To whom shall we go?

Catholics have been reeling from the most recent revelations of alleged sexual abuse among the hierarchy as charged by the Pennsylvania Grand Jury report.  It was the subject of many a homily on Sunday, August 26, the same day news broke of ex nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano calling for Pope Francis to resign, claiming he withdrew sanctions imposed on Archbishop Theodore McCarrick by Pope Benedict. 

There seems to be a fear among the clergy that Catholics will be making a mass exodus (no pun intended) because of the terrible conduct of priests and bishops we had once respected as our spiritual leaders.  While one can hardly fault some Catholics for having this thought, the majority realize that evil perpetrated by individuals within the clergy, even a pope, does not diminish the truth of the Catholic faith.  Christ promised us the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. 

On the same Sunday the scandal was in the forefront, we heard these words from John’s gospel in Chapter 6, where Jesus’ disciples had also heard some news that was difficult to accept:

As a result of this,
many of his disciples returned to their former way of life
and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus then said to the Twelve, "Do you also want to leave?"
Simon Peter answered him, "Master, to whom shall we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”  (- John 6:66-69)

For those of us who may think we may want to leave because of the scandalous behavior among even the highest members of the clergy, we have the same question, to whom shall we go?  Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church.  There is no other option!  No other church has the Eucharist, Confession, Holy Orders, and holds the keys to the Kingdom of God. 

And if you read ahead to the next two verses in John 6:
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you twelve? Yet is not one of you a devil?”  He was referring to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot; it was he who would betray him, one of the Twelve.
 
Yes, even one of the first bishops of the Church, selected by Jesus Himself, committed an evil act.   The evil one is purged and replaced.  Back then, Mathias replaced Judas and the Church continued to flourish.  This isn’t the first scandal to scar the Church, and it won’t be the last.  Do what we can for the victims, purge the evildoers, learn from our mistakes, and move on.