Fr. McCloskey - The Importance of Upbringing

I am a big fan of Fr. McCloskey, but have concerns that this video clip sends the wrong message. There are a multitude of good, marriageable, practicing Catholic men and women (I would like to think I'm included here) who didn't experience the traditional upbringing that Fr. McCloskey discusses. My parents, for example, married way too young, and were divorced when I was two years old. Several years later, my mother passed away, so my siblings and I were raised by our single-parent father. Later, my dad, a daily communicant, married my stepmother, who has become an integral part of our family. Notwithstanding this untraditional upbringing, my two brothers both have strong, happy, Catholic marriages and are excellent husbands and fathers. I would argue that their experiences growing up have made them stronger fathers and husbands, because they know what's at stake and know how important it is to work through problems. However, had my sisters-in-law seen this video clip before dating my brothers, perhaps they would have thought twice about becoming involved with them.

I have seen and admire countless large, traditional, Catholic families over the years. However, I have also met countless practicing Catholic men and women who didn't experience that upbringing, but would, I believe, make fine Catholic husbands and wives. There are a number of us on AMS. I have met several women who's parents were divorced, or had died. I have also met a woman or two who are converts to the Faith and have parents that are hostile to it. I am sure all of these women, with God's grace, would make fine wives and mothers. This interview could discourage and alienate these folks.

-Jim M.