Why have revelations of social pathology emerged within the institutional Catholic Church and why is their need for reform? Some say, "Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater," but perhaps it is time to change the water. Reflections on the Pedagogy of Catholicism is an attempt to throw some light on the secretive protocols and hidden agendas of the clerical hierarchy which has caused a nightmare for the faithful of the Church and the consternation of those who have looked upon the Catholic Church as the absolute zenith of moral and spiritual leadership. The awestruck deference toward priestly powers as taught to children so that nothing uttered or performed by the priest could be challenged or questioned has led to the pathological abuses of children. The central theme of this essay by Harry G. Michaels is an attempt to point out the various influences of pedagogical teaching of Church dogma and mandatory instruction that has negatively promoted and hindered the developmental tasks of childhood from the establishment of "basic trust" to "adolescent identity" and beyond. This is a criticism of an authoritarian belief system that is developmentally repressive and harmful if not tempered by a healthy regard for the advancement of knowledge, enlightenment, and a true faith in God's universe.