Staying with the Catholic Church: Trusting God's Plan of Salvation

Various scandals have rocked the Catholic Church over the last 20 years, and the dismay of many faithful has led to a crisis in faith and lack of participation in the life of the Church. Despite the Catholic Church being founded by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, holiness and spotless virtue are never guaranteed in its members. Bonagura shows us how the Church is a perfect body consisting of many imperfect members. He addresses Church scandals from a theological standpoint and presents the Church as the source of grace through its seven sacraments. Staying with the Catholic Church Book by David G. Bonagura Jr. is a reassurance for readers that the Church’s ultimate mission remains to aid sinners in the achievement of salvation, in spite of, and despite, the frailty of its members and leaders alike.   The parable of the wheat and the weeds—Christ’s warning in Matthew 13:24–30 that his Church will always be home to both great saints and great sinners—is an especially apt one for this Catholic moment. David Bonagura makes a powerful case for listening to the Lord, remaining within the Body of Christ, working for the Church’s purification,  and getting on with the New Evangelization.  ~ George Weigel | Distinguished Senior Fellow and William E. Simon Chair in Catholic Studies Ethics and Public Policy Center At a time when the Catholic Church is suffering from declining membership, parishes and schools closing, and the revelation of clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups by Church authorities, many people want to know why they should remain faithful to the Church. David Bonagura has given us a well-written, easy to read guide with this simple and life-changing answer: The Church is where we meet Christ. Faithfulness to Him in His Church is what Christ asks of every one of his followers. ~ Father Gerald E. Murray, J.C.D. | Pastor, Holy Family Church, New York City One of the major challenges for Catholics today is maintaining their commitment to the objective truths of the Catholic Church in a world filled with skepticism. When the failures of some in the hierarchy catch the attention of the media there can be a temptation to view the Church as a purely human institution no different from any other organization. This can easily lead to discouragement and the erosion of belief. David Bonagura honestly acknowledges the failings of Church leaders and Catholics in history while at the same time focusing on the divine foundations of the Church that call us to remain faithful to the mission of the Catholic Church and her Founder, Jesus Christ. Bonagura has challenged us to deepen our commitment to the spiritual treasures that the Church generously shares with us through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, the Creed, the Sacraments, Catholic moral teaching, and the witness of the saints and mystics throughout the Church’s history. Bonagura’s timely and readable book, Staying with the Catholic Church, will be a blessing for anyone who wishes to understand why many Catholics still love their Church and remain faithful to the Splendor of Truth that the Church teaches, leading them to holiness and eternal life. ~ Bishop John O. Barres, S.T.D., J.C.L. Diocese of Rockville Centre