Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 3/8/2011

Question
Ave Maria!
Are Catholics allowed to express heterodoxy and when will it become heresy? If I'm right Catholics are only supposed to beleive in the dogmas of the church. they don't have to agree on the other things.

Answer
That's a very good question. I think it might in part depend upon how much a certain belief or practice challenges not just the beliefs and teachings but also the personal psychology of an individual or group within the Church. Some may accuse me of "psychologizing" but IMHO we cannot always separate our personal biases from our beliefs and opinions.

I think it also might depend on whether a heterodox group is keeping funds within orthodox structures or not. But not always. Some splinter groups or potential splinter groups may be economically contributing to the Church but still frowned upon.

This seems to be a complicated issue that involves genuine spirituality, belief, opinion, unresolved psychological complexes, politics, and also, I would think, economics.

Just my view. Unfortunately it's not substantiated with hard facts and references. But it probably could be if someone wanted to research the issue more thoroughly.

Having said that, I've read and watched enough, and also talked with other Catholics (lay and clergy) enough to realize that there are substantial divisions within the Church. Some seem to outwardly behave and speak as if these divisions don't exist, either for convenience or because they really believe that's the right thing to do (i.e. they hold back for the sake of "unity" and for the preservation/continuance of the Church). And, as unflattering as this may sound, a few clergy may just go through the motions because they enjoy the security that the Catholic lifestyle affords them.

Another thing to consider is that not all Catholics are intellectually gifted, and some may be quite spiritual but, at the same time, somewhat oblivious or unconcerned with the less honorable aspects of this world. In other words, they believe that things are what they seem when in reality, the actual reasons for orthodox condemnation may be quite complicated.