By John Norton

Why we need to be 'as Catholic as the pope'

Maybe you had the same thought I did in following the vicious public back-and-forth among some Catholic Americans regarding the University of Notre Dame's announcement that President Barack Obama will serve as commencement speaker and receive an honorary doctorate this spring.

We're tearing ourselves apart. And doing so in much the way that Pope Benedict XVI recently lamented, in a different context, quoting St. Paul (in his Letter to the Galatians), "If you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another."

In the Notre Dame controversy, I've seen accusations and epithets hurled -- among Catholics! -- "heretic," "academic ayatollah," "right-wing uber-Catholic," "so-called Catholic,"among the more printable. I'll admit that my perception is based mostly on reading Internet blogs, not known as outlets of civilized discourse.

We can all agree that the issues at stake are of vital importance to the question of Catholic identity and influence in the public square. Truth matters, and this conversation must be engaged. It is not a question that can be resolved by simply appealing to "live and let live."

But what does it say about us that we're unable to have reasoned, charitable conversations with those Catholics who disagree with us, on this or on what seems to be an increasing number of issues?

The pope, in a February speech, offered this wisdom: "In St. Paul's warning [against biting and devouring one another] we should find today a reason to examine our conscience: not to think of being better than the other, but to meet one another in the humility of Christ, in the humility of the Virgin, to enter into the obedience of the faith. Precisely in this way the great realm of truth and freedom in love is really opened also for us."

That sort of humility manifests itself both as docility to Church teaching and as respect for our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Here's an idea: Let's strive, on this and all contentious issues, to be as Catholic as the pope.

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Easter -- and one of the biggest annual opportunities for parishes to welcome home lapsed Catholics -- is just a week away.

Rather than succumb to the temptation to grumble resentfully about the extra crowds at Easter liturgies, why not extend an invitation to those "Easter Catholics" to come back to church the following week, too? After all, that's Divine Mercy Sunday, provided in the liturgical calendar as a special refuge for sinners (selves included)? An invitation is sometimes all that's needed.

We wish a blessed Holy Week to all of our readers, and invite your input at the address below or at feedback@osv.com.