BE PROUD THAT YOU'RE A CATHOLIC

Be proud that you're a Catholic

Excerpts of an article written by non-Catholic Sam Miller -

a prominent Cleveland Jewish businessman

"Why would newspapers carry on a vendetta on one of the most important

institutions that we have today in the United States, namely the...

Catholic Church?

Do you know - the Catholic Church educates 2.6 million students

everyday at the cost to that Church of 10 billion dollars, and a

savings on the other hand to the American taxpayer of 18 billion

dollars. The graduates go on to graduate studies at the rate of 92%.

The Church has 230 colleges and universities in the U.S. with an enrollment of 

700,000 students.

The Catholic Church has a non-profit hospital system of 637 hospitals, which account for 

hospital treatment of 1 out of every 5 people - not just Catholics - in the United States today.

But the press is vindictive and trying to totally denigrate in every

way the Catholic Church in this country They have blamed the disease of

pedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming

adultery on the institution of marriage.

Let me give you some figures that Catholics should know and remember.

For example, 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to

sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other

inappropriate sexual contact in a study by the United Methodist Church

41.8% of clergy women reported unwanted sexual behavior; 17% of laywomen 

have been sexually harassed.

Meanwhile, 1.7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of pedophilia.

10% of the Protestant ministers have been found guilty of

pedophilia. This is not a Catholic Problem.

A study of American priests showed that most are happy in the

priesthood and find it even better than they had expected, and that

most, if given the choice, would choose to be priests again in face of

all this obnoxious PR the church has been receiving.

The Catholic Church is bleeding from self-inflicted wounds. The agony

that Catholics have felt and suffered is not necessarily the fault of

the Church. You have been hurt by a small number of wayward priests

that have probably been totally weeded out by now.

Walk with your shoulders high and you head higher. Be a proud member

of the most important non-governmental agency in the United States ...

Then remember what Jeremiah said:

'Stand by the roads, and look and ask for the ancient paths, where the 

good way is and walk in it, and find rest for your souls'. Be proud to 

speak up for your faith with pride and reverence and learn what 

your Church does for all other religions.

Be proud that you're a Catholic.