» An incident two weeks ago at a Catholic church in Woodbridge is being handled appropriately and in line with Christian teachings.
The Catholic Church, already beset by past pedophilia scandals, has received one more black eye — at least in Woodbridge.
Two priests at a Woodbridge-based Catholic church, Our Lady of Angels, got into an altercation Nov. 22 in which one was injured and the other arrested.
Associate pastor Charles C. Smith attacked his boss, the Rev. Paul M. Eversole, during an argument over office-related matters. Smith was removed from the church, arrested and charged with unlawful wounding. Eversole went to the hospital to be treated for a cut over the eyes.
It seems that every so often new lows are reached by Catholic parishes, enough to make one think that we are all “going to hell in a handbasket,” but the truth is that bad incidents do not a bad faith make.
Scandals and fights are an indication that members of the Catholic Church are as human as the rest of their fellows, which, in the end, is actually comforting. Nobody likes to be looked down upon from on high.
Indeed, Eversole recognized the inherent humanness of Smith and his actions when he publicly forgave Smith during Sunday’s church service.
And in a letter to some in his flock, the Rev. Paul S. Loverde, bishop of Arlington Diocese, said to “join me in prayer for those involved and those affected, that they may receive pardon, healing and peace.”
And that is the true message of the Catholic Church and Christianity in general — mercy.
So, lest one take this opportunity for some Catholic bashing, let us recognize our fellow humans as they deal with their flawed nature and grant them the understanding that each of us will expect the next time we have a fall from grace.
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