Handing large sums of money to priests and institutions that later defect should not be done. You cannot buy your way into heaven and, if these clerics only want you for that, you have to walk away and build an aversion towards religious bodies. Many have experienced this learning curve. No doubt the SSPX has now huge endowments raised through deception. I keep asking for my money back!
Another problem is being too close to churchmen. Women in particular seem to acquire some 'emotional fix' that way which always ends in tears or disillusion. Seeing groupies encircling priests is distasteful and I am sure reflects some psychological condition. I see it everywhere when men are elevated and easily command a band of 'worshippers'. Folk should not be too intense about their religion; you will find your leaders taking it quite easy living in fine homes in the mountains or by the sea courtesy of doting followers!
I would only agree that people should be circuмspect about who they throw money at.
And I have heard for years about how some women attach themselves to various priests in an unhealthy manner. That is also true. Women naturally make everything personal. They have a strong psychological NEED for a saintly priest, and follow him personally (like a husband) in their pursuit of religion and holiness. They aren't dominated by reason the way men normally are. Of course, in 2016 a lot of men have been un-manned and are acting like women, but I digress.
Men listen to a great sermon and say, "Wow, that was a great sermon -- such a good exposition of Catholic doctrine."
Women listening to the same sermon would say, "Wow, Fr. X is such a great, holy priest. I love his sermons."
Beyond that, this is a horrible post.
"Folk should not be too intense about their religion" -- are you KIDDING ME? You have got to be joking. The Catholic Faith should be the center of our lives. It should dominate everything we do and everything we are.
You can compose grammatically correct sentences, and you are pretty decent at spelling, but I will NEVER mistake you for wise, Wessex. You might do some thinking, opining and cogitating, and come across as a philosopher of sorts, but in all your philosophical travels you haven't come up with much truth or wisdom, at least none that I've seen posted here.
Your argument is basically "I've seen too many hearts broken. Folks shouldn't "love" another human being. I've seen too many men abuse their wives, and people break each others hearts. The only answer is to stop loving human beings."
Uh...no.
Specifically, you think you've found the solution to deal with bad priests -- become an anti-clerical! Isn't that like curing the patient by killing him? No more cancer, but no more LIFE either!
Just because you can have your heart broken is NOT a reason to stop trusting and loving, which makes you vulnerable.Just because some priests take advantage of the faithful's love and devotion to the Church (,priests, the Mass) does NOT mean that the faithful's love, devotion, and generous donations are misplaced! On the contrary. The Faithful are the victims here -- it's the priests who stoop this low that we should be castigating and criticizing.Why not criticize children who are victims of incest? Or how about we criticize the adult fathers who actually perpetrate the crime?