The Church and Christ will always triumph

IN OUR times, a catastrophe has hit the Church worldwide with the prevalence of paedophilia – the obscenity of Catholic priests sexually abusing children and also the ham-fisted and careless ways in which Church leaders dealt with it.

This sad episode in Church history, with Satan partially victorious, resulted in many Catholics being estranged from the Church – even though in effect just 2pc of priests were guilty; so 98pc of priests were faithful.

The war between Christ and Satan began in the early days of Christ’s ministry when he was tempted by Satan to forsake God his father – as narrated in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. These gospels tell of conflict between Christ and Satan; in particular when Satan cried out: “I know who you are

– the holy one of God – have you come here to destroy us?”

The Church has suffered from Satan’s aggression – heresies, the corruption of bishops, even popes, and latterly the catastrophe of paedophilia.

Yet the Church and Christ will always triumph as God provides her with holy men and women in every age to witness him. People like St Francis of Assisi, Dominic, Catherine of Siena, Ignatius Loyola, Oliver Plunkett, Pope St John Paul II and Pope St John Paul XXIII.

As Jesus has promised, he will remain with his Church until the end of time. Fr C McGillycuddy

Address with editor