Catholics - Are We Our Own Worst Enemies?

This is a copy of an email sent out in response to the sad story of a lady named Gloria and her experience of the Church.

Dear Gloria,

Catholics make a distinction between the "miraculous" conception of Jesus and the "immaculate" conception of Mary. Joseph was the foster father of Christ, but our Lord's true Father was God. Jesus was conceived in the blessed virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary, on the other hand, was conceived in the normal course. Indeed, tradition renders the names of her parents as Joachim and Ann. Catholics also believe that Jesus was always fully aware of his origins and relationship to the Father. Jesus is both God and man. Mary, no matter how privileged and holy, was purely creature like us. At the time of the Annunciation, she might have been as young as fourteen years of age. She was a young girl.

As for statues, it should be noted that Catholics have sculpted and painted art of various religious figures. Along with stained-glass windows, they remind us of our family of faith. Children and the illiterate would often learn their catechism and the Scripture stories from such pious images. When the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity became a human being, the very image of Christ, as a man, became revelatory of God. That is why even Protestants offer picture bibles to their children. Many denominations that generally reject religious depictions will put up nativity scenes at Christmas and exchange cards with holy images. The only difference with Catholics is that the use of such sacramentals is not reserved to any single season of the year. We treat them reverently because of the deep regard we hold the scene or person portrayed. They are entirely representational and do not signify a return of idol worship. The pagan treatment of statues and images as if they possess some power apart from God is entirely superstition and is rightly condemned by the Catholic Church. This includes statues of Mary.

Do Catholics worship Mary? It is understandable that non-Catholics might misinterpret the great honor and respect shown Mary as divine worship. Indeed, certain errant souls might allow their fervor to cross this line sometimes. When it has happened, the Church has responded with immediate corrective measures. It is true that the English word "worship" is sometimes used regarding Marian devotion. However, this worship (hyperdulia) differs from the adoration given God. Adoration belongs properly to "the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit" (CCC #921). If given to Mary, it would mean the return of goddess worship. Such would be a grave sin. Catholic devotion to Mary actually rejoices in how wonderfully God worked in this Jewish maiden. It is a fulfillment of Luke 1:48: "All generations will call me blessed."

Debi is quite right in saying that the first part of the HAIL MARY prayer comes directly from Scripture. Look at Luke 1:26-38. The angel Gabriel says to her, "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!" Many ancient versions add, "Blessed are you among women!" Translations differ, but this salutation from heaven to the "most favored one" is still echoed in Catholic prayer. The second half of the prayer is the response of the Church to the precious message from God. "Holy Mary, Mother of God," defending the divinity of Jesus, "pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death," literally, be in prayerful solidarity with us as disciples of Christ.

Why are our beliefs and ways so different? There are many reasons. I would suggest that it be principally because Catholics have a tremendous sense of attachment to the Church and the traditions of past days. The world changes, and yet the faith of Jesus remains. While Protestant churches often trace their ideological development to the reformation reaction against Catholic abuses and on behalf of a return to the Scriptures; Catholics celebrate a faith that they truly believe has developed and grown from the roots of the Apostolic community. They are the recipients of two thousand years of prayer, homilies, biblical study, reflection, and struggle against forces from without. Many ministers and students in the Evangelical community are today picking up the ancient written resources to discover how Christians of old lived out their Christian faith. This, along with social alliances against a secular and hedonistic world, as well as collaboration in biblical research, is bringing forth fruit and a certain degree of unity.

You mention a relative of your husband explaining Marian prayer in terms of Jesus listening to his Mother. Actually, we find something of this relationship at the wedding feast of Cana. However, there is nothing coercive in such petition or prayer. Admittedly there has sometimes been the unfortunate caricature of Mary hiding her children from the vengeful wrath of her Son. As with any sanctoral prayer, the proper object is God. Let me assure you that the Catholic Church sees no tension or competition between what Mary wants and what Christ desires. True saints are of one mind and heart with the Lord. We remember Mary because of a strong sense that we are members of the family of God. Mary is a perfect window to her Son. She joins her prayer to ours.

As I read the rest of your post, I am practically falling out of my chair in disbelief. "And I do disagree that many of my in-laws think that I'm not saved because I'm not Catholic." Your relatives by marriage may be very nice people, but if what you say is correct, they would not be the best authorities on what the Catholic Church believes. Even as a priest, I would never make the absolute presumption against someone's salvation. The matter of final judgment belongs to our Lord. I am terribly sorry about this. Some non-Catholics feel the same way about us. The teaching of the Fourth Lateran Council stipulating that there was no salvation outside the Church was prior to the Protestant breach. It has been rightfully argued that ignorance of the truth and/or a common baptism modifies this statement. The teaching is about anyone who KNOWS that the Catholic Church is the true Church, and still refuses to join. We leave the eternal destiny of Protestants and others to the providence of God. We do not seek to judge them. The Catholic Church DOES NOT teach that non-Catholics necessarily cannot enter heaven. Catholics are required to respect the religious convictions of non-Catholic Christians, even if there is some disagreement. Despite our differences, Vatican II reminds Catholics that "whatever is wrought by the grace of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of our separated brethren can contribute to our own edification" (Decree on Ecumenism 4). We claim you as brothers and sisters. Note this universal prayer said in all Catholic churches throughout the world on Good Friday: "Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters who share our faith in Jesus Christ, that God may gather and keep together in one Church all those who seek the truth with sincerity. Almighty and eternal God, you keep together those you have united. Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son. We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism. Make us one in the fullness of faith, and keep us one in the fellowship of love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen."

"They don't read the Bible, they only go to church on Christmas, Easter, Weddings, and Funerals." Actually, a Catholic in good standing is normally required to participate at Sunday Mass (worship) every week. As for the bible, Catholics are encouraged to read it and my parish has several bible study groups. Catholics are also exposed to a good amount of Scripture at our services.

"They want to give to their Church, not to [the] poor, because a priest told them that if you give it to the Church, [they] and their family will go to heaven." If he said any such thing then he is out of his mind. You cannot buy salvation with money. The sacraments themselves are free, anything contrary would be simony. Yes, there is a responsibility to maintain our ministers and our churches, but that is a practical matter. Most churches have poor boxes where the money goes exclusively for those in need. Our St. Vincent de Paul Society took over 74 baskets with turkeys to the poor for Thanksgiving. Christmas will be even bigger. We have clothing drives, collections for the Crisis Pregnancy Center, and much more. Priests usually receive very small wages and even much of that they give out to beggars at the door. This has been my experience of priesthood. Everything the Church owns, her churches, schools, hospitals, and all the rest belongs to her people and those we serve. A priest should never be the lord of the manor. He is a servant of God and his holy people. The Pope is called the Servant of the Servants of God.

Your husband says, "Priests are all crooks." I hear hurt and anger talking, and thus take no offense. I can assure you Gloria that I am no crook. My family is poor and I am struggling to raise money for my invalid father's funeral. As for vices, I will admit that I eat too much and have a library bigger than I will ever be able to read. That is about it.

The parish I serve has 3,000 at Sunday Mass and 530 kids in the school. A big project among our young people is precisely the W.W.J.D. that you mention: What would Jesus do? Yes, there are hypocrites among us all. But, is not that precisely what a sinner is? The only difference is that true Christians recognize their failures, admit sinfulness, repent, and seek to start anew. That is the pattern of my life.

I am sorry that your husband was wronged as an altar boy and accused of taking the offertory money. Being dismissed as an altar server can be more painful than many imagine. My brother John received a schedule in the mail one day and noticed that his name had been deleted from it. He called the rectory and was rudely told that he was not needed anymore. There was no discussion or notification. There was no "thank you" for years of faithful service. He is still wounded by this. I wanted desperately to attend Catholic school; however, the nun in charge told my mother that I was too sickly and stupid. Little did anyone know that I would be the one who would become a priest. We all have disappointments, and priests are not exempt from being hurt, either. Sometimes people in the Church let us down. They even scandalize us. But the Church is more than any one member. We keep our eyes on Christ and his will for us.

I hope my words tonight help. I devoted a lot of time to them. Remember me in your prayers as I keep you and your husband in mine. Today I had a cyst removed from my right eye and it is quite swollen and painful, as well as ugly. The doctor has done his work, now I will leave it to the Lord to complete the healing.

Please Gloria, do not judge Catholic faith by the poor example of some of her members. There are many individuals and small groups of deeply committed Catholics who could better show you the face of Catholic Christianity. One of my responsibilities as a priest is to help awaken the many sleepers in our midst so that they will grow and become more active in their faith. Perhaps the questions and witness of a woman like yourself is a clarion call for Catholics to be everything Christ has called them to be?

PEACE,

Fr. Joe