Challenges to the Catholic Left | National Catholic Reporter

Challenges to the Catholic Left | National Catholic Reporter by MSW. MGB: There are two types of truth in the Church.  The first are those which deal with mysteries, such as the incarnation and the divinity and humanity of Christ.  These were not handed down by Jesus - but were developed by the early Catholic writers - with some degree of discord (some call it heresy, but until the doctrine is set, there is no heresy) and finally Church Councils where God spoke through the consensus of the Council fathers - fathers who were really pastors elected by their city Churches (some akin to parishes today). The second type is natural law.  This is still the province of the individual - although the Curia likes to think they have a monopoly over.  The faithful, as they have always done, ignore them when their hubris shows.  The Synod process is all about natural law - and liberals love it because it involves conversation with the right people - the laity. It will only fail where bishops return with their own views and not those of the people.



A word about political correctness - it is simply the desire to refer to people as they refer to themselves.  It is simple politeness.  It has nothing to do with tact or using the right words when dealing with authority and there is nothing unchristian or even liberal out it.  The question of the USCCB looking at the liturgy is an interesting one.  This seems to be in reaction to the priests who really hate the new words for the Collect and other spoken prayers of the day.  The people really aren't paying enough attention to even notice the clunkers the new translation has given us.  In Mass on Christmas, however, I found it interesting to hear the number of people responding with "and also with you" rather than "and with your spirit."  Still, Mass highlights what is important in the liturgy.  It is an us thing.  We do not consecrate the Host and go to Communion to be alone with Jesus - otherwise we could have a Rite for Mass at Home. We don't, we take Communion together - which is why the stubbornness by the Church and the Protestants is so vexing - especially because most of the faithful on both sides believe what they have been given - and I suspect most don't know or care about the real issues - which are as much about who is in charge as theology and natural law.  I think that was what Francis was getting at - not submission to everything but participation in community.  BTW, this is another occasion where he was speaking more as a parish priest than the Roman Patriarch and Pontiff - even though we all pay so much attention - probably too much. In this role, the observations of our own Pastors are as valid - although I suspect more people read about this Mass than attended the one at their parish.