The Holy Vatican called for the establishment of Catholic communities as an outgrowth of the Burning Bush Ministries in which John Paul II stipulated:
"Ecclesial movements and new communities are a 'providential response' – one 'activated by the Holy Spirit' - to the modern-day question of new evangelization, for which 'mature Christian personalities' and 'living Christian communities' are necessary."
We agree fully with our Holy Father and we have seen for several years where there are communities trying to develop. However, among those we also have seen some cults emerging and we believe this is just the beginning for some wolves to lead many believers away from the truth. In fact, the subtleties of the New Age Movement can usually be seen within these cults, which is why it is imperative to understand the attributes of cults, especially since our beloved pope has given his blessing for communities and we suspect wolves will take advantage of this opportunity in leading astray G-d’s precious children.
We ourselves have seen things from both within and outside of cults, even while helping some people to leave those cults. This is why it is essential to understand some of the tools used entrap people. Once we can recognize these tools, we should be able to build the necessary safeguards to secure all those who join the communities.
We pray that our experiences and research will benefit in developing tools to help safeguard our Christian freedoms while the body unites for those who choose to be in such communities. We have listed some basic premises of cults, our Church’s teachings that respond to these points and also have added links if you wish greater detail on some issues.
Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely:Catholics are bound to the Holy See and this includes edicts from the popes as well as those chosen by the pope for authority, which includes lay leaders, deacons, priests and bishops. This is even more critical of bishops and priests because of their call to the Transubstantiation. This is important to maintaining unity among the brethren and to remove risk of heresy. Yet this does assume those given this authority are acting properly in this right, however our Church warns some may not always do so, therefore how we can spot these; and further, how to guard our own walk from stepping into such shoes if we rise to a position of authority.
The Catechism (2285) warns those in power from scandalizing those under them.
“Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or weakness of those scandalized. It prompted our L-rd to utter this curse:“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matt.18.6 cf.1Cor.8.10-13
Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature of office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account; He even likens them to wolves in sheep’s clothing. Cf. Matt.7.15”
“SCANDAL is ‘an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil’” according to the glossary of the Catechism.
Cat. 2287 further explains why this is true:
“Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!’”This is why exercising authority should always have justice before our eyes:
Cat. 2236. "The exercise of authority is meant to give outward expression to a hierarchy of values in order to facilitate the exercise of freedom and responsibility by all. Those in authority should practice distributive justice wisely, taking account to the needs and contribution of each, with the view to harmony and peace. They should take care that the regulations and measure they adopt are not a source of temptation by setting personal interest against that of the community. [Cf. CA 25.]”We listen to the Holy See, and all those she legitimizes through her power, not just because he is the pope, he is a bishop, or she is the diocesan DRE; we listen to them because they give an “outward expression to a hierarchy of values in order to facilitate the exercise of freedom and responsibility by all” that is they uphold the Word of G-d! And such people are given these authorities because they have special knowledge and acquired special skills, whether gained through earthly ministerial or educational sources, or even through Divine intervention.
So in light of this, here are the warning signs of cultic power struggles and why these should never be visible:
- The leader dictates sometimes in great detail how members should act and feel, but gives little evidence to his positions. This could include no exegetical support to back these, but rather base his positions mostly (if not entirely) upon his own authority.
Questioning, doubt and dissent are discouraged, or even punished
Leaders induce guilt feeling in members to control them
Mind numbing techniques (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leaders
“No man is an island”
The word “catholic” comes from the Greek word Katholikos which means, “universal” or “to be open to the whole” in a sense of being far-reaching and comprehensive in our belief. We like to think this means our vision should be Catholic with a capital “c” but our love and concern for the needs of others should be “catholic” with that small “c”.
- They are overly preoccupied with converting others and less on serving the needs of others.
- “Gradually they isolate their members from other family members and friends, and cause them to give up other goals and activities to meet their growing cult needs”
- They encourage or teach their members to only associate with their own group members and will isolate those members who are labeled “rebels” and discourage their members to speak with them.
- They believe they are some special group to be exulted above all others. They have an “us versus them” mentality focusing in an imaginative “enemy” and see themselves as persecuted by any who disagree with something they hold. This is often connected with prophecy and end time events.
- They are heavily involved in motivational teaching and “feel good” sessions to promote emotions. They overwhelm with smiling faces, handshakes and hugs of unconditional friendships. They immediately become your best friend and replacement family. Critical thinking is discouraged and seen as selfish, or as dissention (see Power Corrupts - Questioning and Inducing Guilt).
- They appoint “inside” meaning to ordinary words or use an exclusive vocabulary that requires a certain level of membership to acquire and use. They can come to gain control over intimate matters and individual privacy.
In conclusion, we believe if we are to build Roman Catholic communities to address the calling of the Burning Bush Ministries, then we have to keep these tactics in mind and out of our community development plans. For an analogy, perhaps leaders should be similar to the character Aragorn from the L-rd of the Rings, who was a reluctant king that feared the allure of power because he’d seen too many who were corrupted by this and the destruction it brought. Consider the fractioning brought from the Protestant Reformation or the many deaths at the Branch Davidian compound and at Johnstown. Therefore, if we Catholics are to achieve our own little “Hobbiton” with that love of gardening and the “simple life” we must never forget that we all are answerable to a higher authority while we stay “in the world”, though not to be “of that world”. References:
Besides relying on a book called Cult and Consequences that we read a decade ago (though we could not find), we also utilized two web pages:
Also, a, special note of thanks to our Church leaders who painstakingly researched, prayed and assembled The Catechism of the Catholic Church .
