Augustin56
Well-Known Member
Let me start at the end and work my way back.
The office of theologian carries no ecclesial authority with it. They have no authority, on their own, to declare doctrine. The job of theologians is to seek deeper meaning to existing truths, never to try to change an existing truth. The job of theologian is wrought with danger, the danger of becoming prideful, which can blind one to the truth. Being a priest or a theologian carries no guarantee that one cannot create error or sin. In fact, much depends on where and when he attended seminary and got his education. I knew of one priest who, when he left the Air Force to seek a seminary (early 1970's, I think), traveled all over the U.S., looking for one that was acceptable seminary and could not find one! He and another guy in the same situation went to Europe and ended up going to seminary in Italy. Another priest I knew (nteresting story), had gotten his masters degree here in the states and was sent to Navarre University in Spain to get his doctorate. He didn't know Spanish, so he took a full emersion course when he got there for about a month. Then, they told him they didn't recognize his masters degree from the U.S., but he would be allowed to take the test for a masters degree there, This consisted of the candidates randomly selecting a ball with a number on it from a bin, then matching the number up with a list of topics. They had 5 minutes to prepare a 45 minute lecture on that topic, before a board of professors, after which was a question and answer period. He had been told by someone that since English was his main language, he would be able to do his lecture in English. But when he got up, he asked, "En ignles, si?" They said, "No! En Castellano!" (Castillian Spanish)! He panicked and prayed for help. Then, he just began in Spanish, "En el principio..." (Genesis 1:1 - In the beginning...) He talked for 45 minutes and answered the questions. When it was all done, they posted the grades in the hall outside for everyone. A buddy asked him how he did, and he said, "I have no idea. I don't speak enough Spanish to be able to tell!" So, his friend looked and said, "Wow! You got the highest score!" God works in mysterious ways!
With regard to lay Catholics, I fully agree. The vast majority of Catholics in this country have about a half-understood 2nd or 3rd grade education in the faith. CCD has been horrible the last couple of generations. In fact, the joke is that CCD actually stands for Color, Cut, and Draw, meaning it's just an art class. Color pictures of Jesus, etc. It's starting to come around, though. I belong to a large university parish and have taught CCD for many years. I'm really impressed by these young people and their expression of faith! College students! Great attendance at daily Mass, Adoration, events, etc. Church is packed during the school year (not so much the Summer because for whatever looney toon reason, they doubled the tuition during the Summar only).
I blame much of the problems the world is experiencing currently on the failure of the Catholic Church to do its job well. It actually does have the fullness of Christ's truths and all the Sacraments, etc., that Christ gave it that are necessary to create saints, but it has been very ineffective in doing what it should be doing. This is not new, though. Throughout all of the history of Christianity, there have been ebbs and flows in faith. Then, God steps in, shakes things up and provides what's needed to get back on track again, like any good Father.
God doesn't live in time, but in eternity. He sees all of creation from beginning to end. He isn't reactive. He knows exactly how everything will happen, when and how. He allows bad things to happen in order to bring about a greater good.
