Last Saturday I read a news story (Sarah Maddox, “Why thousands of U.S. congregations are leaving the United Methodist Church.” September 9, 2023. CBSnews.com.). You may remember that in 2019, the United Methodist Church held a conference that discussed same-sex relationships. Since then there have been whole congregations that have left the United Methodist Church over this.
I wish that we in the Catholic Church had no such problems. I have not heard in recent years of any whole parishes leaving the Catholic Church but it is no secret that individuals are leaving the Catholic Church over dissenting views on such issues. I’ve seen surveys that show that the number of former Catholics is growing and larger than the number of some Protestant denominations. The good news is that we do have people join the Catholic Church each year through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA). Some are coming into the Catholic Church precisely because it holds to traditional teachings.
Unfortunately, there are those who want to change Catholic teaching. While they exist in various countries, perhaps the most visible presently are German Catholics who recently completed a synod where votes were held and passed to pursue changes in Catholic teaching (see Catholic News Agency stories under the category “German Synodal Way”).
It saddens me to see this. I do not hear explanations for their desire to change Catholic teaching based on biblical principles and in continuity with the historical teachings of our faith.
There are also individual “Cafeteria Catholics”. The term “cafeteria” means that they pick and choose what they belief. Some knowingly choose to reject some Catholic teaching. Otherwise, because of poor catechesis growing up (that may be no fault of their own) simply don’t know what or why the Catholic Church teaches what it does. This too saddens me. I pray for them and I do what I can through presentations and my website to help people understand Catholic teaching.
In the Nicene Creed we profess our faith in “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.” This is very important to me. I hope it is important for you. As the Catholic Church, we are not a bunch of individuals who come together for Mass who hold some teachings in common. We are called to be “one.” In chapter 17 of the Gospel of John, Jesus offers his high priestly prayer for us, “so that they may be one, as we are one” (verse 22) We are to be united in the Truth that Jesus gives. Being Catholic is not about having our own way. It is about being “one” with God.
The Catholic Church is also “apostolic.” This means that our Catholic faith has been handed down from generation to generation over 2,000 years from Jesus, through the Apostles, and guided by the Holy Spirit. Over 2,000 years the world has changed. Technological change in the 100 years has greatly changed the world. Led by the Holy Spirit, Catholic teaching has developed to the changes in the world but it has done so in continuity with the past.
There are people today who want to determine their own truth. I don’t. In fact, I said in my presentation, Where Do We Go For Truth?
Faith is not about getting our own way. It is about realizing that God has a better way. I am not all-knowing. God is. I know that Jesus died for me and so I am willing to trust him rather than seek my own way.
In John 14:6, Jesus explicitly says in clear terms, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” Jesus does not say, “let me show you a way” or a truth or a life. He shows us the truth. It is his Truth that will set us free (John 8:32) to be what we are created to be.
Being “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church” stands at the heart of what it means to be Catholic. I don’t see how creating our own truth is in any way consistent with a belief in God who is all-knowing and all-loving. In faith, we trust in God even when we don’t understand.
Be sure to learn all you can about our Catholic faith. Learn what you can about our Catholic faith and trust in God for the rest. Remember the second half of John 14:6, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Peace,
Fr. Jeff