Shisong Heart Call: True Religion?

The Mass readings these weeks have been from the book of James, who has a lot to say about what it means to live our Christian faith. One of the things that is inescapable in Shisong is the degree to which religion (not only Catholicism) permeates the culture, and the fervency and apparent joy with which it is observed. One of the visitors that I have spent time with in Shisong doubted the faith of many of the people here. This individual felt that much of the fervency and enthusiasm expressed in the Catholic community was based on the culture and behavioral expectations rather than true love of Christ or belief in God. In her country, the cultural aspects of faith have largely disappeared, but she feels that those that practice their Catholicism are sincere because those without faith simply don’t bother.

Being here for 5 months certainly does not make me an expert on anything, and I am not inclined to judge the faith of individuals or a community in any case. However, it could be interesting to share a few observations. I think that nominal faith and participating in a faith community for social reasons exists everywhere and in every faith and philosophy. Even in countries where there is severe persecution it is possible that people seek martyrdom for the wrong reasons, although you might suspect that there is less “acting” in a community where the faith costs much. In Shisong, the Catholic community is served by Capuchins (Franciscan friars), as well as diocesan priests from Kumbo. I have heard teaching at high levels to general audiences (homilies and instructional settings) on Christian living, the differences between superstition and sacramentals, the tension between one’s Christian faith and the traditional practices of one’s community or position, Christian sexual morality, and care for the poor. The Mass attendance for the hospital weekday Masses on Wednesdays and Fridays is high; for some it is certainly that they are attending to say they have attended because they work in a Catholic hospital. However, the level of participation within the Mass is high and I think it would be unreasonable to suspect the motives of most of the people. In any case, it is much easier for people to be exposed to Christ and to come to a true knowledge of Him in this setting than in a secular setting where Christianity is routinely disparaged, misrepresented, or absent. A tailor I have worked with does not work on Sundays and leaves early on Saturdays to go to Bible study (and yes, she is Catholic). Some of the nurses in the operating room belong to various men’s groups that study the faith together as well as serve the community; these activities take a great deal of time – more than activities in America usually expect. Obviously the sisters dedicate significant time to prayer, study, and service, feeding not only their own faith but also the faith of others.

On the downside, one of the most disturbing stories I have heard came out of Central Africa on the BBC. The BBC has no love for Christianity and may well have been trying to present “Christians” in the worst possible light. There have been stories of extreme generosity and Christian heroism from the CAR as well. However, in this story, people identified by the BBC as “Christians” were participating in clearly un-Christian behavior. All Christians choose wrongly sometimes, but only rarely is the wrong behavior intentionally identified with our Christianity. I do not know if the men in the news story identified themselves as Christians, or if to the BBC reporter, any non-Muslim could be identified as a Christian. These men were seeking revenge against a Muslim man for atrocities committed against Christians by other Muslims (not this man). Not only did they desire revenge, but they identified it as an obligation. Additionally, they were described as wearing amulets which would protect them from harm. In no aspect of the story did God or Christ have anything to do with their behavior or their motivations. It is possible that these people had had some exposure to Christianity, but clearly their behavior in this story was not related to their Christian lives. It would be better if the BBC would simply describe “ethnic violence” rather than to portray this as a religious war. There are true Christians suffering in the CAR, and probably there are people of traditional religions suffering in the CAR, and there are a few Muslims remaining who are suffering in the CAR, and many refugees from the CAR in other places. Please pray for all of them; I see little of this in the American news, although if you are praying for Syria you can just add the CAR.

The press has a tendency to present Catholicism as ridiculous. If I learned about the Church and her doings from the New York Times I certainly might think that the Catholic Church is ridiculous. It is important not to learn about Christianity from the mainstream press, which has its own agendae (primarily selling advertising, but there are others). There is much rich and beautiful writing to help us understand the life Christ offers and the grace found through the Church. In much of Africa, books and the internet are not readily available, so people learn about and celebrate Christianity in many other ways, including cultural practices and beauty. It is not easy, or necessary, to judge.