4 Traits 2 Know

Fr. Longenecker had moved away from the Protestant understanding that Scripture is the only authority, and as an Anglican, believed that authority rested in Scripture, tradition, and reason. Both Protestants and Anglicans, however, eventually encounter a dilemma: the Protestant who believes in sola scriptura (scripture alone) has to face the question, "Whose interpretation of Scripture?"   While the Anglican has to face the question, "Whose reason and whose tradition?"  In spite of their earnest desire for truth, they, nonetheless, arrive at distinctly different conclusions.

It was this awareness that led Fr. Longenecker to a serious examination of Church authority.  As a result of his extensive efforts, Fr. Longenecker identified twelve attributes, which he has grouped into six paired sets. I will call these sets “traits.”  Taken together, he argues, these traits justify the Catholic claims regarding authority.  I will present four of these traits that I consider to be the most meaningful for “finding your Catholic voice.”

While other churches might be able to claim some of the qualities, the Catholic Church embodies all three signs offered by Patrick Madrid and all four of the traits described by Fr. Longenecker.

For each trait, Fr. Longenecker identifies two counterbalancing attributes:

1.      Grounded and Adaptable

2.       Universal and Local

3.       Intellectual and Accessible

4.      Human and Divine

Next time we will begin our examination of these.