Call to Fraction

An article by Fr. John A. Kiley on modernism and VOTF

…Somewhere along the line I have acquired a reputation for doctrinal orthodoxy. And I know my weekly Visitor columns do little to dispel that notion. It was no doubt my rightist leanings that prompted the South County branch of the reform-minded “Voice of the Faithful” to invite me to participate on a panel discussing what parish priests expect from their lay parishioners. I respectfully declined the offer for the reason noted above. “If Father Kiley’s involved it must be OK.” My presence on this panel would give the impression that “Voice of the Faithful” is a diversified Catholic group with broad-based support. On the contrary, it is my opinion that “Voice of the Faithful,” both locally and nationally, is simply “Call To Action” revisited.

The past 40 years have witnessed liberal Catholic change-agents unite under various flags. Sometimes they rally flagrantly as with “Call to Action” and sometimes quietly as with “FutureChurch.” The accidents may change but the substance remains. They all subscribe to the National Catholic Reporter. Their heroes are James Carroll, Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister, Gary Wills, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and Father Richard McBrien. They have all inhaled deeply of the Spirit of Vatican II. They speak loudly about lay participation, whisper quietly about women priests and maintain a respectful silence about abortion. Their great joy is community building. Their great dread is clericalism. Their great error is their loss of faith in the supernatural character of the church.