Handling criticism

Homily
Monday of Holy Week
29 March 2010
St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center

The Church is suffering in a particularly acute way this week because of the sinfulness of Her members. Priests who abused children have opened the Church to criticism, and their actions has done incalculable damage to the Church's ability to proclaim with effectiveness and fruitfulness the love of Jesus Christ. The pope himself has come under intense media scrutiny as many reports try to tie him personally to wrongdoing. There are many who are calling for his resignation.

In his Palm Sunday homily, the Pope indicated that some of the criticisms of the Church were meant to intimidate the Church, and to discourage Her from fulfilling Her mission in the world, given Her by Christ Himself. The Pope said that he would not be intimidated by false criticisms. Of course, the most important thing in the abuse scandal is not the protection of the Church's reputation, but the protection of children anywhere and everywhere. In this, those who have pointed out that the Church must do better, and have demanded that the Church collaborate more openly and more forcefully to rid Herself of sex offenders, have done a great service to the Church and to all people. It is hoped that the Church can rise from this scandal and become a model on how to protect children in a most dangerous society. It can be rightfully said that some people serve the Church by pointing out Her sinfulness. They serve a prophetic role, and give the Church the best opportunity to restore trust and to take up Her mission to serve God and His people, and to contribute to the well-being of society and the genuine happiness of all God's children.

The Pope has recognized, however, that not every person who is critical of the Church has the best interests of children at heart. Today's Gospel story delineates the difference between a criticism that is constructive and one that is selfish and destructive. Jesus, who preached a detachment from worldly things, allowed Himself to be anointed with costly oil, and this was not hypocrisy. He is criticized not by one who loved the poor, for one who truly loved the poor would see that the anointing was a way of honoring a man who loved the poor more than anyone. Although Jesus was one who was most open to being slandered and bruised by those who hated Him, in the hope that love would convert them, He does not accept the criticism of this woman Mary, but defends her, and points out the heart of the one criticizing her.

In the same way, the Pope in expressing the shame of the Church and in doing concrete things to prevent the abuse of children, has shown himself clearly to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. He was right this Sunday to point out, however, that criticism that is aimed not at helping the Church to serve mankind more beautifully, but that is meant only to destroy the Church, and to deny Her right to exist, is to be rejected.