“Pope slams conservative ‘fanatics’ who make doctrine an ‘ideology.’” When I saw this headline recently, I found myself wondering what Pope Francis meant to convey by the word “fanatic.” The Latin roots of the word referred to people caught up in a frenzy of religious fervor while worshipping in the temple of their god. That meaning still has something to do with the curtailed version of the word “fan”, as it brings to mind enraptured teenagers at a concert for their favorite pop idol: moving to the beat of the music, and mouthing lyrics as religiously as ancient worshippers sung the canticles of praise to their idols. Of course, this week it also brings to mind religious enthusiasts of a different sort, like the jihadist suicide bomber who murdered just such concert goers after pop idol Ariana Grande’s concert in Manchester.
Frankly, none of these illustrations of fanaticism even faintly resemble the behavior of Roman Catholic prelates like Cardinals Carlo Caffarra or Raymond Burke, who are among “the Cardinals who have asked for doctrinal clarification on Pope Francis’ exhortation Amoris Laetitia,“ described by the USCCB as the Pope’s “reflection on the family and family life.” Others have described it as a source of deep confusion, which has already encouraged actions that contradict Christ’s ministry and the teachings the Catholic Church has based upon it.
The Cardinals’ letter to Pope Francis seeking answers to alleviate this confusion has not a trace of the passionately mindless frenzy, or rote declamations, the word “fanatic” immediately calls to mind. It is a model of respectful reasoning, of the sort that requires a mind willing to accept the discipline of logical thought. In this regard, the letter demands the thoughtfulness Jesus often demanded from those he addressed, using parables, and examples that ended with a question or raised questions along the way. The letter takes account of Holy Scripture. It refers readers to texts accepted as part of the Church’s Magisterium, which, by God’s Spirit, motivates and informs the understanding of the body of Christ throughout the world.
The word fanatic calls to mind unquestioning obedience, not the willingness to ask questions that reveal one’s doubtful understanding. In the Scriptures, people who prove to be of unquestionable faith raise questions and confess doubt: As Abraham did before Sodom was extinguished by God’s wrath; As Moses did before returning to his brethren in Egypt; as Thomas did, before believing in the risen Christ, despite the evidence of his own eyes. God did not rebuke, nor Christ simply condemn this disposition to put truth to the test, even as Jacob did, wrestling with the Angel of God.
Serious questions are not the characteristic pose of fanaticism. It is more often the case that those seeking to impose fanatical beliefs fend off serious questions, deploying the word as an insult. The Thomistic way of thinking has for centuries been the Catholic paradigm for those faithfully seeking to comprehend God’s truth. It exemplifies a meticulous willingness to hear and answer doubtful objections. It is in keeping with the demeanor of Christ, who did not, for example, ignore the father of the stricken child when he cried out “Lord I believe! Help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:19-23)
In our day, stalked by prideful wickedness and imperialistic sin, there are not a few who are like the tormented child of that desperate father. They are troubled by the spirit of these times. It casts them from the searing fire of sensual addiction into the smothering waters of empty spiritualism and self-made idolatry. Christ did not rebuke the father for his defect of faith. Rather, mindful of “the multitude running together”, who would be edified or else discouraged by his response, “he threatened the unclean spirit, saying to him: Deaf and dumb spirit, I command thee, go out of him and enter not any more into him.”
According to the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, the Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ, called to act in His person. He exemplifies, and is therefore called to inspire and instruct, the members of the body of Christ throughout the world. For, both as clergy or laity, they are called to stand for Jesus in their lives. So, they teach and preach the good news of salvation—in and through the God-blessed sustenance the living body of Christ represents to the world—to this day. Perhaps they err who strive to conform to the words and mind of Christ when he insisted on the sacred bond of flesh and God’s will marriage represents. Perhaps they erred who kept to the vocation it involves—to respect God’s will for life, through procreation and child rearing.
If the respect they have shown for the commitments marriage undertakes, and for God’s part in sealing them—even in defiance of sin—is no longer to be upheld; if it is no longer placed above the ambition to seek personal gratification or fulfillment at their expense; if enduring marriage is no longer the fruit of faithful trust in God, but has become an artifact of some reflexive “ideology”; why is it “fanaticism” to represent those who have, through all the trials and temptations of their married life, believed in the truth of the Church’s previous and consistent teachings? Why is it “fanaticism” to seek answers that may help them to understand why the discipline which God rewarded in their family lives, is no longer to be respected in the Church’s pastoral care?
Why is it “fanaticism” for Cardinals, called to almost the highest level of care and concern for the spiritual welfare of the faithful, to minister for these marriage sojourners; to represent their cry of faith “Lord, I believe!”; and to ask, on their behalf for a Pastoral response that makes sense of what is, at the very least, a new departure? It seems to rebuke what they thought was the practice required by the way of life in Christ. It is not fanaticism to seek affirmation of the essential meaning of the marriage bond, by which God institutes marriage as a true signpost of faith, pointing the way, for those who follow Christ, toward God; and life in union with Christ and God, forever.