It never fails to amaze me that the some of the nastiest comments that come into this blog are from self-proclaimed good Catholics. A case in point, in the last week I have had two comments come in from “Ted Conley” (NDHS East Stroudsburg class of 83?). The first comment I will assume is for me, the second was directed at a person who has commented on posts in the blog before. I don’t always agree with that individual’s comments but I have put many of them up on this blog. The text of this “Good Catholic’s” comments go like this:
Yup, “The Church is the Real Victim!” is so unfortunately true. This bottom-dwelling scum drags down the greatness of God and Jesus. Makes me nuts on a regular basis. Always hoping there is a special place in hell preheated and waiting for these soul-stealing a-holes.
and…
{name deleted}, do you sift the web for chances to bash Catholicism? Most all Catholics I’ve ever met are wonderful caring people. Please peddle (sic) your tripe on the heathen websites where you’re surely appreciated.
You are a class act, Ted! I am sure you sit in your pew piously on Sunday morning (or perhaps on Saturday evening because you like sleeping in on Sundays!) It is your particular level of vitriol that sets you as one of the more stereotypical Catholics who are in denial about what is going on in your church. Go ahead and drink the Kool-Aid, make excuses for the hierarchy of your church protecting pedophiles, using parishioners’ money to keep their dirty little secrets and vilify the victims of pedophile priests.
What you seem to miss is that many people like me do not attack your faith or your fellow Catholics, we simply are amazed at the fact that, in spite of overwhelming evidence of wrong doing, you either put your head in the sand or go for character assassination. The latter being the first sign of a weak argument.
The title of this post is from a hymn written by Peter Scholtes with additional words and music by Carolyn Arends. The lyrics to the hymn are: (Hey Ted, sing along!)
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveWe will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveBy our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our loveLove is patient, love is kind
Never boasts, not full of pride
Always hopes, always trusts
The evidence of Christ in usThis is my commandment that you love one another that your joy may be full
It is ironic that every time I have heard this hymn it reminds me of the hypocrisy of many (not all) Catholics. Ted is a prime example. I am sure he is a pillar of his church. But outside of the church he seems to be a little different based on the words and tone of his acidic comments. (He must be a lawyer!) I can tell you are a Christian by your love, Ted. You are a real sweetheart!
I hope there is a special place in hell for preheated for heathens like me. I am sure it will be a damn spot cooler than where Ted and his “lovable” Catholics will be heading. Bring it Ted, be another mindless Catholic automaton! Perhaps it is the lack of “evidence of Christ” in people filled with hate, Ted for instance, that makes people like me cringe at hymns sung by hypocrites. Is it any wonder that people are leaving the church in droves?
Off My Knees - A Blog by Michael Baumann 
I feel grateful for your post. The words to the hymn are a bit Chrisnocentric but beautiful none the less. I maybe the kind of person referred to by Ted. But since there is no hell. ( Sorry Ted.), I guess Ill have to do my suffering here and now. Suffering Ted”s demon like behavior is quite hellish enough for moi. Thank you Michael for your posts.
” a special place in hell preheated and waiting for these soul stealing a-holes “. WTF. I found my preheated place in hell at Notre Dame High School as a young boy. And as far as soul stealing assholes we needn’t look any further than Fr. Robert Gibson. If “Ted ” is a representation of a Catholic by all means count me out. I am horrified to even be a member of the same species. What is the root of such hatred/? Ted- you should seriously seek professional help. And quickly at that. I can tell you that I have spent the last 40+ years trying to regain my “soul” and make sense of what happened to me at the hands of a pedophile who was a Catholic priest. After all the years of dealing with my post Fr. Gibson experience I would rather be the “bottom dwelling scum” to which you refer than to be you.
What I don’t understand is how diocese keeps defending clergy who engage in bad, destructive behavior. What does that reflect about those running the Catholic church? Why oh why can’t the diocese stop hiding and covering up bad behavior? Covering up only hurts people in the long run. The diocese should tell the truth about why Father Dougher from Olyphant REALLY left the church so abruptly. When a priest engages in “unpriestly” behavior that goes against what the Catholic church teaches, the diocese needs to acknowledge it and not just by quickly pulling a priest. Otherwise, stop condemning certain behaviors that you tolerate from priests, like homosexual relationships.
You continue to teach us, Michael. Thank you. What you say touches the conscience. Thank you also for sharing that hymn that was always a favorite of mine and has a message that inspired me when I was a young person. I am still creeped out by the knowledge of Fr. Gibson’s crimes and the fact that I spent 3 years of my life seeing him in class. I am also thankful that in my school days, Gibson didn’t as much as give me the time of day outside of class. Our young people are precious and need to be protected.
What I really don’t understand is why so few other victims haven’t sussed SNAP for the Church created fraud it is.
May be it’s because most victims, luckily, never get to meet SNAP. Those of us who worked closest to SNAP took years, 6 in my case, to figure out SNAP as a counter intelligence fraud; long planned by the Church.
Now SNAP has spread like cancer to other countries, Ireland, Australia where there concerted efforts get victims less financially if victims get anything at all.
The one thing victims certainly don’t get from SNAP is empowerment. Because thanks to SNAP so few victims meet each other. Ask Kay Ebling if you don’t believe me.
I use to live in Pa like over 30 years ago and Father Gibson was the priest at Our Lady Queen of Peace then. My brother spend a lot of time with Father Gibson. At school and outside of school. I only found out about Father Gibson a few months ago and it make me sick at what he did. I believe if you hurt a child you should go to jail and that were he should have been. I have a member of the Catholic church for a long time and I will never be a member. Keep fighting for the right of children