On Defending Church Teaching with Knowledge and Virtue

“Even if you have seen the video of a Kalamazoo, Michigan priest responding to a group of dissenting women after Mass, I thought I would pull some lessons out from my viewing and share them here.

“Some will have you believe that Church teachings cannot be defended charitably.  The fact is, you can exercise the charity of instructing the ignorant and admonishing the sinner while still being nice.  In fact, since God gives to each of us a free-will, it becomes all the more important to use an approach that will get people to want to listen, even when we think they will not.   Harshness will often cause others to put up a wall or simpy [sic] walk away.  We don't see any of that in Fr. Ted Martin's handling of this issue.  Credit also has to be given to him for not dismissing them, and for going out to speak with the women, knowing full well it was not likely to be friendly.”

In a recent commentary, Diane M. Korzeniewski, OCDS, reflected on how Father Ted Martin, of the Diocese of Kalamazoo (MI), defended Church teaching with calmness and grace when discussing issues with a group of women who had serious concerns regarding the Church’s teaching.

To access this post, with Fr. Perrone’s complete homily, please visit:

Te Deum Laudamus!: A priest demonstrates how to defend Church with knowledge and virtue (2 JUL 12)