“Days of Comfortable Catholicism Are Over,” Says Princeton Professor

on May 13, 2014

A call for Catholics’ bolder, more outspoken stance for the Gospel rang clear this morning at the 10th annual National Catholic Prayer Breakfast, an event drawing together Catholic clergy, lay leaders, non-profit organizations, and individuals to pray for the nation.

Delivering an invigorating clarion call for unashamed and unwavering public witness for the religious liberty, marriage, and the sanctity of life was special guest and Institute on Religion and Democracy emeritus board member, Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American ideals and Intuitions at Princeton University.

“The question each of us must face is this: Am I ashamed of the Gospel?,” declared George to a ballroom largely filled with Catholics and some faithful Protestants.

According to George, “We American Catholics who have had it so good, having become comfortable” forget Jesus’ timeless truth that, “If you want to be my disciple, take up my cross and follow me.”  George continued, “But there will be no ignoring that truth now, my friends.”

There is no denying the increasing hardships Christians face at home and abroad, all for placing their faith in Jesus Christ. “Powerful forces and currents in our society press us to be ashamed of the gospel,” said George. “Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on the sanctity of human life and all stages and condition. Ashamed of our faith’s teaching on marriage as the union between husband and wife.”

“There are costs to discipleship. Heavy costs,” explained George. “To be a witness to the Gospel today, my friends, is to make one’s self a marked man or woman. It is to expose one’s self to scorn and reproach. To unashamedly proclaim the Gospel in its fullness is to place in jeopardy one’s security, one’s professional aspirations and ambitions … ones’ standing in polite society.”

“There was a time not long ago when things were quite different. When we could be comfortable Catholics.” George continued, “But those days my friends are gone. They are not coming back anytime soon.”

Drawing a striking comparison between the Jews’ acceptance and subsequent crucifixion of Jesus to America’s changing attitude towards Christ. George explained, “You see, for us and for our faithful evangelical friends, it is now Good Friday. The memory of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jesus into Jerusalem has faded.”  He continued, “Yes [Jesus] had been greeted not long ago by throngs of people…shouting Hosanna to the Son of David. [Similarly,] Jesus rode into the Jerusalem of Europe and the Jerusalem of the Americas and was proclaimed Lord and King.”

“In those days it was comfortable to be a Catholic. But those days are gone. Friday is coming. Friday is here. The love affair with Jesus and his Gospel is over,” said George, “The America’s no longer welcome his message. Away with him they say. Give us Barabbas.”

“Oh things were easy during those Palm Sunday days,” said George. “But now it’s Friday and the days of acceptable Christianity are over.” Willingness to stand publicly for Christ when it is culturally unacceptable and perhaps unforgivable, according to the professor, is inevitable.

“Jesus is before Pilot. The crowds are shouting ‘crucify him.’ Where are we?,” asked George. “Where are you and I? Are we afraid to be known as his disciples? Are we ashamed of the gospel? Will we seek to fit in, to be accepted, to live comfortably?”

Now is not the time to hid our witness to the gospel, . Most assuredly Christians — Catholics and Protestants alike— will face persecution from the elites of secular society for our faith. Ignore the intimidation tactics, encouraged George.

“They tell us we are on the wrong side of history,” said George. “History is not our judge. God is our Judge.”

  1. Comment by Aliquantillus on May 14, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    This is a very true message to all followers of Christ. A true ecumenical message too, not by watering down the Gospel and its demands, but by concentrating on the essence of it, the heart of the message.

    This type of calls to witness and standing firm is what Christians nowadays should receive from their pastors and leaders. One can only hope that the Pope understands this. Today is not the time to seek approval by playing the popularity card. It is not the time to please the multitudes. Today is the time for an unambiguous stance in service of the truth.

  2. Comment by AugustineThomas on May 14, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    Powerful stuff! The Americas and Europe are most certainly chanting “give us Barabbas!”

  3. Comment by PaulR on May 14, 2014 at 2:00 pm

    Indeed, Cafeteria Catholicism has been the easy choice, even as far as creating ones own version of Catholicism. The view is – it’s all good!

    I agree with the author that the easy time may be approaching an end. The Church will undoubtedly shrink, or at least it will certainly face trials, as the dead wood is pruned.

    Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

    Luke 12:51-53

  4. Comment by Richard_L_Kent on May 17, 2014 at 11:09 am

    Pilate, not “Pilot”. Unless he’s your co-pilate!

  5. Comment by Maggie Goff on August 30, 2014 at 3:06 am

    Pope Francis does understand.

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