The “Mini Theologians"

Title

Creator

Sherry, Robert J.

Language

English

Year

1971

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

Adapted from The Parsihioner’s Handbook by Rev. John B. Fee.

Fulltext

the cross THE "MINI Official bi-monthly organ o/ the KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS in the Philippines, Knights of Columbus Bldg., Beateiio St., Intramuros, P.O Box 510, Manila. Tel. 47-39-49 Subscription: P3.00 a year. Re-entered as second class mail matter at the Manila Post Office on March 11, 1963. THEOLOGIANS" By RT. REV. MSGR. ROBERT J. SHERRY (Adapted from THE PARSIHIONER'S HANDBOOK by Rev. John R. Fee) May-June, 1971 VOL. XVIII No. 5-6 IN THIS ISSUE ARTICLES: IFC-3 The “Mini Theologians” /?// Rt. Rer. Msgr. Robert J. Sherry 1 Education for a Living Ry Renjaniin M. Pascual 8 Student Activism from the Campus View Ry SK Florentine) I. Cadigal, Jr. 10 Smutty Comics Breed Mind Pollution Ry Renito S. De Castro 11 New Service Program Re places G-Point Plan 19 What it Means to be a K of C Ry Perfeeto Sison DEPARTMENTS: 12 K of C Foto News 1G Knights in the News 17 K of C Community Services 18 Knights in Action 20 New Members 22 Columbian Squires Ry Rro. Comelio Cagurangan IBC From the Desk of the Phil ippine Deputy Editor & Publisher- Jose Galan y Blanco Managing Editor-. Rev. George J. Willmann, S.J. Asst. Editor: I. V. Tolentino Bus. Mgr.: Rev. Francisco G. Tantoco, Jr. Advt. Mgr.: Faustino R. Navarro Pope Paul VI EDITOR'S NOTE: Monsignor Sherry, is the pastor of a large pa rish St. Williams Church, in Cincin nati, Ohio. Before that he served as Chaplain in the U.S. Army for 2*/i years and later for many years as Rector of the major seminary in Cin cinnati, so he knows what he is writ ing about. MANY GOOD CATHOLICS are disturbed these days by the wild and irresponsible state ments attributed to some “theologians.” A student of theology is not a theologian by a long shot. Simple membership in a theological society does not make one a theolo gian; they are often only “tinkling cymbals and sound ing brass”. A true Catholic theologian ia an eminent specialist, a person of faith, of prayer, of distinctive in tellectual ability, of mature scho larship, of sound and prudent judgment. They are few and far between. The rest are immature, self-styled theologians whose chief aim seems to be to achieve some passing notoriety by making out landish statements in the press or over the air.. They do not realize that a little knowledge is a danger ous thing. Since Vatican Council II a new vogue has been born. Under the pretext or illusion that they share vvii?.?en'mindedne88 Of P°Pe John XXIII an obstreperous, articulate minority, has embraced and pro moted a counterfeit freedom, a reckless and capricious disregard for orderly procedure, moderation and prudence. In a carnival spirit, these pseudo-intellectuals press on, adopting their own vocabulary of banalities to any far-out theory or hypothesis catching their fancy. Some of the more familiar fact ors contributing to the current disorder and confusion existing in the Church today are: 1. Intemperate criticism of the “institutional' church” by persons who have defected from the Church, or have changed from the clerical or religious life to the lay - state, often for reasons that are iar from doctrinal. Their publicized criticisms of the Church frequent ly reveal their own failings and weaknesses. 2. Several pictorial, news-weekly and other secular publications which regularly present sensational and eccentric persons and attitudes as representative of the post-Council Catholic. 3. Occasional radio and televi sion programs, especially of the guest and interview variety which obviously search out and assemble dissident, defiant loud-mouthed zealots with messianic complexes who specialize in deriding the Church. 4. Several publications, which solicit and depend on Catholic subscribers, and are known as “Catholic” periodicals, have made a policy of publishing irresponsi ble statements and distortions of doctrine and moral discipline, which are clearly incompatible with responsible research and the defined doctrines of the Church. They attempt to capture the pa tronage of the young, to cater to the avant-garde, to gain the sup port of what they regard as elite charismatic groups in opposition to the “institutional church.” Not Much Sense Such irresponsibilities have caused harm without measure to the work of legitimate, sensible and holy renewal in the Church. Many religious and lay people alike, have too often given their ears to these fringe personalities and groups who are “updating the Church” in accordance with their own imprud ent juvenile ideas. Our Lord spoke for our times too, .when he warned against the false prophets who might deceive even the elect. In his opening address at Vati can Council II, Pope John XXIII told the Bishops at the Council: “In the daily exercise of Our pastoral office We sometimes have to listen, much to our regret, to voices of persons who though burning with zeal are not endowed with much sense of discretion or measure. The Church should never depart from the sacred patrimony of truth received from the Fathers. Our duty is not only to guard this precious treasure, but to dedicate ourselves with an earnest will and wiAiout fear to the work which our era demands of us.” The words of St. Paul (2 Timothy, verse 4) are timely: “The time will come when men will not listen to sound teaching, but with ears itch ing, will pile up for themselves May-June, 1971 teachers who suit their pleasure. They will turn away their hearing from the truth to fables.” In the latest instruction issued by the newly created Congregation for Divine Worship (May 8, I960) we read: “In our day and age there are those who think they are upto-date only when they can show off novelty, often bizarre, or de vise arbitrary forms of liturgical celebrations. Priests, both religious and diocesan, considerate of the true welfare of the faithful, real ize that only in a generous and unyielding fidelity to the will of the Church, expressed in its direc tive norms and structure, lies the secret of a lasting and pastoral success. Those who wander from this line, even if it is alluring, fi nish in creating bewilderment in the faithful. At the same time they are killing and rendering sterile their sacerdotal ministry.” Keep Up Your Courage But thank God, there is a bright er side to the picture. In whatever passing crisis befalls society there we can expect to find forces that will fight for its preservation, just as the human body has when at tacked by germs. And in the pre sent instance, you loyal faithful Catholic laity are one of the many forces which can be counted upon REPUBLIC EXTERMINATING COMPANY Pre-treatment (Soil Poison ing) Extermination of: Structural Pests (Anays, Unos and Bukbok) Rodents Fogging & Spraying of Fly ing and Crawling Insects (Roaches, Flies, Mosqui toes, Ticks, Fleas, etc.) SK. AUGUSTO V President & G SK. NESTOR V. TANGHAL Treasurer Rm. 303 Luzco Building 360 David Street. Manila P. O. BOX No. 4126 CALOOCAN CITY BRANCH 422 Samson Road, Caloocan City (near Second Rizal Development Bank) (Tel. 07 - 71-00-91) “SKILLED, HONEST AND CONSCIENTIOUS SERVICE” to turn back the current vogue of smartness and confusion to the sources of wholesome truth and reality. Just be patient a little longer and continue to put your trust and con fidence in the promise of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that He will be with His Church all days even to the end of the world, "and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against Her”. (Matthew 16. 13 to 19). He established His Church upon Peter and the Apostles and promised to be with them and their successors, the Pope and Bishops today, in their office of teaching, ruling and sanctifying. It is to them that Christ guaranteed the assist ance of “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name: he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”. (John 14, 25). You can put trust in the Pope and the Bishops today, who are in union with him. They constitute the sole teaching authority in the Church— and no one else. Just stay with them. Long after the hippies, yip pies and kooks have disappeared, the Pope and Bishops will he here to be our safe guides on the road to eternal life. Pray earnestly for the Pope and the Bishops, who need your loyal support in these days of trial for the Church. Fumigation of Warehouses and Barges Eradication of Pests on Lawn, Plants and Trees 25 Years of Service in Pest Control 1946-1971 . TANGHAL, SR. en. Manager Telephones: 40-24-96 40-49-07 47-51-63 47-92-36 Page 3

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