Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

This is the advice of Saint James: "Do not err, therefore, my dearest brethren." (19) Let us be very cautious, astute, shrewd and prudent in discerning good doctrine from bad.

But this is not enough. Doctrines assume a body in men. We should be astute, sagacious and cautious also in regard to men.

Let us know how to discern a foe and fight him with the weapons of charity and fortitude:

“Now the Spirit manifestly saith, that in the last times"—these times that Pius XI found so similar to ours—"some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to spirits of error and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy and having their conscience seared." (20)

As far as doctrines and indoctrinators are concerned, this advice is appropriate not only in the theological, philosophical, political, social and economic fields but also in any other field of interest to the Church:

And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding: That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ." (21)

Indeed in this most sad age of ruin and corruption it would be inexplicable that there would not exist, as in the time of the Apostles, ”false apostles, deceitful workmen” who infiltrate in the ranks of the children of light, “transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.” (22)

What other weapon is there against these ministers but the necessary astuteness to know how to distinguish, by their actions and doctrines, the children of light from those of darkness?

Vigilance against preachers of erroneous doctrines that are sweeter, easier and therefore more deceptive must not be only piercing but constant:

Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them. For they that are such, serve not Christ Our Lord, but their own belly; and by pleasing speeches and good words, seduce the hearts of the innocent. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good and simple in evil. And the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. (23)

"Wise in good and simple in evil!" How many there are who only preach naiveté and candor at the service of good but possess a terrible wisdom to spread evil!

This serpentine, cunning wisdom for the good is a virtue absolutely as evangelical as the innocence of the dove:

Now this I say, that no man may deceive you by loftiness of words. (24)

Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy, and vain deceit; according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ. (25)

Let no man seduce you, willing in humility, and religion of angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh. (26)

 The Church is militant and we are her soldiers. Is it necessary to quote even more passages to prove that we must be not just any soldiers, but vigilant soldiers? Experience shows that the best military virtues are worthless without vigilance. Let this be enough to convince Catholic Action members that each one of them, like "miles Christi," (27) must develop to a high degree not only the innocence of the dove but the cunning of the serpent if they want to follow the Holy Gospel in its integrity.

Notes:

19) James 1:16.

20) 1 Tim. 4:1-2. (Our emphasis.)

21) Philippians 1:9-10.

22) 2 Cor. 11:13-15.

23) Rom. 16:17-20. (Our emphasis.)

24) Col. 2:4.

25) Col. 2:8.

26) Col. 2:18.

27) “A soldier of Christ.”

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