If we wish to proceed securely in all things, we must hold fast to the following principle: What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church so defines. —Saint Ignatius of Loyola
This famous statement by St. Ignatius represents a mentality that is deeply unpopular in our culture. It rubs against two powerful currents of the Zeitgeist: the belief in the absolute autonomy of individual conscience and a deep-seated mistrust of authority. And yet Ignatius thought that his point was so important that he included a whole section on the topic in his Spiritual Exercises, entitled “Thinking with the Church”.
Ignatius was immersed in his time but was not defined by it. Like all great saints, he was primarily defined by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, Ignatius was a modern who was not uncritical of modernity. And though his spirituality emphasized an intense, personal relationship between the individual person and God―which is strikingly modern in spirit―Ignatius was convinced that this relationship had to be firmly embedded in the Church. It is for this reason that he emphasized the virtue of “thinking with the Church”.
The principle Ignatius expresses in the quote above was an edgy way of articulating an ecclesiological vision that is sharply opposed to individualism. Notice that he does not say, “I must believe that black is white if the Church says so.” He says, “What seems to me white, I will believe black if the hierarchical Church so defines.” In other words, Ignatius’s words are a caution that individual judgement is not as trustworthy as we often naïvely think it is. Truth is not what seems but what is.
Most of Ignatius’s rules for thinking with the Church were specific responses to his own times. He urges the faithful “to praise practices” that were being abandoned by Protestants, like the veneration of saints and relics, but to avoid needless controversies by making uninformed comments on topics like predestination. He warned people not to gossip publicly about incompetent superiors or clergy, but rather, if really necessary, discretely to raise concerns with the competent authorities. In sum, Ignatius’s rules call us to be ardent, responsible and charitable members of the Body of Christ.
How today can we take to heart the Ignatian call to think with the Church?
First, we can make the difficult self-examination of how willing we are to submit our judgement to Church hierarchy. This is a proposition that might be literally revolting to some: all the more reason to challenge our knee-jerk reactions―agere contra, or “act against”, as Ignatius would say. Lest there be confusion, it should be pointed out that the Church only claims competency to pronounce on faith and morals―thus, we can dismiss any fears that the Church can make binding judgements about why the dinosaurs became extinct or what the inflation rate should be during a recession. …
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The second way we can think with the Church today relates to how we react to real abuses in the Church. The Ignatian response is charitable, responsible and, whenever possible, discrete. It does not tolerate gossip or slander. If you are frustrated with a Church teaching, consider speaking to a spiritual director rather than venting online. If you think a pastor is abusing his authority, consider not just walking away but respectfully addressing your concerns using established channels. If you tire of a Church that seems to have little to offer you, turn your gaze inwards and ask what you have to offer the Church.
Thank you, God Bless, MemawHere’s a blog entry from Canadian Jesuit, Adam Hincks. It’s dated but I think it’s pretty good.
ibosj.ca/2013/04/thinking-with-church.html
Here are some excerpts: