Growing up in any period, country and culture is surely a difficult process, but violence, poverty, fear and lack of stability add layers of complexity for young people attempting to find their way.
As I was growing up, some of us loved the rules, and some of loved breaking the rules, but we all had clarity about what was expected of us and how we could safely navigate through to our place in society.
A search for certainty
As the world repels young people in the West, the Church seems to be gaining inquirers and converts, especially among young men.
It feels at times that this is linked to the social media presence of American apologists.
These young men are ‘selling’ a form of Catholicism that provides not only hope and salvation, but also rules, procedures, timetables and a road map for living.
Is certainty enough?
Is this a bad thing? To provide certainty to the young?
To assure them of an objective truth of love, forgiveness, and redemption? Surely not, but is there something missing from this ‘manual’ or ‘handbook’ approach to being a Catholic?
We know that we are neither saved by faith alone, nor by works alone, but by grace, which we cannot understand. 1
Shouldn’t it be both more difficult and more straightforward to follow Christ? To live our lives loving God and our neighbour is surely the simplest and, at the same time, most demanding challenge. 2
Rules without risk
What also occurs to me is that this legalistic approach to being a Catholic is not only appealing to those seeking certainty, but also to people to whom our Catholic rules do not present a particular challenge.
It’s not so difficult to be a rule follower when there is no likelihood of falling in love with someone of the same sex, no chance of becoming pregnant, and secure in gender identity, not wrestling with addiction and being materially comfortable.
Todos, todos, todos
The comfort and security that is offered to those attracted to clarity, regulation, defined roles and institutionalism can be signs of oppression, discrimination and rejection to those who do not fit the ideal mould.
And this disturbs me, as when Pope Francis said that the Church is for ‘Todos, Todos, Todos’, he didn’t then provide a list of caveats and exceptions.
Nor did Jesus.
- Rebecca Shaw is a chartered environmentalist who works at The Just Housing Group in the social housing sector in the UK. Currently carrying out post-graduate studies in philosophy, theology and religions at the University of Lucerne, her studies are informed by her interests in interfaith relations, inclusion and church history.