Opinion: Putting the archbishop’s comments in perspective

By James Goodness
Record
October 21, 2015

http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/putting-the-archbishop-s-comments-in-perspective-1.1437298

THE RECORD'S coverage during the week of Oct. 12 about principles that Archbishop John J. Myers had shared with the priests of the archdiocese to help them deal with people in different situations regarding married life and maintain church teaching is misdirecting people from the truth of the document.

It is important to put the document and the coverage into perspective.

The document, "Principles to Aid in Preserving and Protecting the Catholic Faith in the Midst of an Increasingly Secular Culture," very clearly says that these are principles. They are not "rules" or "particular law" being set down. In his role as primary teacher of the faith in this archdiocese, it is appropriate and central to Archbishop Myers' ministry to give advice and direction to priests and others involved in parish ministry as they deal directly with people facing some of the challenges about married life and living according to the faith. It is also important to make sure that this is done in line with the laws and teaching of the church.

In particular, the principles call on priests to walk with the people as they journey through their situations, and to cherish and welcome them to participate in the life of the church to the extent they can.

This direction is very much in line with the thinking and actions of Pope Francis, who often reminds us that church teaching is not changing.

Rather, priests must help people understand the teaching, resolve differences and bring about conversion.

Distributed by email

We distributed the principles by email to parishes as an internal document on Friday afternoon, Oct. 9. On Saturday a Record reporter called me to say the paper had obtained a copy of the document and had a couple of questions. He said he knew something about the Catholic faith and that from his point of view he didn't see that there was anything new. In fact, it looked like Archbishop Myers was merely restating church teaching.

I agreed, and reminded him that this message was consistent with what the Holy Father has been saying. The reporter thanked me, and I thought it was the end of it.

Yet on Monday, another reporter left a message that he "wanted to follow up" with me. I didn't call back because I had already gone on record about the truth of the document.

The second reporter's Oct. 13 story dealt not with the facts. It centered instead on perceptions and comments by people not involved in the discussions or development of the principles, comments more in line with The Record's idea of how the church should be. It is interesting that the extremely negative comments of a canon law expert included in that story actually have been called "a startling overreaction" to a "basically routine letter" by another nationally recognized canonist.

The next story, on Wednesday, was filled with negative comments by people whose opinions appear to have been shaped not by clergy or the document itself, but rather by The Record's and other media outlets' opinions and coverage.

The Record may not believe it, but there are many, many people in the archdiocese and elsewhere who feel that the principles Archbishop Myers has provided his priests are positive and supportive of the church and the Holy Father's teaching. Here is just one comment we received this week: "Thank you for speaking out and clarifying some truths regarding marriage ... I liked your clear pastoral teaching this week. You will attract the ire of the media who are enjoying the current confused state of the church, but it is encouraging to your flock to know that we have some leaders who are not confused or intimidated. God bless you."

Positives outweigh negatives

Yes, we have received complaints, but the positives far outnumber the negatives. And church law is not made by polls or opinion surveys.

Finally, Alfred Doblin's kitchen-sink column on Friday left no vestige of impartiality concerning The Record's coverage of the church. His message: Don't read the document or seek the guidance of the church and her clergy. We'll tell you what everything means and what you need to know.

Thomas Paine's words, "These are the times that try men's souls," are as pertinent today as they were in 1776. People are hurting spiritually and emotionally, and they need the help of the church. This local Church of Newark is following the Holy Father's lead in seeking to serve the people of God where they are, based on the Gospel of Jesus and church teaching and tradition — despite what you may read elsewhere.