Lukewarm Catholics cause sin and confusion. Those on fire with faith can change the world

(LifeSiteNews) — Today, April 30, we celebrate the Feast of St. Pius V, who was known for being a “model of personal integrity and ascetic holiness.” Born in 1504 and elected pope in 1566, this Dominican friar once famously said that “all the evils of the world are due to lukewarm Catholics.”

Lukewarm is certainly not a word you could use to describe this pontiff. According to a Papal Artifacts biography, after he became pope, “he wore his hair shirt, slept very little, walked barefoot in processions to the different churches and was always a model of sincere devotion asking nothing of anyone that he was unwilling to practice himself.” Additionally, “he daily washed the feet of the poor who came to him seeking help … visited hospitals to comfort the dying and remained devoted to the needs of the poor throughout his life.”

Not only that, but Pope Pius V was also known for his devotion to Mary and amassing the fleet that defeated the Turks at the Battle of Lepanto, for implementing the decrees that came from the Council of Trent, for finishing and publishing a catechism, for excising heretics, and much more. Though some say he was too severe, it is obvious that the Catholic faith spread because of his papacy.

Thus it makes sense that he would rail against lukewarmness, which the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines as “hesitation or negligence in responding to divine love” and that “can imply refusal to give oneself over to the prompting of charity.”

Lukewarmness causes us to forgo or water down Christ’s teachings. It prevents us from living our faith and lovingly caring for those around us. It keeps us from speaking out when matters of morality arise. It adopts a “live and let live” attitude rather than an “I care about your soul” attitude. And it may even cause us to put material things before Christ.

I would argue that the path to hell is paved with lukewarm Catholics who lead others astray and who distort Church teaching.

Even Pope Francis, early on in his pontificate, warned against lukewarmness, saying that a lukewarm Christian “ultimately disseminates confusion” and “a negative witness.”

Today, we look at some of the leaders within the Church and realize that lukewarm would actually be a compliment. Priests and deacons give flowery sermons filled with vague directions that even an atheist could manage to live by. Bishops disagree about basic Catholic teaching, when they could simply reference and quote the Catechism. It’s no wonder people are confused. When leaders falter, so can the flock.

Yet all is not lost, for our God-given free will allows us to make good choices even when those around us are doing otherwise. Lukewarmness is often a part of life and is experienced by many, even great saints, so when you begin to feel it, don’t panic and don’t give up. Understand that feelings and actions are vastly different. We don’t have to allow feelings of lukewarmness to destroy our faith. On the contrary, we can use them to spur us into different actions, as we realize that the spark we once had has not been snuffed out but simply needs a new source of fuel.

The Church recognizes that this happens and offers countless tools to light that same fire within us that the apostles experienced after Pentecost, when they wore their moral courage like a badge of honor and left the upper room filled with the Holy Spirit. They had seen the Risen Christ, they knew the truth, and they wanted to share it with the entire world.

You can be certain that, had these men not been sure about what they had seen, they would have returned to their previous lives. They certainly would not have walked thousands of miles teaching about Christ and then died as martyrs for something they didn’t know to be absolutely true. Thankfully, they did know, so they taught and built the Church that Christ started. And Christ wants us to have that same fire within us.

So if you feel a little lukewarm, become proactive and do something different in your faith life.

For instance, immerse yourself in God’s word. Read the Bible or listen to the Bible in a Year podcast. Partake in a study of Scripture with your parish or with a small group of friends. Spend some time each day reading and reflecting on what Jesus actually said and how He treated those around Him. Be aware of the fact that, while He ate with sinners, He did not condone sin and instead said to “sin no more.”

Understand that faith without works is dead, as we read in James 2:17. He teaches that we must live our faith by doing good for those around us in any way that we are able. We should perform the corporal works of mercy to the best of our ability by regularly feeding and clothing the hungry, volunteering at shelters or donating to food pantries or clothing closets, performing works of kindness for the sick and elderly, and upholding the dignity of life by caring for single moms and their babies.

Befriend the saints, as we know that the holy men and women who have gone before us encountered the same types of adversities and strife that we do. They were betrayed, they lost loved ones, they dealt with illnesses and diseases, and they even encountered dry spells when they questioned their faith. But they didn’t allow those things to keep them from doing Christ’s work, and every day they strived for sainthood. They fed and clothed the poor, built hospitals for the sick, proclaimed the sanctity of life, or preached about the sanctity of marriage and the importance of family. Even if you cannot do “big” things like build a hospital or care for the sick and dying, as Mother Teresa did, you can do little things to show others that they matter and have value. Choosing to do a few little things each day does make a significant impact on those around you.

Finally, read or listen to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Divided into four parts—what we believe, how we worship, how we live, and how we pray—the Catechism of the Catholic Church is a critical tool for helping us understand our faith and how it has continued for more than 2,000 years. If you struggle with reading it, listen to the Catechism in a Year podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz. Not only will you hear the Catechism, but you will gain important insights, and even better, you will fall in love with the Church Christ founded.

So while I would not agree that all the evil of the world is due to lukewarm Catholics, I do believe that lukewarm Catholics lead people to sin and confusion. I also believe that Catholics on fire for the faith can and do change the world. That’s why it’s up to each of us to set aside those lukewarm feelings and teach the truths of our faith, never leading anyone astray.

Susan Ciancio has a BA in psychology and a BA in sociology from the University of Notre Dame and an MLS from Indiana University. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2003; over 17 of those years have been in the pro-life sector. Currently, she is the editor of American Life League’s Celebrate Life Magazine—the nation’s premier Catholic pro-life magazine. She is also the director and executive editor of ALL’s Culture of Life Studies Program—a pre-K-12 Catholic pro-life education organization.