Defining “The Church”
When I talk about “the Church” with a capital “C” you can be sure that I am referring to the Catholic Church, founded by Jesus upon Simon Peter, the first Pope. The Church that compiled, protected, and preserved the Bible for 2000 years. The Church built on the unbroken succession of apostles. The Church that stands up for it’s teachings even when they are unpopular. The Church that provides the most charitable support to those in need around the world. The Church who is made holy by God, but is full of sinners. The Church who brought you a long list of inspirational, counter-cultural, monumental people with “St.” before their names. That Church.
“Let no man do anything connected with the Church without the bishop. Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is [administered] either by the bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Wherever the bishop shall appear, there let the multitude [of the people] also be; even as, wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.”
When people attack “the Church” they often mean different things: Catholics, the Pope, the hierarchy, Christianity as a whole, or even religion in general. If you are a Catholic, then pointing fingers at the Church isn’t very helpful, because YOU are the Church you silly goose! The Church is the community of believers, the followers of Christ, the baptized, saints and sinners, you and I.
We Need More Problem Solvers
Some of the common reasons Catholics complain about the Church are solvable (it’s a word I checked) as a direct result of the actions of said Catholics. If someone is complaining about something the Church does, doesn’t do, or should do, instead of just complaining about it perhaps that person could be the solution to the problem.
For example, Jane says the Church should do more to help the victims of natural disasters, a good plan and virtuous cause. So why doesn’t Jane volunteer her time, talent, and treasure towards this effort? Probably because it’s easier to point fingers at someone else than to take action yourself. I know “former” Catholics who left the Church over valid problems at the parish community level. Rather than stick around and be a catalyst for change, bringing about a solution to the problem, whatever it may be, these people chose to run away from the problem and give up on religion or join another church, which they soon found had it’s own problems in need of solving.
It seems like a rather simple idea, but many people are afraid to take action. They don’t want to “stir things up.” Really? Do you remember Jesus “cleansing the temple“? He took advantage of various opportunities to straighten people out when they weren’t going about things the right way. He didn’t speak out to cause scandal, but to show people the way. He didn’t just complain about things, He did something about them. But He handled them with love.
Two Ways to Handle Problems
I’m going to give two examples of historical Church figures, both of whom were monks in the Middle Ages, who saw a need for change in the Church and did something about it. One of them went about it the right way, the other not so much.
Martin Luther
An Augustinian monk in Germany, Martin Luther wrote a list of complaints about things that were happening in the Church that didn’t follow the Bible. When his problems weren’t dealt with the way he wanted he indignantly and arrogantly blew off the Church. He sought to reform the Church from the inside, but ended up attacking it from the outside. His failed efforts at fixing valid problems brought about the Protestant Reformation which splintered Christianity into the thousands of sects and denominations we find today.
St. Francis of Assisi
A playboy-turned-preacher in central Italy, Francis practiced his faith in a bold way living out the Gospel literally—including extreme poverty, selfless service, intense prayer, fraternal love, and self-denial—standing in stark contrast to the majority of his contemporary Catholic brethren. All he did was follow Jesus’ teachings making of his life an example of God’s love. His witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ brought about the renewal of the Church world-wide.
What problems do you see in your parish, diocese, or the Church in general that need fixing and what can you do to be a catalyst for bringing about the necessary change?