoy reading!

-----Original Message-----
From: <<Removed>>
Sent: Friday, April 05, 2002 4:41 AM
To: <<Removed>>
Subject: Pope Pius and <<Name removed>>

Hello, all.

I believe <<Name removed>> was the intended recipient of this e-mail. Her name was next to <<Removed>>  Perhaps she is puddinhead1 or puddinhead2, or even puddinhead788, but I am the original puddinhead, and have been since 1996. I chose that handle for two reasons: because of my love for Mark Twain, who had only three heroes-- Pudd'nhead Wilson, Huckleberry Finn, and Joan of Arc; and because--well--I'm a chucklehead, but that was taken.

I'm not sure which Pope Pius you all are studying. Maybe all twelve of them. That last one was a real winner, huh? I read a book about him called "Hitler's Pope." 'Kind of gives you a sour taste in the mouth about Catholicism.

If Mr. Broach made you read that book, you can get the bad flavor out by reading just about anything about the current Pope, JP II, who gets my vote for most admirable person alive (and I fear that moniker won't last much longer). I disagree with him on about half his issues, but I admire him for believing that if something is absolutely right or absolutely wrong, you don't compromise. So what if the abbeys are empty and too many Catholic Priests are gay men who were afraid too come out to their families, but even more afraid to marry and play the heterosexual game? You can't pander to that and allow women to be priests when Paul specifically said women shouldn't preach. I'm not sure why he won't let the priests marry. I'm sure he has his reasons.

But he did pardon Galileo, and he embraces Darwinian evolution (much to the changrin of the Southern Baptists and other YECs who are still trying to pawn off "creation science"-- now under the guise of "intelligent design"--to our public institutions.) Pope JP II has signed onto the two greatest discoveries made in the past millennium, and both of them the two discoveries that knocked us humans off our high pedestal of thinking that the world is the center of everything, and we are the reason the world was created. This is heady stuff.

I guess we think we're pretty "heady" stuff compared to the other animals, even though we're not very remarkable. We can't fly or run very fast. 'Can't hold our breath under water or swim very far. Raising our young is an arduous and long task. But, by gum, we're the smartest creatures alive. Smart enough to invent striped toothpaste and nuclear weapons. We're the only animal on earth smart enough to annihilate the entire planet. I say, if that doesn't prove we were all made in God's image and likeness, nothing will! 

Anyway, I assume you are all classmates of <<Name removed>>. I hope one of you will see her and tell her about the assignment and Tuesday night's class. Please tell her that her prof accidentally sent her e-mail to a fat, frumpy, forty-year-old woman in Marietta, Georgia who has too much time on her hands.

Sincerely,

Julie

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Broach [mailto:mbroach@stjosephsjax.org]
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 7:43 AM
To: <<Removed>>
Subject: RE: <<Name removed>>

Dear Ms. <<Name removed>> –

I discovered after receiving your message that I had entered <<Name removed>> e-mail address incorrectly.  In regards to your additional comments, I have a few responses for you.  First, the course is named for Pope Pius XII, however, the content is on basic elements of Catholicism.  This course is a religious education course for high-school Boy Scouts and Venture Scouts.  Your reference to Pope Pius XII as “Hitler’s Pope” is a common attack on the papacy, however, its description of the man is more a matter of opinion than fact and in many cases, the arguments made against Pope Pius XII that accuse him of fascist influence are highly inaccurate or based on un-reliable evidence.  During World War II, Pope Pius understood that there was little he could do to prevent the war, however, he tried to help its victims.  I encourage you to read some of the writings of Pope Pius XII, two of which I have provided:

Second, you are correct in your observation that Pope John Paul II stays consistent in his decisions of the issues and his refusal to compromise on issues of right and wrong.  We Catholics do believe that the appointment of the Pope (Roman pontiff) is directly inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, therefore, he is divinely inspired on matters of morality and faith in the Church.  Though other faiths do not believe in this practice, Catholics do.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (article 882): “The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter’s successor, ‘is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.’  ‘For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise unhindered.’”

Third, in your attacks on the Catholic priesthood, I disagree with your conclusion that “too many Catholic priests are gay men who [are] afraid to come out to their families.”  The Catholic priesthood is a human institution, and like any human institution, there exist problems.  But, these problems are very few, very minute, and the majority of Catholic priests are sincerely dedicated to their profession (despite the high volume of media attention).  I could continue on my defense of the priesthood, however, our Bishop (Bishop of St. Augustine Victor B. Galeone) delivered an excellent homily that can give this issue more justice than I could.  His speech is available from my course homepage, the direct URL is: http:/www.broachweb.com/popepius/article03.htm.  Please take some time to read this homily; it is very well written and well supported with Scripture passages.  Another good speech from one of our area priests is one from Father Fred Parke who shares his reaction to the current scandals in the priesthood.  I encourage you to also read his homily (http://www.broachweb.com/popepius/article04.htm).  (His reference to sitting on a person refers to the fact that he is a very large man).

Finally, I wish to address your comments on the Church’s standpoint on evolution.  The Catholic Church does accept the scientific theorem of evolution, however, Catholics believe that evolution can be used as a method of explaining our human development, but not the initial origin of the human soul (the human soul is created by God, as written by Pope Pius XII).  I refer you to these interesting articles:

I hope that I have provided you with an adequate response to your comments.  I encourage you to research these topics further.  There exists hundreds of issues that directly impact the Church and many of the Church’s teachings are very debatable, however, that is why the Catholic Church is unique.  Throughout the past two thousand years, we have existed with the same mission: dedication and service to God through Christ.  We have survived controversies, corruption, and reform, and we still exist strong today.  We, as Church, are the People of God, however, it must be understood that we are a human institution.  Mistakes are possible and mistakes are made, however, we strive to keep the faith and to stay true to our creed. 

I appreciate your comments and I hope you enjoy reading the articles I have provided.

Michael C. Broach
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church