Three Theologies; One Catholic Church

Since the Council, Catholicism has been a three-way theological contest between Progressives, Traditionals, and the solid center, the "Communios" or the "JohnPaulBennys" who follow those two popes. It resembles the three paths of Judaism: Reform, Conservative and Orthodox. But there will be no schism, no split, no parting of the ways. This is because the forces for unity in the Church are many, powerful and deep. These include: the person of Jesus, the sacramental/litugrical economy, our devotional life, the hierarchy, and the social ethos.

Actually, Judaism itself has a similar underlying unity which is not ideological or intellectual. Imagine a large Jewish family that gathers for a wedding, funeral or such: the group includes some Hasids, a few wealthy Republican businessmen, a pornography director, some militant Zionists, agnostic/atheists of various flavors (Marxists, Freudians, Nietzcheans), and a handful of laidback, easy-going pothead indiffernists. But at the funeral there is something that unites them all...something mysterious that cannot be precisely defined...it is blood, memory, tradition, culture including food, music, erudition, humour, and a multitude of intangibles.

And so, something similar with Catholicism.

First, of course, the fascination with and love for Jesus, the person of Jesus, in his relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, even as that is understood in disparate ways.

Secondly, the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. First of all, of course, is baptism, which indelibly bonds us to one another in a way that no power in heaven or on earth can eliminate. Example: every five years our Maryknoll College Seminary class of 1969 gathers; we have gone on very different paths; many of us would disagree fiercely on theology and politics; many, probably most, no longer practice the Catholic sacramental life. But there is a deep communion of respect and affection, rooted in our shared history. The reunion climaxes, always, with a Catholic mass, celebrated in a casual but reverent way by one of our classmate priests. It is personal and intimate and quite deep. No one would imagine to suggest an alternative: not a group sharing, not a bible study, not a 12-step meeting, not a hootnany. There is a deep, unarticulated sense of the sacredness of the mass: even as we would lack a shared understanding of it.

Thirdly, there is our devotional life, notably centered on Mary. Joe Biden, notoroious renegede, ostentatiously presents his rosary beads as proof of his authentic Catholicity. It is persuasive, if for many of us, infuriating.

Fourthly, there is the hierarchy and priesthood. Those of us at both extremes rage at the perceived failures and disloyalties of priest, bishop and pope because they are so important to us, especially as sacramentals of unity.

Lastly, there is the Catholic social ethos. To be clear the sexual teaching of the Church in relation to the Cultural Revolution is the polarizing nexus of the last 56 years; but the social compassion for the poor, suffering and marginalized is a unifying factore. We all want to feed the hungry and clothe the naked, even as we propose different ways to do that. Example: in my own large, Irish-Catholic extended family, we are fierce in our political-theological differences. About 20 years ago the tone was not so nice. (My own writings were banned from the family webpage by our Matriarch!) However, since our family joined together in the Magnificat Home project (homes for low-income women) a pronounced serenity came upon our family. Over the last 12 years I cannot recall any really nasty arguments with my siblings. We avoid the contested issues; and enjoy our deep, affectionate family bonds.

And so, I suspect I am not alone in being of two minds about the Church: my deliberative, cognitive mind is fiercely combatative in the Culture War; but other dimensions of my heart, intellect and spirit relax and enjoy the deep, satisfying currents of affection, memory, humour and Catholic life that unite us.