Who and What Should We Trust?

A recent Catholic Stand essay raises the issue of the fidelity of Popes and bishops.  The essay brought to mind an old game show of the 1950s and 60s called “Who Do You Trust”?

In the essay the author says there are good and bad clergy in the hierarchy of Church today.  And that this has been the case since the very beginning of the Church.  The influence of Satan has always been around and it still is today.

The essay asks the question, who can we trust when a Pope or bishops make pronouncements about what we as Catholics should believe and do. As a consequence, we are forced to be alert and discerning in what we observe and hear from the Church hierarchy.

Both clergy and the laity have views on what the Faith teaches as it relates to various cultural events and issues that we are faced with today. In turn, those views get voiced in the public sphere. As a news follower of those opinions and expressions, I can’t help, at times, to be appalled, worried, angered and discouraged by what I see and hear from the members of our Church.

The disturbing aspect is that different members of the Church, from lay pundits, to Vatican bureaucrats, to theologians, priests, Bishops, and even the Holy Father himself, express conflicting opinions on a variety of issues. That in itself causes confusion, but some opinions are also confusing in their interpretation.

Confusion

There is a long list of a lack of consistent clarity over gay ‘marriage,’ women priests, homosexual behavior, sex outside of marriage, communion for pro-abortion politicians, support for assisted suicide, and even what is “approved” liturgy between the Holy Father and fellow bishops. And this list could go on and on.

Add to those issues the lack of clarity on the causes of the abuse scandal and the disgraceful accommodations with a totalitarian China and one may wonder if the Church has lost its way.

I do not believe the Church has lost her way. I do, however, think some current Church leaders definitely have. There are clerics, including some in the hierarchy, who go along with society’s progressive narratives. Some, such as the bishops involved with the German synondal way, have come out directly against church teachings.  They are advocating for woman priests, blessing of gay marriages, sex outside of marriage, homosexuality and the like.

Others may not always go against or deny Church teaching directly.  They are, however, hypocritical in interpreting and bending Church practices to accommodate cultural preferences and opinions.

The consequences

The duplicity of those in the Church allowing certain actions and behaviors that go against Church teachings in the name of dialogue, mercy, or as a required “update” to modern culture, waters down the Church’s teachings.  It also undermines the integrity, as well as the moral and teaching authority of the Church.

If our Church leaders appear wishy washy on such issues, it sends a message about how serious, we as the laity, should take the teachings of our Church. Based on the examples given, apparently not too seriously.

The disregard for Church teachings is seen in two key surveys over the last few years. One is that only 36 percent of Catholics attend mass on Sunday which is obligatory. Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) says that figure is more like 17.3 percent.

The other is survey data showing that only 31 percent of Catholics believe in the “real presence” of the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the consecrated bread and wine in the Eucharist. This is the most telling statistic because the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our Catholic faith.

A leadership vacuum

All the above suggests poor catechesis.  But it is also poor ongoing guidance by our hierarchy. If the bishops’ role is that of shepherd, then some have failed their flocks miserably.

The faithful (clergy and laity) who are standing up defending the Catholic Faith in the ongoing culture war need the hierarchy’s assistance in teaching and clarifying the deposit of faith.  They do not deed nuances, ifs, ands, buts, or exceptions in the name of mercy, dialogue, or modernity.

The bottom line is, I am afraid, that as a Church, we will continually be hearing and reading differing views relating to our Faith and culture and how we should practice our Faith.  And some of those views are at odds with traditional Church teaching. Without a coherent and consistent gospel message from our leaders, what are we to do in forming our personal opinions on an issue.  More importantly, how are we to form our consciences and practice the Faith? How are we to weigh what our leaders say and do?

The three legs of the “stool” of faith

As a convert, I was taught that there is a continuity of faith expressed in Sacred Scripture, Holy Tradition, and the Magisterium. The analogy often presented is that of a three legged stool.

Given the Church climate of today, I do not always see a continuity among the three legs of that faith stool. What I see and hear from many of the progressive clergy and hierarchy, in trying to accommodate Church teachings to the current culture, is weakening the strength of that faith stool.

I realize that the Holy Father and the bishops (the Magisterium “leg”) speak with a living authority. And as faithful members of the Church, we are obligated to listen and consider what they are saying. However, when they express personal opinions and interpretations they are not speaking infallibly (ex-cathedra).  As such, I can use my God-given reason to assess their statements and disagree with some of their “opinions” if need be.

The challenge is to search for clarity from our leaders when there is often not any among the various interpretations and opinions. What is needed is an authoritative “filter” which can help us gauge the words and actions of Church leaders. I have found that focusing on the other two legs (Scripture and Tradition) of the “faith stool” can help.

Sacred Scripture and Holy Tradition (reflected in the Catechism) provide such a purpose. Scripture and Tradition reflect the written Word of God, the history, study, and interpretation of God’s revelation over thousands of years. They can be aids in reviewing, assessing, and reflecting upon the statements and actions of our leaders.

Doctrine

In this context, it does need to be kept in mind that just as our Church leader’s personal opinions and pronouncements are not necessarily infallible, so, too, is the case for some of the teachings in the Catechism.

However, Church doctrine over the centuries does represent a coherent and studied interpretation of what the faith teaches in a consistent and corrective manner.  For example, if you read the Didache (“The Lord’s Teaching Through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations”), dated from about 50-150 AD, it parallels today’s Catechism in many areas.

Recently, Cardinal Marx, a progressive leader in the German bishops’ synondal way, expressed that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is “not set in stone” and “one is also allowed to doubt what it says.” While it is okay to doubt certain ordinary teachings on faith and morals, I do have to say that I “doubt” many of his opinions more than I do the Catechism. If you line up what the Catechism teaches with what Sacred Scripture says, there is much more congruence to Church tradition and “deposit of faith” than what members of the German hierarchy, such as Cardinal Marx, are stating on many current faith issues.

The point to be made in this discussion is that if clarity is the goal then we need to read, study and review all three legs of the faith stool.  Enacting such a process can help in making reasoned judgments about what our leaders are really saying and whether they are in line with traditional Church teaching. In turn, it can also provide some direction on how to personally respond to and act on the variety of hierarchical pronouncements.

Conclusion

In regard to what I have written here, I have tried to be measured in my conclusions.  But to be honest, I have lost patience with those in the hierarchy who spread the modern day progressive “dribble” that goes against what the Bible and the Catechism teaches. Their actions, opinions and interpretations reinforce the old notion (although not stated in the Bible) that God helps those who help themselves.

We as believers in Jesus Christ and His Church have not been confirmed to be bystanders. In times such as now, we need to use our God-given reason to weigh the actions of those in the hierarchy.  It does involve some effort. It requires reviewing, studying and reflecting upon what our leaders do and say and to study the Bible and the Catechism. However, if clarity of the truth of the Church’s teaching is the goal, then it is a process that is necessary to undertake.

In addition, there is an added benefit. By delving into the Bible and the Catechism we will learn more in-depth about what our faith truly teaches and professes. As Paul suggests in Philippians 2:12 we are responsible to participate in our own salvation. Part of that responsibility is to use our God-given reason and conscience to make judgments as to what to believe and how to act on the faith.

“So then my beloved, obedient as you have been … work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”