Deplatforming the Deplatformers

There is a disturbing trend among some Catholic influencers. They heap negative criticism upon popes and prelates for meeting with those who are in most need of God's mercy. That hostile trend has been growing for some time, now aided by various technologies. It’s true that some members of the clergy act in ways that go against Catholic virtue and deserve to be called out. More on that later.

There are Catholic influencers who are angry at the optics of a pope meeting with a female (Anglican) "archbishop." People assume that meeting with someone is part of a conspiracy that includes acceptance of heterodox teaching and practice.

Optics - really?!

• Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman. St John 4:1-42
• Jesus protects a woman caught in adultery by challenging her accusers and offering her mercy instead of condemnation. St John 8:1-11
• Jesus dined with tax collectors and sinners at Matthew's house. St Matthew 9:10-13, St Mark 2:15-17, and St Luke 5:29-32

"What was Jesus thinking?!! Didn't he know he was sullying himself by meeting with such miscreants and by violating social norms? How dare he? That's no way a messiah should act!"

Those who are enamoured in the optics of the Church's outreach would do well to reflect on the preceding biblical passages.

Catholics, true to our master's example, must reach out to engage those who are lost or wandering, whose behaviours risk placing them in perdition. We do not condone sinful behaviour; but we engage to propose God's plan.

We bring Christ to others.

Catholics have a duty to speak with all, to call home those who have strayed, to call to repentance those who attack the innocent, those who align themselves with insane socio-political ideologies. We invite them to discussion, to examine their consciences, and to turn away from sin. When said wanderers or enemies are offered charity and respect for their fundamental dignity - even when they themselves cannot see nor live out their dignity - there becomes the possibility of change. Sin may be uprooted. A life may change. A soul may be nudged in the right direction. The Church proposes; God disposes. The individual can choose life or choose to remain in sin.

Ironically, a lot of "Catholic" influencers sound like members of the woke mob who routinely try to shout down or intimidate opposition. Certainly, Catholic media should not be promoting opinions that have no place among the faithful because any outfit calling itself a Catholic organization should only present informed Catholic perspectives.

Frankly, those who claim to be Catholic should know better than to act like schismatics - the SSPX? - or pretend to represent the Magisterium of the Church while condoning sin and twisting Church teaching - certain German bishops? Those brethren have been engaged, and yet they resist the authority of the Magisterium. Perhaps a time-out for them in the form of silence is appropriate. ?

Jesus didn’t coddle Peter; he challenged the chief apostle with both high expectations and strong support. Judas, overwhelmed by despair, took his own life after betraying Christ. Peter, who had denied Christ three times, was welcomed back, repented, and was restored to his office.

Why is it that so-called "trads" fail to hear the voice of authority? Perhaps they deserve the time-out they are receiving? Why is that so-called "progressives" fail to abide by the teaching of Christ? Perhaps they, too, will meet with a "time-out" orchestrated by He Who will separate the goats from the sheep.

If it walks and talks like a duck... .

Catholic: Ubi Petrus, ibi Ecclesia. Where Peter is, there is the Church.
The Smug: But the Pope is not Peter.
Catholic: Who says, you?
The Smug: The Pope and the Second Vatican Council are in error.
Catholic: That's a rather sweeping indictment.
The Smug: We will consecrate our own bishops.
Catholic: You can, but you shouldn't.
The Smug: Who says, you?
Catholic: Your parroting makes you sound desperate.
The Smug: He has no authority.
Catholic: Say what now?!
The Smug: Like I said, the pope's in error.
Catholic: Only the disobedient, heretics and schismatics, defy the Holy Father in matters of faith and morals.
The Smug: Would you pleeeeease not refer to us as schismatics?
Catholic: You would do well to remember Christ's prayer to the Father: Ut unum sint.
The Smug: You dare lecture me?!

Catholic: You deny the Pope's authority. You act like you're an alter-magisterium. If the shoe fits...

• https://catholicesquire.substack.com/p/legal-positivism-and-liberalism-drive
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElIN1iPeSEk
• St Matthew 21:12
• St Matthew 23:25

The Lost Sheep

To whom did Christ direct his efforts? He spoke with those in most need of his mercy, God's mercy. Mercy is not approval, it is speaking and modelling the truth with love. Jesus did not condone sin, he called people out of sin to come and follow him (St Mark 8:34; St Matthew 19:21). To follow Jesus is to take up one's cross, to leave the 99 sheep to pursue the one sheep who has strayed. God is relentless in His pursuit of us sheep.

St Luke 15:3-7 | So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

See also: St Matthew 18:12-14

A notorious agent of the state who with full public approval, drags innocent people before a court and has them put to death because of their beliefs. Imagine when that same notorious killer undergoes a conversion and shows up in your parish or synagogue claiming to have met Christ and to have repented of his sins. That was Saint Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus.

Acts 9:1-19 | But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed about him. And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting; but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani′as. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Anani′as.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, and he has seen a man named Anani′as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” But Anani′as answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” So Anani′as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized, and took food and was strengthened.

God is relentless!

Excerpt from by The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson (1859–1907)

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

Up vistaed hopes, I sped;

And shot, precipitated,

Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbèd pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat—and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet—

"All things betray thee, who betrayest Me."

We might try to dodge the call to bear witness to the Resurrection, seeking God only within the comfort of our own perspectives, but that mindset will eventually fail us. Or, we can take the risk of embracing His invitation to a new life and join in His mission to save souls.