Bishop Peter J. Lee, of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, made a big stir several years ago when he suggested that, if forced to choose, we should always “choose heresy” over schism. He said: “If you must make a choice between heresy and schism, always choose heresy…as a heretic, you are only guilty of a wrong opinion… [but as] a schismatic, you have torn and divided the body of Christ. Choose heresy every time.”
washtimes.com/national/20040131-120323-2290r.htm
Conservative Protestants were astonished --absolutely astonished-- to hear Bishop Lee contend that we should ever “choose heresy” over schism. From a traditional Protestant standpoint, we almost always have chosen schism over heresy (or, at least, what we believe to be heresy). To us, it is important to stand for what Scripture teaches and, if necessary, to leave a church that preaches heresy. As Catholics are keen to point out, we have done so numerous times, again and again, leading to numerous Protestant Churches.
Yet, after participating in Catholic Answers Forums for a number of months now, it has struck me that perhaps Bishop Lee’s statement is very
Catholic at heart. Not that Catholics would “choose heresy” of course (although, as Protestants, we believe that to be the case at times and, as Catholics, you return the favor). But, instead, that it seems that Catholics are always preaching the value of unity…that the Body of Christ cannot be divided. So, from a Catholic viewpoint, what is the greater value here? If you were to ever see the Catholic Church teach heresy (humor me here) what would be your spiritual obligation assuming that you could not prevail upon the Church to correct itself? Do you remain yoked to unbelievers, or believers of another gospel, or do you enter into schism, having nothing further to do with your wayward brothers? Any thoughts?
