Open letter to Catholic haters
Spain
by:José María Olaizola, sj Religion Digital Magazine
I usually pass. Normally I avoid responding in public to the variety of nonsense that you occasionally see published. Normally I avoid entering into the rag of provocation of those who are only Catholic in name, because they are the least universal thing you can imagine.
But there are times when silence is not enough . It is true that sometimes being silent is the most sensible thing to do. Because there are people who just want noise. And he fights, to be able to continue arguing until exhaustion, to be able to continue pouring bile, to be able to dwell on his reproaches and obsessions. But when you are silent too much, it ends up seeming like you are giving in, and you end up making people who perhaps have good intentions - but not much success - join the chorus of firecrackers, convinced that by insulting they are faithful and that by repeating slogans they defend the truth.
I can only tell you one thing. The Church is very broad. There is room for many more people in it than you have decided that there is room for us. Many more people, and many more ways of doing things. You are delighted to fantasize about a past that you idealize, although it also had lights and shadows, forgetting that what has changed is the entire society . You blame Catholics other than yourselves for the passage of time. Without wanting to see that what has changed is the entire world, and it is in this world today that the gospel must be announced. You blame the parishes, the religious orders, the bishops you dislike, the Pope himself... But if you stopped to think, you would see that even in your own families things are no longer the same as before... and it is not your fault (or mine). The world is different. And it is in this world today (not in another non-existent one) in which we have to continue making Jesus Christ, and his good news, known . With successes and errors, without a doubt, but without the arrogance of someone who believes that only his way is valid and that this also authorizes him to constantly insult and disrespect others.
You have three slogans that you use, whether it works or not. You love labels with which you simplify the complex . You boast with your words a depth that you do not demonstrate with your attitude. You demand fidelity to Christ, while you continue to crucify him in your words and contempt. You lie, perhaps without realizing it, by labeling, denigrating and selling certificates of orthodoxy. You question the faith of someone who loves Christ, because you have not stopped to listen to even half a minute of what they say. You vomit contempt without thinking about the harm you do to people.
I hope, one day, you will open your eyes, your heart and your core to the Risen One, who continues to appear and invite you to live in peace. Happy Easter