Within the Neo-Modernist trend that is affecting great sectors of the modern Church, the Pastoral Approach of today has discovered the happy device of replacing the preaching of the Gospel, or the generous and forthright witness of Christian life, with the practice of humanitarian pursuits. These pursuits have been the occasion for many opportunists to become immensely wealthy to extents known only to God; all that, thanks to the wonderful invention of myriads of so-called Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) –many a time quite a lucrative invention/venture; according to some people, these NGOs are always money-spinning contrivances.

          We must also add the incessant proclamation of slogans whose contents mysteriously enjoy everybody’s agreement and acceptance –such as human rights or solidarity; the latter being a word which has become quite fashionable and has replaced “charity” in the official catechesis nowadays; truly speaking, nobody knows how such a thing could be accomplished –nor even what it exactly means—when one dispenses with God.

          The practice of speaking without saying anything is a further sign of the corruption and manipulation which nowadays are being inflicted upon language. This trick is so amazingly successful that it seems to be miraculous. Using this kind of language has a twofold feature:  on the one hand, he who speaks never commits himself to anything; on the other, the orator or the preacher in question, because he uses pompous words –they sound quite good, but barely anyone realizes that they are empty of meaning—, very often is considered a spiritual man of great wisdom, an expert in dialogue who brings everybody together without excluding anyone. On top of this, almost nobody is conscious of the craftiness involved in this operation. Truly speaking, one cannot say that this trick belongs exclusively to the domain of politicians, for many Pastors of the Church have adopted it. Thus it has become possible to deliver speeches, write books, and produce documents which seem to have an odd, twofold quality: whereas the author of the texts never commits himself to anything or anyone, his listeners or readers find themselves in a horrible quandary, not having the least idea what he is talking about; perhaps because the author, quite simply, says nothing to them. This phenomenon has become so widespread that if anyone should dare to write or say anything which makes sense, the fact that he is telling the truth is irrelevant and he is immediately labeled as an extremist or as someone spoiling for a fight. It is difficult to imagine what many Christians of today would say of Saint Augustine, for instance, if they were to read his tremendous diatribes against bad Shepherds.

          Therefore, given the gravity these phenomena are acquiring in the life of the Church, there is a greater need than ever for the Christian people to become aware of the danger that syncretism and possible misunderstandings have for them. This awareness calls for measures to be put into place to eliminate this tremendous threat.

          This is such a serious and important issue that it deserves to be dealt with in future editorials which contemplate, if only in a non-in-depth way, some of its characteristics.