"Return to the Church": Another View

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee is sponsoring a "Return to the Church" thing.

That's good.

Here's a little quote from Fr. Al Kimel, who recently became a Catholic (that's "poped" to you Prots) having been an Episcopalian priest:

First, the question, from a blog-reader:

If this is THE church, shouldn’t it do better at making Christians, out of both unchurched adults and little children?

Fr. K's answer (in part):

Yes, the Catholic Church should do better at making Christians, it should do better at evangelizing, it should do better at catechizing, it should do better at preaching the gospel, it should do better at worshipping God, it should do better in serving the poor and the oppressed, it should do better in every aspect of its life and ministry.

However, if the Church was doing better in all of these areas, or even just the one you have mentioned, would you be persuaded that the Catholic Church is the Church of Jesus Christ, as she claims to be? Of course not! Because performance neither proves nor disproves the claims of the Catholic Church. Ironically, your objection to the Catholic Church—viz., her poor, even sinful performance—is grounded in a works-righteousness understanding of the gospel. You are demanding that the Catholic Church justify herself as the Body of Christ by her works! But the Catholic Church is the Body of Christ only by grace and election!

Thought that was interesting--and may not be covered in the Archdiocesan talks.

HT: Amy