I'm back at work after my 5 day cleaning frenzy. Taking a quick coffee/blogging break. Surprisingly it wasn't too bad coming in today after the time away. Yes I had many fires to put out. Yes I'd probably rather be doing something else with my life. But that will come in due time, and for now I've got a job to do that I am uniquely qualified to do. Trying to keep the healthy attitude!!
I've also been thinking about something else though. Last night I watched the second half of the lecture by Timothy Radcliffe, former Master General of the Dominicans which I've written about before. He touches on so many things, each worthy of thought and reflection. This one was a question and a challenge though - and something I've given lots of thought.
He talked about the polarization in our church, especially here in the US. Each camp has its own theologians, its own newspapers, its own journals, its own religious orders, its own heroes, its own key words and litmus test (and its own blogs). I tend to put myself in the progressive camp. I'm considering joining a group of progressive groovy sisters. Just look at the links to the right and you'll see that I follow the more progressive writings of the church. Yet we are all Catholic Christians. We have common ground in Christ and we I think are all needed to bring about the reign of God. We're all part of God's plan. But there is such division, rather than unity. In the blog world too. My bloggy friends are the more tolerant type. I don’t visit the more cantankerous or divisive progressive blogs, and I'll admit I tend to ignore the more conservative movements in the church. But I know they're out there and quite popular too.
Radcliffe suggests that perhaps those in religious life are being called in this time of polarization to bridge the gap, to be a prophetic voice for healing and unity in the church. Unity of heart and mind. The difficulty is that we tend to think of unity of mind as agreement on doctrine and dogma. The progressives think everyone should think the same as them. The conservatives likewise. And it's always been this way I suppose, but does it have to be?
There was a question from the audience about what unity of heart and mind could look like in bridging the divide. I immediately thought - openness, dialogue and respect. Pretty simple really when you get down to it. Yet not so simple.
I'm rambling and my coffee break is over.
Any thoughts?
5 comments:
I think one of the key elements to bridging the gap is respect for the other side.
Right now there's such a lack of respect. I'm on the more liberal side of the Church and the feeling I often get from conservatives is "you're not really Catholic" and "the Church would be better off without people like you." The progressives aren't any more respectful toward the conservatives.
I think the answer for all of us is to get over ourselves. And what's that line I've heard from time to time? Something like "love one another as I have loved you." That would be a good start.
I'm not sure polarization is the right word when one group has all the (worldly) power and the other speaks for the powerless. It's not as if two groups have moved away from the middle. There was no middle, only forced orthodoxy. "Progressives" are struggling to be heard by the conservative powers-that-be, and conservatives are fighting back in ways that hurt and alienate progressives, forcing us to take refuge in our own quarters. I don't think we are ghettoized by choice. It's just plain hard to speak up for the "least" when you know you will be attacked for it. Of course, that is exactly what we are supposed to do, as Christians. But still, it's very hard and I don't blame progressives for flocking together for mutual protection and comfort.
Sylvia,
I understand what you're saying and my post by no means was meant to be chastising or accusatory. I find myself in the same situation often times. Rather, it was a wondering whether we are being challenged to do more. Like Andrea says, to love our neighbor. Even if we will be persecuted because we're following the example of that Jesus guy.
How are we supposed to transform the world if we can't even get along within our own church? I'm thinking there must be another way. A new path. Where everyone respects everyone. I have a feeling that some conservatives, rightly or wrongly, might feel hurt or alienated by things progressives have said at different points. Granted there's the power analysis too.
But the personal call I feel is to help find a way to dialogue and respect where no one feels oppressed or intimidated but able to live out the gospel in the way they feel called to do.
Pipe dream? Perhaps. But definitely no blame. Challenge perhaps, but not blame.
Check out "Bridging the Great Divide: Musings of a Post-Liberal, Post-Conservative, Evangelical Catholic" by Fr. Robert Barron. In my mind, he's one of the more insightful and helpful Catholics writing on issues surrounding polarization these days. His book "The Strangest Way" is also great!
Thanks Mark. Will do.
Post a Comment