Spiritual violence

Posted on March 4, 2010, 1:47 am, by Thom, under Catholic Christianity, Christendom, Life, Spirituality.

MadPriest posted a quote this morning by Matthew Parris in an article from The Guardian:

If Jesus had not existed, the Catholic church would never have invented him. Jesus of Nazareth is a colossal embarrassment to the Catholic church … The Roman Catholic church tell us to bow our heads, to take orders, and to be afraid … Rome stands between the individual and the sky, blocking the light.

I’m not here to debate the factuality of his claim, but rather to mourn the reasons that he feels the way that he does. What an indictment. What an ironclad notice of failure for the Church- all of us.

What kind of spiritual violence must this man have experienced to feel this way and write about it. I have experienced it; I’ve been there. It is not a nice place to be, and it was entirely preventable.

Many of us run around half-cocked thinking that we know everything there is to know and confident that everyone should listen to us. We hold Truth hostage to our egos and our pride.

This Lent, let’s try to let that go. Jesus speaks for himself quite well, actually.

Pax et bonum.

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11 Comments

  1. Kevin says:
    March 4, 2010 at 11:17 am

    Wow, just wow. That quote is a keeper. In a weird sort of irony I find some comfort in the thought that if Jesus hadn’t existed than the church wouldn’t have invented Him. It makes me wonder what kind of Jesus the church would have invented if they got all the say.

    What is funny about the quote, is that the speaker seems to be circling around a great mystery of Christian living, i,e. Jesus is not the Church. I think sometimes the Church can hurt folks so badly that the injured forget that.

  2. Peter says:
    March 4, 2010 at 1:12 pm

    Now I’m puzzled. I don’t know his reasons, nor do I know what kind of failure(s) he meant. Discussing serious issues requires something more than this little piece from another blog. And Thom, are you thinking about spiritual violence in particular case of Mr. Parris, or in more general terms? I need clarification what you mean by spiritual violence because it’s not clear to me.

  3. Thom says:
    March 4, 2010 at 2:38 pm

    Kevin, I think you’re on to something.

    Peter, “spiritual violence” refers to the damage done to people in matters of spirituality and religion that pushes them away from Divine Love instead of drawing them toward it. It can be achieved in many, many ways.

  4. Peter says:
    March 5, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Well, I’m still suspicious of him. It’s pretty clear he despises religion (not only the Church) and that’s, among other reasons, why I doubt his sincerity. I may be wrong but I suspect he used it only to prove how wrong and bad the Church is. I don’t trust such people.

    As for this spiritual violence – it’s quite subjective in its nature, so it’s hard to discuss it. It would be easier if we were provided with real-life stories. I’m not sure, knowing sensitivity of many people, if we can trust people in their judgments. WE should be very cautious.

  5. Davis d'Ambly says:
    March 5, 2010 at 1:03 pm

    Parris is indeed not a Catholic, or Christian to my knowledge. Still truth can come from voices outside the Church. What’s important is to examine not only their intention, but whether there’s something to what they say.

    The Church has failed a multitude of human beings over 2000 years. To deny that is to put one’s head in the sand.

  6. Peter says:
    March 6, 2010 at 2:45 pm

    Davis, it depends on how you define failure(s) of the Church.

  7. Davis d'Ambly says:
    March 6, 2010 at 3:16 pm

    Yes, of course, Peter. I’d say it is when she fails to protect her children – all of them. She remains the Church, but has yet to fulfill all things in Christ.

  8. Peter says:
    March 6, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Protection from what? It’s not clear to me. But that emphasis “all of them” got me thinking. So, you think that some of the God’s children aren’t protected, right? If so, who are those people and how can we improve it?

  9. Davis d'Ambly says:
    March 8, 2010 at 3:09 pm

    Really, Peter…

    Women, gay people, Jews, children…the list is so vast that volumes have been and continue to be written. The point is the Church has and continues to fail the children of God. That she remains our mother, I have not doubt, but to pretend that all is well and has always been so defies common intelligence. Pray for the Church.

  10. Thom says:
    March 8, 2010 at 5:18 pm

    Davis, yes.

  11. Peter says:
    March 12, 2010 at 1:26 pm

    I guess, I should have expected that, Davis.

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