Thursday, May 06, 2010

Spy Wednesday

I know, I know, it's Thursday today.
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Spy Wednesday is the only mention in the Roman calendar I can think of which memorializes anything remotely connected with espionage and betrayal - and not in a good way either.  Rather it is an infamous day, Wednesday of Holy week, the day before Holy Thursday when Judas betrayed Christ.  What is interesting about that whole scenario is how Jesus never once commanded his followers closest to him to infiltrate the Scribes and Pharisees in order to spy on them and find out what they were plotting.  Judas acted alone however - becoming a sort of double agent, perhaps believing himself to be acting on Christ's behalf - for the good of the nation of course.
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The work of Christ, the work of the Church is to evangelize - to work openly for the salvation of souls - in witness to the truth.  A lie - an evil - can never be undertaken even for a good end.  I know folks disagree with me on that, but I just do not see how espionage, infiltrating anti-Catholic groups, or groups which seek to undermine Church teaching and authority, can be compatible with Catholic action.  Dishonesty and cover up is never good - as the recent Church scandals continue to prove.
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If the Church sanctions spies and informants as a form of Catholic defense, the Church risks the ability to evangelize and serve in the modern world, not just in countries where the Church is persecuted, but in so-called democratic countries where laws are changing seeking to silence the Church's moral authority and voice.
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After the revolution in Russia, Pius XI asked for priests to go to the country as missionaries.  They went as missionaries however, not as spies for the Vatican.  Fr. Walter Cizek volunteered to go and was arrested and imprisoned, accused of being a Vatican spy.  Though Fr. Cizek acted covertly, his mission was for the good of souls, not to infiltrate and gather information. 
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I've been asked to infiltrate a group - I had to think about it long and hard.  On the surface it appeared up and up, but as I prayed about it I realized if wasn't of God - despite the fact that the people requesting it 'work for God'.  The fact is, if the parties are so interested in a groups activities, they should attend the meeting publicly.  The meetings are not secretive or closed, in fact their agenda is clearly posted on the internet - actually involving priests of the Archdiocese.  So why the secrecy?  The 'enemy' acts secretly and covertly, the Christian acts in the light of day, with nothing to hide, nothing to be ashamed of - especially considering one should never be ashamed of the cross of Christ.
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Indeed - there is a culture war going on, and good men like Fr. Corapi tell us it is a genuine war - but it is a spiritual battle for souls.  It is not politics or playing espionage - lying and deceit has no place in Catholic action.

5 comments:

  1. "...lying and deceit has no place in Catholic action."
    I totally agree with you, Terry.

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  2. Dittos to Melody.
    "Infiltration"?...isn't the the 'modus operandi' of Communists, those who want to overthrow the government (anarchists?)...
    Pope Benedict XVI has another remedy:
    BE HOLY!
    LOVE THE CHURCH!
    BE FAITHFUL TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!
    (I'm shouting here...sorry)...
    kudos to you, Terry!

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  3. Good for you Padre...Shout on...

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  4. The "war" language needs to go.

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