We are one

To the conservatives/traditional members of the Catholic Church, those who are considered to be the liberals seem to pose a threat. It is a fear that they are prepared to compromise their loyalty to the Pope if their advice is not heeded by him. To the liberals, the conservatives appear to represent the Pharisees and the fundamentalists. Their adherence to the law will not be compromised even if it means that many will leave the Church.

This is the way it appears to some and the common use of these words give the impression that there is animosity, suspicion and down-right dislike for each side. This is partially true and, as a member of the Catholic Church, I feel that I may be falling into a trap and others too.

We are one Church and we are not prepared to be manipulated by journalists and intellectuals who use them and whose interest and agendas are not always motivated by peace, love and respect.

“Recognise the attack or you will come under it.” These words were said to me many years ago and I have never forgotten them.

The attack comes from the devil and it is recognisable because his main interest is to bring division. Wherever there is division you can be sure he is there laying the snares.

The recent death of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini is a good springboard for more division.

His faithful followers are pointing fingers at the doors of the Vatican, which are closed to some of his ideas, and the defenders of the Pope are on their guard for any possible attacks on his governorship.

As the Pope is the captain of this great big ship that is being tossed around in a very bad storm, there is no place for any others giving orders if we want to save the ship, the crew and all the passengers.

We need to turn these attacks on their head and, instead of division, we need to unite the strengths of two ways of thinking so that, in unison, we will be able to stand firm in times of persecution.

Prophets have always had a very important role in the Church and their voice needs to be heard. Prophets can stir up still waters into mighty storms that otherwise could and may become stagnant. We need prophets with the courage to face harsh criticism and even death.

However, we must be aware of false prophets as well. Discernment is needed after the prophecy is given out and the prophets who feel rejected, if they are sincere, will place their trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to let the truth be known and actioned.

They have done their job, the rest is no longer in their hands and recruiting public approval will only feed their personal pride. When a prophet speaks God’s truth, he will be heard and noticed and action will be taken, even if it takes longer than is hoped and his patience is tried to the extreme.

Loyalty to the Pope is a humble admission that, even when we disagree with the handling of certain issues, we are prepared to obey. To expect obedience, today, is like asking someone to drink poison. The culture of self-gratification and the self being an end in itself is anathema to it.

Both Saint Pio of Petrelcina and Saint John Bosco are extreme cases of the trials of obedience in circumstances that were clearly wrong but their responsibility and promise to obedience determined their actions. Their personal spiritual triumphs and the benefits to the Church that resulted from their sufferings cannot be calculated.

From the little I know about Cardinal Martini, I have learned that he listened; he cared; he taught and he was not afraid to admit he did not always have the answers.

Pope Benedict also has these aptitudes and when he does not pronounce himself on certain issues it is because he may not yet have the answers. So as he waits patiently for God’s words, let us also wait with him.

And can we please stop using labels that we know cause us to feel we are in different camps? We are not.