The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1962-03-23
Our opinion
EDITORIALS
Christian Maturity

The March issue of the IhomlStIc theological
Quarterly Gross and Crown, carries an excellent artl-
Gle on the qualities of maturity which the Christian
layman and apostle should possess. C"ChriStlan Ma
turity" by D. Thalhammer, SD ,
Father Thalhammer points out that a mature
Christian bases his convictions and moral life on the
unshakable foundations Of faith and truth. He is spirit
ually formed and strengthened by the ever-present
authority of the Church and is therefore able to act
according to his Christian conscience in the world
about him.
THIS DOES o mean, the author says, that the
mature Christian is blindly and complacently doclle
to individual Church leadership in the externals. In
~teligent obedience may even demand at exceptional
times that the faithful dissent from the clergy, If erro-
neouS decisions have been made and Gods cause calls
for action. This. is SO because the mature Christian
is the coW0rkef of the clergy IN fulfilling ChrlStS
mission in the world.
:" Bat Father Thalhammer warns that this cannot
condone anticlercaiSm which attacks priests and
religious at every turn or opposes ecclesiastical au-
thorlty because of an erroneous conception of enamel
patton.
The Austrian priest well says that the Church
does not prevent laymen from taking a stand even on
theological problem IF the layman has the necessary
knowledge and is able to think theologically. But the
layman is,not less bound to the dogmas and directives
of the ministry or to ecclesiastical obedience than the
priest.
THESE THOUGHTS are most appropriate in the
recent interest shown by laymen In religious matters,
or social and economic matters which concern moral
ity.
II is only right that our people should speak out
in agreement or in dissent with the clergy In these
areas provided the above norms are observed.
Certainly if any of the clergy are duped or lag
gard in duty as regards Communism, for example, the
layman is duty bound to admonlSh the offender In
charity.
However, in some recent instances the funda-
,1nental nornS have not been observed. We cite, Tor
example, Bic charges by amateurs in theology, econo-
mics and Sociology against Father John f. Cronin that
he is a victim" of the Red conspiracy. This is arrant
nonsense. Father .Cronin has been fighting Com
munism for over 20 years. He was one OF the first IN
the. United States 10 point out subVerslon IN our
governmental agencies IN 1916 and his information
led to the trail and conviction Of Alger Hiss. 80 today,
if he says the threat from within is not as great as be
dore 1850 he should be listened to as an expert. One
may disagree with his view, but to lmpugn his know
ledge or intelligence is an insult.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE is an article titled "A
Challenge for The Catholic Press by April Oursler
Armstrong from st, Joseph Magazine for February,
1862, Which has been reprinted to censure most OF the
Catholic press in this country,
Mrs. Armstrong has some good criticisms, but
she shows her lack of depth in theology when she
writes. ''Ihe Church says should mean Christ says"
Yet in current usage it may mean some men OF the
Church, or some council or some encyclical' or
perhaps. only s"some editor"
We respectfully point out to Mrs, Armstrong that
if "some men of the Church" are bishops and the mat
ter is faith and morals then we must listen to them.
II "some men, are editors or other writer's then each
is to be evaluated in his particular field of knowledge.
But il the Church says means some council'
we are dealing with the magiSterium of the Church
and not mere opinion. And if it means "Some encyci-
cal' we ask her TO review this point of religion:
1t is hardly possible for a Catholic TO reject
papa. teaching on any aspect Of the social order related
to morals on the ground that such teaching is not in
fallible. - Catholics are obliged by religious obedience
to accept Fundamentally the category of the social
teaching of the Church. II would appear contary to the
obligation of religious obedience to openly contest
ordinary papal teaching publicly in the press, from a
pulpit Oh, lecture platform" Msgr. Francis Carney,
The Catholic Mind, March 1862.
Father Thalhammer sums up by saying both lay
man and clergy should esteem each other highly,
acknowledge their respective roles, but recognize the
hierarchical order given by Christ to the Church.
-GAF
A*s