Thanks Katy. I really appreciate this. I needed to hear it. I too, have been in these trenches for a long time. I have no doubt that Our Lord is using the culture wars to reunite His Church. But every once in a while, I’m shocked by the visceral hatred I see from Protestants toward Catholics. I wonder, was it always there, just under the surface? Is this what they all secretly think and feel? I try to set it aside and then wham! Another episode erupts. Heartbreaking, really.
I remember my parents mentioning that when they were young (1940s and 50s) prominent Protestants and Catholics barely talked to each other and certainly didn't work together on social issues. Looking back that was a mistake. The lack of fellowship among Christ's followers weakened resistance to the harmful social changes of the 1960s and all the family breakdown and emotional pain that followed. Theological differences are real and should be respected, but on public policy there is broad agreement regarding family structure and protecting child innocence. Considering how entrenched christophobia has become in today's politics and culture, Christians can't afford to focus on division over unity.
I don't live in either camp, but my guess is that the reduction in the perceived threats from common enemies is redirecting the energy to intramural bickering. The same thing is happening with MAGA. We were all brothers in arms back in the summer of 2024 when faced with the real possibility of another four years of Democrat rule. But following Trump's decisive victory we see Steve Bannon openly fighting with Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson sharply criticizing the Iran attack, Ben Shapiro having it out with Megyn Kelly on live video, the Epstein kerfuffle, and so on. Human nature, I reckon.
I agree entirely, even if I've not been so aware of (exposed to?) a sharpening divide. I liken it to when cultures were faced, like us, with an existential threat and put aside their tribal differences to overcome it. Many nations were forged this way, including my own (Scotland) and my other own (Britain). We need to remember the essential things we agree on, while not belittling the significant points of difference. Christianity, in my view, is not primarily a matter of doctrinal purity but of true loyalty of heart to the one true Saviour of us all. Or, to put it another way, our Lord will not test us on our creed when we meet Him, but on whether we lived Godly and faithful lives, administering grace and helping others to know Him. "For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."
Roman Catholics and Protestants have a singular commonality in Christ: we are a remnant chosen for a political time of a large anti-Christ agenda of these last days. We are a minuscule minority who ought to be drawn together in Christ or Lord to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All of your marriage and other issues are central to establishing evil as good and rejecting God as evil. We should expect no less from the enemy of all righteousness Who will in the end judge all men and every woman. Jesus Christ is Lord. He will prevail, reward and punish.
I can listen to both, I'm not Catholic and listen to Bishop Robert Barron's sermon every week. It is pointless to attack one another, it only makes the serpant happy.
I couldn't agree more, Katy! I am Catholic but I have many friends from all different faiths. My friends are friends because I have stood on the sidewalk praying for babies to be saved from abortion with them, we've discussed and went to rallies to save traditional marriage together and we've raised our kids to believe that marriage is the foundation of culture because God is always right. Here's my vote to work with you, all Christians, and TBU till death do us part!
Thanks Katy. I really appreciate this. I needed to hear it. I too, have been in these trenches for a long time. I have no doubt that Our Lord is using the culture wars to reunite His Church. But every once in a while, I’m shocked by the visceral hatred I see from Protestants toward Catholics. I wonder, was it always there, just under the surface? Is this what they all secretly think and feel? I try to set it aside and then wham! Another episode erupts. Heartbreaking, really.
Katy Faust, I couldn't love you more. SOLID article 🫶🏼 and SO NEEDED!
I remember my parents mentioning that when they were young (1940s and 50s) prominent Protestants and Catholics barely talked to each other and certainly didn't work together on social issues. Looking back that was a mistake. The lack of fellowship among Christ's followers weakened resistance to the harmful social changes of the 1960s and all the family breakdown and emotional pain that followed. Theological differences are real and should be respected, but on public policy there is broad agreement regarding family structure and protecting child innocence. Considering how entrenched christophobia has become in today's politics and culture, Christians can't afford to focus on division over unity.
Thanks for sharing this. Very true and important points
God bless you, and thank you!
Thank you, Katy. I agree completely.
I don't live in either camp, but my guess is that the reduction in the perceived threats from common enemies is redirecting the energy to intramural bickering. The same thing is happening with MAGA. We were all brothers in arms back in the summer of 2024 when faced with the real possibility of another four years of Democrat rule. But following Trump's decisive victory we see Steve Bannon openly fighting with Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson sharply criticizing the Iran attack, Ben Shapiro having it out with Megyn Kelly on live video, the Epstein kerfuffle, and so on. Human nature, I reckon.
I agree entirely, even if I've not been so aware of (exposed to?) a sharpening divide. I liken it to when cultures were faced, like us, with an existential threat and put aside their tribal differences to overcome it. Many nations were forged this way, including my own (Scotland) and my other own (Britain). We need to remember the essential things we agree on, while not belittling the significant points of difference. Christianity, in my view, is not primarily a matter of doctrinal purity but of true loyalty of heart to the one true Saviour of us all. Or, to put it another way, our Lord will not test us on our creed when we meet Him, but on whether we lived Godly and faithful lives, administering grace and helping others to know Him. "For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God."
Beautiful piece! I would even add: debate in person and not on the internet. In public defend each other.
Roman Catholics and Protestants have a singular commonality in Christ: we are a remnant chosen for a political time of a large anti-Christ agenda of these last days. We are a minuscule minority who ought to be drawn together in Christ or Lord to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All of your marriage and other issues are central to establishing evil as good and rejecting God as evil. We should expect no less from the enemy of all righteousness Who will in the end judge all men and every woman. Jesus Christ is Lord. He will prevail, reward and punish.
I can listen to both, I'm not Catholic and listen to Bishop Robert Barron's sermon every week. It is pointless to attack one another, it only makes the serpant happy.
Amazing article! Keep up the wonderful work!!!
Your advice mirrors that of Saint Augustine's "In essentials, unity; In non-essentials, liberty; In all things, Charity."
Thank you for your great courage, clarity, charity, commitment, and sacrifice.
I couldn't agree more, Katy! I am Catholic but I have many friends from all different faiths. My friends are friends because I have stood on the sidewalk praying for babies to be saved from abortion with them, we've discussed and went to rallies to save traditional marriage together and we've raised our kids to believe that marriage is the foundation of culture because God is always right. Here's my vote to work with you, all Christians, and TBU till death do us part!
I love your work. Do you guys recommend any particular marriage education programs?
This Catholic agrees!