One Church

Vatican II baby boomers, trad millennials, zealous converts, Christmas and Easter Catholics—these are some of the humorous stereotypes theologian Charles Camosy uses to explain the points of view that divide today’s Church.

He says that in spite of our differences, unity and healing can be found through the fullness of the Gospel and an authentic understanding of the Catholic faith. In One Church, Camosy offers a hopeful and practical field guide for the here and now by sharing what it takes to listen and love those whose views are different than ours and to understand how we are united in the Body of Christ, the Church.

Throughout the history of the Catholic Church there have always been fundamental differences about how the faith should be expressed—for example, between Peter and Paul, Jerome and Augustine, Franciscans and Dominicans, left and right, “Rad Trads” and Vatican II Catholics.

In today’s climate of polarization, getting to unity-in-diversity has never been more difficult. Where Sts. Jerome and Augustine shared their differences by letter, social media is the place where division is most noticeable—and vitriolic—today.

Camosy, founder and director of The Catholic Conversation Project, offers five principles of dialogue to build on our unity as the Body of Christ:

• maintain a humble attitude;
• avoid binary thinking and dismissive name-calling;
• affirm and build on common ground;
• make Christ the center of everything; and
• lead with what you are for, not what you are against.