The Errors of the Saints

THE ERRORS OF THE SAINTS

Saints are normal human beings—maybe in some instances even somewhat abnormal. We should not be surprised if they snap in anger when a devotee suddenly pulls painfully at their arm. On the other hand, we might be a little surprised if they are so scrupulous about practicing the virtue of chastity that they do not permit even members of the same sex to glimpse their uncovered foot. 

This series of blogs revisits the errors of several Roman Catholic saints. Our purpose here is not to cite merely everyday mistakes or commonplace lapses. We are interested in examining the errors of the saints that had significantly influenced the practice of the faith because the defective character of their ideas or conduct may not have been recognized at the time. They are human failings that may even have been elevated as exemplary, their influence touching thousands, if not millions, possibly extending for centuries and even up to the present day.

In other words, we are interested in the “social sins” of the saints, human failings which had a negatively multiplicative effect on the belief and practice of the faith:

Sins give rise to social situations and institutions that are contrary to the divine goodness. “Structures of sin” are the expression and effect of personal sins. …In an analogous sense, they constitute a “social sin.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1869)

There is a point to this exercise.

We believe that Roman Catholics should listen to their consciences when they evaluate the ideas or the conduct of persons—the saints—who are held up by the Roman Catholic Church—the institution—as exemplary, especially when we consider that “exemplary failings,” to use an oxymoron, lead to “social sin.”

We cannot accept uncritically, or worse, mindlessly, what the saints say or do, so that when we evaluate what we perceive to be questionable, objectionable, or possibly even reprehensible in the lives of the saints, we must consult our conscience and act accordingly. We should not be bound by any claim of truth or righteousness that allegedly proceeds from the title “saint,” if our conscience attests otherwise.

This spiritual attitude, in my strong view, is necessary for both spiritual and psychological health.

We should not act contrary to our conscience, and on this point I believe my position is theologically and psychologically sound.

“Saint John Chrysostom – Preaching Anti-Semitism,” first in the series:

https://oddsandendsgonzalinhodacosta.blogspot.com/2020/03/saint-john-chrysostom-preaching-anti.html