A crisis of trust

With every story, every accusation, every clerical admission, every apology, the official church reels a little more and the everyday Catholic grows a little more cynical. Or, at least, that’s what some would believe.

My wife, however, has a little different—and more realistic—assessment.

For Kathy, a faithful believer and skilled mental health clinician, there’s not a crisis of faith. But there is a crisis of trust.

The difference is more than semantic.

The sex-abuse scandal raging through the Catholic Church is not a new phenomenon. That is part of the problem. In too many cases, it’s an old problem that was not addressed or, in fact, ignored and even covered up.

That’s a crime as well as a sin. The news coverage is stinging because the church preaches values regarding sex that some of its leaders (and many of its members) fail to live up to.

What’s the difference between a crisis of faith and one of trust?

The church may take its lead from God, even seek to be faithful to its developed theology, doctrine and traditions. But in the end, those who serve the church are human and, as we have learned too well, capable of sin. That capacity—in action or omission—was a thread running through Cardinal George’s column in the last issue, and one which is again reflected in his Easter message (Page 3).

A crisis of faith would say these episodes mean that God has abandoned his people, turned his back on the many for the sins of a few. Yet, Easter is the story of redemption—of salvation—of a sinful people.

Crisis of faith? It shouldn’t be.

But a crisis of trust? You bet. People look differently at their priests and other ministers, wondering if this one or that one is the next to be revealed as a sexual abuser. The trust people have in a priest (or deacon or sister or brother or other representative of the church) has been damaged, hopefully not beyond repair.

Trust is a gossamer-fragile thing, far easier to shatter than rebuild. To allow breaches of human trust to shake the connection between God and believer would be far worse.

Still, the stories continue. Likely they will until the church—the organization—is able to finally resolve the problem. But columns like this one—or even the ongoing set of articles and perspectives in this and previous issues—are in danger of being perceived as apologetic for the church. But in the end, we must choose: crisis of faith or crisis of trust? Trust can be rebuilt, albeit slowly. Faith, once tossed away, too often remains lost.



Do touch that dial!

If you’ve been a listener to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s series of radio shows, Catholic Community of Faith, you’ll want to know that effective April 1, we’re changing stations and times. If you’re not a listener, become one and listen to the best Catholic radio in the Midwest.

As of April 1 (no foolin’), CCF will be simulcast from 1-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, on WSBC/WCFJ-AM 1240/1470. “Catholic Community of Faith” shows will continue to offer the best of Catholic conversations on a wide range of topics. Some will even be live and accept your phone calls.

Tune in Mondays and Friday for CCF with Father Greg Sakowicz and yours truly; Tuesdays for Julius Frazier and “God’s Praises Tell;” Wednesdays for Mike Krivich and “Catholic Schools Today” and Thursdays for Father Michael Boland with “The Voice of Charities.”

And on Saturdays, listen to Catholic conversations in Spanish with “Una Comunidad Catolica De Fe” with Father Esequiel Sanchez and Alejandro Castillo.

See you there.

Tom Sheridan
Editor and General Manager