Rediscovering Catholic Apologetics

From St Justin Martyr in the second century to Frank Sheed in the early twentieth, Catholics have found joy and delight in defending the Faith handed down to us by the Apostles.  Catholic Action is a great weapon of apostolate and conquest of souls for Jesus Christ.

The Lost Art of Apologetics has become greatly popular today among lay Catholics, especially in the United States and Australia.  Some of the reasons for this penetrating interest are the ravages of New Age, secularism, agnosticism, and relativism in countries once known as ‘Christian’.

Islam's cultural and religious expansion into the West are one of the greatest factors in the renewal of Apologetics.

Within the latter half of the Twentieth Century, a great defender of Catholic Social teaching galvanized a fresh approach to the understanding and application of the Catholic Faith.  Dr. Plínio Corrêa de Oliveira practiced St. Peter's exhortation: "Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asks you a reason of that hope which is in you" (1 Peter 3:15).

He focused on the importance of logic, consistency, kindness and courage in the affirmation of the Faith.  In this way, he showed that the Faith has real-life applications to modern day and temporal society.

His example has been a cornerstone of this apostolate.  We do not believe in simply providing people with answers and responses to challenges. 

Developing an understanding and love of the Faith, Holy Mother Church and our Divine Savior can transfigure our lives.  It can help us think and love the way that Christ does.  It is one of the first steps towards the Kingdom of God on Earth; that real happiness and peace we're meant to have in our homes, communities and societies.  

SGC-I is proud to be part of this new dawn of unsullied orthodoxy in Catholic Apologetics.

Why the 'Re-Evangelization of the Baptized'?

The Great Commission given to us by Christ Our Lord has sent two millenia of Catholic heroes and martyrs into the deepest and darkest parts of the world searching for the salvation of souls.  Today, while missionaries continue to plumb the hearts of China, Africa and South America, a new danger has arisen. 

The Situation

A darkness, the smoke of Satan, has turned to attack the families and children of Western culture by breeding an ignorance of God, misunderstanding about the Church's role and an aversion for clear reason. 

Since the cultural and moral ravages of the 60’s, followed by the crisis of faith after the Council Vatican II, an unbridled, euphoric and misguided ecumenism has penetrated virtually every sphere of Catholic action.  The defense of the faith has been largely ignored, if not altogether abandoned.

The Church suffers from an unprecedented identity crisis.  Mainstream media, peer influence and lack of formation are some of the factors causing an out-surge of Catholics to other religions such as Protestantism, Islam or agnosticism.  It is tragic that some of the basic tenets of the Faith, such as the Real Presence, the existence of God and the Divinity of Christ, are seen as the opinions of a dying generation.

"What the Popes and the Council Fathers were expecting was a new Catholic unity, and instead one has encountered a dissension which - to use the words of Paul VI - seems to have passed over from self-criticism to self-destruction..."   (The Ratzinger Report', Ignatius press, San Francisco, 1985, pp. 29-30)

The Solution

Grace abounds in the darkest times.  The Church has seen the astounding growth of new movements of apologists: staunch men and women across the world who reaffirm the defence of Apostolic Tradition, the orthodox interpretation of Sacred Scripture and the doctrines as taught by the Holy Magisterium.  In this regard, the United States has been particularly blessed with vibrancy and action.

SGC-I is proud to be a part of this new wave of missionaries.  (SGC-I) affirms that Catholics must be empowered to understand, believe, love, proclaim and defend the sound doctrines preached by the Apostles of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  In the words of John Paul II, Catholics "cannot settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity". He described them as 'cafeteria Catholics'.

Cardinal Ratzinger– today Pope Benedict XVI - warned that "Catholics cannot remain immature in the faith, as they run the risk being tossed away here and there by any doctrinal wind".

Using reason and logic to complement the mysteries and wings of Faith, we offer our contributions to the 'New Apologetics'.  We bring to you audio talks and DVDs that fuse the Faith with fascinating studies of historical records and events, the truth of human nature, relevant current situations and the teachings of the Holy Magisterium.  Visit our online catalog to see more. 

We offer you a wide number of instantly accessible gifts available from this site and our affiliates, such as e-books, e-zines, online audio and video.  Please take and share!

May God bless you, and St. Gabriel inspire you. 

(***) "Developments since the Council seem to be in striking contrast to the expectations of all, beginning with those of John XXIII and Paul VI. ... What the Popes and the Council Fathers were expecting was a new Catholic unity, and instead one has encountered a dissension which - to use the words of Paul VI - seems to have passed over from self-criticism to self-destruction. There had been the expectation of a new enthusiasm, and instead too often it has ended in boredom and discouragement.

"There had been the expectation of a step forward, and instead one found oneself facing a process of progressive decadence.... It must be clearly stated that a real reform of the Church presupposes an unequivocal turning away from the erroneous paths whose catastrophic consequences are already incontestable."

('The Ratzinger Report', Ignatius press, San Francisco, 1985, pp. 29-30)

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