Question:
Dear Brother Ignatius Mary,
My female family members have a charming habit of referring to the consecrated religious with terms I feel are more befitting to a tiny child or puppy. I've found myself becoming naturally irritated by their remarks because I see them instead with great reverence and respect. I find their choice of words to be inappropriate and demeaning. My rationale is that the religious are adults first of all; and second of all their vocation is an extremely necessary and serious one. So I guess I not only find their notions about the religious themselves insulting and to be completely devoid the point, but the religious LIFE as well.
My view is that the religious are warriors for Christ who have sacrificed nearly everything to be shining examples of the reality of Christ's perpetual existence. Not objects for us to be entertained by. Furthermore I feel their notions are fueled by an inclination to excuse their personal worldliness by painting the religious as something far from what they are called to be.
I've spoken my mind to them as politely as I could muster. The across the board response is, "It's a woman's thing" and "It's that we see them with great love and affection like a mother sees her children." The responses gave me a more sympathetic understanding but something still doesn't feel right about it. I can't help but feel and notice that they are referring to fully grown adults who have given their lives entirely to the Will of God for the salvation of souls like they would a baby St. Bernard.
Am I judging rashly Brother? What is your perspective on this ordeal?
Dear Jonathan:
Anyone who would call me "cute" needs to get their eyes checked.
Priests and religious are to be treated with respect to their consecration. In fact, what most people do not realize, but blasphemy can also be committed to other people and things besides God:
2148 Blasphemy is directly opposed to the second commandment. It consists in uttering against God - inwardly or outwardly - words of hatred, reproach, or defiance; in speaking ill of God; in failing in respect toward him in one's speech; in misusing God's name. St. James condemns those "who blaspheme that honorable name [of Jesus] by which you are called." The prohibition of blasphemy extends to language against Christ's Church, the saints, and sacred things. It is also blasphemous to make use of God's name to cover up criminal practices, to reduce peoples to servitude, to torture persons or put them to death. The misuse of God's name to commit a crime can provoke others to repudiate religion.
The theologian, Fr. John Hardon, in his Modern Catholic Dictionary, states:
Speaking against God in a contemptuous, scornful, or abusive manner. Included under blasphemy are offenses committed by thought, word, or action. Serious contemptuous ridicule of the saints, sacred objects, or of persons consecrated to God is also blasphemous because God is indirectly attacked. Blasphemy is a grave violation of charity toward God. Its gravity may be judged by the capital punishment on the Old Testament, severe penalties of the Church, and in many cases also of the State for blasphemous speech or conduct. In order for a person to sin gravely in this manner, he must use blasphemous expressions and realize the contemptuous meaning of what he says or does. (Etym. Latin blasphemia,blasphemy; from greek blasph_mein, to speak ill of.)
Now I image that these women are not intending contemptuous ridicule, but nevertheless it is inappropriate, in my opinion.
The word "cute" means, "attractive or pretty especially in a childish, youthful, or delicate way."
In otherwords, cute has a subtile connotation of sexual attractiveness. It is also a form of flirting if said directly to the religious. This is patently disrespectful and condescending. Most religious, male or female, would most likely be embarassed by this appellation. I know I would. We are not to look upon religious as objects of our attraction.
Being a "woman's thing" is no excuse. These women are not our mothers. Even with our own mothers, as adults many get embarrassed when a mother says such things publicly or even privately.
Your female relatives need to stop this.
God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary
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