The Napa Institute invited Jesuit priest Father Martin to carry the monstrance during a Eucharistic procession in Manhattan, and John-Henry Westen argues this reflects a broader failure within the Catholic Church to enforce its teachings on heresy and public dissent. Napa Institute co-founder Tim Busch and his wife, Steph, host salon dinners where Martin serves as co-host and progressive Catholic guests gather for Mass, the Rosary, and dinner. Martin describes these gatherings as a way to “bridge divides and build greater unity.” Where he emphasizes friendship rather than debate.
John-Henry contends this approach becomes problematic when controversial teachings are never addressed, allowing doctrinal confusion to spread under the guise of Catholic unity. He cites St. Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 5, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:17, and the writings of St. John Chrysostom and St. Thomas Aquinas to argue that separating from persistent public dissent can serve as a means of correction and repentance. He references Canon 1364 and a 2013 case in Brazil involving Father Roberto Francisco Daniel, who was excommunicated after publicly challenging Church teaching on homosexual acts.
Friendship and unity without doctrinal accountability risk undermining Catholic teaching itself. The monstrance was carried by a priest who publicly dissents from Church teaching. The procession continued. And no one said a word. The question is whether the Church will recover the courage to correct, or whether unity will become an excuse for silence.
