Moral dilemma: Shall a Catholic priest, as a means of saving hundreds of innocent lives, publicly (apparently) renounce the divinity of Jesus Christ?

[Roman_Army]

I don’t want to give up to much for anyone who hasn’t read the book. It is a really good novel but very heartbreaking.

It is the same situation as someone who has to lie to save a life. They shouldn’t lie but they should make use of a mental reservation if they can to save a life. I really can’t imagine Jesus wanting thousands of people tortured to death over weeks rather than have someone spit on a picture of Him.

Be careful not to put words in Jesus’ mouth, he has already spoken about it:

“And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for me, shall find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39 [D-RB]).

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For he that will save his life, shall lose it: and he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall find it.”(Matthew 16:24-25 [D-RB]).

“And calling the multitude together with his disciples, he said to them: If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel, shall save it.” (Mark 8:34-35 [D-RB]).

" And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?" (Luke 9:23-25 [D-RB]).

“And whosoever doth not carry his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27 [D-RB])

Need more quotes from Jesus? Do you think Peter did the right thing in denying Jesus three times in order to save his own skin from persecution? Both Peter himself and Jesus do not think so!

 

[JRKH]

I don’t want to give up to much for anyone who hasn’t read the book. It is a really good novel but very heartbreaking.

It is the same situation as someone who has to lie to save a life. They shouldn’t lie but they should make use of a mental reservation if they can to save a life. I really can’t imagine Jesus wanting thousands of people tortured to death over weeks rather than have someone spit on a picture of Him.

That’s OK, you answered my main question.
I now know that you were relating the decision that was made in the novel and not relating what YOU believe the answer should be.

Peace
James

 

[mdgspencer]

I agree that such a priest should not renounce Christ. However, while I disagree with Tosk that it is better deny Christ to save many lives, he does know that the situation is heart-breaking. It would not be the priest’s fault that these people die, but if I were him I would mourn their death the rest of my life and pray for the souls of these innocent people. We have been lucky in our country to be spared such persecution, and though I know God would not have me renounce Christ, still, what is the cost? But there may be a time in our future when we face our own such dilemmas about loyalty to Christ.

 

[ljubim]

The catechism says that we may not do evil even if it were to result in good. Must have been a fun discussion between you two! Moral discussions are so much fun

 

[Gerard_Nadal]

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My wife read a book by a Japanese author (translated into Korean) that was likely historical fiction. Nevertheless it contained a moral dilemma that I’d like to see discussed on Catholic.com!

In general terms:

A civil authority has imprisoned a priest and begins to steadily torture and murder his innocent new converts (in his plain sight), of which there are hundreds, imprisoned with him. The official of the civil authority who is directing the killing promises the priest that he will stop torturing and killing the priest’s followers if the priest will renounce Jesus Christ and step on an image of Jesus Christ.
(Simplifying assumption: assume that the official will in fact keep his word)

What should the priest do? If there is only one right answer, I’d like to know the Catholic moral justification for it (hopefully by a highly qualified Catholic priest)

**The torturer, by definition, is a sadist. He is looking to break the spirit of the new converts by getting their priest to betray them. Once he does, once he desecrates the image of Jesus and denounces Him, the spirit of the converts would be shattered.

Then the real carnival would begin.

The torturer would slaughter the remaining converts and the Priest, probably saving him for last, and use this as a lesson to any who would think of converting in the future. That is the aim of Satan, is it not?

The Priest must not betray his flock, but pray them into Heaven. **

 

[CB_Catholic]

It is rather strange, but martyrdom does not strengthen the cause of the tyrant in the long run, rather it strengthens the faith of others. This has been proven throughout history. The innocents killed in such a scenario would long be remembered in a positive light, and the priest would be remembered for having the courage to stand up for his beliefs, while the tyrant is remembered for the cruel and petty things he did. Ultimately, the Christian position is strengthened.

 

[Brooklyn]

I don’t want to give up to much for anyone who hasn’t read the book. It is a really good novel but very heartbreaking.

It is the same situation as someone who has to lie to save a life. They shouldn’t lie but they should make use of a mental reservation if they can to save a life. I really can’t imagine Jesus wanting thousands of people tortured to death over weeks rather than have someone spit on a picture of Him.

This is absolutely, positively NOT the same as lying to someone to save a life. The truth should be given to those to whom it is due. Example, Nazis were not entitled to know the location of Jews so they could be arrested and killed. Therefore, to “lie” to a Nazi to protect a Jew would not be a sin because the Nazis were not deserving of the truth.

However, in this case, to publicly denounce Our Lord in order to save physical lives is on the same level as Peter when Christ told him that the Son of Man must die, and Peter said, no, no, I will never let that happen. What did Christ say to him? “Get thee behind me Satan.” Our physical lives are not what is important, it is our souls that are important, as has been eloquently stated in this thread.

I think this goes to the heart of what being a Christian is all about. Are you ready to renounce your own life for Our Lord? He who seeks to save his life shall lose it.

The priest in this situation is in the same situation as Our Blessed Mother at the foot of the Cross. She had to give her Son to the executioners in order that the world be saved. This priest would have to give the lives of innocent people to these murderers in order that souls be saved.

Our Lord certainly does not take pleasure in the murder of his saints. But their souls and the salvation of other souls is the most important thing of all.

 

[Jason_1977]

why a catholic priest? Why not phrase it…SHOULD A PRIEST…Hmmm…THat gives the question a different tone. Should any priest publicly renounce? Pastor, reverend, what have you. I dont think any priest or lay person, what have you, would do such a thing. If they did, it would be on HIS conscience & soul. He’d have to answer for that. What a ridiculous question this is I think. Respectfully, Jason

 

[Arwen037]

Do you have the right to force someone else to die for your beliefs? Yes, it good if you can give your life as a martyr, but that is not what is happening here. It is others being killed for the priest’s beliefs, not the priest being killed for the priest’s beliefs. Mary didn’t give her son to the executioners, he gave himself to the executioners. I’m not sure what the right thing would be, but it is not the same thing as the priest being a martyr.

And as for the people who said that the torturer would just go ahead and continue the killing, the OP said to work under the assumption that the official would keep his word. Does that change your mind? Or can you only justify the priest refusing to deny Jesus if everyone dies either way?