Association with dissident/schismatic materials

[Lazerlike42]

I hold a job at a Catholic book and gift store. The store has lots of good things, but it also has a lot of materials which either are or boarder on schismatic/dissident traditionalism, for example Fr. Gruner’s materials, materials published by the Society of St. Pius X, etc.

Some of these items are for sale, others are given out free to customers. I never hand the things out for free, but on one occassion I did have to answer yes to a customer who wanted to know if he could take one of them.

My questions are in regards to my moral responsibility in this situation. Is it sinful - in even the smallest way - for me to be there and to be in some way associated with these things. Am I obliged to tell people not to read these materials or to take them?

I do believe that this is a rather big deal. These materials relate to a matter of obedience. They encourage dissent, obviously. I am appalled looking through some of the SSPX stuff to see some of the subversive ways that they try to get around their obligation to obedience. I say this only to emphasize that in my mind, these aren’t just minor things that are irrelevant, but perhaps others will think otherwise.

I’d like as many opinions as possible, and in particular if anybody can give me a good reason for their opinion or some citation of Church teaching or the comment of a bishop or pope on such an issue, that would be wonderful.

God bless!

 

[BobP123]

There have been numerous threads concerning the SSPX status on the traditional forum but shouldn’t you be also concerned with heretical material?

 

[Lazerlike42]

There have been numerous threads concerning the SSPX status on the traditional forum but shouldn’t you be also concerned with heretical material?

I understand that status of the SSPX. I am asking a question of application.

I also have to apologize for not knowing what you are talking about when you mention heretical material. I didn’t say there was any heretical material, so I am assuming you are intending to make some point that I’ve missed!

 

[mdgspencer]

Why not simply look for another job? That would deal with your doubts. Personally I wouldn’t do anything to promote Father Gueler or the Society of Pius X, over which I assume people have lost their souls for following. Whether or not you are morally obliged to resign, I don’t know. Perhaps speaking with an orthodox priest would be helpful.

 

[Voco_proTatiano]

Dear Friend,
Do not fear to handle or distribute material which you consider to be contrary to faith.
I have a copy of Mein Kampf.
I am not a fan of A Hitler, and consider much of his fruit as perverted.
However, by reading his work, I can get a glimpse inside his now thankfully deceased mind, and can begin to see what were the causes of his ultimate loss of humanity.
It is by looking inside the mind of your enemy that you begin to see how he sees the universe, thus you can either defeat or convert your enemy.
No knowledge is evil or useless. It is only by knowledge of error that error can be corrected.
By all means hand out these ‘erroneous’ documents, but then as you hand them over, explain to the receiver why you consider them to be erroneous. If possible, explain how the document illustrates the cause of the error. Thus, be sure that before you condemn it, that you yourself, understand it.

 

[DanteAlighieri]

Dear Friend,
Do not fear to handle or distribute material which you consider to be contrary to faith.
I have a copy of Mein Kampf.
I am not a fan of A Hitler, and consider much of his fruit as perverted.
However, by reading his work, I can get a glimpse inside his now thankfully deceased mind, and can begin to see what were the causes of his ultimate loss of humanity.
It is by looking inside the mind of your enemy that you begin to see how he sees the universe, thus you can either defeat or convert your enemy.
No knowledge is evil or useless. It is only by knowledge of error that error can be corrected.
By all means hand out these ‘erroneous’ documents, but then as you hand them over, explain to the receiver why you consider them to be erroneous. If possible, explain how the document illustrates the cause of the error. Thus, be sure that before you condemn it, that you yourself, understand it.

Well said! I would add, however, that not everyone is equally well equipped to read such things objectively. I can’t count how many times I almost was swayed by arguments against this or that Catholic dogma because the argument was made in a way that was convincing, if flawed.

If the OP is solid enough in his faith that reading heretical materials will not challenge his beliefs, you could be right, Voco. If not, or if he is ignorant of the things that would illuminate the errors in the writings, he may be putting himself in harm’s way.

I’d say the same would be true for those to whom he must hand out these materials, unless he is well prepared with a concise, effective, and non-accusatory commentary to share with people who ask for the materials.

Frankly, I think this should be taken to the pastor or bishop post haste. While there is obvious value to the study of “the enemy’s” works, such may not be the calling of every Catholic.

Peace,
Dante

 

[Sure]

Perhaps you could assist the store owner in shredding much of the material. After all, if he’s interested in promoting Catholicism he should not be spreading lies whether they come from schismatics or leftist heretics. Ask him to consider selling only truly Catholic books…there are plenty.

 

[Hlafdige]

Jimmy Akin makes some good points about the problem of evil-by-association:
catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0511bt.asp
and
jimmyakin.org/2004/09/what_ratzinger_.html
John the Baptist didn’t require his converts (soldiers, tax collectors) to quit the service of the Roman empire. If you were in another line of business (medicine? teaching?) you might face the same problems or worse, but that doesn’t mean that medicine, teaching or bookselling are unfit occupations for a Catholic.