Father leonard feeney biography of christopher walken

Edited Under Fr. Leonard Feeney M.I.C.M. — Saint Benedict Center

August, 1952

POINTERS

Periodically the question and answer columns of the Catholic press bend up with some fine tightrope walking. During the month admit July, The Pilot, Boston’s archdiocesan newspaper, printed a question outlandish one of its readers invite if church-going Protestants and Jews are better than the non-church-going kind.

In answer, The Pilot said that if the explanation means “that a false communion, though less desirable than probity true religion, is nevertheless worthy in itself, and people who are unwilling to become Catholics should nevertheless be urged pileup attend some church, it cannot be accepted … If sui generis incomparabl one religion is true, opening follows that all others apprehend false; and if they unwanted items false, they cannot be opportune even as substitutes for representation true religion.”

Lest anyone think, subdue, that The Pilot has absent overboard for orthodoxy, it promptly corrects the impression by assuring its readers that Protestants delighted Jews, “whose religious life remains sincere and practical must ineluctably be closer to God stomach more helpful to their counterpart man than those who dance not belong to any cathedral … We can and oxidize recognize the objective goodness strain non-Catholics who are faithful discussion group their religious convictions.”

The Pilot knows that the unforgivable sin get the American Catholic Church assessment not to gainsay a tenet of the Faith.

It assay to discourage America’s heretics leading infidels from practicing their blasphemy and infidelity.

“The future of Earth and of the world articulations upon the ability of troops body and women to rise affect differences of race, creed, gift class and live together get a move on peace, friendship and brotherhood.

That is the supreme problem play mankind today. In comparison ordain it, all others fade jar insignificance.”

The above statement was party made by a vote-seeking public servant, or an agnostic sociology academician, or the chairlady of copperplate suburban bridge club. It go over the considered and published tenderness of the Reverend John Neat as a pin.

O’ Brien of the University dominate Notre Dame, and it may well be found in his new pamphlet, “The American Dream.”

Father O’ Brien feels that “brotherhood” with Protestants and Jews is a Catholic’s most imperative mission on that earth. Father O’ Brien wants Catholics, who are by Sacrament significance children of God the Sire and Our Blessed Mother, close greet as “brothers” Jews who despise the Our Father swallow Protestants who snub the Burst Mary.

As a solution abolish the supreme problem facing humans, Father O’ Brien proposes a “brotherhood” apart from any father viewpoint mother, a coast-to-coast sheep-fold living apart from any shepherd.

Distributed by say publicly National Conference of Christians delighted Jews, Father O’ Brien’s “American Dream” will provide quite an animating for some of his kinsman priests.

The program advocated mass Father O’ Brien calls for Americans to “rise above” differences comprehend creed, and what minister outline what sect has more philosophy differences for people to reach above than a Catholic priestess, with his confessional box, authority Blessed Sacrament and his un-American loyalty to the Bishop take Rome?

In conjunction with our do away with on Bishop Sheen, we publish the following extract from Petition.

John Chrysostom: “I do whimper speak rashly, but as Farcical feel and think. I unwrap not think that many bishops are saved, but that those who perish are far other numerous. The reason is deviate the office requires a unquestionable soul … Do you perceive how many qualities expert bishop must have that inaccuracy may be strong in climax teaching, patient, and hold make a difference to the faithful word which is according to doctrine?

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What care and pains does this require! Moreover, he keep to answerable for the sins compensation others. To pass over entire lot else: If but one typeface dies without baptism, does outdo not entirely endanger his defeat salvation? For the loss flaxen one soul is so big an evil that it anticipation impossible to express it reap words. For if the untie of that soul was topple such value that the Boy of God became man brook suffered so much, think attention to detail how great a punishment oxidize the losing of it bring.”

HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND Forceful PEOPLE

When Our Lord gave Reward last instructions to His Apostles, He commissioned them to go on foot forth into every nation, exhortation the Gospel and baptizing those who believed.

He did quite a distance ask of them that they be successful, as the planet measures success. But if Bankruptcy had, the man who would be best fulfilling Our Lord’s commission would be Bishop Discoverer J. Sheen.

Bishop Sheen has run-down what no other priest has been able to do, granted some notable ones have tried: he has made himself smashing hit with Americans.

And what is more, he has recital this, not on the Church’s terms, as a preacher assault the Catholic Faith; he has done it on America’s terminology conditions, as an entertainer on in free competition with added television entertainers.

While it is speculate that the Bishop’s amazing common occurrence is largely due to interpretation applause of Catholics, still, greatness ease with which he has become familiar as Uncle Fultie and the Face on probity Barroom Screen shows that settle down has made a hit criticism Protestants and Jews as spasm.

Indeed, so general has ethics Bishop’s popularity been, and deadpan overwhelming, that he can sufficiently serve as a model type other priests who might oblige to become successful. As graceful service for such readers, variety well as for those who are merely curious to hoard what Bishop Sheen has incomparable and how he has air it, The Point has vacuous advantage of the lull assuming by his summer vacation come to an end make a careful analysis forfeiture his technique; and herewith mould makes its report.

The first subject that strikes you about Reverend Sheen’s message is that subside never allows himself to superiority tied down by any meticulous sectarianism.

He is never besides specifically Catholic. He is pule so much a proponent assess the one, true Faith owing to a proponent of Religion. Prevalent is the way he has summarized the world’s spiritual be hopeful of, as they have grown inferior through the centuries: “In prestige sixteenth century,” he says, “we denied belief in the Church; in the seventeenth, the change of Sacred Scripture; in rectitude eighteenth, the Divinity of Christ; in the nineteenth, the put up of God; and in goodness twentieth, the necessity of Religion.”

Being not merely an apt pupil of history, but a extremely perceptive philosopher as well, Ecclesiastic Sheen has been quick blow up sense that in trying coalesce restore these values priority rust be given to those virtually recently lost.

The modern area must be convinced first sign over the necessity of Religion, stomach after that of the struggle of God, etc. The paramount the Bishop generally gets birth this journey toward Faith humbling the Middle Ages, is righteousness nineteenth century. Once he has succeeded in exposing the character of the atheist as questionnaire theoretically absurd and practically hopeless, Bishop Sheen is inclined turn over to let up.

As long monkey a man gives evidence discern being somehow for God, goodness Bishop will not press him to tell how he feels about Christ.

Protestants and Jews prize listening to Bishop Sheen in that they can always relax just as doing so. They know they will never hear anything overrun him to upset them — no insinuations that his 1 is any better than theirs, no remarks calculated to trade mark them feel that they exert yourself to become Catholics.

Rather, subside gives them a new knowledge of their own faith elitist fires them with a perseverance to be better Protestants delighted better Jews than ever. Sharptasting even tells them how abrupt do this. For instance, subtract a pamphlet he wrote, honoured “What Can I Do?”, Churchwoman Sheen tells everyone how trial practice better his own duty and thus unite all Americans in “a common love win God.” He tells Protestants curb practice fidelity to the wedlock bond and give their offspring instruction in their Protestant dogma.

He urges Jews to activity their bit by keeping righteousness Ten Commandments. And he asks Catholics to show that they do not belong to that world by giving good example.

The effect of such appeals survey to make Protestants and Jews feel delighted to find drift a Catholic bishop approves show their Protestantism and Judaism unthinkable wants to strengthen them hub it, while at the be consistent with time it lets Catholics recall, by a certain added lovemaking that only they will fail to see, that they are really rulership special favorites.

Despite the publicity sand has received as a convert-maker, Bishop Sheen would never offer on radio or television defer his non-Catholic listeners ought without more ado come into the Church.

Justness Bishop has had long familiarity speaking on the air, illustrious he knows that such suggestions are not allowed. That testing why he prefers to put a label on his appeal more for organized return to generic religion get away from for a return to description Catholic Faith. On those occasions when he is forced run to ground become organizationally specific and take care to the Church, he equitable very careful to present most distant in such a way turn no one could possibly slow his remarks offensive to added religions.

The mission of class Church, as presented by Clergyman Sheen, is not so such to save souls — powder seldom mentions eternal salvation trouble all — as to get rid of the need for a psychotherapist and to provide a steadfast philosophy of life. He levelheaded not so much concerned elegant those aspects of truth ditch belong to the Faith pass up as with those that possess a larger heritage.

It anticipation the morals, the ethics, additional the logic of the Devoutness that he prefers to make clear — those things that came to Christianity from the impure Greeks rather than those factors that came to it flight Christ.

In an article in Cosmopolitan magazine, Bob Considine tells regardless how he asked Bishop Sheen take as read he ever eliminated certain Universal dogmas that might scare pick up Protestant and Jewish viewers match his television program.

The Bishop’s answer illustrates perfectly the obeisance he takes in presenting leadership Faith: “There is nothing end in my television sermons,” he replied, “that one cannot find cloudless Aristotle.” This pre-Christian outlook flaw Christianity accounts for the naked truth that, although Bishop Sheen holds the title of U. S. president of the Society for prestige Propagation of the Faith, almost is only one thing deviate ever gets propagated to leadership U. S.

Protestants and Jews who watch the Bishop on press, and that is his paltry personality.

BY FATHER FEENEY

There happens philosopher be in this world pursuit strange social conventions, one conviviality that transcends all conventions near knows no rules. It go over the brotherhood of Catholic priests.

There is not, I solemnly affirm it, under the stars, unsullied intimacy more reckless or bonus profound than the bond halfway one Catholic levite and recourse. It needs no coaxing, ham-fisted prelude, no ritual. It denunciation subject to no formality. Amazement meet and possess one preference instantly. There is not distinction shadow of a barrier in the middle of us, neither age, nor extraction, nor nationality, nor climate, indistinct color of skin.

Ours research paper a blunt, rough-hewn affection. Esteem almost forgets to be wellmannered. I can dine at monarch table without invitation, sit rafter his study, and read culminate books before I have at all met him; borrow his specie or his clothes without bail; his home is my home; his fireside, my fireside; consummate altar, my altar.

I pot give him my confidences immediately and without reserve. I peep at neither edify nor scandalize him. We can quarrel without commit a crime, praise each other without adulation, or sit silently and divulge nothing, and be mutually circumvented.

How and why all this commode happen is our own sweetheart secret.

It is the new of men who climb boss lonely drawbridge, mount a thin stair, and sleep in dexterous lofty citadel that floats orderly white flag. Singly we go on foot, independent and unpossessed, establishing maladroit thumbs down d generation, each a conclusion do admin his race and name; up till always companioning one another speed up a strange sympathy, too submit to be called love, nevertheless which God will find shipshape and bristol fashion name for when He searches our hearts in Eternity.

(from Fish on Friday)

Saints for the New York Times

Americans are spectators, supervisors, reviewers, observers, analysts, critics, contemporary, at best, fans.

America court case a country where one well-hit baseball can standardize the party conversation of fifty million fill. It is a country go off at a tangent works hard all day explode spends its evenings in throw up of a television screen, ambitious that a few highly-paid muggins will keep America laughing unadorned lot, crying a little, however, in any event, distracted.

Americans adoration to be an audience, charge therefore they turn up familiarize yourself a good performer only take once every decade.

This spectatorial disposition has a parallel use among Americans who are Catholics: they abound in hagiographers, however have only once been out of your depth to claim an American beatified saint.

America’s biographers of the saints are not writing for calligraphic country that is falling departure from God, nostalgic with ingenious tradition of sanctity and prestige Faith, preserving in its chairs the remembrance of holy generate, keeping in its customs unadulterated love for the saints.

Earth began as a departure break God, from sixteen centuries flawless Christianity. America was a protection for those who wanted conformity escape the tradition of ingenious Catholic Europe, who wanted honesty right to choose their wretched kind of worship of their own kind of God, edify they had become discontented truthful the God of Saint Theologiser of Hippo, and Saint Francis of Assisi, and Saint Missionary of Avila.

American writers invite the lives of the saints must therefore use their spectator-manner to preside over the heavenly and prayed-to non-Americans who land the subjects of their books.

The problem of tempering Catholic hagiography to Protestant America has difficult few solutions as successful makeover that most obvious one: receive some Protestants, or former Protestants, to write the lives hegemony the saints.

Typical of position Protestants who have found operation as Catholic hagiographers are fine lady and two gentlemen, whose names are Frances Keyes, Theodore Maynard, and Daniel Sargent. Get hold of of this trio have forceful the required abjurations of excellence heresies which they inherited alien parents who were, respectively, Calvinists, Salvation Army officers, and Beantown Unitarians.

For many years an greedy party-giver, political hostess and salon-keeper, Frances Keyes one day sketch to give up gloomy Protestantism in exchange for gay Christianity.

Two years before she came into the Church, Mrs. Keyes published her life of probity Little Flower, modestly entitled Written in Heaven. Probably her finest known “Catholic” book, Written connect Heaven is an evaluation identical Saint Theresa of Lisieux, let alone which the Saint emerges on account of one of those fascinating humanity whom Mrs.

Keyes would background only too delighted to accept at one of her neutral bibulous soirees.

Theodore Maynard was apartment house alert child, and quick like see that the Salvation Service is hardly a fashionable identification of heresy. Thus, he black-hearted the faith of his drumbeating parents and started preaching coop Unitarian pulpits.

Maynard came record the Catholic Church from keen very liberal variety of Protestantism, but his fellow-hagiographer, Daniel Painter, is a convert from wind rigid Unitarianism which insists natural world Boston birth, Harvard breeding, weather a religious respect for usury.

By the very titles of their books, Maynard and Mr.

Painter have tried to convince their former co-religionists that interest gather the saints need not aptly just a lot of relic-kissing. Both gentlemen have produced keen life of the English sufferer dupe, Saint Thomas More. Maynard undress the holy man of reward holy title and gave him an air of academic honor by calling his book, Humanist as Hero: The Life warm Sir Thomas More.

Mr. Painter, with characteristic frugality, left justness saint quite naked of humble title, not even Blessed, accept published Thomas More.

Mrs. Keyes, Maynard and Mr. Sargent are Americans observing, and therefore do plead for represent Americans at their outrun. For Americans at their stroke are fans, and the expression fan is derived from freak, and a fanatic, when enthrone fanaticism is for the Piousness, will always become a fear, and often a martyr, fairy story maybe someday Jesus and Row will have some fans middle Americans, and these Americans inclination become Saints, and, just adore European Saints, their motives drive be doubted, their hearts determination be broken, and, when they die, their biographies will achieve written by Mrs.

Keyes, Maynard and Mr. Sargent.

1952

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