What Is the Most Egregious Sin of Omission? Failing to Share the Good News with All Muslims

Upon death we will be accountable not only for sins of commission but also omission, when we failed to fulfill our moral duty, our mission, to convert unbelievers, heretics, the ignorant, and the doubtful.  Following the Church hierarchy’s response to the conflict between an extremist Islamic theocracy, determined to kill all “infidels,”  and a 250-year-old Republic that seeks to ensure freedom of conscience, it seems that the majority of attention has been on the temporal violations, peculiarly almost solely by the United States.   Here I am referencing the Church scolding the USA government about conflict, calling for its end and “peace and prayers.”  However, I have not heard any wholesome reference to the duties of the Church Militant about the loss of souls including unbaptized victims of tyranny but also those who fall into hell mistaking the devil for Allah.    Inaction, particularly spiritual inaction is a sin. (James 4:17) 

 
However, as an aside, this one sided deflection from evangelization does not necessarily inform the faithful either.  The ecclesial commentaries remind me of the cult classic Mars Attacks, wherein a stereotypical peacenik later boldly admits “It was not the doves” that triggered the Martians to slaughter the eager crowd that had come to welcome them. (And, by the way, the Martians killed the doves, too.)   I will not spoil the ending for those who have not seen the movie, but it somewhat fits the naïveté of those who hate war at all costs, even one based on sound intelligence about impending disaster if ignored.  And, here is another point, some might say, ironic:  Many Catholic leaders praise Muslims for that which we do share in faith, but as Paul writes in Romans 1:18-23, “Although they knew God, they did not Glorify Him as God” (in Truth)

 
Foremost clergy know the evil one is intent on the damnation of all souls, and as long as he can blind people to God in any way, they will behave in agitated, anti-Christian ways.  Therefore, when I hear intercessory prayers for peace during Mass,  I always think that without conversion, there can be no peace. I still await that precedent from the Vatican and every Archdiocese.  Also, how saddening to consider that at least some terrorist Muslims may have lost Heaven due to the Church’s dereliction of duty to preach the whole Gospel?  How many more ignorant will die without the benefit of the Sacraments in the pursuit of a false ecumenism?  This hits at home, as well.  How many Catholic hearts will be hardened at blatant politicalization of Church teaching?  

 
Now in fairness to balanced reflection, Papal response to Muslims have ebbed and waned over the centuries, some more aggressively than others.    Two of Pope Leo IVX’s namesakes identified Muslims as enemies of the Church:  Pope Leo IV (847-853) was reputed to launch both a spiritual and military war against Muslims, in which he personally engaged.  Pope Leo VI (928-929) fought the Muslims and taught that Christians who die fighting Muslims would go to heaven (thomasmore.org). Pope Leo XIII and holy model for the current Pope Leo knew well the power of spiritual armament, and is considered the Pope of the Rosary and advocate for devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  He also wrote the Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel.  

 
Others, since, like the great  St. Pope John Paul II sought sincere dialogue with Muslims.  As a sign of respect, He kissed the Koran at one setting and noted the central commonalities between Catholics and Muslims.  These included faith in one, true God, a reverence for Jesus Christ, and a devotion to the figure of Mary.  Still he also preached against the evils of our age and called upon youth to spread the Good News.  

 
In the spirit of Vatican II, Nostra Aetate 3, October 28, 1965 the Church recognizes the plan of salvation for Muslims and that they reflect a ray of truth.  Yet, continuing, here was the caveat that must be conjoined at all times, “Yet, she proclaims and is in duty bound to proclaim without fail, Christ who is “the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jan 1:6). The Church is extorted to “enter with prudence and charity into discussion and collaboration with members of other religions.”  

 
To date, in the most recent embattlement,  I am unconvinced that prudence or any of the the Cardinal virtues have been sufficiently proclaimed to Muslims, as reported so far, at least.

 
On prudence, the Church, clergy and laity, must discern good from evil but always identify evil wherever it is discovered and known.  True, many Muslims, themselves,  are repelled by the terrorists, and I have personally met and worked with kind and charitable Muslims.  Ironically, it is with them that I can share my Catholic Faith without dread of rejection, let alone a fatwa.  However, I would also advise the most hardened Muslim who believes that he or she is right in killing non Muslims that they are risking damnation not paradise.  The Church, in its primary role must state these matters lovingly but emphatically and assist anyone who detests or denies Truth and Love, in knowledge and understanding of both.  The Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen was recently quoted as once saying the Muslims are at “the hem” of truth in that they recognize and honor both the figures of Jesus and Mary.  To fail to perseveringly build on that, regardless of cost, is a grave sin of omission.  (The hem, though part of the whole garment, is most at risk for being frayed and destroyed by contact with the ground unless raised up.)

 
Pope Leo XIV is correct that he is not a politician!  I am praying he turns to proclaiming the truth in love for these radical Muslims who might well be shocked by the appearance of the virgins who will be tormenting them for eons.  (Since this article was published,  the Pope's remarks have been better clarified and placed in context, but still praying for the obviously anti-Trump Cardinals who collaborated with  a national news station to politicalize the conflict.  Readers are encouraged to view The Catholic Thing's podcast the Pope vs. the President:   War of Words Explained in that regard.) 

 
On justice, the Church has also failed in the recent Middle East confrontation to denounce the murderous Iranian regime that has slain tens of thousands of its own people, along with denying them basic human rights.  Its support of horrid destruction beyond is own borders must be condemned outright.  Instead, it is always the “safe side ” that is admonished,  Those who may have crossed some boundaries but will not retaliate in any truly harmful way to criticism, like President Trump, have a “filtering” problem, but it’s no IED buried by a graceless soul.  Hopefully Pope Leo will also fraternally and justly correct those who mislabel sincerely concerned Christians as Christian Nationalists,

 
Moreover, the Church risks harming good souls who can well detect they have become the “whipping boys” for a Church that lacks the verve to challenge all sinners, particularly the most brutal and most in need of the Truth.

 
Speaking of…where is that fortitude that reflects a willingness to sacrifice and suffer for that which Jesus taught and lived.  The peace seekers always underscore that upon his arrest, Jesus reattached the ear of one of the soldiers who had come to arrest him and admonished the assailant that those who live by the sword, die by the sword.   However, Jesus Christ also spoke of laying down one’s life “to save life.”

 
Sometimes that is in a war setting.  I often think of Our Lady at the Battle of Lepanto, great saints like Padre Pio who blessed the American airmen flying over Europe during World War II, and, candidly great American Catholic soldiers, up to the rank of general,  who daily confronted challenges in living their faith while battling enemies.  This includes the militarily detested Vietnam War.  Soldiers bore arms but with conscience.  As a side note, please, Pope Leo, advocate for more chaplains to assist those in the armed forces.

 
Temperance entails restraint, but also, in integration with the other virtues, sound decisions that may come across as extreme.  From what I glean, and I could be wrong, the USA has strived to destroy military armament, not harm civilian life.  Again, references like Trump’s Stone Age remark are subject to just rebuke, but I have to admit that in looking up the Stone Age, I do wonder if we might not all be a tad more temperate because we would be too attentive to simply survive.

 
Still, even if the Church does not propagate the Gospel the way we would prefer, the laity is still accountable to do so.  We may be limited in earthly influence, but Heaven awaits our petitions, even one soul at a time.