"I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, and that there be no divisions among you." (1 Corinthians 1:10)
We live in a divided world, a divided nation, and a divided Church. Cardinal against cardinal, bishop against bishop, priest against priest, and the laity are terribly confused.
Two types of division: 1) When individuals are opposed or teaching opposing doctrines. 2) When an individual or a group is opposed to Jesus or teaching a doctrine contrary to the Gospel of Jesus.
We know, not just in theory but in reality even here in our own Diocese, that there is awful division. And, further, that even many priests have created a false unity by joining together to reject the teaching of the Church and of Jesus himself. Consider how many priests spoke in favor of contraception, or refused to speak against it; and many other issues.
But, we cannot say "My parish is the only CATHOLIC parish in the (city/diocese/world) or my priest is the only CATHOLIC priest in the (city/diocese/world)." It is true that many priests teach falsehood and gravely mislead people, but that doesn't mean they are not Catholic, although they may be terribly wrong.
What should we do? 1) Know your faith! Learn your Catechism!
And 2) Do penance! Prayer: Rosary, scapular, first Saturdays; fasting: abstaining on Fridays, other mortification; Almsgiving: caring for the homeless, visiting the sick.
2017 is a year of many graces -- the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Listen online [here]!
