Suffering and the Church

"Some are called to suffer FOR the Church and some are called to suffer IN the Church."

- Fr. John Nepil, "Archbishop Chaput", Catholic Stuff You Should Know Podcast

One of the most disappointing aspects of moving "up" the hierarchy of the Catholic school (or parish) system is interacting in the bureaucracy of the Church. My paychecks - for a time - said the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. I have been blessed, and cursed, to have meetings with bishops and the advisors to bishops, to work closely with pastors and ministers who have devoted their entire lives to the vocation of the Catholic Church. What is saddest is the moments when we (because I do it too) fail the faithful, fail the laity, fail the Body of Christ here on Earth.

For those of us in the Church (still), it now marks nearly a year since the diabolical effects of clericalism and abuse reemerged with the events of last summer's Pennsylvania grand jury investigation and the accusations against Mr. McCarrick (a man who does not deserve the title held by so many holy men).

Since that time, it has been heartening to see so many laity on twitter and elsewhere renew their commitment to the Body of Christ even as many of its leaders hide their sins and those of their peers.

For those of us that are leaders within that Church, we have failed. The agnst caused by this ongoing destruction of our Church weighs heavily on me as one of those leaders. I offer that pain for the Church, for the laity, for those betrayed as clerics abused them and their positions as leaders to further their lusts. My sins are great. The burden of leadership within the Church is something I am called to offer up for those in my care.

The word pastor comes from the Latin word which means "shepherd." As shepherds, we leaders are called to care for our flocks. The shepherd weathers the elements to care for his or her flock, he or she stays strong to ensure their safety, he or she sacrifices to ensure that each member is safe.

This year, I pray to take those moments of frustration where I feel I am in the midst of storm and offer them up for my "flock." I pray to continue to suffer not only for the church, but in the church, as a leader who enacts and stands for the Truth within the bureaucracy, which has failed so many.

Saint Joseph, patron saint of the Universal Church, pray for us.

Saint John Baptist de la Salle, patron saint of principals, pray for us.