Leithart: Too Catholic to Be Catholic

Here.

My Protestantism, my reformed catholicity, isn’t at all in conflict with that passion for church unity.  There is no tension at all.  On the contrary, it’sbecause I am so passionate to see the church reunited that I, not grudgingly but cheerfully, stay where I am.  My summary reason for staying put is simple: I’m too catholic to become Catholic or Orthodox.

I agree with the standard Protestant objections to Catholicism and Orthodoxy: Certain Catholic teachings and practices obscure the free grace of God in Jesus Christ; prayers through Mary and the saints are not encouraged or permitted by Scripture, and they distract from the one Mediator, Jesus; I do not accept the Papal claims of Vatican I; I believe iconodules violate the second commandment by engaging in liturgical idolatry; venerating the Host is also liturgical idolatry; in both Catholicism and Orthodoxy, tradition muzzles the word of God.  I’m encouraged by many of the developments in Catholicism before and since Vatican II, but Vatican II created issues of its own (cf. the treatment of Islam in Lumen Gentium).

I agree with those objections, but those are not the primary driving reasons that keep me Protestant.  I have strong objections to some brands of Protestantism, after all.  My Protestantism – better, reformed catholicity – is not fundamentally anti-.  It’s pro-, pro-church, pro-ecumenism, pro-unity, pro-One Body of the One Lord.  It’s not that I’m too anti-Catholic to be Catholic.  I’m too catholic to be Catholic.

Here’s the question I would ask to any Protestant considering a move: What are you saying about your past Christian experience by moving to Rome or Constantinople?  Are you willing to start going to a Eucharistic table where your Protestant friends are no longer welcome?  How is that different from Peter’s withdrawal from table fellowship with Gentiles?  Are you willing to say that every faithful saint you have known is living a sub-Christian existence because they are not in churches that claim apostolic succession, no matter how fruitful their lives have been in faith, hope, and love?  For myself, I would have to agree that my ordination is invalid, and that I have never presided over an actual Eucharist.  To become Catholic, I would have to begin regarding my Protestant brothers as ambiguously situated “separated brothers,” rather than full brothers in the divine Brother, Jesus.  To become Orthodox, I would likely have to go through the whole process of initiation again, as if I were never baptized.  And what is that saying about all my Protestant brothers who have been “inadequately” baptized?  Why should I distance myself from other Christians like that?  I’m too catholic to do that.

Comments

[Michael Frost]

Hmmm... I wonder how many continuing Anglican churches in USA practice open communion. I've never been to one yet. But I will admit I haven't gone to them all.

The weekly bulletin at the local Anglican church in my area has this (warning) notice clearly printed:

"We welcome those Confirmed by a Bishop in the Anglican, Roman, and Orthodox traditions to receive Holy Communion. Others are cordially invited to come to the Altar for a Blessing, and may indicate this by crossing arms on the chest."

So at this Anglican church: (1) those NOT confirmed can't commune, (2) those not communed by a bishop can't commune, and (3) those confirmed by a Lutheran or Methodist bishop can't commune. This means Assemblies of God, Baptists, Congregationalists, Disciplines of Christ, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Reformed, UCC, and others can NOT commune.

I assume Polish National Catholics, Copts, Assyrians, Old Catholics, and a few other groups should be able to commune, though they technically are listed.