Susan Sarandon, on the Oprah Winfrey Network no less, engages in a favorite cultural elite pastime, Catholic bashing:
It's tough to deal seriously with someone who has called Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI a Nazi and frankly, I'm not sure dealing seriously with her is something to be done by anyone though I'd love to see a Patheos blogger or even Fr. Robert Barron do so. Until then however I'll weigh in.
The issue of unbaptized babies being in limbo should they die in that state is something that has been the subject of study by none other than the person Sarandon called a Nazi:
In the 1985 book-length interview, The Ratzinger Report, and in the 2000 book, God and the World, the future Pope Benedict said focusing on hope made more sense theologically then upholding the idea of limbo, where unbaptized babies would enjoy "natural happiness" for eternity, but would not be in heaven in the presence of God.
Limbo, he pointed out, was never a defined article of Catholic faith, but rather was a hypothesis formed on the basis of the church's belief in the need for baptism.
The idea of Catholics thinking all other religions are bad is also easily taken care of by thinking people. Fr. Longenecker certainly fits that qualification:
What then, is the Catholic attitude towards the followers of other religions? We accept them as fellow human beings and we respect their religious faith and we seek to understand and appreciate all that is beautiful, good and true in their religion. We also wish to share the fullness of the Christian faith with them–not obliterating their culture and religion, but allowing it to be fulfilled and completed in the belief and practice of Christianity. In this process we do not wish to impose anything on anyone. We propose we do not impose. Neither do we condemn anyone to hell. No Catholic–not even the pope–can pronounce judgment on anyone’s eternal soul. That is God’s job. This allow us, therefore, to be perfectly tolerant and accepting of all.
Have all Catholics everywhere lived up to these ideals? No. That does not negate the ideal, nor does it alter the true teaching of the Catholic Church. Does this explanation demand belief of all people? No. However, those who disagree with Catholics should disagree with what we really believe rather than what the opponent mistakenly (but albeit sincerely) thinks we believe.
Lastly, the idea that Ms. Sarandon isn't served well by the institutionalizing of religious principles is rather revealing. The story of Christ, his life and death, His resurrection, His works, His words and His teachings all come from that institution called the Catholic Church.
And this Church, though flawed, has indeed served many well over that last couple of millenia, particularly those who are poor, oppressed, downtrodden and in need.
Might she have the eyes to one day see this.
