Father Dwight Longenecker has been a fundamentalist Protestant pastor, an evangelical of the charismatic type, an Episcopalian, an Anglican clergyman and for many years he has been a Catholic priest, chaplain at a Catholic university and a firm defender of the Catholic magisterium.
In 50 years of Christian apostolate, Longenecker has held pastoral positions in the United States and England and has known many communities, Catholic, Anglican and Protestant.
And here and there, in parishes, schools, prayer groups and various apostolates, in the most diverse environments, sectarian groups have been found, which moreover, at first glance, seemed “very similar to authentic Christian communities full of the Spirit”, which seemed “good, authentic and dynamic Christian communities”… but they were not.
For this reason, Father Longenecker proposes to pay attention to 4 criteria that betray sectarian groups:
1. Everything is wonderful… And everyone says how wonderful it is
“This is the first sign of sectarianism: everything is too wonderful and everyone is willing to tell you how wonderful everything is,” Longenecker says.
In the real world, good and bad things go together. In sects, ugly, uncomfortable, annoying things are hidden and only a wonderful façade is offered.
2. Leaders are wonderful too… but there is no transparency
In a sectarian group, the leader is triumphant, magnificent, stupendous. And it concentrates all leadership in an absolute and non-transparent way. No one can access the decision-making circle, they are not really accountable to anyone (even if they claim to be faithful to the hierarchy, teachers, etc…).
Sometimes it’s not a personal leader, but a group of directors. They may have a vow of secrecy (they will call it “confidentiality” or “discretion”). “If you find such non-transparent leadership, don’t be surprised, and be suspicious,” Longenecker says.
3. Criticism and dissent are not allowed
In a sectarian group, absolute and uncritical loyalty is demanded, and anyone who asks critical questions, expresses a “loyal alternative” or points out problems will be isolated and labeled as “a troublemaker.” As everything is supposed to be wonderful in the group, those who are not able to enjoy themselves and see problems are doubly uncomfortable.
The dissident will be told that he is not “spiritual enough”, or he is not “from the elite”, and many times he can be pointed out as the culprit of something not working.
4. Only the group is “really” good… And everyone else “chases us”
When a group is sectarian, it considers those “outside” to be lukewarm, or corrupt, or outright the enemy. In sectarian thinking, it is not worth building bridges with others, thinking that you can learn something from them, that it is good to deal with them and do things together… even if they are Christians of similar convictions!
We must keep “outsiders” at a distance from our own, so that they do not “weaken us”, or pollute, or “distract our people”. Besides, if others criticize us, it’s because our group is the only truly good one. Those from “outside” envy us, or are bothered by our excellence… or God wants us to suffer his misunderstanding, as proof that we have been chosen.
This is how a sectarian group emerges
Longenecker points out that often groups with sectarian behavior are not born as such, they do not have an initiator who sought to create a sect. “Unconsciously, certain individuals begin to behave in a sectarian way and support each other,” he explains.
“The leader begins to create such a wonderful religious atmosphere that it is not actually real, and people with that need will come to the group and feed these flames,” Father Longenecker notes. Those who suspect what is happening and try to react will be excluded or marginalized.
The 5 antidotes to sectarianism
There are ways to prevent sectarian tendencies in church settings, and Longenecker lists some very simple ones.
1. The Catholic parish system: go to the parish that falls to you
For Longenecker, who has known several Protestant realities, the Catholic parish system has at least the advantage of making the sectarian phenomenon more difficult because the faithful are expected to go to the parish that corresponds to them geographically, where they will meet parishioners, catechists and pastors of the most varied, and almost never “wonderful”.
They are people gathered because “it is their turn”, because they live in that demarcation. Thus it is more difficult for a leader to try to create a group of perfect, wonderful, and chosen ones… because he is obliged to work with what is there.
2. Common sense
“Common sense brings things down to earth and punctures the balloon of pomposity,” Longenecker says.
3. The freedom to criticize and dissent
“A true servant leader and a true service-based group will value all members and be strong to listen to critical voices. They will treat criticism as something positive and will be open to it, and to outsiders,” Longenecker summarises.
4. Confession and admission of errors
In Catholic environments, sacramental confession is an effective tool to hinder various types of sectarian dynamics. It is more difficult to believe that you are a “perfect and special one” when every week or month you acknowledge your sins before a confessor. The sectarian leader, says this priest, “will never be able to make a true, authentic, honest confession, nor will he apologize.” “If your leader or your teammates are unable to say sorry, I’m sorry, you’re in trouble.”
5. Humility: without it, religion is not true
“Humility” comes from “humus”, earth. Authentic religion touches the ground, it is humble, and it is also open to “humor,” to laughter. A group capable of laughing at itself, at its defects and quirks, is more difficult to fall into sectarianism.
Source (English): Religion in Freedom
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