“ In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” St. Augustine

How do you deal with controversial topics?

Here is an example from history. Discussions about Baptism were a really big deal in the fourth century. I remember reading years ago the great writings about the necessity of Baptism, and the inclusion of infants in that consideration. The necessity of Baptism hinged on the reality of original sin. The inclusion of infants was controversial in light of an early belief that Baptism washed away all sins a person had committed up to that point. Some argued, therefore,  that people should wait for Baptism as long as possible in their life, so as to not lose the effect of Baptism for whatever sinful pattern might be present in their lives.

St. Augustine (354-430AD) got right into it. But he researched and argued from the teaching authority of the church, right back to apostolic times three hundred years earlier. Infant baptism was there, and so he was adamant that in his own writings he was not introducing anything novel into our faith.

Moreover, he refers at length to St. Cyprian who wrote extensively on the matter of Baptism but who added that in all such discussions, we must attend to St. Paul’s familiar exhortation, “(T)hough I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I have become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”  Augustine comments: “He (Cyprian) had therefore imperfect insight into the hidden mystery of the sacrament. But if he had known the mysteries of all sacraments, without having charity, it would have been nothing. ..... (W)ith imperfect insight into the mystery, (he) was careful to preserve charity with all courage and humility and faith.....” What a lovely insertion into the dialogue.

Why this little history lesson?

Two reasons: one, we have lost respect for the teaching authority of the church. In so many quarters today in and out of the church, those who disagree with Pope Francis so often go straight to branding him a heretic, and wishing out loud for his papacy to end. One impertinent bishop recently dared the pope to fire him.

The second reason is obvious from the first. The charity urged by St. Cyprian has been replaced by politicized, agenda-driven ideological attacks on the pope. Which means on the teaching authority of the church.

If St. Augustine were alive today, that is where he would start.

Full disclosure: I am a huge supporter of Pope Francis. His challenges to all of us to return to the social justice roots of the Gospel are nothing less than inspired and led by the Holy Spirit.

St. Augustine stopped and considered his position on Baptism in light of church authority. The successor of Peter in 2020 merits that same consideration. This is especially true given that the issues the pope tackles are very big: urging realignment of political and economic policies based on relationships and on human need rather than on power and economic dominance; establishing real pro-life mindsets (ie, supporting mothers with young children) not just pro-birth; rethinking the God-given rights of same sex persons to live in families; advocating for stewardship of the environment, and on and on.

I told you these are big! Don’t you feel it as you read that list? The same intensity undoubtedly drove the writings on Baptism from Augustine’s time! There were big issues in there! But remember, he anchored himself in two things: the tradition of the apostolic teaching authority of the church, and Cyprian’s enunciation of ‘without charity we are sounding brass and tinkling cymbals.’

Political and church leadership in various quarters around the world has introduced and fostered divisiveness, bitterness, and anger as in perhaps no other time in history. In our families, in our governments, and elsewhere we shout and threaten. And we know what topics not to bring up.

Really??

Time for Catholics and Christians of all stripes to dial it down and return to the Gospel. Suck up the disagreements and talk. And listen. Because if we believe anything at all, it has to include that the Holy Spirit will lead us. The job of God has been taken. We are embarrassing ourselves and betraying what Augustine showed us when we act in any other way.