-------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Add your name to the CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE | | | | by visiting this link and following the instructions therein | | | | http://shire.symonds.net/pipermail/goanet/2005-October/033926.html | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Responding to a post Ryan Figueiredo made today on the Church and "mixed marriages' I think he was spot on when he said: "The Church is becoming increasing irrelevant for young people and it is shortsighted and insensitive directives like these that only alienate them further".
I agree. I used to regularly 'attend' Church like any other (Goan) Catholic. However, events that happened here in the UK - in my own parish, (and elsewhere, globally) has changed my 'belief set' about 'religion and priests'. Issues like child abuse and other 'wrongs' (by their own standards), led me to believe that any 'organised religion' was made vulnerable by its own 'human beings' (priests). Where hypocrisy may exist, I don't know - so I now don't think it necessary to "attend' Church. I do actually have a 'faith' based belief, where I pray to God in "my own way'. Church going for me has become irrelevant. Rome can be very stubborn when it comes to dealing with a modern evolving world. They are alienating themselves and they don't seem to care. Why should we? The Churches stance on this mixed marriage issue is certainly not going to gain them any brownie points. It is even discriminatory and undermines people's ability to make their own life decisions that matter to them. The Church does not 'own people' to issue diktats on their lives! Best of all, if one is in this situation, one should do what feels right for them, without 'outside' pressure. God knows, a mixed couple planning to marry will sometimes have enough 'hassle' from their own 'pigheaded and bigoted' family and friends...let alone the Church! Sam Fernandes
