True Catholicism
Sir: I have recently seen Auberon Waugh's article, Thoughts on a bad Pope (8 October). Although his apparent obsessive hatred of Pope Paul is quite irrational, I think the central point of his article is very valid.
I agree with Mr Waugh that: The Church's mission is not and never has been to a handful of enthusiasts or "perfeeti" . The Catholic Church does seem increasingly to consist of activists to the exclusion of those who whether out of hostility to current changes, lack of time or simply venality, do not play an active role. The danger from this is that the activists in some respects appear to be increasingly preaching to themselves in a language that is incomprehensible to those who still feel some need for the church but who are not so active. Mr Waugh referred to the Cathars; he might have equally turned nearer home and cited the exclusive tendencies of Puritanism towards ostracising ordinary mortal sinners.
Some of the implications of the changes in the Catholic Church need to be thought out much more carefully. In particular whether they are not turning Catholicism into merely a specialist interest or hobby for the 'goody-goodies', and in so doing closing the door on the doubting, the lapsed and the weak.
I suspect that part of the problem arises from the drive for ecumenism. Although this should prima facie broaden the base of Christianity, has it never occurred to its supporters that it could have the contrary effect on Catholicism, and turn a universal church into a Protestant sect? Then the characteristics of Albigensianism and Puritanism would become uppermost in the Catholic Church.
U. J. Loring 112 Beaufort Street, London SW3
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