Hilarie Belloc identifies five major heresies in our history: the Arian, the Mohammed, the Albigensian, the Protestant, and the Modern.  He defines heresy as “the dislocation of some complete and self-supporting scheme by the introduction of a novel denial of some essential part therein.” The Church is that complete and self-supporting scheme in which this discussion is framed. Each of these heresies, as with all heresies, introduces a denial of some essential part of the Church.

Arianism was the denial of the divinity of Christ. Mohammedism was, and still is an overly simplified version of Christian doctrine and denies our Lord as nothing more than a prophet. Albigensianism tried to rationalize the problem of evil and ended up denying the omnipotent goodness of the Creator. Protestantism destroyed the unity of the bride of Christ and denied her authority. And the Modern heresy is the denial of truth and certainty.

Heresy is a serious problem. We all need to be united as one in our Lord. In the first letter to the Corinthians Paul says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms among you; but that you be perfect in the same mind, and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Heresy seeks to interrupt the unity of mind and of same judgment. This is the tactic and goal of the enemy; to confuse; to disorder; to lead astray. The enemy uses our human weakness to cause chaos and anarchy leading us away from the truth and ultimately to our own damnation.

This is why our ancestors took heresy so seriously. This is why they fought and died to uphold the truth and the unity of the Church. As our Lord said, “And fear ye not them that kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) My brothers and sisters in Christ, heresies still affect us to this day, and our bodies and souls are in mortal jeopardy.

Heresy plays on our pride and arrogance. We think that we know better than our superiors, our ancestors, our Church, and ultimately God himself. We put our faith in this world and not the next; in the next technology or material item; in the government or some other man made institution; in the newest philosophies or most modern ways of thinking.

As Catholics we are called to defend the truth and our One Holy Apostolic Church, which Jesus Himself instituted and which has continued to be guided by the Holy Spirit. This means that we are not allowed to dissent on Church teachings. This is why we as Catholics can never support intrinsic evils: abortion, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, human cloning, nor same-sex marriage.

Let us unite ourselves under one banner, the King of King, our Lord and Savior, who died for us. Let us serve His Church. Let us be one.

Viva Cristo Rey!