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Developing a Catholic Sense
By Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
Catholic doctrine is one thing and Catholic
sense another. There are several points where Catholic doctrine
is applied with great advantage when it is aided by Catholic
sense.
Catholic doctrine does not condemn priestly
marriage. But Catholic sense, profoundly identified with
the thought of the Church, understands that in the real
world, the grandeur of the priesthood demands priestly celibacy.
Catholic doctrine is perfectly compatible
with the early organization of the Church, in which some
ecclesiastical posts were filled through election by the
faithful among themselves. But Catholic sense, while understanding
the advantage of this system in other times, today intransigently
defends the present organization of the Church, the only
one compatible with the circumstances of our times.
Catholic doctrine does not oblige the Holy
Father to surround himself in the Vatican with all the splendor
of the papal court. But Catholic sense perfectly understands
the need for this splendor as the human manifestation of
the hallowed dignity of the Holy Pontiff.
In short, knowledge of Catholic doctrine
is for us as necessary as it is, for a navigator, to know
the position of the stars as he watches the skies to orient
his route. For its part, Catholic sense represents the practical
knowledge of the pilot who, mindful of the treacherous reefs
and sandbanks, turns his eyes not only to the skies but
also to the sea, looking for the dangers he must avoid.
Without both things, that is, knowledge
of the stars and the obstacles hidden in the sea, navigation
is impossible.
Likewise, without a serious knowledge of
Catholic doctrine and a keen Catholic sense, it is impossible
to navigate safely through this stormy ocean in which we
sail.
Therefore, it is not sufficient to
respect minimal points of Catholic doctrine. It is necessary
for Catholic sense to permeate everything so as to enable
us, in its own way, to resolve our multiple difficulties.
(Legionario, October 1, 1933)
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