I realize that our comments depart from the thread concerning the Gospel of St. Thomas so I will be brief. We are all sent temptations. You have singled out these two priests who loved the Church and have brought much joy and insight to many. I think their writings strengthened the Catholic faith immeasurably. You seem to think it led people away, perhaps because it included a measure of understanding and respect for other religions, but this is precisely what we were called to cultivate by Vatican II. The Notification posted by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith was done so many years after the death of Fr. DeMello. Obviously he could not respond. I would call that a cheap shot.
I believe the leaders of the Catholic Church are guided by the Holy Spirit. I do not know whether the Holy Spirit guides them exclusively and not leaders of other churches or indeed other religions. It would seem to me that would be putting the cart before the horse, insisting that we know the mind of God better than God. But this is a very human thing to do. I like the way the author Ann La Mott put it: “You can safely assume you have created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”
I reject the idea that either Merton’s or DeMello’s writings “vary substantially” from the teaching of the Church. If this were true one would expect that the “Imprimi Potest,” “Nihil Obstat,” and “Imprimatur” would have been withheld. They were not removed from their religious congregations or the priesthood. This must rankle their critics to no end, but it speaks to the great strength and splendor of the Church. Jesus said “be not afraid.” The fear of having open discussions (like this) and questioning teachings and leaders to arrive at deeper understandings is toxic and against Christ’s teaching. As I wrote in my first message, Merton and DeMello are not beyond criticism, any more than Cardinals Ratzinger and Bertone are beyond criticism. But I am pretty sure that both Merton and DeMello will be remembered and quoted long beyond the other two, in spite of Ratzinger’s election to the papacy. I do not worship the pope. Anyone who has read even the most cursory history of the papacy quickly realizes that some of them were flawed and in even disastrous leaders. Time will tell whether Benedict proves saintly. I worship Jesus. And if you think that the Catholic Church requires the worship and slavish obedience to the will of popes you are way off base.
You have a way of twisting what I wrote and changing its meaning, which is underhanded. I did not attack the Church’s conservatism. I actually acknowledged that there may be legitimate differences of opinion, and I am sure that those who are speaking as the guardians of the faith usually do so without guile. For me to disagree is not the same as demonizing, but by using that word you inject real venom into the discussion.
One day we will have another pope and those seven paragraphs on the Vatican website attacking Fr. DeMello will be taken down and forgotten. It’s all political. If you read the lives of the saints, you will quickly see that even the greatest were often vilified by the religious leaders of their day, quite often bishops, Grand Inquisitors, and even a few popes. We do not remember those who did the vilifying. And that, my friend, is also the work the Holy Spirit.
