In response to the Catholic Rights blog article What is the Catholic Faith?
I agree wholeheartedly with John Kearney over at Catholic Rights when he talks about the current imbalance of interest on Catholic blogs over the debate about the Latin Mass and Pope Benedict's recent document on the matter. He rightly points out that the document produced by Bishop O'Donoghue on Catholic education deserves a much greater press coverage than it has been given (see Bishop O'Donoghue issues new teaching document for Catholic schools).
Here's the comment I left on John's blog:
The debates on the internet seem to be becoming more and more narrowly focused. Admittedly, the issue of the Extraordinary form carries with it far wider issues of Papal authority, obedience to Rome, etc... but it seems to me that that the kind of language used by many of those contributing comments (eg. on Holy Smoke) leaves a great deal to be desired in terms of the example it gives of Catholic action and personal morality. People should by all means speak out, but calling people such as our Bishops "satan's soldiers" (and the like), is that a better example of Catholic behaviour than disobeying the Pope? And what about the other pressing issues of daily living as Catholics, such as the education in the faith of our children?
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Comments
Lex orandi, lex credendi.
If Mass is not celebrated properly, Catholic education is going to suffer; if Catholic children are taught that they don't need to bow in awe a the presence of the King of Kings made present to them at the Holy Sacrifice at the Altar, then the Priest will end up thinking he is the compere and will pander to them.
This is a downward spiral which those of us with teenage children attending Catholic secondary schools will identify with. But, sort out celebration of the Mass, and put the Catechism at the centre of education, and there is at least the possibility of reversing the trend.
You've hit the nail on the head. I dip into Catholic blogs where the longest and most intricate articles are posted over the length of a priest's robes or the exact pronouncing of a Latin word and the most vile language is used against fellow members of the Body of Christ - meanwhile the pews are emptying.
What about following Jesus' Great Commission? That includes healing the sick, raising the dead and evangelising in the marketplace.
Blessings
James