Catholic civil disobedience?

By Modesto P. Sa-onoy

 

Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, a Thomistic theologian and liturgical scholar wrote a lengthy blog in LifeSiteNews (January 5) where he challenged Catholics to exercise their right to disobey what they believed is an illegal and immoral mandate by the government. He was referring to the lockdowns and restrictions imposed on the exercise of religious liberty, particularly of the celebration of the Mass. To some extent his views apply in the Philippine situation.

The title of the blog is provocative, “It is time for civil disobedience in the name of fidelity to Christ.” For most people the challenge is simply off but he argues with severity against the governments’ impositions on churches and ready acquiescence of Church leaders.

Kwasniewski said, “Catholics need a hero. The faithful are calling out to the clergy for one perhaps ridiculous and fruitless effort to show how important the Eucharist truly is. The American Church is desperate for some action. Catholicism must be heroic, brave, and countercultural. Or it is nothing.

“There’s a time for lawyers and press conferences and petitions. This is not that time. Now is the time Catholics must be willing to draw a line in the sand and say here, and no further. Open the Churches. Don’t allow them to be closed. Let’s be willing to go to jail. Let’s be fools for Christ. Take a stand.

“Imagine the impact of seeing a priest put in jail for celebrating Mass. Yes, the media would ridicule that priest. Perhaps many in the Church would as well. But it would inspire millions to understand that ours is not a passive faith. We are different because we believe. Think of all the young men who might see that and be inspired.

“Force the secularists to put a priest, bishop, or cardinal in jail or rescind their anti-Catholic mandates. Force them to unmask themselves. Show the world who they really are. And let’s show the world who we are.”

His arguments are solid, backed by the long history of the Catholic Church that had undergone untold sacrifices and tribulations but never bending on the orders of the civil authorities when these mandates trample on religious liberties.

He cited the case of Ireland, the land that Filipinos had always thought to be the leader in the world for its hundreds of missionaries who braved the storms lashing at their ministry.

He said, “In Ireland, the bishops instantly caved in; and in many other parts of the world. With this kind of ‘playing dead,’ pretty soon the Church will move past playing dead—it will just be dead. And thus does Christian faith go out… not with a bang, but with a whimper. We witness the spectacle of Successors of the Apostles folding under lady governors’ sanitarian diktats.”

The Philippine Church also bent under the diktat of the government to close even after just one case of infection or none at all in many parts of the country. We heard voices from the Church seeking a compromise that will not expose people to infection and yet allow Masses to be held. Government lashed out at them.

I recall writing about the response of the Church in Europe during the Black Plague – the churches were opened, processions held even as people were falling down while in procession. There was no cure but the plagued died out.

As substitute for the Mass the Church offered Masses on air and television, but they are never complete without Holy Communion. In most instances not even the Spiritual Communion is prayed.  In a way, the system gives the impression that Holy Communion is not essential.

Kwasniewski argued against the statement, “We are supposed to overcome evil with good. That means abiding by all the civil laws and regulations. But laws and regulations must be proportioned to the common good and not be—or appear to be—radically opposed to it. Categorizing religious gatherings as ‘unnecessary’ or ‘inessential’ is manifestly contrary to the common good of society, which includes the public recognition of God’s right to receive due worship, and the priority of our spiritual obligations and needs, as Leo XIII, Pius XI, and other popes taught with one voice.”

 

Continued on Monday.