Commentaries
Index
"Catholicism
in
the Land of Make Believe" continued
Buffet Catholic
Many years ago, a fast food restaurant chain
had the slogan “Have it your way! Have it your way!” which very
much sums up the thoughts and theologies of another category of
Pseudo-catholics. Unlike the previous staunch Vatican II
opponents mentioned, these sects view contemporary Roman Catholicism as
being too authoritarian and uncompassionate. As if religion was
meant to be like an experience at a buffet dinner, members of these
churches are not held to a specific set of doctrines and norms.
Adhering to the principle of “freedom of belief”, their hierarchy’s
trust in their flock allows its members to decide for themselves what
is right and what is wrong, as long as they are living in
“sincerity”. As a result, members of these churches can be active
homosexuals, divorced and remarried, transgendered, believe in
reincarnation, astrology, etc. without any hindrances to the reception
of the sacraments. Because they shun any dictatorial regulations,
priests as well as “nuns” can be married, women are allowed to be
ordained as priestesses, same-sex weddings can take place, abortion is
permitted under “some circumstances”, etc. Like the “meals” that
are served at popular restaurants, the Buffet catholic churches are
designed to be appealing to the widest variety of people
possible. Hypothetically, even a non-Christian can feel welcome
in these churches!
Another characteristic that distinguishes
Buffet catholic churches from other Pseudo-catholics is their
ecclesiology. They do not view themselves as the real Catholic
Church, but as a “branch” of the Catholic faith that is meant to be a
healing refuge for those who feel disenfranchised by the “legalistic
tendencies” of the “other branch”. Since they do not believe that
the hierarchy should dictate norms as an expression of their pastoral
care, the papacy is not valued as the ultimate visible ecclesial
authority. Following this notion, they do not condemn or
excommunicate those who profess beliefs in sedevacantism, novus papa or
those who subject themselves to the authority of the bishop of
Rome. Everyone is allowed to believe in what they want and live
in the way they want because living in “sincerity” places all
viewpoints (even the ones that oppose one another) on equal
ground. One might assume that this type of religious value system
mirrors that the relativism of today’s popular culture, but in the Land
of Make Believe, the term “relativism” can be baptized as an expression
of “compassionate Catholicism”.
Commentaries
Index