QUOTATION: Dissent

There is no less danger in contradicting the moral teachings of Jesus Christ than in rejecting his doctrine, for usually what causes the loss of faith is disorder in moral behavior.

--St. Jean Baptiste de la Sale, Meditations

QUOTATION: Theological Errors

Errors on the theological “right” are every bit as dangerous as those on the left, if not more so, because those on the right usually know better and desire to be faithful Catholics, unlike the left.

--Dave Armstrong, “Pensées on Radical Catholic Reactionaries”, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, December 27, 2015.

QUOTATION: The More Things Change...

The dogmas of the fathers are despised; apostolical traditions are set at nought; the discoveries of innovators hold sway in the Churches. Men have learned to be speculatists instead of theologians. The wisdom of the world has the place of honour, having dispossed the glorying in the Cross. The pastors are driven away, grievous wolves are brought in instead, and plunder the flock of Christ. Houses of prayer are destitute of preachers; the deserts are full of mourners: the aged sorrow, comparing what is with what was; more pitiable the young, as not knowing what they are deprived of.

--St. Basil the Great

QUOTATION: Pastoral Care

We wish to make it clear that departure from the Church’s teaching, or silence about it, in an effort to provide pastoral care is neither caring nor pastoral.

--Pope Benedict XVI

QUOTATION: Dissent

It is sometimes claimed that dissent from the Magisterium is totally compatible with being a ‘good Catholic’ and poses no obstacle to the reception of the sacraments. This is a grave error that challenges the teaching office of the bishops of the United States and elsewhere.

--Bl. John Paul II, Meeting with US Bishops at Our Lady Queen of Angels Minor Seminary, Los Angeles, Sept 16, 1987.

QUOTATION: Doctrine

If one yields ground on any single point of Catholic doctrine, one will later have to yield later in another, and again in another, and so on until such surrenders come to be something normal and acceptable. And when one gets used to rejecting dogma bit by bit, the final result will be the repudiation of it altogether.

-- St. Vincent of Lerins

QUOTATION: Dissent

As individuals, we can claim to believe whatever we want. We can posture, and rationalize our choices, and make alibis with each other all day long — but no excuse for our lack of honesty and zeal will work with the God who made us. God knows our hearts better than we do. If we don’t conform our hearts and actions to the faith we claim to believe, we’re only fooling ourselves.

--Archbishop Charles Chaput

QUOTATION: Antichrist

The plainest mark of the Antichrist is the proud unwillingness to follow the teaching of Christ as interpreted by the Church.

-- Fr. John Hardon

QUOTATION: Selective Belief

If you believe what you like in the Gospel, and reject what you don't like, it is not the Gospel you believe, but yourself.

--St. Augustine

QUOTATION: Conditional Faith Produces Conditional Catholics

Maybe people are led to think, the Church will change its position on this or that or the other thing. The "maybes" of conditionality produce conditional Catholics, and conditional Catholics are deprived of the joy of unqualified discipleship.

--Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, 'To Propose The Truth'

QUOTATION: Dissent and Ignorance

Our situation is best described not in terms of dissent but of widespread ignorance and confusion. Admittedly, the problem is compounded by the fact that there are some who do dissent-theologians and others who are not above employing ignorance and confusion to advance their own views.

--Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, 'To Propose The Truth'