Raycom,

You seem to ignore the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Eastern Rite Catholic Churches who also have continuous links back to Jesus Christ.

Raycom:

...Human genetics stretch back further than Christ, a fact which makes nobody perfect! That should “twig” you to the problem of a blind faith in trusting "lineage" for a successful model of Christianity, (as Roman Catholics do)! What is your point?

Um what's this post I'm supposed to be getting back to Squeers? If you can't use language accurately don't blame me when I point out it doesn't mean anything. BTW, it wasn't the use of the word shepherding that I was querying, but "generational". Now you have "clarified" your use of the word shepherding as referring to Aussie Rules I am even more confused. It's not apparent from the context that there was any reference to Rules, and shepherding does have an ordinary meaning. Maybe best you try and speak clearly instead of cleverly, or down.

Chek,

You seem to have a terrible opinion of the Catholic Church:

From your post of 9.26am on August 15th: >"The Catholic Church is rotten to the core."<

FYI: My late wife received a heart transplant completely free of charge from St Vincent's Public Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, the home base at the time of the renowned heart surgeon the late Dr. Victor Chang. This surgery gave her an extra five years of reasonable quality of life. A gift to her, to me, and to all of her family and friends. At the time of her surgery we also met, in the accommodation provided free by the hospital, recipients of heart, heart-lung and lung transplants. Wonderful people, all given a new lease of life.

My late wife was C of E - and denomination never entered consideration for any of these fortunate recipients, or any others receiving treatment.

The hospital is administered by an order of Nuns of the Catholic Church, and, as well as providing a full range of services free to the public, including extensive services to drug users (or abusers) from the nearby Kings Cross area, also maintains an extensive research and development facility.

This hospital is both cutting-edge, and extraordinarily benevolent. Is this an example of your "rotten to the core"?

I am sure many others will have had similar experience in so many wonderful institutions established by the Catholic Church - Mater Hospitals, St Joseph's schools, nursing homes, charities.

Most of us seek wisdom and guidance in our lives, from great writers, historians, philosophers and some public figures. You mention Pope Benedict xvi, and possibly his manner, demeanor and speech is not the most one would seek in such position. But I think back on His Holiness Pope John Paul ll, a truly remarkable, humble and inspirational man.

Through our variety of life experience and seeking of wisdom, we need take care not to make rash judgements. Christ provided an example. We can do far worse than trying to learn from that example. Humility and an acceptance of imperfection is a good place to start.

Poirot,
I have long admired Geraldine Doogue, but lately have been a "troubled listener". Her article invites comments, but apparently one is not allowed to be critical. I stand by everything I've said. You are entitled to your opinions but I reject your takes on mine

GrahamY,
if I've talked "down" it's only to reciprocate the contempt in your own manner of address.

The word "shepherd" also means to protect and my meaning wasn't arcane. The Catholic and other churches have shepherded and protected its sexual predators, incongruously neglecting the sheep, for generations.

Saltpetre,
the catholic church "is" rotten to the core: http://tinyurl.com/848ym9a

Squeers,

Fair enough.
You were fairly robust in your critique, and I argued an opposing view. Apologies if you feel I misrepresented your position, but after all,
the title of the article was "Why I'm still a Catholic" - not "Why You Should Become a Catholic".