Archbishop Dolan: Is it Time for a Renewal of the External Markers of Our Faith?

By Archbishop Timothy Dolan
8/20/2011
The Gospel in the Digital Age (blog.archny.org/)

Is it fair and timely to ask if we

Friday abstinence from meat ... seriousness about Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; fasting on the Ember Days; saints names for children; confession at least annually; loyal membership in the local parish; fasting for three hours before Holy Communion, just to name a few.

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NEW YORK, NY (Gospel in the Digital Age) - We once again present an insightful article by Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York. It can be found on his blog entitled "The Gospel in the Digital Age"

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External Markers of Our Faith: Archbishop Timothy Dolan

It caused somewhat of a stir . . .

A few months back, you might have heard, the bishops of England reintroduced the discipline of abstinence from meat on Fridays.

Every Catholic mid-fifties and older can recall how abstinence from meat on all Fridays was a constant of our lives. In 1967, Pope Paul VI relaxed this discipline, decreeing it no longer obligatory, but voluntary, while highly encouraged, on Fridays (except during Lent, when it remained binding).

This modification-the pros and cons still being debated-almost became the symbol of "change" in the post-Vatican II Church.

Whether one agrees with that decision or not, all must admit that penance and mortification-essentials of Christian discipleship, according to Jesus Himself-have sadly diminished as a trait of Catholic life. Such was hardly the intent of Pope Paul VI, as is clear from his 1967 teaching, but, it is a somber fact.

That's one of the reasons the bishops of Great Britain have reintroduced the discipline, calling their brothers and sisters, faithful to the Gospel, back to external acts of penance, so necessary to fight the reign of sin so evident in our personal lives, in the world, and even within the Church.

Another reason that usually surfaces in any discussion of this issue is the value of what are called external markers enhancing our religious identity.

Scholars of religion-all religions, not just Catholic-tell us that an essential of a vibrant, sustained, attractive, meaningful life of faith in a given creed is external markers.

The essence of faith, of course, is the interior, the inside life of the soul. Jesus, for instance, always reminds us that it's what's inside that counts.

However, genuine interior religion then gives rise to external traits, especially acts of charity and virtue.

Among these exterior characteristics are these markers that the scholars talk about.

For some religions, it might be dress; others are noted for feastdays, seasons, calendars, music, ritual, customs, special devotions, and binding moral obligations.

Islam, for example, is renowned for Ramadan, the holy season now upon them; dress; required prayer three times daily; and obligatory pilgrimage.

Orthodox Jews are obvious, for instance, for their skull caps, for the seriousness of the Sabbath, and for feastdays.

What about us Catholics? For God's sake, I trust we are recognized for our faith, worship, charity, and lives of virtue.

But, what are the external markers that make us stand out?

Lord knows, there used to be tons of them: Friday abstinence from meat was one of them, but we recall so many others: seriousness about Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation; fasting on the Ember Days; saints names for children; confession at least annually; loyal membership in the local parish; fasting for three hours before Holy Communion, just to name a few.

But, almost all of these external markers are now gone. Some applaud this; some mourn it. I guess some were helpful, while others were not. Besides the black smudge on our foreheads on Ash Wednesday, is there any way we Catholics "stand out" as distinctive?

Debate it you may. But, the scholars tell us that, without such identifiable characteristics, any religion risks becoming listless, bland, and unattractive. Even the sociologist Father Andrew Greeley, hardly some nostalgic conservative, concluded that the dropping of Friday abstinence was a loss to Catholic identity.

And that's another reason many welcomed the initiative of the bishops of England as a step in the right direction: restoring a sense of belonging, an exterior sign of membership, to a Church at times adrift.

Is it fair and timely to ask if we "threw out the baby with the bathwater" when we got rid of so many distinctive, identifying marks of Catholic life five decades ago?

I'm not saying we should re-introduce any or all of these markers. The toothpaste is probably out of the tube. I'm just suggesting that this is a conversation well-worth having.

Perhaps the pivotal question is: what makes us different as a Catholic?

A balance is good: if all the emphasis is on these external markers, the danger is hypocrisy and scrupulous observance of man-made laws.

But, if all the emphasis is on the interior, with no exterior sign of identity, the risk is a loss of a sense of belonging and communal solidarity.

We sure need both.

So, I ask again: what makes us different as Catholics? Are the bishops of England on to something?

- - -

Archbishop Timothy Dolans' reflections on Catholic faith, life and mission

Keywords: sign of the cross, catholic symbols, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, kneeling, piety, practice

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1 - 10 of 27 Comments

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1 year ago
I hope Archbishop Dolan's suggestions become reality. I welcome Friday Abstinence from red meat. I've been a Friday vegetarian since the 1950's. People don't need to eat meat on Friday. Nobody is required to eat fish or any seafood on Friday. How about a vegy pizza with beer? I hope Friday Abstinence comes back.
Glenn Sopsop
1 year ago
Yes, I agree to Archbishop Dolan's article that external markers of faith is necessary. However, it must be done as an expression of inner faith out of love. Doing these external markers out of obligation is nothing. Therefore, cultivating an inner faith is first and foremost, let it grow and bear fruit, love. And love is abstract that needs to be expressed into some actions. Doing the external markers of faith such as fasting during Fridays or any days, eucharistic fasting etc. would then be a loving sacrificial action of self-denial and discipline and become pleasing to God. I usually skip my breakfast and lunch every friday in order to prepare myself for an encounter with God at friday night during our parish prayer meeting. And I see the effect myself. Try fasting out love and see the effect yourself. You will be surprised the change of your perception to your enemy and people around you.. GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Jane
1 year ago
Thank you very much for allowing us to read Archbishop Dolan's statements about revisiting some of the outward signs of the Catholic faith. I am a convert from the 1950's and have always,from the beginning of my conversion, abstained from eating meat on Friday. I would also like to comment on the 60 Minute Program on Sunday and let the Archbishop know how much I enjoyed his comments and am certainly in his corner. Praise be to God for his courage to speak out on issues which certainly need to be addressed at theis perlious time in history. God Bless You, Archbiship Dolan. Our prayers are with you.
Matthew
1 year ago
I appreciate this article by Archbishop Dolan. I think he makes some important points worthy of reflection.
I will also say that, while I respect all the bishops, I was disappointed when I heard that the bishops of England were reinstating Friday abstinence from meat (on what appears to be a mandatory basis). Although I think Catholics need to make a habit of doing some penance on Friday, I do not think that Friday abstinence should be mandatory year-round. Doing so is likely to encourage scrupulosity. Also, I should mention that, even if one wishes to observe Friday abstinence as much as possible, there could be legitimate situations (e.g. birthdays, holidays such as July 4th in America, traveling) in which abstinence would be awkward or impractical, at least for many people. It is better to encourage voluntary penitential practices. I think that Archbishop Dolan is correct in saying "The toothpaste is probably out of the tube".
I do agree that it is sad that many Catholics aren't serious about Mass attendance and about regular confession, and about habits of performing (voluntary) penances. I hope and pray that this situation changes for the better.
hartwood
1 year ago
Americans do not like to be told what to do. Those obligatory practices came from an era when we followed without question. Like it or not, that era is gone. Attraction and guidance is always more fruitful.
Paul
1 year ago
I very strongly support the idea of Catholics making ourselves a far more visible and coherent group, in part because I think it helps young Catholics like my four year-old develop their own sense of place in the Church and in part because I think it help all Catholics of every age to feel even prouder and more secure in their Church.

And as a "liberal" Catholic, I respectfully disagree with James' comment that liberal Catholics might not support such a notion. I strongly do!

What is more, I think we need to look beyond simply resurrecting of the outward signs of yesteryear to some more modern possibilities. Yes, bring back Friday abstinence. But also note the fact that young people today eat far less meat (including fish) than their parents and grandparents (many are vegetarian or even vegan) and to many young Catholics and their non-Catholic peers, refraining from meat "ONLY" on Fridays may seem meaningless at best and retrograde at worst. There need to be modern signs of Catholic identity so that the awesome two thousand year-old history of our Church doesn't make young people think we are stuck in the past.

In addition, I strongly think that one nearly two thousand year-old tradition needs to be bolstered: the wearing of crucifixes. Having a cross or crucifix around one's neck used to extremely common. Today it isn't nearly as common, particularly among young people. It sends a strong statement in a very personal and unobtrusive manner, a message that some people don't want to hear but one that Christ wants all Catholics to send.
Michael Patrick
1 year ago
Bring eating fish back on Fridays under penalty of mortal sin if you don't.....is that what the British Bishops have done or is it merely an exhortation to British Catholics to revert to this practice in public on a voluntary basis?
If the latter I have no beef (pun intended) with it but if the former, I, for one, if I lived in England, would in good conscience be unable to accept such an oppressive foisting on me and would thus be in dissent and, apparently, in a state of mortal sin to boot.
It's the same as making New Years Day a day of obligation to honor Mary.
I'm all for honoring Mary but not by a Holy Day of Obligation (under penalty of mortal sin) on a day that is a secular festivity the world over and has been since I can remember.
Doing these things only serves to embitter and distance Catholics like me who are really trying to "want" to go to Mass on Sundays as much as he wants to and does go during the week and who are still trying to exit the "oppression" of the pre Vatican II era when one was doomed to hell for the slightest non-compliance or so it seemed.
Monica Benninghoff
1 year ago
I miss the external markers of the Catholic identity from my youth (I'm 53), and if bringing some of them back is what it might take to reach the Catholics who have left the church, all the better. I for one could use the external discipline in my life of conforming to a prescribed Catholic identity.

Just the tickle of the suggestion energizes and excites me! Children thrive when parents impose and enforce boundaries that are sensible and affirming of their love. To think that more of our brothers and sisters would experience opportunities to grow in faith and spirit in today's fast-moving chaotic world is awesome!

The Catholic faith is alive in a lot of us, but the Kingdom could be so much bigger and better if the bishops will review and implement what works for the glory of God and his pilgrim Church here on earth. They shouldn't be afraid to impose some discipline on us. Heaven knows we need it!
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Denise J or Anyone.

You are a humble person. God Bless. If you get the chance the Catechism of the Catholic Church is on the web.

I have The Family Catechism and the The Catechism earmarked in my list on my home blog page at Jean'sBistro2010's if you need it.

My blog is humbly formed in laypeople's terms for instruction. Its only a simple blog but my small contribution to The New Evangelization we are called to.

It is a reminder of our rich Catholic faith which we have and which is great. My hope is it will serve its purpose to everyone.

Please feel free to pass it on. I try to also link other sights for everyone as well when I can update for further reference to anyone. It isnt the Vatican Library but you can also link to our Vatican from there as well.

God Bless everyone and lets all encourage each other to Keep the Faith, to grow in the Faith and to learn in the Faith. To know Him and To love Him and To Serve Him. You understand that and you will go far.
Rob
1 year ago
I think some external practices would be great if they were brought back and practiced. As I look at the folks in the pews, they just seem so unexcited about their faith and catholicism. I would support anything and brings more active participation by Catholics.

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