 | Father Richard James Cleary was born and reared in Wichita. After graduation from Cathedral High School in 1947, he attended the seminary operated by the Benedictine monks of Conception Abbey in Northwestern Missouri. There he came to appreciate the life of the monks and, having obtained the permission of Bishop Mark Carroll of Wichita, he became a monk of that monastery. After being ordained a priest in 1955, his superiors sent him to get his master’s degree at the University of Ottawa, Canada, then to study in Athens, Greece, and then in Rome, Italy, where he obtained his doctor’s degree in Theology. Finally, he spent a year of study at Harvard University. Later, Fr. Cleary was assigned to teach for many years in Rome. In 1998, he returned to Wichita, where he served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Cathedral and at Blessed Sacrament parishes. In 2001, his abbot (superior) transferred him to Arkansas, where he served as chaplain of the Benedictine Sisters of Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro, and helped in the parishes of northeast Arkansas. In March 2010, he was re-assigned to his monastery, Conception Abbey, Conception, in Missouri 64433. He can be contacted there at, 660-944-2877, or by email: rjcleary@juno.com. |
Religion
2006-02-01 14:37:00
How to talk religion with a non-believer?
ANSWER: Whatever he may call himself, your friend is NOT a Christian! His statement sounds as if he is quite ignorant of Christianity. I doubt he has ever read or listened to an honest and objective presentation of the Christian faith, and its practical teachings and history. Perhaps he has picked-up some snippets about various religions, mixed them together, and ignorantly decided to reject the whole area of religion in his life.Possibly he has some partial information about Christianity from a source, who was prejudiced against religion in general and against the Church in particular, for whatever reason. As for his disbelief in an afterlife, I would simply remark: “Friend, you are not alone in that opinion; but, sooner rather than later, you will find out for certain that there is life after death, and you will learn that your present judgment about Christianity was the biggest mistake in your life.”If your friend lives a naturally good life, is honest and faithful in his dealings with others, is charitable in helping people in their needs, respects the rights of others, and sincere in stating his opinions: then he could be a potential Christian without realizing it. But that doesn’t make him a Christian! Many good pagans do as much. Because he is your friend, I would assume that he is honest and sincere, although ignorant about what he is saying. I would take the opportunity to challenge him to read a summary of our Christian faith, or better: to discuss his views with a priest or with someone who is knowledgeable about Christianity, and to listen carefully to their presentation about the true faith and life after death. After all, if he is sincere, he should be well acquainted with what he has rejected. How would he feel if you had given him as a Christmas gift, a lottery ticket, which he threw away, assuming that he didn’t have a chance in competition with several million people; and then it turns out that the ticket you gave him was the winning-ticket, which had been found by a poor person digging threw his trash? Well, what you represent, in your knowledge and practice of the Christian faith, is indeed more precious than a winning lottery-ticket. And you wish to share with him the treasure you have found!The fact that your friend reads this column seems to indicate that he is sincerely seeking to learn the truth about God and religion, and the mysteries of life and death. The Christian faith is the best investment a person can make in life, as it opens the door to perfect happiness after death, a happiness which cannot be lost or ended. Rejection of this faith is, in the long run, the greatest mistake any person can make; as such rejection opens the way to an eternity of unending misery and terrible lonesomeness. Believe it or not, he will find out!
