A contrast society

Father Thomas Morrette

Like most priests, I was fortunate to have had many exceptional priest-professors in formation when I was in the seminary almost 50 years ago. One of them, Father Robert Imbelli, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, was a top-rate theologian and teacher who, over his long career, wrote books and countless articles on various topics relating to the reform and spirit of Vatican II. In his recent book, “Christ Brings All Newness” (2023, Word on Fire Press), he offers a selective reprint of many of his articles, all of which are deserving of a careful read.

I mention Father Imbelli (who is now living in retirement) because he has an interesting take on the Church in our time. In his book, he calls the Church “a contrast society” in the world, standing against many of the isolating and destructive trends in our dominant secular society. In this contrast society, a new and radically different vision is offered and lived.

Father suggests that Christians today have to accept that they live in this contrast society and must start first with a true metanoia — “a new mindset which thinks in terms of community and the priority of the life of all over the appropriation of goods by a few.” This new mindset is in opposition to the individualism and materialism that captures the heart and soul of most of us and it proposes a vision of corporate and communal interests first as well as simplicity of life and supernatural aspiration. Father calls for a “catechetical and theological renewal” within the Church, in the spirit of Vatican II, which continually re-focuses our vision and life on the absolute good (and contrasting) news of Christ and his radically different view of happiness in this world and the next.

Many Catholics live with discomfort because they are part of our contrast society today — they feel the difference between their way of life every time they turn on the television or go on social media. “Out there” is very different from “in here.” Catholics experience their differences especially when talking to others about our morals and values — a far cry from those in our larger society. (Think of the upcoming elections!) We’re the ones speaking up for the unborn, upholding the value of marriage, offering sacrifices for the sick, forgotten and dying, surrendering to a higher law other than our preference and ego. This interaction with wider society can make us feel out of touch, reactionary and even threatened. Living in a contrast society today (as was probably always the case) can often be a cross. It takes prayer, practice of the faith and solidarity with our wider contrast community to prevail and find a sense of spiritual security.

In my conversations with Catholics over the years who have left the faith or have compromised essential teachings and vision and remain, I often think they never got this essential message — Christians are different and bring a new and radical vision into our world based on the radical newness of Christ’s vision. The Church is not meant to get with the times, rather “the times” are a mission field for us. This brings us in usual and, sometimes, extraordinary conflict with the spirit of the age, with those who do not share the faith, with those who are dominated by the wider culture. This should not come as a surprise to us nor derail us in any way. We usually don’t, won’t or can’t fit in — completely.

More than ever, Catholics need to be determined to follow Christ and his new way of living and to stay intentionally within the fold. We have to hold fast, be thankful for the band of followers we belong to. We need to resist the call “to return to slavery” or be buffaloed into a lifestyle centered around self, money, power, self-interests and unending pleasure-seeking. We need to stand firm, however, always in loving human solidarity with those in the larger society with whom we live in great contrast.

Father Morrette is pastor at The Catho­lic Community of Our Lady of Victory in Troy, Our Lady of the Snow Mission in Grafton and Christ Sun of Justice Parish in Troy.