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D r a g n e t
Truth Comes From the Archbishop
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This Rock
Volume 9, Number 7/8
 July-August 1998 
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Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan of Santa Fe had this to say in his editorial in the Archdiocesan newspaper:
"Not surprisingly, most people in today’s society practice religion because they ‘like it.’ The preaching, the music, the programs the church offers. It’s agreeable with them; it fits their lifestyle. It comforts them.
"This is very dangerous. As the great Christian writer C. S. Lewis said, if you practice religion looking for comfort, you will end up with soft soap, but if you practice religion looking for truth, you will end up with truth, with comfort thrown in besides.
"Which gets us to the question—why are you a Catholic? You like being a Catholic? Good, so do I. I was raised a Catholic—it is my heritage. I find unspeakable comfort and beauty in the beliefs and practices of Catholicism. But is that enough? No, the bottom-line reason why you and I are Catholics must be that we are convinced that the Catholic Church is true. . . .
It is a historical fact that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ. Every other church was started many hundreds of years later—by human beings. Perhaps well-intentioned people, perhaps holy people, perhaps people scandalized by the sinfulness of Catholics, even churchmen. Nonetheless, these churches were founded by human beings. The Catholic Church alone was founded by the God-Man, Jesus Christ. And he is Truth.
"This must be the real, final reason we believe in the Catholic Church: We believe in Jesus Christ, and he founded the Catholic Church. Everything else is secondary. Many converts have entered the Catholic Church not ‘liking’ the externals of the Catholic Church, but they were convinced of its divine origin. The great John Henry Newman was a clergyman of the Protestant Church of England. He loved the liturgy, music, architecture, and heritage of his church. He held a high and respected office in it. Much in the Catholic Church he found to be exotic and foreign to his taste. But he became a Catholic because he discovered that it was true—that it was the Church founded by Jesus Christ. . . .
"We love our brothers and sisters in the other Christian churches. We seek ways in which we can work with them and find paths of unity—this is the ‘ecumenical movement’ to which we as a Church are firmly committed. But no search for Christian unity can mean a compromise with the truth. This is why we are utterly loyal to the Catholic Church in life and, like the martyrs, in death. Ultimately, there is one reason, and one reason only, that we are loyal to the Catholic Church: It is because we are loyal to her Founder, the God-Man, Jesus Christ."
Written like an archbishop, we say!
Modern Manna Ministries, headquartered in Lodi, California, distributes a ninety-page book titled Is the Virgin Mary Dead or Alive? It’s written by Danny Vierra. The full-color cover shows a mother holding up her young daughter so the girl can kiss the hand of a life-sized statue of the Virgin. In the background, an elderly woman kisses the hem of Mary’s garment. It’s an appealing, Catholic-looking picture, and the back cover of the book lists ten questions regarding Mary and Marian apparitions—it’s not unlike the back cover of books promoting apparitions.
No doubt Is the Virgin Mary Dead or Alive? will find its way into the hands of many devotees of the Mother of Jesus, and that means that some of them will find themselves bamboozled. Despite its packaging, this is not a pro-Catholic book, something easily determined by a "backwards reader" (one who flips to the last page first and only then goes to the first page). Across from the order form for additional copies of the book—available for as little as 38 cents in quantity—is an advertisement for a "timeless classic" that "exposes Satan’s plan," the illustrated version of The Great Controversy, written in 1888 by Ellen Gould White, the founder of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. (The accompanying photograph shows the book open to pages featuring likenesses of Babylonian gods and Pope John Paul II. Make your own connection.) Beneath the ad for The Great Controversy is a promotion for The Two Babylons, the nineteenth-century anti-Catholic screed by ex-priest Alexander Hislop. This is the book that recently was repudiated by Ralph Woodrow, author of Babylon Mystery Religion, who once had relied on Hislop and then found him to be wholly untrustworthy. Woodrow courageously published a second book in which he rejected his one-time adoption of Hislop’s thesis.
As for Vierra’s book itself, it is not much more than a rehashing of the arguments served up by White, as edited by a one-time "Mary adorer" who now knows that the Catholic Church is wrong about Mary and about nearly everything else. After all, Vierra knows who the beast of Revelation is . . .
With a little hunting, one can find much better writing than what is offered up by White/Vierra. For example, take a look at the new web site for the Catholic Writer’s Association. The address is www.trincomm.org/cwa/index.htm, and the organizer is Mark Kwasny. He describes the CWA as "a network of Catholic writers devoted to communicating their faith through literature." The organization exists solely in cyberspace. Kwasny says, "I was interested in bringing together Catholics from around the world who have the ambition to write but who would like the support and help of others. Catholic writers are no different from other writers: They need motivation, camaraderie, and a network of others who share their passion for writing good literature." Inspiration for the web site comes from writers such as Ralph McInerny, Deal Hudson, and Fr. John Hardon. "The world is filled with aspiring authors who are serious about their faith but may be discouraged by the current crop of popular fiction that makes its way to the top of the bestseller lists," says Kwasny. "It is my hope that the encouragement of solid Catholic leaders like these will help others to fan the flames of a new renaissance in Catholic literature."
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the prefect for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in June issued a clarification regarding the profession of faith that theologians are asked to take. The profession requires them to accept doctrines that have been proclaimed "definitively" by the Church. Included among those doctrines, says Ratzinger, are the primacy of Peter, the exclusively male priesthood, and the intrinsic immorality of euthanasia and fornication. Such beliefs have been handed down "by a solemn judgment, defined as divinely revealed truths, either by a pope speaking ex cathedra or by an ecumenical council."
Have you left the Church but feel you aren’t done yet with kvetching? There’s a place for you. "As you are no doubt aware," said an e-mail from Graham Briscombe of Port Townsend, Washington, "many Catholics and ex-Catholics suffer emotional problems such as feelings of guilt, shame, failure, low self-esteem, and sexual anxieties. These Catholics are known as ‘recovering Catholics.’ Our mission is helping Catholics hurt by the institutional Church. With this in mind, we have set up a recovering Catholic web site [www.recovering-catholic.com]. Three organizations are represented on the web site. . . . New Hope Counselors is a network of counselors founded in 1996 to help Catholics and ex-Catholics deal with feelings of guilt and other emotional problems. Good Tidings was founded in 1983 to give support to women and priests who were involved in romantic relationships. WEORC (pronounced ‘work’) is a voluntary association of men and women formerly engaged in full-time ministry in the Catholic Church." So, if you want to complain to your heart’s content, now you have a place to turn.
World tries to do for Evangelicals what Time and Newsweek do for run-of-the-mill Americans. The magazine is thin on hard news and thin on pages, but at least it presents a Christian viewpoint that is otherwise absent from the other publications. As good as that may be, the viewpoint does have limitations. After all, it’s Evangelical, not Catholic, and so the theology tends to limp.
A recent issue had as its cover story a piece on " Rethinking Divorce." The writer reported on efforts to make the marriage bond stronger by not accepting divorce so casually. The hitch: still accepting divorce. The article began with an anecdote about Doug and Lynn Hayward, who are from the St. Louis area. They have a "blended" marriage: five kids from his first marriage, three from hers. "Eventually," said Doug about the aftermath of his prior marriage, "you have to pick yourself up from the devastation and do what you can. Because of this terrible thing, divorce, so many things that God intended can never be. But that doesn’t mean other good things can’t happen. God is still in control, and God is good."
The magazine then says, "Both Lynn’s and Doug’s divorces were biblical, in that their spouses had committed adultery, and they themselves had sincerely sought reconciliation. Their churches gave them the green light to remarry."
"Biblical divorces"? "The green light to remarry"? That’s the way many Evangelicals see it—another example of making one’s preaching match one’s practices. Of course, there is no such thing as a "biblical divorce," at least not in the New Testament, and those in sacramental marriages can’t remarry because they’re already (and permanently) married. The indissolubility of marriage was the common understanding of all believers until rather late in Christian history. The poet John Milton was one of the first to promote divorce, and even into our own century divorce was rare among serious Christians. No longer.
An attorney interviewed by World remarked, "I will apply the biblical principles. If I’m going to bring the divorce [for his clients], I want to know there are biblical grounds for it." Ah, yes, but the hitch is that there are no biblical grounds . . .
The magazine says, "In theory, at least, most churches . . . will recognize only two valid reasons for divorce: adultery, and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (see Matt. 19:7–9 and 1 Cor. 7:15–16)." A group called Fresh Start is said to have "guidelines for biblical divorces [that] are slightly wider than the traditional two: ‘A spouse can sin so gravely that a marriage covenant no longer exists,’" says the organization.
All this is bad thinking and bad exegesis. Matthew 19 doesn’t give any "exception" for adultery. In fact, the word "adultery" is a poor translation of the underlying Greek word, " porneia," which refers to an "unnatural" or merely putative marriage—in modern parlance, it means a couple that is merely "living together." That’s fornication (presuming neither is married to a third party), and such a "marriage" can end in "divorce" because there really isn’t a marriage to begin with. It is improper to translate " porneia" as "adultery," for which there is an entirely different word in the Greek of Scripture. Our Lord was not giving a cuckolded man an out, nor was he provided a new chance for a woman whose husband was unfaithful.
The second situation, mentioned in 1 Corinthians 7, is what is referred to as the Pauline Privilege. It permits a "divorce" when two unbaptized persons marry, when one of them subsequently is baptized but the other isn’t, and when the unbaptized spouse won’t live in harmony with the baptized spouse. In such a situation there is no sacramental marriage (both parties must be baptized Christians for a marriage to be a sacrament) but only a "natural" marriage, which does not have the note of indissolubility enjoyed by sacramental marriages. The Church attains jurisdiction over the marriage when one of the spouses becomes baptized.
As for Fresh Start’s idea of a marriage covenant failing through the sin of one of the spouses—well, that amounts to a general license for divorce. There probably hasn’t been a "failed" marriage in which at least one spouse hasn’t committed a mortal sin. Fresh Start lists physical abuse, cruelty (an elastic term), and "when the spouse is unwilling to change" as sins sufficient to end a marriage. Which aggrieved spouse hasn’t thought the other was "unwilling to change"? No, this position reduces to the position held by the secular culture. The only difference is a veneer of Christianity.
However one slices it, World got it wrong. If there is a valid, sacramental marriage, divorce is not possible, except in the limited sense of a separation of still-married spouses, a mere division of property and a determination of the custody of the children. No matter what the civil law may say or what one’s local congregation may say, a marriage is a marriage, "until death do you part." The Catholic Church is the only church in the world that still teaches this, which means it’s the only church that still teaches what Christ taught. There’s a good reason for that.
St. Clement of Rome parish, located in St. Louis, Missouri, is offering an apologetics course, and it promises to be a good one. If you’re within driving range, contact the parish. The fourteen-week course will employ the Socratic dialogue method. Members of the adult education committee will assume roles as unbelievers or non-Catholic Christians, and they’ll speak in opposition to Catholic teachings. They’ll ask questions of priests and seminarians who will defend those teachings. The first six sessions are designed to bring unbelievers toward Christianity, and the last eight deal with concerns of Protestants. The primary source book will be Catholicism and Fundamentalism. The sessions begin September 10, with Msgr. James Pieper, pastor of St. Clement’s, and Jay Staley, of the adult education committee. They’ll discuss the power and limitations of apologetics, outline the role of reason in defending the faith, and explain that faith and reason can’t contradict one another. Topics to be covered in later weeks include the nature of God, grace, the four last things, the role of the Church, the papacy, Scripture and magisterium (This Rock contributor Fr. Michael Geisler), justification (Fr. Gregory Lockwood, a convert from Lutheranism), sacraments, the Eucharist and the Mass, penance and purgatory, and Mary.
"Time is short. Having failed to convince Catholics to obey Church teaching on contraception, Church leaders have turned to the public policy arena to limit the availability of contraceptives both internationally and in the United States." So begins a fundraising letter from Catholics for Contraception, a front group of Catholics for a Free Choice, which itself is a front group (and a very tiny one) for pro-abortion anti-Catholics.
Frances Kissling, head of CFC, suggests in the letter that "Vatican conservatives under John Paul II to groups such as Opus Dei" are conspiring to take over the "public policy arena." In Poland, she notes, "Catholic pharmacists organized a group called Pharmacists for Life. Members refuse to sell contraceptives." Gosh! And we thought free choice was all about not having to endorse or sell things one doesn’t believe in. In the Philippines, Jaime Cardinal Sin opposed government funding of contraceptives, and in Mexico Catholic activists "led a campaign against government birth control programs and have tried to drive out Mexfam, the country’s major family planning provider." It’s even hitting the pocketbook: In 1996 the Vatican withdrew its symbolic $2,000 contribution to UNICEF because that agency is involved in family planning. Ouch! In the U.S., Catholic bishops are urging legislators to include "conscience clauses" that would exempt Catholic organizations and employers from laws that mandate contraceptive coverage in health plans. Outrageous!
Newspaper ads placed by Catholics for Contraception say that "the bishop’s mitre should be the symbol of justice and mercy, not a rigid rejection of human sexuality and truly responsible parenthood. Having failed to convince Catholics not to use contraception, U.S. bishops now work to keep it out of reach. They forbid Catholic medical facilities to offer condom counseling or contraceptive services to anyone. And they push a public policy agenda affecting Catholics and non-Catholics alike." In contrast, of course, Kissling and her helpers wouldn’t think of pushing an agenda that affects Catholics and non-Catholics alike. After all, they believe in choice.
Broadsheet, a monthly newsletter published in England for orthodox Catholics, announced the availability of Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth: "The is unashamedly aimed at the conversion of its readers, whether non-Catholic Christians or lapsed Catholics. It is a summary of the reasons why the Catholic Church is the one, true Church of Christ; why everyone should belong to it; and what this implies. It presupposes that the reader believes that Christ is God, and the Scriptures, from which it draws its arguments, are God’s Word. To that extent its prospective readership is limited, because many today are unsure that there is a God or that Christ is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. But millions still believe these things so the ‘outreach’ of this booklet could be vast. We imported it because we believe that it is an excellent example of what it sets out to be; that it would be useful in our apostolate, perhaps first by giving us a short refresher course in basic apologetics; by giving us something to hand to wavering Catholics or to interested non-Catholics; by giving priests a short booklet they can safely hand to those under instruction (it carries the imprimatur of the bishop of San Diego)."
Jack Chick is still alive, it seems. Associated Press writer Ted Anthony wrote about Chick’s work in a July 16 article. Based in Rancho Cucamonga, California, Chick is best known for his lurid comic booklets, the black-and-white drawings of which Anthony describes as "a stylistic cross between ‘Mary Worth’ and Mad magazine." Chick has been churning out his booklets for forty years. Many of them are blatantly anti-Catholic, such as the one entitled The Death Cookie (it’s about the Eucharist). The booklets are published in forty-three languages and are distributed by people who leave them at bus stops, between the pages of library books, and on top of pay phones. Chick gives no interviews and no statistics, but it is likely that millions of copies of his booklets are distributed each year.
The Dignity chapter of Boston meets at St. John the Evangelist Church (not a Catholic parish). A recent Sunday bulletin listed this announcement: "Note: The glass chalices at the far right and left of the altar contain consecrated grape juice, for those who wish to abstain from alcohol." Sorry, guys, but grape juice, as such, can’t be consecrated. When regular grape juice is substituted for wine, you have invalid matter and therefore an invalid Mass (even assuming, of course, that you have a real priest). Not surprisingly, Dignity ends up with a mixture of bad morals and bad sacramental theology. Maybe that’s what makes the next announcement in the bulletin more amusing than annoying: "While Dignity/Boston tries tremendously to achieve gender parity regarding readers and Eucharistic ministers, there may be times when this is not possible. We thank you for your understanding."
The New England chapter of Call to Action held its spring conference in Worcester, Massachusetts. Sorry we missed it. Mary Hunt spoke on "feminist ethical action," which seeks to do what needs to be done "regardless of what the kyriarchal church prioritizes." Cute word, "kryiarchal"—invented from "Kyrie," Greek for "Lord." In one of the panels, Francis A. McGillicuddy explained how he and his friends "shipped supplies to Nicaragua," but presumably not to the Church there. He served "as a priest for fourteen years and worked as a social worker for low-income seniors for twenty-three years. He presently teaches yoga with his wife." Something of a downhill run, there.
Now for some refreshing news: Fr. Rawley Myers has produced a little booklet called Teen Prayers. Printed on Day-Glo paper, the prayers range from an old Irish blessing to a meditation from Mother Teresa, with a little Newman and Dostoyevsky thrown in for good measure. In a note to us Fr. Myers says that this is his "latest effort to reach teens in their troubled lives. Many are not very interested in religion, but if they pray God helps them." The booklet costs a dollar. Include a stamped return envelope when you write to Fr. Myers at St. Mary’s High School, P.O. Box 9210, Colorado Springs, CO 80932.
David G. McAllister manages an anti-Catholic web site called the Belfast Berean. In an e-mail letter to an inquirer he explained why he thinks the Bible is inspired: "I believe that the Word of God is the Word of God because it is the Word of God." The inquirer said he had doubts about the utility of such an argument.
Media Report is the newsletter of the Family & Media Association, which is based in Dublin. The spring issue reports on Irish television broadcasting the now-defunct "Nothing Sacred." Reviewers for the FMA reported that "'Nothing Sacred' is a typical American soap: fast-moving and well-acted, but cliché-ridden and superficial in its handling of serious themes. Its cloying sentimentality is embarrassing: a veritable feast of schmaltz. Interest is maintained by administering a series of shocks to Catholic sensibilities, with the script-writers repeatedly pulling back from the edge. The central character, Father Ray, is (of course) young, personable, trendy, socially committed, contending with archtypal conservatives, skating dangerously close to the verge of heresy but, oh yes, with his generous heart in the right place. Even in these days of Church crisis, Father Ray could have been ordained only by a deranged bishop." The show may be kaput know, but that review is worth savoring nevertheless.
By the way, the formation of the Family and Media Association was inspired by Pope John Paul II's 1994 call to Christian parents to unite in associations representing their interests. The group gives these as its aims: "to foster the Christian vision of family and, where the media are seen to promote values at variance with this, to make representations to the appropriate authorities; to seek high standards of honesty, decency, fairness, and truthfulness in the media; to increase an understanding of the media and of their power and to assess their value from a Christian perspective; to encourage more people to respond critically to the media." Further information can be obtained by writing to the Family and Media Association, 38 Upper Gardiner Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
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