Papa, the Young Catholics, and Amanda Marcotte: Hope in Madrid

By Jennifer Hartline
8/22/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

To all hungering for the fullness of truth, 'C,Mon Home, We'll Leave the Light on for you'

Those who wag their finger and look disdainfully at the Catholic Church and pile up their scathing criticism about this World Youth Day are yelling with their eyes shut. They have no idea what they're describing because they've never seen it. They're filled with hatred, anger, resentment, disappointment, and other, less understandable motivation. Like scrawny, feral cats backed into a corner and sprayed with a hose, they're just hissing and clawing, all fangs and screeches.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - I watched part of the World Youth Day welcoming ceremony in Madrid, Spain, and talk about great television! From every ethnicity and country stood throngs of youth jam-packed into the square, waving their countries' flags and they were all absolutely beaming. They were exuberant with joy and excitement at welcoming the Holy Father and being welcomed by him.

I readily admit I was overcome with emotion at the sight. So many young people in every manner of dress, yet they all seemed to be clothed with the same electrifying spirit. I watched some of them present a thoughtful gift to Pope Benedict on behalf of their nation, and each of them got his childlike warm smile and blessing. The rice from a young Korean woman; a flower garland from the young lady from Japan (she looked like a walking flower herself -- so lovely!); the sombrero from the young man from Honduras; each one given with sincerity and gratitude, and equally received.

It was a striking thing to watch. Young Catholics in full-spectrum color, bubbling over with enthusiasm. This, after all, is supposedly the Church that has abandoned young people and oppressed women. I defy anyone to watch what's going on in Madrid and tell me the Church is not alive with young blood! What I saw tonight gives me great hope for my Church, and I shamefully admit I am often susceptible to discouragement. We, the Church, will indeed climb the steep hill before us because the souls doing the climbing are young and strong.

I saw young people screaming, crying and jumping for joy like lovesick fans at a rock concert, but their affection is for their Papa! This young flock knows him and they respect him. They know him because he speaks the truth without condescension or apology. They know him because he offers them hope that will never be shaken.

They recognize in Papa's voice the One who truly loves them and gave Himself for them. They hunger for that love and so they long to hear the words of the Holy Father, for he communicates the joy, the love, and the promise of Divine Mercy. He dares them to build their lives on the firm foundation of the Person of Christ rather than the flimsy, shifting sands of their era.

Those who wag their finger and look disdainfully at the Catholic Church and pile up their scathing criticism about this World Youth Day are yelling with their eyes shut. They have no idea what they're describing because they've never seen it. They're filled with hatred, anger, resentment, disappointment, and other, less understandable motivation. Like scrawny, feral cats backed into a corner and sprayed with a hose, they're just hissing and clawing, all fangs and screeches.

One such critic is Amanda Marcotte. Slate had the bad sense (or was it endorsement?) to publish her latest round of anti-Catholic vomit this week. There was nothing at all new in her ravings, just the same ol', same ol': The Church is misogynist and hates women; the Church hates sex and thinks sex is dirty; the Church hates women who've had an abortion; the Church is full to the rafters will creepy pedophiles who practically eat little children for lunch; the Church has no remorse whatsoever for the crimes of her priests and couldn't care less who got hurt; and on and on it goes.

Well, Amanda, there's only one thing to say. Why don't you sit down? You must be exhausted! I mean, the energy it takes to perpetuate this much venomous anger toward the Church must be enormous! It's clearly consuming you, so why don't you just let it go?

Seriously, Amanda, come on home. Are you Catholic? It's not your fault if you were never properly taught your Church's teachings. Sadly, most of us weren't. However, you're an adult now, so it is your fault if you don't now seek out the truth and learn to separate fact from twisted fiction.

The good news is there's a plethora of great books, CD's and other material that can bring you up to speed real quick if you just make an effort. You'll find a much different Church than the one you're railing against so viciously. You'll find a very different God than the one you slander so callously. But you have to seek. That's the rule: seek and ye shall find.

If you're not interested in seeking, well, I'm sorry to hear that. But in that case, please close your mouth and keep your vile and ignorant screeds to yourself. You don't know what you're talking about, and you don't have the right to spread lies and hatred.

Did you see those people in Madrid, Amanda? Did you ...

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1 - 10 of 31 Comments

Sheryl
1 year ago
Viva Papa! VIVA...
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Liza Koon

God Bless you.
troisnyx*
1 year ago
Thanks, Jennifer. I can completely identify with the article... BECAUSE I WAS THERE! Such joy coming from the faces of more than 1 million young people... That kind of joy can't be replicated elsewhere unless it is that joy which comes from Christ Jesus himself. There were indeed scuffles and one person trying to mock us during the English language catechesis in Palacio de Deportes, saying 'You guys pray during the day, but at night it's sex, drugs and rock n' roll' — and that's pretty much what the cynics try to do. But everyone yelled the name of Jesus over and over again, and the person was driven out. Guys, if we keep our faith strong in Jesus and do it together, we can overcome anything that the cynics can throw at our path. We did the other time — we surely can in future. I'm proud to be a young Catholic!
Liza Koon
1 year ago
Great article Jennifer!! As for Mr. B Ochoa...I hesitated to respond to you because it is probably not worth my time...but just in case you are willing to learn something I am willing to educate you because it is something I am passionate about. I have a Master of Education and love to teach school. My husband and I however, like Mrs. Hartline have chosen to homeschool our children. We are homeschooling them precisely so they can be taught to think and think critically. I am not going to send them to school where they can be indoctrinated by the lastest trend in social engineering and the MTV culture. I was given the responsibility by God to teach my children, not have them memorize a bunch of facts so they can do well on the state tests. I'm not going to stand by and watch my children be dumbed down by a culture that has no regard for their inate human dignity. I wish someone had cared enough to do the same for you.
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Jesus B Ochoa

By the way Catholics in Catholic School are taught to reason and think and on top of that we incorporate a strong faight in God.

Im sorry you feel this way but I once saw a gifted child who was homeschooled she painted like the Masters. Even I in my lowly, educated life even know a thing or two about the Masters. One thing I can say is this I wont ever completely trust in a Freud, Sanger, Marx or Neitzche. They dont give the whole truth but little bits and their thinking ends in total darkness and despair.

Anyone who in anyway is affiliated in the thinking of Hitler has no vote on my part in humanity.
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Jesus B Ochoa

I went to Catholic School because my father was a very smart man and he couldnt go to school because of circumstances beyond his control.

He taught me to think and to know that an education was a sound investment. He encouraged it most of my younger years. I have not had the benefit of an associate or a masters but have worked for some years. I did get a 2.75 in college at the age of 47 which isnt bad after 21 years.

Not bad for the daughter of a military man who served in the Phillipines against the Japanese.

Funny if this man hadnt served and sacrificed for all of us as a man who couldnt think by your logic (By the way their generation was pretty intelligent and Im from the babyboomers who have given you most of your smart technology.) because he was a trained person in the army by the grace of God---How come your not speaking Japanese or German? Id say we had some pretty smart military people and civies during WWII. Especially on both sides of the pond. By the way how come your not speaking Muslim?????

I might add my Grandfather served in WWI maybe you ought to thank these men who couldnt be taught to think????
Dirtdartwife
1 year ago
Jesus B Ochoa August 24th, 2011 12:14 pm
the tact that she in an army wife and a home schooler says it all. gotta teach them little tykes not to think. might do them harm.

Hmmm... this sounds like someone has swallowed the kool-aid a bit too much. I'm in agreement with Mrs. Hartline. You can feel free to pick up a weapon and stand guard but even the Army has standards. Your lack of the ability to properly form a good rebuttal to a well written article shows you're obviously not a graduate of a good school, but I bet you can quote Masters and Johnson or the Kama Sutra from memory. :)

Thanks for another great article Jen. I'm appalled at what I've seen of hers and at this point, I can only pray for her.
Jennifer Hartline
1 year ago
Jesus B Ochoa, your condescending insult attempts to mock my husband as well, since he is the one who made me an Army wife. You are more than welcome to pick up a rifle and stand a post in Iraq or Afghanistan for 18 months. No? I'll be sure to pass along your sincere thanks to my husband.
Jesus B Ochoa
1 year ago
the tact that she in an army wife and a home schooler says it all. gotta teach them little tykes not to think. might do them harm.
elcid
1 year ago
@Bina....here's what Jesus would say:

1 Matthew 3:7
And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come?

2 Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can you speak good things, whereas you are evil? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

3 Matthew 23:33
You serpents, generation of vipers, how will you flee from the judgment of hell?

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