Letter to a Liberal Priest

Dear Father,

We were in Xxxxx for the weekend and attended the 10:30 Mass.  The homily was…well, thought provoking.  However, in discussing inclusion (the first reading and Gospel passage) and relating this to ecumenism and inter-faith dialog, you made some points that are, I believe, incorrect.

At one point in the homily you suggested that there were, in fact, multiple truths.  You referred to “our truth” at one  point and went on to suggest that imposition of this “truth” upon society might lead to something akin to “witch burning” (which in itself would be an interesting discussion given that this practice was largely a Protestant phenomenon.)  I think that you were suggesting that in the interest of ecumenism and avoidance of exclusionism, somehow the Catholic Church should in some way compromise on certain of her teachings.

Father, with all due respect, charity commands that we attempt to bring those separated from the Church home.  If the Church confesses and proclaims herself the “fullness of the faith,” and we are in communion with the Church in our hearts, then we should be working to reunite those of good heart to this fullness.  This is the missionary nature of the Church.  She cannot faithfully seek a reunification of the baptized into some “church” by falsely denying what she has always confessed.   There cannot be a compromise of the Truth to reach some false, modern notion of inclusion and egalitarianism.

Secondly, there are not multiple truths.  There is the Truth whom we call Jesus.  To suggest that “our truth” (by which I take it you mean our Catholic faith) is but one of many competing truths in the world is of course, in error.  Relativism has resulted in people running from the main line Protestant churches.  If you believe that the Church will only prevail by assenting to the blowing winds of secular relativism, then you are mistaken (we have Jesus’ word on it.)  For all their attempts at secular notions of “tolerance” and “inclusion” and “diversity,” comes a great variety of perverse readings of the Sacred Scripture in many churches to justify their unholy desires.  That is why the Catholic Church, although filled with a great variety of sinners (I am standing and raising my hand at this point), remains in this age, and every age,  virtually the only voice which stands consistently against the “Culture of Death.”  It is also why she has many enemies within and without.

We are not but one denomination of Christianity.  The Church of Rome is THE Church.  Only the Eatern Church comes close.

“The Christian faithful are therefore not permitted to imagine that the Church of Christ is nothing more than a collection — divided, yet in some way one — of Churches and ecclesial communities; nor are they free to hold that today the Church of Christ nowhere really exists, and must be considered only as a goal which all Churches and ecclesial communities must strive to reach”.

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Declaration Mysterium Ecclesiae, 1

We are in and of the Church that Jesus instituted and she remains, in her essence, unchanged for two millennium.  I thank God each day for my faith in the Church.  True ecumenism and inter-faith dialog will come when we, the members of the this Body of Christ, become more, not less Catholic.  When we have a “personal relationship with Jesus” (as professed by the Church) we will show the fundamental Christians that we are THE Church; when we study scripture like the Protestants (and taught by the Church) they will see us as THE Church; when we evangelize (as commanded by Jesus) like the Mormons they will see us as THE Church; when we pray as fervently as the Muslims they may begin to see the Truth of our profession.   The greatest hope for unification of Christians lies within the Church, our Church.  The Church can speak the Truth to all her detractors.  There is no shame in professing what the Church professes.  We are not boasting; only speaking the Truth.  We need not apologize (in the common use of this word) for our beliefs.  We should invite those outside to the warmth of our faith.

Enough ranting.  At least you know that we are listening to you homilies.  I say a prayer of thanks every day for you, your brother priests, the bishops, the Holy Father and all our religious.  Thank you for all that you do for the Church.

Yours in Christ,