I have so much to criticize you for, my Church, and yet I love you so much! You have caused me more suffering than anyone else, and yet I owe you more than anyone. How I wish I could see you destroyed sometimes, and yet I so need you to be. You have scandalized me so many times, and yet you yourself make me understand your holiness. … I can't even count how many times I wanted to slam the door of my soul, to bang it shut in front of you – and yet still every night, I pray so much to be allowed to die in the safety of your embrace! No, I cannot be without you, for I am one with you, even though I am not completely you. And also – where would I go? To build another church? For I cannot build a church without the same mistakes … because those mistakes are mine.
(Carlo Carretto /1910–1988/, excerpt from "Odes to the Church")
