I am a former Catholic, raised in the church and attended 12 years of Catholic schools.

Every time I see you on Fox, I cringe a little. I wish you would ask Catholics who left the church their reasons why and stop looking all googly eyed at the Pope and the Church.

The Catholic Church has hurt alot of people through the centuries and all in the name of God. The church is very hypocritical…..they ask their members to sacrifice while the upper crust church elites live in lavish luxury.

I will be counting the days until his royal popester boards his plane heading back to the Vatican, perhaps on his way to his summer home for he surely will need a rest from his travels. BTW, how much is his trip costing the church? (Or should I say Catholics worldwide who are no doubt footing the bill?)

It is such an awesome example that Pope is trying to set. People today aren’t very good at taking repsonsibility and giving sincere appologies. The beauty of life is we can live in the past or in the present and the Pope is trying to move us forward.

Thank you Father, for making the Pope’s visit more real for me and my family. We’re on the West Coast. We love our Pope and support all he’s trying to do. Thanks again!!!

Michele – you are a very bitter person who obviously is not enjoying her time on earth – judge not all Catholics by the acts of 1 or 2% – the vast majority of clergy and Church Members are caring, wonderful human beings. The horrors of the abuse scandal are hopeful behind us and those affected will continue to heal in body and spirit. And yes – the Church is losing members because of a 300 BC focus versus a 21st century focus – hopefully the next Pope will have the charisma of a John XXIII to bring the Church back to where it needs to be. Today’s Church is not the Church I was raised in – sad to say. The Church does not cope with change to any meaningful degree and they are not listening to the 98% of the clergy/members who say change is needed NOW.

The Church deservedly and sadly paid big time for the horrors of the abuse and the mistakes the few like Cardinal Law made – shame on him. Of course the media went into a feeding frenzy with the stories – but sad to say – the abuse of children continues in and outside of the RCC. Teachers are abusing our children at alarming rates and from all reports – only 2% are ever reported and prosecuted. One thing families have not learned – the perpetrators need to be expsoed and flushed from system.

i would say the vow of abstinence is one of the biggest sacrifices, in my mind anyways, that one could make! if they want to live a little lavishly, by all means i feel we should cut them a little slack. think about how much priests and nuns, bishops, cardinals, the pope, sacrifice in their lives on a daily basis. it cannot be an easy job or life by any means.

i too went to catholic schools and fell out for a while, partially due to burn out, part due to what i saw as hypocrisy not only by the priests but by the people who attended, and also part due to sheer laziness on my part. however, my going back to church boils down to realizing nothing being perfect and a large part to what i found to be some wise words from my mother, “you dont go to church to judge or to look good to those around you, you go to become a better person yourself” there were other factors as well.

is the Catholic church perfect, (hope i dont get excommunicated , but no, nothing in this world is but its how i view America as well, its the best system we have. and if you dont feel that way then the Catholic church is obviously not for you, and thats okay. but i just feel that to say that members sacrifice while those higher ups dont, is a very unfair statement.

on a side note, welcome to the USA Pope Benedict!
say a prayer for me cause Lord knows i need em!
matt

Michele,

I don’t think that the nature of the reportage that Father does typically involves him asking Catholics watching why they left the Church.

I suppose there are good times and reasons to ask individuals why they left the Church but I struggle to understand why you cringe when the priest doesn’t do so on the air.

Saying that the Church “has hurt alot [sic] of people through the centurines and all in the name of God” is difficult to respond to since you don’t really give examples. While no rational person would argue that people within the Church in positions of authority have done hurtful things, I don’t see why this is an important revelation. In fact, the Church is made up of sinners. That is why people join the Church. On this side of heaven we will continue to fall short of God’s plan for us to varying degress.

Regarding the “upper crust” living in lavish luxury while they ask the rest of the Church to sacrifice is a little unfair, it seems to me. While it is true that living in the Vatican is probably very nice, I don’t think it’s fair to assume that most of the cardinals that live and work there responded to God’s call so that they could have a nice apartment in Rome.

Furthermore, priests indeed sacrifice. For example, they sacrifice the opportunity to marry (a great good in the eyes of the Church; cf: JPII Theology of the body) and all the daily struggles that come with that sacrifice for the greater good of marriage to the Lord.

Benedict XVI deserves the benefit his good name and respect from Americans – be they Catholic, former Catholic, or otherwise – for his work to advance human rights and peace.

The Chuch, in spite of the faults of its one billion members, is an ENORMOUS force for good in this world.

Finally, with respect to the cost. It seemed like Alitalia (Italian air company) was footing the bill. Regardless, as a former Catholic, why do you worry if the Church pays for the trip or not?

I hope that whatever led you away from the Church can be healed and that you can come back someday. If you do, there will be plenty of us waiting to greet you back.

Is the Catholic Church perfect? Well, my opinion is that it is more perfect than the rest of Christianity. Note that the Church has been in its same form, believed the same dogma, and cared for people for over 2,000 years. Has the Church made mistakes? Of course it has, but the Church is ran by humans, and unfortunately, all humans make mistakes. That is not to say that all mistakes are acceptable, i.e. the abuse scandal. My view is that America has a tarnished and somewhat perverted view of the Catholic Church. There are reasons why the clergy are not allowed to marry, why women are not allowed to be priests, and the list goes on and on. People who think that they are going to change an institution that was founded at ground zero (Jesus), and has continued to this day might want to check themselves. One vingette, I read this somewhere so I won’t accept credit: “Take any moral issue (say abortion or the death penalty)) and compare it to the Catholic Churches’ opinion of the topic. The Churches view on the matter will always be either a) the most morally correct choice that you can make, or b) you and the catholic church will have the same opinion on the matter”. Also, name another insitution that has as many incredible human beings (we call them Saints!) that have given so much to humanity. All the non Catholic Cristians combined could not come up with as many, that have produced miracles during and after their life, and have set such a fine example for ALL humans. Go get ‘em Father Jon, (tell the pope that Jon said HI!!!!)

There are three abuses:

#1-Father, you are correct, 81% of the abuse cases were between two males, of that 81% over 90% were homosexual not pedophilia. Therefore the first abuse are the priests themselves.

#2-While the American Bishops “zero tolerance” policy suggests that they are addressing the issue, what the Bishops have NEVER addressed is their involvement in hiding and transferring these priests. While 2-3% of the priests engaged in sexual abuse, the VAST majority of American Bishops engaged in the cover up. This is the second abuse.

#3-There has been no public acknowledgment of the”Lavender Mafia” as they are called who have gained a measure of power in the Church. This is the third abuse.

I, for one, couldn’t be happier that the Papal visit is occuring at a time when so many questions/accusations/judgments are being posed. To see direct answers coming from Pope Benedict shows a proactive approach and a true demonstration of the leadership seat he is in. The Lord has his plan for all of us, whether we like it or not, and as Matt wrote there are always plenty of us ready to welcome each of our brothers and sisters in.

Father, I appreciate the breakdown of information and the time you take to comment on reports and happenings in the Vatican. Renewal and Hope…the right mantra at the right time.

God Bless you.

Chris

Father Jon,
Thank you and all the other (many) wonderful priests who continue to minister to Catholics and others (we take care of all) around the world. I wonder at the fact that the Church is always singled out for scandal when many of these same abuses happen in other denominations, but little is made of them. The Church has handled the scandals with diplomacy, financial, emotional, and psychological counseling. As for the “fallen away”, they criticize the Church but I’ve never heard a convincing argument for their leaving. I pray for them and wish for their return to the faith. We enjoy your commentary on Fox from the Vatican. Good bless you and the Pope! May he enjoy the USA and his visit here.

Hello, and God bless to all.
This is my first time to share in a blog on any website for any reason before. I normally read them, but decide not to add my two cents.
However, this is a topic that I have always had strong feelings about.
As is the general consensus, I am totally appalled and feel broken whenever I hear of a person in authority of the Church, or anyone for that matter has hurt a child in such a way. However, it does bother me to see how biased the media is toward Catholics. (And I’ll back that up)
What I mean is that when one of these monsters happens to be a Catholic priest, it makes national and and world news. It’s not that I have a problem with that, but I have seen several cases on local news stations involving minister’s, youth director’s, etc. from all different religions that have performed the same atrocities and yet it stays within the community. It seems as though many have a personal vendetta against the Catholic faith, yet few can give any valid reasons for their hatred other than the few lines of rhetoric that, as is my point, applies to most religions if you really look at it.
I’m from the Houston area, and I look at Joel Osteen and his following, for example.
Now even though I am a strong Catholic, I want to say how much I can appreciate what he has done by bringing so many to Jesus Christ. Do we believe the same way, no. But I will look at him with respect for finding a way to bring many to Christ that may not have found Him otherwise.
However, I could talk all day about how much he talks about how being financially wealthy is what God intends or wants for us. I choose not to, because I would rather say, though we use very different methods, we both love other people, and we both love Jesus Christ.
All I wish is that others who will do the same and have some respect for deeply religious figures like the Pope, who only wants to help others.
Thank you and God Bless.
P.S. I am reading your book now, Father, and it is very inspirational and helpful. Thankyou for being a great leader.

I just want to welcome the Pope Benedict XVI to The Americas…I am eager to listen what he have to say, imaging my self sitting at the feet of the Lord..I hope Catholics and people in general realize the great Pope we have and all what we can learn from him. Americans should feel blessed for this privilege, please raise a little prayer for the rest of the continent so in need, mostly spiritually. GBY. ACF

Thank you Father Jon for your service and sacrifice. Thank God for the Priesthood.

I, too am a cradle Catholic, who like many of my generation growing up in the 60s and 70s found her teachings to be restrictive on what we thought our lives should be about. Birth control, divorce, etc. The biggies. I am not naive, but never ever did I leave the Church, because throughout all the turmoil in my personal life, I always found the church door open to me. No pastor condemned me in confession. No fellow parishioner looked down on me because I had broken a rule. The Catholic Church has been a rock that I could always hold on to, a shelter in the storms. No matter where I traveled in the world, I found a Catholic Church on Sundays, and ya know what?? It’s a comfort to hear the same prayers and see the sacraments celebrated no matter what the language.

My faith is not rooted in the men at the altar. No disrepect intended, Fr Jonathan. Priests are human beings, and those who crossed the line to abuse children and young people will pay for their sins, if not in this life, surely in the next. One of those priests was my pastor for many years. Now when I think of him and his well reported behavior, I am nauseous, but it doesn’t change my belief in God. Those who found their faith shaken maybe had some other issues with the Church and found the abuse scandal a perfect tool to lash out. My faith is in God and the teachings of Christ. The Roman Catholic Church is merely a conduit of those teachings.

Kemit the Frog sings “it’s not easy being green.” Well, it’s not easy being Catholic….but I could not imagine another way. If I had it to do over, I would do it again, only this time I would have liked to experience the richness of the baptismal rites. I was 10 days old when baptized, so I don’t remember much. Every Easter Vigil, I see the joy on the faces of the newly baptized children, young teenagers, adults. What an experience for them.

Fr Jon….keep up the good work. I’m excited Benedict XVI is coming to America…just wish he could visit the Midwest. Tell him there’s good people of faith out here in “fly-over” country. Folks from my alma mater, Benedictine College, will be in attendance at some of the DC events.

I was blessed to see JPII on a visit Rome in 2001 for the closing of the Holy Year. Our church choir sang at that Mass on the feast of the Epiphany, it was the Super Bowl of all sacred music events!!

I watched as most of the sex scandals played across our televisions. I am surprised that the study showed that only 4% of priests were responsible for the abuse. As with all news stories it seemed to be much more.

And I must say the term “Creditable” bothers me as it seems that anyone with a compliant against them could easily be dismissed as “simply not creditable” when in fact the person in question is indeed guilty. I would have ordered that any priest who had a compliant made should be removed or suspended until proved guilty or not guilty. And should the Priest be found not guilty then he should be returned to his duties and the Vatican should stand behind him.

When all of this was playing I heard many critics say that the Vatican was ignoring the problem because little was said until it seemed to some people that things had gotten far out of control. Now I have to wonder if John Paul II was simply allowing one of his most trusted Cardinals (as it seems that the then Cardinal Ratzinger was) to look into the matter and allow him to investigate with the pressure of needing an immediate resolution. (thats not to say that it didnt need an immediate resolution)

I would like to hear the Pope address this head on either in one of his speeches or homilies this is one of the worst scandals for any organization the fact that it was men who were looked on as men who stood for the moral decency of the world; only makes this much worse.

P.S.
Father,
Do you think the Pope will visit the West Coast or the Middle of the country in a few years?

I was born a Catholic & I will die a Catholic. I believe changes have to be made. Priests should be able to marry. My 87 year old mother agrees with this. If a woman wants to be a priest, she should be. I am a conservative person but I believe we need these changes to keep our church alive. My son & his family changed to another church. I have attended it after going to mass. He is happy there & the people are very nice. I could never join it though because I just don’t agree with some of it. I love my religion; hate what some of the priests did.

I think that the Catholic Church has done a wonderful job handling the scandal now, and not in the past when they were shielding these priests from their actions. They admitted that they were wrong and are compensating their victims. Not only that but they are also doing preventative measures to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again, by making seminarians take psychiatric exams and removing priests from service who commit these crimes.

I think that the news media and the gal who posted the first comment is looking at the scandal naively. They suggest that because the Catholic Church isn’t perfect and caused some people harm that everyone should totally lose their faith in the Church. The thing is though that the news media is not perfect or the gal who made that statement or me or Father Jonathan or our government for that matter. Should I just move out to Iowa become self-sufficient, build my own roads, invent my own cult, not talk to a single soul, bury my money in the ground, and not trust anyone ever again because I have to protect myself from getting hurt by imperfect institutions and leaders? No! I I look at how institutions and leaders handle scandals and crisies and if they handle them well I will put my trust in them. If not, then I admit that I made a mistake trusting them and move on.

Father J,

I am a life long Catholic as well as many who have written you today. I have always looked a the teachings, not the individuals, of the Church. When I attend Mass the thought always crosses my mind that this is exactly what Christ did those 2,000 years ago. The Church’s teachings have always been exactly what Christ has tought, the message has never changed. I feel you must be doing something right if the Catholic Church is always the one religion being attacked. But I think people would be wise to take a step back and look at the total scope of the Church. Look at the work that is done throughout the world through Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief, there is no organization on earth that matches it!

Every organization run by man has flaws, but the pluses of the Catholic Church far outweigh the minsus.

For those of us that have been personally and profoundly affected by the sexual abuse scandal, I welcome the Pope’s statement and I do not question his sincerity. What I doubt is the resolve of the Bishops in the United States to take his words and turn them into actions. Many of us, like me, are beyond the statute of limitations and will never be able to seek redress for our grievances. The Holy Father could order the dioceses and religious orders to open the files on pedophile priests and allow the victims of these predators to get to the truth. To just ask us to come back to the church that has betrayed us without acknowledging the truth is another betrayal.

I was born and raised in a strong catholic family. I attended catholic schools always went to church without fail.
But then I also fell away from the church though my own ignorance. That when my father passed away I was so angry at God I could not except the fact that God had taking my Father and he was such a very relious man.
But then about 7 yrs ago I found my way back into the church and I have been so ashamed and sorry from ever leaving it.
I wish that I myself could see the pope to me the pope is as close as you can get to God.would it not be a wonderful experience to receive communion from the pope.

Thank you so much Father Jonathan, I watch you all the time on Fox I wish there were most priest like you with your wisdom and understanding of people.
God Bless
Jeannette

CNN bloggers need to visit Fox News.com to find out what this historical visit by the pope is all about. Excellent coverage Fox! Thanks

Did anyone notice that when the sex scandals came out that it wasn’t in one isolated area but nationwide? This seemed to be a concerted effort by the media and some greedy lawyers to discredit the Catholic Church. When it became obvious that for the most part this was a homosexual problem the media changed its attack and then went after the bishops. Keep in mind that the majority of the cases were from at least 2o years ago and at that time the bishops were following the protocol that was in place then. Which was to remove the accused priest to a rehab center where the psychiatrists supposedly could rehabilitate them. Also, what is interesting is that many of the priests that were accused of wrong doing were already dead. (How convient for the lawyers and their class action lawsuits!) What I find really sad is that many of these priests were exonerated but their good names never will be. The media doesn’t tell you that.

I am not saying that all the cases are false or that there was no wrong doing by some of these priests. But from the way the media has portrayed this you would think that just about every Catholic priest was or is a sexual deviant. This is unfortunate because there are so many dedicated and hard working priests who sacrifice so much to follow Christ’s calling.

Thank you Fr. Jon for being such a positive role model for the priesthood!

Father Jonathan,

Thank you again for the response. Yes I can imagine that being 81 he would pick and choose every trip. And I hope that Im as spray as alert as the Pope was this afternoon when he landed at Andrews.

I mistakenly left the Catholic faith in protest of the abuses but really it was more for reasons of what I mistakenly ‘thought’ was the Catholic church. In the end I have returned home to open arms no less. The abuses were twofold, on the one hand the victims and on the other the perpetrators. In both instances Jesus himself stands in the place of the victims and in his scandalized church. My walking away was not an answer; it additionally hurt His church. We don’t always get it right. Sometimes we’re lost, confused, in pain but we’re in it together. We respond as a community and in this lies our strength and our hope. The church is incomplete until we all come home.
I am grateful to be home, and thankful our pope has come to spread the message of Christ our Hope.

Father Jonathan, I would love to hear more about your book. I really enjoy watching you on FOX and I feel that you relate things in a manner that is understandable and not over one’s head. I read any and all spiritual books I can but I must say they have to be in easily understood terms. I am a “cradle Catholic” and am proud to say that my husband just converted after nearly 30 years of marriage. We so enjoy going to the weekly RCIA classes.

I am a great fan of Pope John Paul II and have a collage of pictures of His Holiness in my living room. He was a great leader and made a strong impact on the majority of my religious life. A very fascinating individual – and I look forward to getting to know Pope Benedict as well. I hope the liberal press will give the Catholic Church a break for once, I cannot understand why and how they can feel they are doing the right thing by talking so biased and bad about one particular religion. Let’s hear more talk about the religion that makes people fly planes into buildings and the falicies therein.

With Deep Respect -

Dena

I have a question that is troubling. I heard Bill Maher on HBO say that Benedict when a Cardinal instructed the bishops to “delay” all sex abuse cases until the state of limitations was passed. Is this correct? I disagree with Bill Maher on all things pertaining to religion. He was a Catholic.
I AM a Catholic but want to know the truth on this subject. Can you tell me? I am appalled by the sex abuse of priests and do not defend it. I think that it is a criminal act that should be subjected as all abuse cases are to the law. Money is not the answer !! True it may help get counseling for those affected but “buying off” the victims is wrong.
I will always be a Catholic and love my church and my faith. People are human and do sin, as we all do. But, covering up the sins of sexual abuse and not bringing the people accountable to pay (in a civil court) is wrong. Moving priests around in a parish is wrong. I had a priest in my parish (also a teacher) who went on to be a Bishop and he is also accused of sexual abuse. He will not admit to it but allegations are believable and his case is treated as such (with money paid, etc.).
I myself never witnessed any abuse in my life as a Catholic parishoner and student (from 3rd grade through 12 grade) in a Catholic School.
One more serious question, please, that is troubling me.
When in the seminary…….how are men instructed to remain celebate?
Is masturbation approved? I never thought it was but I am wondering if anything is said or “accepted” on this order? I don’t want to believe that but am wondering.
I have three adult children. Two left the church……one to be a Baptist and one to be a Methodist. One is a Catholic. I love all three and pray for all three. They are devout in their faiths…….it is hard as I was raised a Catholic and all my family have been for generations. I stand up for my faith and the Catholic Church but do want to know the truth, for myself.
Thank You, Fr. Jonathan. I always read your columns and forward them to my family and friends, often. I have a good friend who is a priest and forward them to him, too. I just cannot ask him these questions but hopefully you can and will answer them for me.
Thanks.
God Bless.

The pope is finally here, and I’ll be glad when he is finally gone.
I find the blasphemy incredibly offensive. I cringe when I consider what God in Heaven must be thinking when people worship this man, who claims to be god on earth.

What I wonder- is what will be the long-lasting affects of this pope’s visit?
Why did he come here? I’m sure he came here for much more than to discuss immigration reform or their sex abuse scandals. Time will reveal the true intent of this visit.

I see the pope is visiting the White House today. There is a good visual example of “uniting” church and state.

As a fox news viewer, I cringe every time I hear someone calling this man the “Holy Father”.
The pope is not MY Father.

My Holy Father – is the one and only Father in Heaven. God spoke of this in the 10 commandments.
1. You shall not have any other gods before Me. (The pope is a ‘god’… is he not?)

How do people reconcile what the God of heaven says in His very first commandment to this worshipping of the Pope? According to “Romanism As It Is”, p 124, 125, “The canon law… and the canonists say that ‘the pope is the one God who has all power in heaven and in earth”.

As for me and my house… we will worship Jesus Christ and God the TRUE Father… only.

I am not Cathiloc but I do believe that there is a god, and I do pray, and I also make sure I keep up on events with the Pope because I believe he is a very important man. But one thing I do not believe is the size of the crowd at the White house. There are about ten thousand people there, which is supposedly the biggest crowd every that has been there before, so this is a big event for the President. But for the Pope I believe this crowd is nearly a very small gathering, because at the Vatican City there are tens of thousand of people there! Honestly I think if this is the Popes FIRST visit to the US and there are only ten thousand people there it is almost an embarrassment. You can gather 60 thousand people EASILY for a football game so why can’t the Pope on his first visit to the US get 60 thousand people at the White House? This is making me assume that the US is not as highly as appreciative of the Pope as other countries. I mean no disrespect to the US or the Pope, but I do believe the size of this crowd is just too small for such an important event in World History.

Sincerely, Audrey Cross
Upstate New York

Dear Father Jonathan,

I am so encouraged by the Pope’s visit and his words. It gives me new strength and a love of my church.

I am really worried that Nancy Polosi, John Kerry and others who claim they are Catholic are setting up the Pope by receiving the Holy Sacrament of Communion while they actively support abortion and the homosexual agenda for America. I am praying that as the leader of the Catholic Church the Pope honors and upholds the law of the church and refuses these lawmakers communion. I pray that the Pope shows a strength of character not shown by these Politian’s’ local church leaders. But what if no one informs him. Shame, Shame, Shame on Kennedy, Durbin, Kerry, and Pelosi for thinking they are above church law. For trying to exploit the Holy Father and not honoring the Pope’s visit. They are taking actions that will harm our church. Do you think anyone will inform the Pope of what they are planning to do?

God Bless

Fr. Jonathan,

I am a cradle Catholic who came back and when I did, I brought my new wife with me. I have never seen someone embrace the Catholic Church like my wife. I have been attending Baptist churches for 7 years when I married my wife and the first day I went back to Mass I cried like a baby. IT was like I had been reunited with God.

My point is, do you think the Pope will address the apathy we have in the Church in America? To me, that’s as big a problem as any we have. I see Catholics taking for granted what we have every Mass and not taking it very seriously. My wife, as a new Catholic who is studying everything about our Church is appalled! I for one feel we need re-education in our Church in America.

Dan

First of all I would like to thank Pope Benedict XVI for coming to the U.S. and for his blessings. I would also like to thank President Bush and his family for being so gracious to someone who is so precious to us (Catholics ).

Here in Indiana, we are surrounded by the goodness and generosity of the Catholic Faith. I know in Indianapolis alone we have St. Vincent and St Francis hospitals , numerous Catholic grade schools and high schools and colleges. There is the St. Vincent Depaul to help the displaced and poor, St. Augustine Nursing Home run by the Sisters of the Poor. These various organizations and their volunteers help millions of people OF ALL FAITHS each year .

There is a goodness that permeates our church and faith and is personified by Pope Benedict XVI.

Fr. Jon,

I forgot to mention in my previous comment…I was recently told of a study done comparing sex abuse within the Catholic Church to that of other denominations, and the numbers were astounding. Where the Catholic Church in the US has that 4%, I was told that protastants (cumulatively) have a rate of nearly 20% for sexual preditors! I had rather put that conversation on the back burner, until reading this blog today, and also the big media bliz about the sex abuse scandals. Why hasn’t the media put this information out there? I guess it is easiest to hit the largest target.

Again, God bless you…

Father Jonathan,

It should not come as a surprise to any of us that the media, maily liberal, focuses more on the abuses than in what has been done by the church to prevent this to happen again. Many times, we catholics, find ourselves in informal conversations at work or elsewhere, in which priests are severely critized by the behavior of a few. It is hard to defend the church and the vast majority of priests without facts. I humbly suggest that bulletins at churches include such information and followup updates to keep us informed. Perhaps it should even be mentioned at the pulpit every now and then.

On a different matter, one third of catholics attending mass on any given Sunday sounds like the low end of the range. By that I don’t mean it is not true, but perhaps we need more religious education, a better understanding and knowledge of the bible. Since I started to read the daily meditations published on the Regnum Christi web page http://www.regnumchriti.org my understanding of the readings and the word of God has improved by many folds.

Keep up the good work and God bless you and the Legionaries.

I am delighted to follow this generous visit of our Holy Father. I would like to offer a different perspective on the abuse scandal. I left the Catholic church for 12 years to practice my faith with the Episcopalians. Liberal and modern, it was an attractive answer to my perceived injustices of an anti-woman, pro rules church. I have come to see I was wrong, and our Church is beautifully correct..
Many people are angry that “the church covered the abuse up” And I agree that was wrong. However, compare that stance with the Episcopal position of preaching immorality from the pulpit as good, right and God’s highest will for a human life! At least the RCC always knew what happened was wrong.

Yay for the pope, most like Jesus on the earth, he has great holy love, for all.

We should all look to God for help, I have and he literally spoke to me, as I stared in the sky with tears, if we all did the same, think of how changing the world could be.

Response to Aurdrey Cross;

On your comment concerning the small crowd at the White House. Remember this was the White House Lawn, not a football stadium. Also, this was the largest crowd assembled at the White House lawn for the reception of a foreign head of state during the Bush years.

As I understand from the media reports, the Mass at the Nationals baseball Park was “sold out”, and I would bet the Mass at Yankee Stadium will be like wise.

fox news correspondent father jonathan morris has been doing a great job covering pope benedicts vist to america. I have really been blessed by father jonathan morris book “the promise” he has a web site that is http://www.fatherjonathan.com and it is on harper collins books. if you have ever gone through some tough times in life this book will get you through them.
I think pope benedicts vist to the us will benefit us all. I think it will get us thinking about our faith and strenthen our courage and possibly forget about some of the things that we hurt about and deal with.
he has some great books out : Jesus of nazereth, saved in hope,truth and tolerence, on the way to Jesusus christ, without roots, Gods revolution,values in a time of upheaval, God is near us, God is love

great gift idea for friends and family dont mothers day or a great birthday gift or a wonderful gift for a highschool or college gift for a student

Father Johnathan, Thank you and Fox News Channel for the wonderful coverage given to our Pope’s visit! I watch Fox News constantly to get the real unbiased news. Father Johnathan, you are the best advertisement for the Catholic church. Your easy to understand answers to all questions is refreshing. I know you have many (especially young people) looking at the Catholic church in a more favorable light. God Bless you and Fox News Channel and keep up the good work!

I wish to thank Fr. Morris for his blogs and his fair commentary during the Pope’s visit to the U.S.
I was pleasantly surprised at Fox News’ abundant coverage of the Pope’s visit compared to its competing networks.(If there was biased /controvery-seeking coverage at Fox, I didn’t observe it, i.e. “Lou Dobbs” etc.)

Thanks again…it was a life-changing event for me, and I appreciated your part in providing access to many of the events (epecially without commercial interuption.)

God Bless Fr. Morris and the staff at Fox News.