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Catholic in Word and in Deed The following is a letter from the editor of Continuity Journal, a fruit of the International Path to Rome Conference – 1999 in Birmingham, England, about the tendency to be overly critical of others and how we can overcome this tendency with the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. Through our friendships with non-Catholics, lapsed and weak Catholics, we should guide and encourage them to a greater knowledge of the Catholic Faith given to us by Our Blessed Lord and preserved by the Church throughout these many centuries. It is all too easy for Catholics to proclaim from the rooftops that “Father so-and-so” is not teaching the faith from the pulpits. Perhaps this is true. But complaining doesn't deepen my Catholic Faith. I must take it upon myself to know and understand well that Faith so that i can effectively pass it on to others. The mantle of “Orthodoxy”, in and of itself, is not fully sufficient for the passing on of the Catholic Faith. The virtues of humility, obedience, charity and hope must underlie our faith. Orthodoxy without humility tends to use the Catholic Faith like a sledgehammer “placed in my hands by God”. We must surely be firm in our faith, unmovable in all that is True. However, the Catholic Faith is not “mine” as a right, but a pure gift from Almighty God. St. Paul reminds us that even our good thoughts are ours by the grace of God. The most orthodox of Catholics may be led by God at any moment into the “Dark Night” of doubt where the light of faith may be the dimmest of flickering flames. Where will be our surety then? Our model is Our Blessed Lord, and humility is His great sign. Again, orthodoxy without obedience is a contradiction in terms, for one of the greatest truths of the Catholic Church is that Our Blessed Lord has given us an hierarchical Church, which by its very nature implies obedience. It may be that my priest or Bishop is not what i think he should be (but then, am i what i should be?). They may cause me great pain. If i am wise, i can offer this pain for their renewal in the Faith, and offer it for my own salvation as well. My patience and love in dealing with them will win them over more effectively than constant public criticism. And in publicly criticizing my priest or Bishop, i enter into the realm of unjustly ruining the name of another – a sin. Public correction is a matter of great discernment: Is it my responsibility to proclaim publicly what i perceive to be another’s faults; who has appointed me to do this; and am i capable of doing this with the utmost charity and humility? Let us remember, the essential point of declaring the Truth is not to feed ‘self-righteousness’, but for the salvation of souls. Perhaps i am a constant critic of the “unorthodox”, but i must sincerely ask myself, “Am i open to the observations of other Catholic brothers and sisters who have my salvation in mind?” St. Paul tells us to guide one another in the truth, to be open to the help and advice of others, to always interpret charitably, as much as is possible, the comments of others. In that spirit, we at Continuity have listened positively to the comments of those who want to help Continuity be the most effective instrument possible for the salvation of souls. Anyone who takes it upon themselves to proclaim the Catholic Faith, and that should be everyone of us, must proclaim that message with the underlying virtue of Hope. St. Peter tells us, “Be ready always and everywhere to give answer for the Hope that is in you.” If i am not passing on the Catholic Faith with that sense of Christian hope in the power of God to protect His faithful children, then i do that message a great disservice. We must be realistic, well-informed, humble and joyful Catholics. We are realistic in understanding the many problems facing the Church today. But this is not the first time in Her history we face problems. We are always growing in the knowledge of our Faith. We must be humble enough to know this glorious Catholic Faith is a gift from God, and that we must do everything in our power to deepen and preserve it. We must be joyful, knowing we serve a loving and merciful God who is every moment aware of us, even when we are forgetful of Him. Finally, we must pray daily for those who have lost the Catholic Faith and for those who are in search of that Truth embodied in the Catholic Church. Stephen R., MJ, the editor of Continuity Journal, is also a member of the Catholic Writer’s Guild for England and Wales. |