Abbey-Roads2

The King. 

King Henry VIII received this title from the Pope as a reward for his work, “Declaration of the Seven Sacraments Against Martin Luther”, which he wrote together with St. Thomas Moore.  The British monarchs have retained the title ever since.  Of course, history shows us how that defense of the faith ended - for the Church of England.

Bloggers as defenders of the faith.

Of course both Henry and Thomas Moore were laymen, and both staunch Roman Catholics.  Moore wrote more than Henry, and also persevered to martyrdom.  Laity have always been the Church’s strong defense.  Many bloggers today blog to defend the Church and her teaching, which is laudable indeed.

Recently, I have been exchanging emails with a friend who asked me, “Do you ever start to  wonder if the Catholic blogosphere might be doing more harm than good?”  Followed by another email asking, “Have you ever thought of the position of responsibility bloggers put themselves in?  Whatever they say reflects on the Church, whether they realize it or not?”

Those are rather provocative questions, don’t you agree?  At the Judgement, Our Lord says we will be accountable for every word we utter, and naturally, this will include our writings.  Everyone knows that the writings of candidates for canonization are scrutinized for the least hint of error - so what will the Judgement be like?  (I hope it’s quick.  I have no excuse for myself!)

The Scrutinies.

Of course the adopted job of some bloggers is to scrutinize others for any trace of error as they read their posts.  This isn’t a negative however, because if a blogger is blogging erroneous ideas and opinions concerning faith and morals, while claiming to be presenting Catholic doctrine, it is one’s duty to offer fraternal correction so that others are not led astray.

This same principle can be applied when a blogger writes a post pointing out the errors in teaching of a public figure or cleric, whose opinions may not be quite orthodox.  Naturally, everyone will do so courteously and intelligently, although sometimes, as with me, our passions get the best of us and our defense can read as an offense.

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from the sky.”

I like to remember ex-Catholics, such as Henry VIII, or others who were so devout and Catholic - although they had little or no patience, much less concern for those who didn’t agree with them - they keep me humble.  They were Dogma-dogs, as it were, sincerely defending the faith to be sure.  It is very humbling to know that some of these types left the Church.  Some were even more Catholic than the Pope.  The example of such persons has always remained a sort of warning for me.   

Yet to answer my friend’s questions, I replied that I do think blogging does more good than bad, especially when we learn from others, as well as our mistakes.  On the other hand, harm can be done when our writing becomes contentious, vindictive, and full of self opinion and pride - or simply an occasion to aggrandize ourselves through a sort of exhibitionism of our knowledge. 

Though St. Paul was addressing a different issue, I immediately thought of the passage in 1 Corinthians, “Let no one delude himself, if anyone of you thinks himself wise in a worldly way, he had better become a fool.  In this way he will truly be wise.  Since the Lord knows how empty are the thoughts of the wise.” - 1 Corinthians

Love and responsibilty.

As for the responsibilty of bloggers for what they write, and the notion all our writing casts a reflection upon the Church, as others perceive it, Christian life in general is about this responsibilty.  We always ought to be concerned that we neither give scandal or alienate people from the faith by our words, attitude and conduct.  To be a Christian carries with it a grave responsibility, beyond personal sanctification, or defending the faith.  Sometimes our zeal can come off as merely flaunting our knowledge of dogma and legalities in a triumphalist manner.

Again, St. Paul comes to mind with his instructions to the Galatians:

“If someone is detected in sin, you who live by the spirit should gently set him right, each of you trying to avoid falling into temptation himself.  Help carry one another’s burdens; in that way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  If anyone thinks he amounts to something, when he is in fact nothing, he is only deceiving himself.  Each man should look to his own conduct.” - Galatians 6 

I probably should quit blogging.  -  No, that wasn’t a question.