Kath2

Kath2's Journal

April 15, 2019

Recovering Catholic Vent.

I went through 8 years of Catholic elementary school. By the 5th, 6th or 7th grade I was hating it. Way too restrictive and by that time (1969 - 1970 or so) I was very interested in the anti-war movement and the women's liberation movement. When I started public high school in 1972 I began to experience the diversity of ideas that I wanted. Just being able to wear jeans and t shirts was such a relief from that regimen. I gravitated to the hippie/stoner clique. I drank, got high, smoked cigarettes and had experiences with the opposite sex. More importantly, I got even more interested in politics. I put on an award-winning anti-war play and participated in a Roe v. Wade decision celebration in 1973, when I would have been 15. I wrote for the school paper and wrote anti-war and pro-choice articles. But there was a disconnect. I continued to attend church with my parents, although I did so reluctantly. It was partly out of habit and partly not to disappoint them more than I already was doing. The whole Catholic complicated dogma and life-long guilt trip irritated the hell out of me but I still went. Then a priest from the parish visited my sister at our house when I was not home and apparently took a tour of my bedroom. (Yes, creepy.) The next Sunday's sermon did not mention me by name but was all about me. All about how seemingly nice Catholic girls have cigarettes on their nightstands and posters of sleazy rock stars, marijuana leaves and horrible people like Gloria Steinem in their bedrooms. I felt totally violated and embarrassed. I just said "fuck this" to my parents and refused to have anything to do with church again other than the occasional Christmas for a couple years.

Was invited to a palm Sunday mass today and politely declined. Just had to get this off my chest. Maybe someone can relate.

April 14, 2019