Anyone who visits this page with any regularity knows that I am and have always been Catholic.  Enter search word “Basilica” and you’ll find 146 (of 1997) posts at this space since 2009.

The current Basilica magazine (cover at left), leads me to a different kind of reflection about organized Religion, of which I’ve been part my entire life.

Opinion: organized religion is, at the same time, one of the most constructive, and most toxic, elements of the human community.  Religion has had a great capacity for both good and evil, both on God’s turf, and Caesar’s….

The cover photo of the current issue of the Basilica of St. Mary magazine (above), overlooking nearby downtown Minneapolis, reminded me of a story about the companion Cathedral of St. Paul, both built in early 1900s to give equal standing to the rapidly growing “Twin Cities” of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Then Archbishop John Ireland, a legendary cleric, built his Cathedral down the street from the new State Capitol, built about the same time.  A story I have heard was that Ireland aspired to a Cathedral whose dome was higher in elevation than the State Capitol.  This may simply be a story, but a very plausible one.  Ireland was a powerful character, rooted in Minnesota.  It is said he didn’t become a Cardinal largely because of his passion for Americanism….

As told by Marvin R. O’Connell in John Ireland and the American Catholic Church (1988, Minnesota Historical Society): “in each instance the emphasis [for the new churches] was upon visibility: in St. Paul the cathedral would stand upon a hilltop and look down magisterially at the business center of the city; in Minneapolis the pro-cathedral [Basilica] – as Ireland incorrectly called it – would bestride an elevated piece of ground just at the edge of the loop and close to the point where Lyndale and Hennepin avenues, the cities two busiest thoroughfares, intersected….”

Ireland was a formidable character, and the story rings true.

(The new State Capitol opened in 1905; new Cathedral down the street in 1915; and the Basilica in Minneapolis also about 1915.  As is often true, the interiors of the buildings remained works in progress for years.  The Cathedral does appear from a distance to be higher than the neighboring State Capitol.

About a dozen years later, history reveals that Ku Klux Klan had a resurgence in this area, and the Catholics were among the primary targets.)

*

No question, the Catholic church is an immense institution with a very long history and a broad reach.  Anybody with an opinion – such as this is – can and does judge this church, and regardless of the judgement is probably  accurate to some degree.

For me, what keeps me in the pew on Sunday has very little to do with theology.  Words such as school, hospital, social welfare, community come to mind in my lifelong history with church.  My experience has essentially been positive, with no horror stories to share or remember.

There is another side, which is very different.  Patriarchy, lust for power and control, judgement (“sin”), sexual abuse, elevation of belief over truth.  The lists can go on and on.

When someone says “Catholic”, a legitimate question is “what do you mean?”

I have something of a rule of thumb, based on assorted data collected over the years, which helps me keep some kind of internal balance.  The “Church” (the people) I most identify with probably represents about 1 of 33 Americans; the “Church” who most disagree with me also probably represents 1 of 33 Americans (*see NOTE, below).

(About one in four Americans might say, if asked, that they are “Catholic” by baptism, or otherwise.)

What is portrayed most commonly as the “Catholic” political position, is whatever is advanced by the church leadership, which have been selected ultimately by the then current Pope and unaccountable to the members generally.  The Pope is elected by Cardinals, who in turn have been selected by previous Popes.  In number and distribution, the American Catholic church is similar to the U.S. House of Representatives.  In Minnesota there are eight clergy of Bishop rank.  They are the official face of the Church.

There is a major dilemma here, both for the Bishops and the Laity.  “Catholic” is a voluntary and not at all homogeneous association.  If I am Catholic and I disagree with a hierarchical stand on something, I have the most power if I am actively involved, and speak out; if I drop out, I also have influence, but I am easier to ignore.  This is true in any organization.

I further think that the above generalization applies to all other denominations: Christian, Jew, Muslim, on and on and on.  And as well to the Freedom from Religion group, which is very significant in its own right.  People are truly a coat of many colors when it comes to belief.

(“Evangelicals” of all denominations seem more intense in their beliefs.)

In every case, people benefit from or are burdened by “leaders” who govern for good or ill.  I have seen some wonderful and horrible examples.  As someone once said about my church’s hierarchy, there are, as there are among all of us,  “heroes, Nero’s and zeroes”.

Over the years, I have seen plenty of good and bad examples of so-called church leaders, whose  interest is achieving and exercising their definition of temporal political power.  Open the conversation on this, and there are endless positive and negative examples, ancient and contemporary.

Essentially, the same dilemma faces the United States electorate generally when we elect our governance, as we will, again, in a few months..  If you don’t participate, or participate only on the margins based on your own particular issue, you have less power, than if you participate actively.  “Power to the people” works only if the people work together.  “The people” is the difference.

Back to you….

NOTE: * – This is an off the cuff estimate, which I submit is probably as accurate as any other assessment.  This is my basis: it is usually estimated that roughly one in four Americans are “Catholic” by someone’s definition; the church itself has estimated that maybe about a third of Catholics are fairly regular participants (going to church, etc); roughly half  of those who call themself Catholic seem to be liberal to some degree, the other half conservative, on the usual continuum from very liberal to very conservative.  The circulation of the diocesan Catholic newspaper is roughly 10% of the estimated Catholic population, and in my area seems aimed at the more conservative Catholics….  I won’t quibble with any difference of opinion.  We aren’t all alike.

COMMENTS (more at end of post):

from Jeff: I don’t disagree with your methodology.

POSTNOTE May 20, 2024:  I published the above on Friday, May 17, and Sunday went to Mass at Basilica as usual, not realizing that it was Pentecost, another special day in the church year, and this particular Pentecost was especially special, the church formally receiving the seven volume St. John’s Bible, a magnificent work, gifted by several parishioners in honor of former Pastor Michael O’Connell in recognition of his many years of service.

Much of what transpired in the 1 1/2 hours on Sunday morning fits into what I wrote several days earlier.  The church was well-peopled, all ages, all circumstances of life.  The pastor in his message acknowledged serious division in our society.  There was  wonderful music.  Out front, at the edge of Hennepin Avenue, is the “Let the Oppressed Go Free” sculpture dedicated to the Oppressed of the world.  Basilica walks its talk of service to the greater community, especially those with less.

The pastor also noted Pope Francis’ segment on 60 Minutes aired that Sunday night.  I watched the segment and it was very good.  CBS carried a full hour reprise of the interview on Monday night.  I watched that as well.

Personally, I think Pope Francis exemplifies the best about my Church.  He understands the imperative of standing for the longstanding teaching and traditions (including some I disagree with).  At the same time, he exhibits empathy and understanding and appreciation for other points of view.  This latter quality, especially, makes him an outstanding leader of a very diverse flock.  We are very fortunate to have him.

I could go on at much greater length about this topic of church; indeed about Pentecost.  I’ll leave this suffice, and especially pass along to others I feel have an interest in ‘church’ generally.

It has come to be a mantra at the Basilica to welcome people “wherever you are at on your journey”.  Best I can see, we try to be what we say we are….

POSTNOTE May 22, 2024: An old saying is “the Devil is in the details”.

The Gospel reading for Pentecost (Jn 20:19-23) ends with this message from Jesus to his disciples: “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

This is one of those quotations pregnant with possibility and problem….

In the relatively recent past a Priest, or was it the Bishop himself, said that humility is a difficult but essential virtue.

As I write I think of the popular country tune, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way”.

With great privilege comes great responsibility.