Pope, I had Sisters of Mercy in high school. How about that? Grade school was the School SIster of Notre Dame.

Celtic, my Mom once confessed that she was using birth control. The priest told her through the dark confessional screen, "You might as well be a cat in the alley."

This turned her away from the church for years. She was so hurt. All she did was confess which is what we are called to do. I never knew this as a child, but she told me later in life.

Anyway, fortunately, we had a family friend priest who met with her many times while she was battling cancer. He once came out of the room from visiting with her and said, "It's taking me forever to un-do the hurt and make her realize she is worthy of heaven.

I am not knocking Catholicism. This type of thing happens within all denominations and it's miserably sad. Religion has gotten in the way of Christ's message.