Not Every Opinion Needs A Platform

It is not exactly news that has been quietly tucked away: the SSPX has attempted the consecration of four bishops without a papal mandate, and the Vatican has responded by reminding them of the immediate excommunication they were warned about. Social media has predictably become a firestorm of comments from every side. Some believe the SSPX was right. Others believe the Vatican was right. Still others have offered countless opinions somewhere in between.

To be honest, I hesitate to spend much time on the controversy itself. Instead, I think it serves as another reminder of something much larger: in the age of social media, nearly every event in the life of the Church immediately becomes a public debate. More than ever before, we have both an opinion and a platform from which to express it.

In many respects, this can be a wonderful thing. Here in America, we rightly cherish the freedom to speak openly and to exchange ideas (within reasonable limits, of course). Whether we are discussing politics, our favorite vehicle, or even the weather, there is very little stopping us from offering our thoughts.

But what about when it comes to the Church? Should we feel just as free to voice every opinion we have? Should we comment on every controversy, every document, or every statement made by the Holy Father?

The answer is not a simple "yes" or "no," but it is worth thinking about.

On one hand, our opinions can certainly do good. Sometimes Church teachings seem difficult or confusing, especially to those outside the faith. A thoughtful explanation, offered with patience and charity, can help another person understand something they had never considered before. These kinds of conversations are often motivated by a sincere love for Christ and His Church. In those moments, our thoughts can become an act of evangelization.

Even then, however, humility should accompany whatever we say. We should recognize that not everyone will agree with us, and that is perfectly alright. We should also remember that there are many subjects in the Church that require years of study, prayer, and pastoral experience to understand well. Reading a few articles online, doing a Google search, or even asking ChatGPT to summarize a topic does not suddenly make us experts. Some issues are simply more complex than we first realize, and there is no shame in admitting that they may be beyond our understanding. Humility often begins by recognizing the limits of our own knowledge.

There is another side to the discussion as well: what happens when we disagree?

Certainly, Catholics can have differing prudential opinions about many matters in the life of the Church. Honest questions, respectful discussion, and sincere efforts to understand are not only acceptable—they can be healthy. Yet Christian charity asks us to consider more than whether our opinion is correct. It asks us whether expressing that opinion publicly, in a particular place and in a particular way, will actually serve the good of souls.

Everything we express should be carefully weighed because it is not only fellow Catholics who are watching us. Often, people from other Christian communities, those who have fallen away from the faith, or those simply curious about Catholicism are reading those same comment sections. I often wonder what they see when Catholics publicly tear one another apart online. Do they see a people that are to be known as the Body of Christ, or do they see division that makes the Gospel seem less attractive, or even contradictory? Could our words, even when well-intentioned, become an occasion of scandal for someone searching for faith?

Too often, I fear our desire to have and defend an opinion begins to overshadow our love for the Church and even our love for the Lord, whether we realize it or not. Can we have contrary opinions? Certainly. But we should carefully consider where those opinions belong and how they are expressed. Sometimes the better place for a difficult concern is a respectful conversation with those responsible for teaching and shepherding the Church rather than broadcasting it to thousands of strangers online. There is always the danger that what begins as a sincere concern ends up becoming a stumbling block for someone else's faith.

As a pastor, I deal with many situations that most parishioners never see, just as doctors, teachers, engineers, and countless others deal with matters within their own professions that require specialized knowledge. We all have our own areas of responsibility and expertise. Recognizing that is not weakness—it is wisdom. Likewise, we should not be surprised when others disagree with our conclusions, nor should we take those disagreements personally. Once our opinions become matters of personal pride, charity often begins to disappear.

Yes, there are plenty of difficulties in the Church today. There always have been. Yet Jesus Christ is still here. The sacraments continue to pour out grace. The Gospel continues to be preached. In the midst of every controversy, it is easy to lose sight of these far greater realities. We can become so focused on having the right opinion that we neglect the deeper call to grow in holiness and to help others encounter Christ.

We will always enjoy the right to free speech here in the United States, at least I pray that we do. But let us never forget that Christian maturity also includes knowing when not to speak. Sometimes the most charitable thing we can do is to refrain from adding another voice to the noise, or more chaos to the confusion.

We may always have our opinions. Let us simply be careful that pride never blinds us to the fullness of truth, and that our opinions never become more important than our love for Christ, His Church, and one another.