I was brought up Catholic, baptized, confirmed, married in the church the first time and left the religion when I was 31 years old. My family, Polish American on one side and French Canadian on the other had been Catholics for generations and when I was growing up in a small town in Connecticut, there was and still is a lovely Catholic church that served the families of immigrants who worked in the local factory. All my relatives attended. My mother was especially devoted to the church, and we went to mass every Sunday and holy day.
After I divorced my husband at age 30, I didn’t feel like I belonged there any longer. I was deeply moved by the prospects of the church opening up and becoming more liberal, but it didn’t seem like the church changed much. I had friends who hoped that the priesthood would be extended to women, but that wasn’t to be. I was very disappointed in the direction it was going. I have since been appalled at the attempts of the church to cover up sexual scandals. The present pope seems more liberal than recent ones, but I doubt I could ever return to what I thought would be my permanent religious home. The influence of the Feminist Movement had a big influence on me then as now, and it didn’t seem like the church valued the women in its congregations.
A friend suggested I try her church, a Unitarian one which eschewed dogma and guilt and became very involved and have remained a Unitarian Universalist for decades. I appreciate a religious home that has many women ministers and welcomes people of all gender expressions and backgrounds. I’ve been involved in social justice campaigns and small groups discussing spiritual and moral issues which are relevant to my life. I’ve had various leadership roles over the years and learned a lot from my association with this church. It’s my true religious home.
— Oxnard15
After I divorced my husband at age 30, I didn’t feel like I belonged there any longer. I was deeply moved by the prospects of the church opening up and becoming more liberal, but it didn’t seem like the church changed much. I had friends who hoped that the priesthood would be extended to women, but that wasn’t to be. I was very disappointed in the direction it was going. I have since been appalled at the attempts of the church to cover up sexual scandals. The present pope seems more liberal than recent ones, but I doubt I could ever return to what I thought would be my permanent religious home. The influence of the Feminist Movement had a big influence on me then as now, and it didn’t seem like the church valued the women in its congregations.
A friend suggested I try her church, a Unitarian one which eschewed dogma and guilt and became very involved and have remained a Unitarian Universalist for decades. I appreciate a religious home that has many women ministers and welcomes people of all gender expressions and backgrounds. I’ve been involved in social justice campaigns and small groups discussing spiritual and moral issues which are relevant to my life. I’ve had various leadership roles over the years and learned a lot from my association with this church. It’s my true religious home.
— Oxnard15
My mother (born of Polish parents who arrived in the U.S. in 1915 or so) would have said that the Catholic Church is "eternal and unchanging" as it is. She decried the reforms of the 1960s (Vatican II). She researched Church history and argued with priests. Pretty spunky, but disturbing. I left Catholicism at 15, but lingered on with a dwindling belief in "God" until my 40s. I have been a member of the Unitarian Church, and enjoyed it. I admire your energy! Your description of the church in Connecticut is captivating. (Macoff)
ReplyDeleteOne question: Where did you get that prompt that you have at the top of your piece? I have a different prompt for today. (Macoff(
ReplyDeleteLast May, I attended a bans off our bodies rally in downtown LA. I saw a minister there chatting with many of his flock. He had on a very cool stole and a same sex partner so I figured he had to be an Episcopal Priest. I went over a introduced myself and asked who he was. Turns out he is part of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica. Every once in awhile I watch a service on their FB page which gives me practical ways to practice my faith in the world.
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