"Contrast therewith the zeal of a St. Dominic as, on one occasion, he meets an Albigensian innkeeper who is swearing and blaspheming; instead of expostulating with the unhappy fellow, the saint kneels down beside him and starts praying, and keeps on praying throughout the night, until at dawn he finds the heretic on his knees and sunk in prayer, too. What strikes us here is the wonderful way in which patience and a tireless zeal for God and the fellow man's soul interpenetrate each other. We see a blend of discretion and ardor, calm meekness doubled with implacable strength—in a word, that coincidentia oppositorum which is the mark of supernatural life."

It's a nice article Mark, but this example bothered me. Saint Dominic, God bless him, was almost totally ineffective in converting any of the Albigensians. It was Simon de Montort, and the very violent, and often very cruel men he led, who crushed and eradicated the Albigensian heresy. I prefer the milder methods of argument, persuasion and prayer myself, but I do wonder about their effectiveness relative to the application of military force when I look at the historical record.
Donald R. McClarey | 03.30.06 - 5:19 pm | #

As long as "violence" never is translated to mean "forceful correction" or "adhering to the faith," then of course it's the wrong policy. But I have a fear that eventually, strong, forceful protection and enforcement of the faith will be seen as "violent."
Sydney Carton | 03.30.06 - 5:22 pm | #

Any attempt to persuade can be branded mind control or brainwashing by those opposed to its consequences.

This counsel skates right along the line of "keep quiet and let them sin in peace." Sinners will love it.
mulopwepaul | 03.30.06 - 5:26 pm | #

I don't think von Hildebrand is advocating quietism any more than St. John of the Cross.
Clayton | Homepage | 03.30.06 - 5:45 pm | #

The Albigensian heresy, please note, held that its members were free from any oaths they had sworn -- in a feudal society.

The modern equivalent would be holding that its members were not bound by contracts they had signed.

How long do you think such a modern equivalent would last?
Mary | 03.30.06 - 9:07 pm | #