(1) In general and nationwide, Catholic Republicans versus Catholic Democrats as evidenced by Catholic Fox News viewers versus Catholic MSNBC viewers, for example, who seek news and information in support of their positions and beliefs – be they political, ethical, or religious. Also, likely many viewers of EWTN, the Catholic network characterized by Pope Francis as doing “work of the devil” through its unrelenting criticism of his papacy by serving as a platform for his most ardent and vocal and divisive critics.
(2) Those Catholics who aggressively and publicly criticize and demean Pope Francis for his stance on, for example, LGBTQ issues, the Latin Mass, and his unwillingness to judge.
(3) Those who do not agree with the USCCB 2007 conclusions and statements presented in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship – A call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United Sates” highlighting four special concerns: (a) defending human life; (b) promoting family life; (c) pursuing social justice; and (d) practicing global solidarity [from Digital Edition February 2020]
(4) Catholics wishing to deny the Eucharist to politicians (for example, President Joseph Biden) who do not actively and legislatively oppose abortion versus those who support Pope Francis’ position on this contentious religiously and politically-charged issue.
(5) Catholic bishops and priests who divide, not bind and heal wounds, caused by their differences with each other and with Pope Francis on clericalism and the handling of clergy sexual abuse of minors and seminarians. For example, “In 2021, it became obvious the US bishops and the pope are singing from different hymnals” (by Michael Sean Winters NCR 12/29/21). Also, according to Pope Francis, “Clericalism is a perversion of the priesthood: it is a perversion. And rigidity is one of the manifestations.” Moreover, Pope Francis has said: “There is that spirit of clericalism in the Church, that we feel: clerics feel superior; clerics distance themselves from the people. Clerics always say: ‘this should be done like this, like this, like this, and you – go away!’ It happens “when the cleric doesn’t have time to listen to those who are suffering, the poor, the sick, the imprisoned: the evil of clericalism is a really awful thing; it is a new edition of this ancient evil [of the religious ‘authorities’ lording it over others].” But ‘the victim is the same: the poor and humble people, who await the Lord.’” Therefore, it can be concluded that when priests display clericalism, they drive themselves apart from themselves, lay men and women, and especially Jesus Christ.
(6) Those who refuse to wear masks and/or get vaccinated despite the Church’s clear and consistent urging to do so versus those who see masks and vaccinations as ways to demonstrate loving one’s neighbors by enhancing public health safety.
(7) Those who cannot tolerate sexual abuse of minors and seminarians by clergy and who consider the Church’s response to such abuse as inadequate and inexcusable versus those who tolerate that abuse and are satisfied with the Church’s response.
(8) Bishop Robert Barron in his 2019 book “Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis,” speaks of abuse as the “Devil’s Masterpiece.” He said: “…the Church’s work in evangelization, catechesis, preaching, outreach to the poor, recruitment of vocations, and education has been crippled (emphasis added)…The devil works typically through suggestion, insinuation, temptation, and seduction. He is essentially powerless until he finds men and women who will cooperate with him…” Some (Many?) Catholics seem farther apart because they have decided to cooperate with the devil – to let evil into their hearts with the Holy Spirit appearing to be muted.
(9) “Catholics for Trump” are further apart from the Church. It simply does not follow that 57% of white Catholics voted for Trump in the last election. Refer to “How Catholics got conned by Donald Trump: A psychological analysis of the president and his supporters” (National Catholic Reporter, Jan 14, 2021] The Reporter gives four reasons for “leaders of the Catholic Church and so many of its members getting pulled into a quicksand of resentment and hijacking of the Gospel: (a) the complicity of Catholic leaders with right-wing politics; (b) the assault on truth; (c) the failure of prophetic imagination; and (d) resistance to the pastoral vision of Pope Francis.”
(10) Of special note, and reported by the Associated Press (February 8, 2022): “Retired, 94 year-old Pope Benedict asks pardon for clergy sex abuse cases, but admits no wrongdoing.” Considering Benedict’s unwillingness to admit guilt and make amends, parishioners who have fallen apart caused by clerical sexual abuse will stay perhaps even farther apart from the Church.
(11) Young adults versus older Catholic men and women having lived most of their lives in faithful obedience to Church teaching and past Papal statements and/or suffering from doubt-filled souls.
There are many possible answers to this question. The aforementioned are just a few of mine.
Deacon David Pierce
Comments
Post a Comment
Please THINK before you write!