Expert: Fr. Michael - 5/12/2010

Question
Father, it seems that every non-Catholic scholar and their mother loves to qoute and refer to moral theologians such as St. Thomas Aquinas. Somehow they always overlook the part where he refers to them as heretics. Has the Church ever attempted to put her foot down and say "Enough is enough!" to this.

Answer
Unfortunately, the "Church," really sect, that you refer to today is the Newchurch of the New Order, not the traditional Catholic Church.  Thus, what you suggest would be for the pot to call the kettle black!  One day, when we have learned the lesson that is being taught by the visible corruption in the Church in our times, which has happened many times in the past as well, order will be restored.  In the meantime, we must simply follow St. Paul's words to the Thessalonians, who were in a similar situation 2000 years ago:  "Hold fast to the Traditions that you were taught."