There is no question about it. We must be united in what we believe as Christians. The faithful, themselves, bring diversity to the Church, but they are unified in what they believe and what they pass on to others. It is why the first Apostles called for the Council of Jerusalem (read The Acts of the Apostles). It is the reason for numerous councils throughout history. It is the reason those councils prayed for answers to the spiritual questions of the day and invited the Holy Spirit to lead them into Truth. They knew the importance of unanimity when it comes to what we believe.
Unity, however, is not sameness. With regard to worship styles and callings, we are diverse. We are One Body with many parts. So, while Christian unity means we are One in what we believe, our unity encourages and provides for diversity. Each of us is gifted by the Holy Spirit for unique work. Each calling has its own thumbprint. Each tongue of praise has its own timbre.
I used to think Protestantism provided for our diversity rather well. After all, there is a place for charismatics (Assembly of God and Church of God and Independents). There is a place for traditionalists (Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian). Fundamentalists and literalists find a home in the Southern Baptist and Wesleyan denominations. Contemplatives and activist for social justice have a home in the Quaker Church. The young and “on fire” believers find non-denominational, independent churches exciting and uplifting.
But what happens if a husband is a traditionalist and his wife is a charismatic? Do they go to different churches? What if a son or a daughter is drawn to contemporary worship styles and the parents are more comfortable with liturgy and church structure and authority? Do they go to different churches?
The Catholic Church is the only place where diverse worship styles and callings can find common ground. If you are Catholic, you might be charismatic. You might prefer traditional forms of prayer. You might be a quiet contemplative. You might be active in social justice.
If you are Catholic, you might identify with the spiritual practice of St. Benedict (Benedictine) or St. Francis of Assisi (Franciscan) or St. Dominic (Dominican) or St. Francis de Sales (Salesian). Maybe you are a Jesuit and studying for a PhD in microbiology. Or a Carmelite and pray two or three hours every day.
Or maybe you belong to a lay apostolate and are active in pro-life activities or evangelism or worship or ecumenism. Maybe you have a call to feed the poor and clothe the naked. So you work at the St. Vincent de Paul Center or give to Catholic Charities. Maybe your heart breaks for the victims of hurricanes or tsunamis or earthquakes or wars, and you are drawn to Catholic Relief Services where you can help victims rebuild their lives. Or maybe you are active in your local parish, where you give generously of your time, talent, and treasure.
In the Catholic Church there is an “on fire” youth program for your children. They can go to World Youth Day in another country or to a local diocesan retreat just for them. (see pictures above from WYD 2008)
Marriage enrichment retreats are available for couples. There are homes for unwed mothers. And monasteries that open their doors so that individuals can have a quiet retreat with the Lord.
There is no other church that has so many opportunities to give, so many ways to serve, and so many styles of worship.
There are countless ways the Catholic Church encourages and provides for unity in diversity. I’ve only begun to plumb the depths. While I have much to learn, I do know that I continue to fall deeply in love with this beautifully diverse, yet unified Church.
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