THE
P RTAL
December 2017
Page 23
Letters to the Editor
From Didymus Astle From the USA
In the November edition of T he P ortal [vol. 7(83)
p. 23], Paul Sitkowski reports on what he thinks
young people may like. As an older Millennial myself,
I would be interested to know how he came to his
conclusions, for the ideas he expresses are quite
contrary to the hopes of my younger friends. I write this as a charitable warning to all of us
against the sins of gossip that may occasionally tempt
us. We are warned by the Church always to treat our
neighbours with the respect due them simply because
they are persons. We are not to attack their honour
or reputation in a grave way, whether by direct
accusation or by insinuation, and if we do, we face
having done mortal sin.
In today’s permissive world, where everyone is
encouraged to do whatever he pleases, young people
ardently crave the clear structure and direction
ceremony affords. The use of incense and Sacral
English not only enables us to focus by worshipping
with all our senses but also connects us with our
enculturated Christian roots. So many Millennials
feel as though we have been denied our spiritual
inheritance because our heritage was suppressed
by a generation which failed to value the identity-
providing power of an enduring tradition. By
reclaiming it, we seek to seal up the floodgates
through which so many souls have floated out to false
religions, ones which have maintained and nourished
their own roots thereby ensuring their attractiveness
for young people.
Again, in a world that is always rushing us, we want
longer services that give us an opportunity to lay
aside all earthly cares for more than just a moment.
We recognise the significance of how, by joining to
pray the mass in God’s holy church, we are all raised
into the eternal heavenly worship. So we expect our
earthly worship to reflect the glorious grandeur of
heaven and deeply desire to be infused by the aroma
of paradise that there surrounds us for as long as
possible.
While Mr Sitkowski no doubt means well, the
criticism he provides would seek to make the Church
like this world. Yet he doesn’t seem to realise that we
Millennials want a religion that is other-worldly, a
Church that is in the world but not of the world. We
already have plenty of celebrity gods who are like us.
We want a God who will challenge us to be perfect as
he is holy.
Nonetheless, I hope my candour wounds not his
openness towards the Ordinariate and that his clear
love for our Lord Jesus Christ may be a blessing for
all those whom he meets.
Yours peacefully,
Didymus Astle
Australia (By e-mail)
If we think we need to warn, we do it privately and
without the heat of passion. Should we thereafter
feel the need to make public a reprimand, this ought
to be done with the control that is borne of charity,
and not make public things that bring about their
disconsolation or humiliation.
Mockery done for amusement is especially
insidious, because it tempts others to laugh at our
cleverness and thereby be agreeable with us. If we do
such invectiveness in the heat of passion and without
the respect for another’s reputation, we may well be
heaping deadly dangers upon ourselves.
Your mockery as a disguise is seen through for
what it is. Return to your den until you can approach
nicely.
Sincerely (as a sinner also)
name and address supplied
USA
By e-mail
[The Editors would point out that
“Snapdragon” was Blessed John Henry
Newman’s favourite flower and
grew around his room at
Trinity College Oxford.
Our anonymous piece is so called
for this reason, and for no other.]
The views expressed in these letters are not necessarily those of the Editors
Letters for publication should be sent to:
The Editors, T he P ortal ,
56 Woodlands Farm Road,
Birmingham B24 0PG
[email protected]