tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10038924.post2382812711429963464..comments2024-03-15T19:18:22.881-05:00Comments on Servant and Steward: On judging judgersRev. Daren J. Zehnle, J.C.L., K.C.H.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12695652221601203187noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10038924.post-75962324896524052292012-03-23T15:58:37.642-05:002012-03-23T15:58:37.642-05:00That's why one of my rules for reading news st...That's why one of my rules for reading news stories online is, "Never read the comments." In the blogosphere, I only read the comments where I can be reasonable sure of their politeness.Rev. Daren J. Zehnle, J.C.L., K.C.H.S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12695652221601203187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10038924.post-38521120856259965862012-03-17T09:12:24.286-05:002012-03-17T09:12:24.286-05:00But isn't he judging the action, and not the p...But isn't he judging the action, and not the person? He doesn't say they are bad Catholics or claim any special knowledge of their hearts. He says he's tired of "Catholics telling other Catholics...", he doesn't say he's tired of those Catholics.<br /><br />Personally I'm sympathetic with his view. There seems to be a contingent of Catholics -- especially in comboxes online -- who would just as soon revoke the Church membership card of anyone who doesn't share their personal spiritual and -- dare I say it -- political persuasions. (I mention the latter because this is especially evident in Catholic Republicans who think even pro-life Catholic Democrats aren't "Catholic enough" -- and vice versa.)<br /><br />I think we do better to take our cue from the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, which acknowledges that we don't just flip a switch and suddenly accept all that the Church teaches. Those "bad Catholics" may have honest questions and struggles; turning our backs on them just serves to severe the very relationship with the Church that may bring them more fully into the fold.<br /><br />(Obligatory disclaimer: of course some actions require that we acknowledge that the relationship has been severed or call for medicinal remedies as outlined in Canon Law. But that's a different thing than calling for the expulsion of whole classes of people.)<br /><br />Postscript: Fr. Martin's book on humor, joy, and spirituality is very good; let me know if you'd like to borrow it.sullijohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11523394073183945255noreply@blogger.com