Frustrated with Catholics in Trump era

I’ve been a Catholic my entire life. I’ve recently stopped attending church because I no longer recognize the Catholic leadership I once held great esteem for. Our democracy is in turmoil, people are being unjustly/inhumanely treated, and our fabric of civility is in question, to name a few.

The Catholic Church I remember was about the Beatitudes; about community and helping those who are the most vulnerable. Jesus spent his time with those many in the faith speak out against today. What would Jesus think of this if he were here in physical form today? Why are priests and church leaders so afraid to give a homily speaking out against the depravity going on in our country? It’s OK to have a big sign coming into church that says “God is Pro-Life” yet it's not OK to challenge your parishes to be more kind to others?

I remember a parable that goes, its harder for a rich man to get into heaven than it is for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. We have a rich man in the Oval Office who wants to accumulate more wealth. Wealth is the new status symbol for a moral, successful person. I disagree.

A good successful person builds people up not tear them down, not make them less disadvantaged because you have more advantages, not tell them how to live their life, but to take the time to walk in their shoes.

Jim Berger, Jr.

Cedar Rapids