Good examples of handling dissent and opposition

clem456 · #1 Aug 20, '12, 12:25 pm

Without necessarily arguing about the specific theologies, who are some good examples in the Catholic Tradition of saints etc... who handled disagreements over fundamental questions with charity and respect.

Or examples of saints who may have been treated unuustly by their contemporaries, and handled it with Christian charity. St John of the Cross comes to mind.

And related: When, if ever, should one "let go" of a dispute about theology or Church teaching if one is certain one is right?

Any books related to this topic?

Sirach2 · #2 Aug 20, '12, 1:56 pm

St. Faustina received this instruction from Our Lord:

1164 "My daughter, when I was before Herod, I obtained a grace for you; namely, that you would be able to rise above human scorn and follow faithfully in my footsteps. Be silent when they do not want to acknowledge your truth, because it is then that you speak more eloquently."

Sometimes, with human nature being what it is, we entrench a person more deeply in their argument when we attempt to repeatedly oppose it. It is best to let it go until such time that God works within the person to convict them, in His own time. I need to remember this as well, for sometimes we think we can convince others by our strong argument, using more and more proofs as support. After a few attempts and there is no sign of change, it is time to see the writing on the wall, a byproduct of discernment, I would think.

As for saints, I remember the wonderful witness of these:

Alphonsus Liguoiri was betrayed into signing a document against his Redemptorist Order, due to faulty eyesight and trust in the person who presented it to him.

St. John Bosco was villified by a religious superior and submitted heroicly with his demands. He was finally exonerated in the end by the Pope and his order of Salesians approved.

St. Girard Magellan endured a calumny with extroardinary heroism, that caused his superior, St. Alphonsus, to wonder about it when the truth was finally made known on the calumniator's deathbed.

St. Ignatius Loyola endured three calumnies and was exonerated each time. He did defend his name, however, as a matter of justice, and he was victorious.

Sirach2 · #3 Aug 20, '12, 2:20 pm

You may be interested in obtaining the DVD of St. John Bosco from EWTN. They aired his life in two parts several times, and I never tire of watching it. There are scenes that still bring a tear to my eyes.

The Prefect who was commanding the area where St. John had his oratory gave him a constant hard time. He tried to bribe a worker at the printing press to plant false information to villify St. John, but the worker was most edified by St. John, that he turned on the Prefect. Long story, but at the end of the Prefect's life when he was on his death bed, he sent for St. John to hear his confession. His charity had won him over. (goosebumps again!)

clem456 · #4 Aug 20, '12, 2:36 pm

Thanks for those great examples. I will look for the video. Sometimes it's hard to know when pride is taking over when discussing doctrine etc with friends or on forums.

Iron Donkey · #5 Aug 20, '12, 2:37 pm

St Nicholas, who at the Council of Nicaea very charitably punched Arius in the face instead of throttling him.

Or then again maybe not. He did get thrown in prison and stripped of his bishopric afterwards though, until he was restored to this rank by Jesus and Mary in his cell.

Maybe not the best role model for this particular issue, but at least we can know that when we mess up we're in good company.

Dirt · #6 Aug 20, '12, 4:15 pm

St. Athanasius

VeritasLuxMea · #7 Aug 20, '12, 5:06 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Donkey

St Nicholas, who at the Council of Nicaea very charitably punched Arius in the face instead of throttling him.

Or then again maybe not. He did get thrown in prison and stripped of his bishopric afterwards though, until he was restored to this rank by Jesus and Mary in his cell.

Maybe not the best role model for this particular issue, but at least we can know that when we mess up we're in good company.

Is it believed that Arius was not honest in his theology? If he was honest, but for whatever reason God chose to speak to his counterpart, I don't see why we would have to disrespect the man for that. Doesn't seem fair.

Dies_Irae · #8 Aug 26, '12, 11:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by VeritasLuxMea

Is it believed that Arius was not honest in his theology? If he was honest, but for whatever reason God chose to speak to his counterpart, I don't see why we would have to disrespect the man for that. Doesn't seem fair.

Arius was a heretic.

It's rather unfortunate that the St Nicholas Heresy Punch has fallen into disuse.