text: I'm with you all the way AFT. The psychological fall out from the exposure of the clerical abuse scandal, made me question my faith very deeply. Eventually I realised that all the problems were centered on the institutional church. Coming from the background as an "Irish Catholic" that grew up in the 1940's/ 50's ; pre-VII; the hierarchy dominated Irish life, as a very powerful & influential force. We were "institutionalised" and unquestioningly endeavored to follow all the rules blindly. 
  Following the exposure of the abuse scandal; in despair to find out "why" & "how could they"; I accidentally analysed the last 200 years approx of the church, from the Vatican to Ireland. As a result of the "litmus test"; my faith in the credibility of the institutional church collapsed. Their claims to infallibility & direct spiritual guidance from above, were laid bare; as were their conclusions & decisions. They were very flawed & that brought me back to basic Christianity. Lumen de Lumine.