Catholic Fisticuffs: Look How Those Christians Shove One Another

Catholic Fisticuffs: Look How Those Christians Shove One Another September 3, 2013

It’s been quite a belligerent weekend in the Catholic blogosphere, hasn’t it?

First there was the Catholic Answers brouhaha, which was started in part by my post regarding the financial crisis looming at that great Catholic apologetics apostolate.

Then there was Michael Voris, chest thumping, publishing the salaries of well known Catholic media personalities, then castigating them for earning wages which are commensurate with their professional achievement and marketplace value, and which are sufficient to support their families.

Two seemingly unrelated dust-ups, but with a common element:  In both cases the flames of discord were fanned by traditional Catholics.

It’s ironic, isn’t it, that the traditionalists—the very group which purports to defend the Church from transgressors—would so insistently work to separate Catholics one from the other?  That their comments would be characterized, not by genuine caring for their fellow believers with whom they disagree, but with pride and venom?

Reading the combox arguments which ensued following my original Catholic Answers post, I couldn’t help but wonder what Jesus must think of the uncharitable way that some of His followers addressed one another.

And if you’re one of those who believe you can catch more flies with honey, rather than by whacking them over the head with a frying pan, then you’ll probably agree with me that any unbelievers who happened into the combox last week would not likely have stayed to pursue their study of the Catholic faith.  No, more likely they’d have run in the opposite direction.

And that’s a shame.

C’mon, you guys:  They’ll know you are Christians by your love.  Pope Francis has called upon believers to build bridges, not walls.  Let’s start building.

 


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