Reflections on the Catholic Legal Theory Project at 5: Revisited

A month and a half ago, in response to posts by Steve S., I posted my thoughts on progressive/dissenting/heterodox Catholics blogging at MOJ.  Our recent discussion on the Group of 26 and their support for Governor Sebelius has caused me to reflect further on the diverse nature of the Catholic experience and how it plays out publicly, including on the blog.  And, since no one has argued with me – at least publicly - about my post on progressive/dissenting/heterodox Catholics, I thought I’d take this opportunity to argue with myself, or at least discuss a tension in my thinking.

There is a part of me – a big part of me - that wants tidiness, especially on those matters with significant cultural and legal consequences.  I wish all Catholics were swimming in the same direction on these issues.  Pelosi, Sebelius, Biden, Kennedy, Daschle, and the host of other pro-choice Catholic politicians are causing scandal within and outside the Church with respect to an issue that has, as Fr. Frank Sullivan, S.J. told the Conference of Catholic Legal Scholars last summer, been infallibly taught by the magisterium.  Part of me wishes that the bishops would say what seems obvious to me – that these individuals, by obstinate opinion and action, have separated themselves from communion with the faithful.  In other words, they have excommunicated themselves.  But…

When I step back and put our present moment in historical context, and when I think about how such public “judgments” by the bishops would be taken in our current cultural climate, the waters get muddied, and the proper response less clear cut.

On the night before he was crucified, Jesus prayed:  “Holy Father, keep them in your name … so that they may be one just as we are” (John 17:11), “I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:20-21), and “that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them” (John 17:26).

I hope that this unity –this oneness – manifests itself as a oneness of heart, mind, and spirit in all things.  But, Lord knows that in this fallen world that is a tough order.  Self-centeredness, feeble mindedness, lack of courage, sickness, misunderstanding, ineffective means of communication, competing interests, and all sorts of other problems, surface to disrupt unity.  This is certainly true in every marriage that I know, and throughout history we see it in the Church. 

From the beginning, bishops, other leaders, and the rank and file have disagreed and fought among themselves (read Acts or almost any Pauline letter).  And, for almost 1700 years bishops have fought with Catholic political leaders over political and theological matters both great and small.  Why should our age be any different? 

Given this history, it is remarkable – dare I say a miracle – that the Catholic Church has not only survived these 2000 years but is today the single largest religious body in the world.  As in a marriage where the commitment (as old fashioned as it may sound) is for a lifetime, a lifetime lived within the Catholic Church means struggling for unity mostly by showing up every day asking the Holy Spirit for a loving heart, discerning mind, the grace to surrender our lives and dreams to God, the humility to ask forgiveness, and the mercy to forgive others.

When the bonds of unity are shattered whether in a marriage or in the Church, great sadness arises.  And, it seems to me that the Pope and the bishops go to extraordinary lengths to try to preserve union by not publicly recognizing the breach until the very last moment when compelled by exigent circumstances.  For example, I think Archbishop Lefebvre was at odds with the Pope and other bishops for well over 20 years before he was excommunicated and then the excommunication came only because Lefebvre insisted on ordaining bishops to succeed him without permission from Rome.  I’m just thankful that it is not my job to determine when that moment has arrived. 

Our 2000 year history is one of a remarkable unity achieved and maintained with and despite the messiness of this earthly life.  I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by this.  A moment’s reflection on the apostle Peter, our first Pope, prepares us for the messiness of living the oneness Jesus prayed for while still living within the brokenness of our own lives on earth – Four verses after Peter is entrusted with the keys to the kingdom of heaven, Jesus says to him “Get out of my sight, you satan;” After Jesus is arrested Peter denies knowing him; and Peter has to be rebuked by Paul in Acts.    

Except for two major continuing disruptions to unity (one occurring a 1000 years ago and the other 500 years ago), Christ’s prayer has pretty much been answered despite the many weaknesses of Church leaders, theologians, and lay persons.  In my view, this can only be the work of the Holy Spirit.  Although I prefer tidiness in our unity, history teaches me that I need to learn to accept a large degree of messiness in our oneness on this blog and in the Church and trust the workings of the Holy Spirit in all things.

May we all be graced with the ability to speak truth as we understand it through lives lived in love.

UPDATE:  Catholic mom quotes this post adding her own insightful comments here after linking to and quoting a recent speech by Archbishop Chaput.