Thoughts on "Pontificator's" Conversion to Catholicism

Fr. Al Kimel, aka the "Pontificator" is a traditional Anglican priest, who runs a marvelous blog. He has announced today that he will be resigning his post, and entering the Catholic Church; also that he will seek Catholic ordination, if posible.

I offered my own spontaneous thoughts on his blog:

Hi Fr. Al,

Not to be cliched, but my first responses to a conversion to Catholicism are always “Praise God!” and “welcome home!” I’m not unaware of how these expressions (especially the second) grate on the sensibilities of some of our separated brethren, even causing serious offense in some cases. But we can’t modify our language at every turn. As Rick Nelson wisely sang, “you can’t please everyone . . .” We Christians (of whatever stripe) believe what we do, and we must express our beliefs, as charitably as possible. I believe that you (and all converts or reverts) HAVE come “home,” because that’s what I believe about the Catholic Church (without trying to denigrate other communions at all). It’s not just an expression of “party bias.” I think it indicates a deep ontological reality.

I like very much what “Secret Agent Man” wrote on his blog (which is actually where I learned of your decision):

I’ve said before that Catholics spend far more time and energy explaining what
Protestants lost in the Reformation than we do about what Roman Catholicism lost. Al Kimel’s blog — Al Kimel’s writing, perspectives, and thoughts — is/was a perfect example of that loss. I’m very happy to see one gem returned to the treasury; I hope the Church will be properly grateful for it.

While I rejoice at your conversion, and all conversions to that Church which I believe is the fullest expression and embodiment of apostolic, ancient, patristic Christianity, I also greatly rejoice at the storehouse of Christianity to be found in non-Catholic Christian communions. The two things are not mutually-exclusive. As an apologist, I quite often get these “negative vibrations” from folks who seem to think that because I defend one version of Christianity, that I therefore look down my nose at other versions, or think they are worthless. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We all believe certain things about Christianity. If we are honest, we will think that our set of beliefs is the true, or truest one. But that gives us no license to be triumphalistic or arrogant about it. Whatever truth we have attained to has been entirely the result of God’s grace (period!), so we get no credit for it in the final analysis. On the other hand, if we’re not so sure that where we are is the best Christian choice, then all the more reason for us not to be hostile to someone who feels more sure than we do about their theological choices. We should rejoice that they have reached that level of certainty in their own spiritual journey, because that is evidence that such assurance can be had, and since we need more of that, it is good news (or so it seems to me).

Bottom line: we should all seek truth and follow it wherever it leads (as Kimberly Hahn’s Protestant pastor father told her: even if it meant Catholicism; something I found very profound and moving). You’ve done that and have concluded that the Catholic Church is where you need to be, and should be. Others have concluded differently. But what we can all share is a rejoicing that someone cared enough about God to make a move that will, no doubt, be costly in many ways. We can admire that even though we might disagree on some theology or ecclesiology or epistemology. Conversion means that a person is striving to better follow God, and moving along the spiritual path, as they see it. It evidences zeal and a conscientious spirit and willingness to modify beliefs where necessary (a thing many people seem to find very difficult and threatening — or frightening — indeed).

Conversion means we feel strongly about where we are going. But again, I want to reiterate the point that this does not rule out ecumenism or Christian unity. And on that note I would like to recall what C.S. Lewis (my favorite writer) said: that those Christians who are at the center of their own traditions are closer to those at the center of other Christian traditions, than to those in their own, who are more on the outer edges, or fringe. Thus, I feel far more kinship with a traditional Anglican than with a liberal Catholic (who, to be frank, drive me nuts); much more with an ecumenical orthodox Reformed who rejects the papacy as an ecclesiological necessity than with a so-called (radical) “traditionalist Catholic” who rejects the current pope, or who thinks there is no pope. I feel infinitely more spiritual kinship with a devout Baptist (which many of my longtime friends are) than with a nominal Catholic who makes little or no effort to learn or live his faith, or to avoid serious sin: let alone try to harmonize it with his thought concerning the larger culture, politics, ethics, the arts, etc.

I want to weigh in, too, on the matter of blogging. Of course you must continue. Your blog offers the best Christian discussion I have found on the Internet. I don’t know how you do it. I wish I could generate one-tenth of the worthwhile discussion on my blog that you do here. So it must continue! It’s far too valuable to cease existing. Obviously, the overwhelmingly positive response you have received in this thread confirm that.

Long live Pontificator, be he Anglican or Catholic! And long live the high, Christian level of discussion that is exemplified on this blog.

In Him,

Dave Armstrong