Perplexing Pastoral Proposals in Modern-day Roman Catholicism

In a book recently discussed by the Reformanda Initiative, Francesco Celestino offers advice and insight into modern-day Roman Catholicism that promotes an outward focused church that desires to encounter mankind. That is all well and good, but the implications of Celestino's suggestions on how to encounter mankind deserve a further examination, as with great accuracy they encapsulate the modern-day Roman Catholic idea of evangelization and mission.

Imagine you meet a person of another faith and you begin a dialogue about your religious convictions. If you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, how should you approach such a conversation? What should be your overall objective? What should form the foundation and bedrock of your approach to dialogue? Celestino offers practical pastoral advice for the Roman Catholic that faces this very dilemma. He rightly points out that it is important to testify to your own faith with an attitude of charity and truthfulness. However he then adds, "In other words, it is a matter of communion and fraternity that have as their foundation collaboration, solidarity, and openness to coexistence with religious differences, placing the emphasis on what unites, and not on what divides" (Francesco Celestino, Una Chiesa che vuole Incontrare L'uomo: Per una vita Pastorale alla luce dell'Evangelii gaudium, Città del Vaticano 2021, p. 216).

It is interesting and important to note the foundations proposed by Celestino on which such an encounter ought to take place. They are collaboration, openness and solidarity. For him these form the bedrock of interreligious dialogue. Furthermore, Celestino makes it very clear that the believer is not to focus on the particularities that divide (i.e. the gospel distinctives), but instead on what unites the two that ought to be the focus of the conversation. This helps ensure the desired outcome of solidarity, openness, and peaceful coexistence.  

Also interesting and worthy of note is a quote Celestino cites in the following paragraph that comes from a 2004 document of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples. In one paragraph (para. 69) it discusses interreligious dialogue and says the following: "Dialogue among different religions must not, however, be understood as just looking for points in common so as to build peace together but above all as an occasion to rediscover convictions shared in each community. These include prayer, fasting, man's fundamental vocation, openness to the Transcendent, the adoration of God and solidarity between nations." The document then makes this statement: "Nevertheless we ourselves must never renounce the proclamation - either explicit or implicit - according to circumstances - of salvation in Christ, the only Mediator between God and man. The whole work of the Church moves in this direction in such a way that neither fraternal dialogue nor the exchange and sharing of human values can diminish the Church's commitment to evangelization."

It would seem that the glaring contradictions of both Celestino's and the Pontifical Council's pastoral advice on interreligious dialogue are quite clear, but apparently they are not. In any case, they raise serious questions and concerns. For example, how can one focus on what unites people of different faiths, while also insisting on the proclamation of salvation in Christ, the only Mediator between God and man? How can one seek out shared convictions, while not diminishing the Church's commitment to evangelization? These juxtapositions, when understood in the light of Scripture, are simply not compatible. This is a serious problem, and it is poor pastoral advice. Adding greatly to the concern, this line of thought has recently been clearly affirmed by Pope Francis in his latest encyclical Fratelli tutti. In other words, it very accurately represents modern-day Roman Catholicism and its teachings on interreligious dialogue and evangelization, which in turn defines mission.

Hopefully we can provide more sound, biblical advice here, albeit briefly. First of all, it's important to note that by nature and by design the gospel of Jesus Christ does not initially unite, but instead divides. Christ himself makes this painfully clear in Matthew 10:34-39. The gospel of Christ brings people to a point of crisis in their lives. Rightly understood, it presents a point of no return. This is why Paul can speak of faith in Christ as being a new creation, with the previous ways and life being transformed and renewed by the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:17). On the basis of common grace, different faith communities can experience degrees of solidarity, collaboration and peaceful cohabitation. However, the gospel demands that Christians pray and act towards the conversion of their non-Christian neighbors. While they strive to live in peace with all, gospel transformation of lives and communities is their ultimate goal.  

This highlights another important point. Peace, solidarity, collaboration and coexistence are all possible even when the distinctives of the gospel are being faithfully and boldly maintained. It is false and untrue to suggest that those things are not possible when one is challenged to leave behind their old ways and old beliefs and turn to Christ. This is why Paul is so intent on declaring that the gospel must be shared in love and come from a place of love. Otherwise the one proclaiming the gospel is nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13). The suggestion that living in peace in a pluralistic society is possible only if distinctives are set aside and commonalities are sought is not biblical. The Bible expects Christians to be fully committed and outspoken followers of Christ and as such being good neighbors as well (1 Peter 2:11-12). 

In the citations of Celestino and the Pontifical Council above it is difficult to comprehend what is meant by evangelization. This is due to the contradictory nature of the pastoral advice offered for interreligious dialogue. When, however, the gospel distinctives are faithfully maintained and proclaimed, evangelization becomes clear. It is proclaiming Christ crucified, a message that demands repentance and a rejection and turning away from the old self and the old ways, and becoming a new creation in Christ. "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?'" (Matthew 16,24-26).

Our task as Christians is to proclaim the gospel, and proclaim it boldly. Do not be ashamed or dissuaded by its demand for repentance and radical life change, for the gospel "is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16). While always growing in the knowledge of the Word, never rely on your own abilities, for it is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin. Speaking of the Holy Spirit in the Gospel of John, Christ himself says, "And when he comes , he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment..." (John 16:8). Take courage, therefore, and proclaim the gospel boldly, and to God alone be all the glory!