Recently Pope Francis published a widely read and commented on papal letter. Like all modern churches, the Catholic Church lives in the tension of how to uphold its doctrine while remaining connected to social groups at odds with some those doctrines. This letter especially addresses the situation of divorced Catholics receiving communion, which is against church teaching. While I have not read the letter, a variety of observers suggest in different ways that the Pope attempts to “split the difference,” not repudiating conservative teaching per se, while at the same time opening the door to wider acceptance for the divorced and others.
As such, it is a lively example of one of my interests—how do modern Christians live within various tensions, such as that between keeping high doctrinal standards and while still loving and reaching out to those who somehow fall short of them? The Pope gives us one option: standing for doctrines, but also standing for greater flexibility in how they may be applied in individual situations.
Modern media does not usually present religious leaders in positive ways, but when it does, it is usually the pastor or priest who rejects the “letter of the law” in order to treat people with grace. Such movie characterizations usually collapse the tension, however; they in essence reject a belief system that is legalistic and death giving rather than life-giving.
Rarely do they portray really struggling to uphold serious standards while equally struggling to care for people. This, however, is what Pope Francis seems to be trying to do.
Catholic columnist Ross Douthat reflects that the Pope’s aim, while admirable, may fall short:
What the church considers serious sin becomes mere “irregularity.” What the church considers a commandment becomes a mere “ideal.” What the church once stated authoritatively it now proffers tentatively, in tones laced with self-effacement, self-critique.
Francis doubtless intends this language as a bridge between the church’s factions, just dogmatic enough for conservatives but perpetually open to more liberal interpretations. And such deliberate ambiguity does offer a center, of sorts, for a deeply divided church. But not one, I fear, that’s likely to permanently hold.
Lamin Sanneh, a professor of mission and world Christianity at Yale Divinity School, offers a different view:
The shift Pope Francis has signaled recognizes that disenchantment among Catholics cannot be resolved by resorting to even more edicts in which rigorous enforcement of these laws simply forces Catholics to choose between believing and belonging.
Often we are presented with only two choices. We can say, “We want you to feel like you belong, so believe whatever you want.” Or we can say, “Unless you believe exactly as we do, there’s no place for you here.” But how do we avoid forcing people to choose between believing and belonging, while retaining our integrity?
Parker Palmer, one of my backcountry guides into paradox, writes in his introduction to The Promise of Paradox:
“Perhaps contradictions are not impediments to the spiritual life but an integral part of it. Through them we may learn that the power for life comes from God, not from us.”
Pope Francis puts his papal finger on one place 21st century Christians really need the power of God!
Question: what are your thoughts about this tension between believing and belonging? Please share a comment.
I first heard of the paradox “The letter kills but the spirit gives life” from 2 Cor. 3:6 in Bible Study Fellowship. I was worshipping in a legalistic church that felt in many ways Pharisaical and unloving. I came to believe our world needs more grace and that we are not God to judge the ‘shortcomings’ of our fellow believers.
Also love author Parker Palmer – his parents and my own mom and dad were very close friends at what was then called the Wilmette Methodist Church on Lake and 10th. Especially love “Let Your Life Speak” from 1999. Can’t believe that little boy I knew became such a wise adult.
Diane, thanks so much for your comment and sharing your memory.
I think it is a difficult situation
We need to show love to each other
It is easy to pick a few sins and make them hard lines on the sand, while totally ignoring sins that may be easier hidden. Unless we can somehow read minds to find sin free people which do not exist, we need to realize we are ALL sinners and preach his word of love and redemption and take the log out of our own eyes before going for that speck in our neighbors
It is hard to find a way to try to have moral leaders, while being somewhat fair in our judgements