Evening Standard columnist Jackie Annesley on “Why I’m giving up Catholicism”:

The seemingly trivial turning point for me came during my father’s funeral several years ago, when the Catholic priest began eulogising about Eric. Dad’s name was Alexander. As our muted sobs almost gave way to incredulous giggles, the undertaker was forced to go up to the altar to remind the priest, fond of the drink, of the name of the deceased.

How we squirmed with embarrassment as our Protestant, Ulster-born cousin looked on. Still, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Ten days earlier, at my mother’s funeral, he’d called me Eileen. Which was her name. To catch, match and dispatch were his fundamental duties and this woefully inadequate man — of which the church seems to attract many — couldn’t even get that right.

But it was when our youngest son became ill 18 months ago that I really began to question my faith. For more than 40 years I’d blithely accepted that prayer and belief in God made a difference. But nothing can save Joe from the reality of genetics. Life Everlasting? The lesson I learned was that our time here is short and final. Better to gather your family and friends around you and to love life now than to mistakenly believe in the promises of heaven or that God has a monopoly on goodness.

Full article: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/article-23871267-why-im-giving-up-catholicism.do