Contra Sungenis: a brother traditionalist's charitable anathema

"It is with reluctance that I write what follows," writes Michael Forrest, a former colleague and co-worker with Bob Sungenis at the latter's apostolate, Catholic Apologetics International:

I have prayed that the issue I am about to address would eventually resolve itself. Unfortunately, the opposite has occurred. I have gone through some tumultuous events and changes with Bob Sungenis at his apostolate, Catholic Apologetics International (CAI), and have consistently defended him when other associates and friends either would or could not. And when the time came, I privately and frankly voiced my concerns to Bob (about a year and a half ago) about his treatment of Jewish issues when these concerns were less serious than they are now.

Forrest's tone is utterly lacking in pugnacity and suffused throughout with a solicitous irenic spirit. He is quick to point out: "I would like to make clear my continued respect for the works Bob has authored on Scripture, the Holy Eucharist and salvation. I also genuinely appreciate the time and experiences I had both as the vice president of CAI, and simply as Bob's friend and colleague. I have no desire to harm Bob. And it is precisely for these kinds of reasons that I have refrained for so long from what is about to follow."

Having said that, however, he is impelled by the troubling direction in Sungenis' writing to take issue with him publicly. He does not accuse Sungenis of antisemitism, although there are remarks in the latter's more recent writings that might (at least superficially) suggest that. The issue is subtler and more difficult than that, involving historical revisionism, conspiracy theories, theories of race, theological understandings of Jewish conversion, the Antichrist, and eschatology. Forrest begins with a personal Introduction, laying out the rationale for his critique of Sungenis, followed by a Foreword calling to witness a number of significant statements concerning Sungenis by Mr. David Palm, Dr. Art Sippo, Mr. Michael Lopez, Mr. Matthew Anger, Mr. Ben Douglass, Mr. John Novotny, Mr. Jacob Michael and Mr. Patrick Morris. This is followed by the body of Forrest's critique itself in five chapters.

Serious theological issues reside at the base of questions surrounding the relation of the two covenants and the relationship of the Church to Israel, and the evangelization of Jews. On the one hand, these issues warrant free and open discussion. On the other hand, the least taint of anti-semitism among Christians of any persuasion is an intolerable blight. I am appalled to learn that anti-semitism is on the upswing in the U.K., not only among the Muslim populations there, but among the Anglos. How much more appalling when conservative and traditionalist Catholics get broad brushed with the tar of anti-semitism. Mel Gibson's traditionalist father's antisemitic views don't help here. Mel Gibson's own recent inebriated outburst didn't help either. Robert Sungenis' recent statements don't help either -- although this is only one facet of the issues involved in Forrest's critique of his recent writing.

What does help is a public Catholic critique of views such as those expressed in Sungenis' recent writings, and a studied distancing from such views as one finds in Forrest's critique. What does help are public statements by respected traditionalist and conservative Catholics such as Mr. David Palm, Dr. Art Sippo, Mr. Michael Lopez, Mr. Matthew Anger, Mr. Ben Douglass, Mr. John Novotny, Mr. Jacob Michael and Mr. Patrick Morris opposing antisemitism. What does help is public recantations of antisemitic utterances like Mel Gibson's apology for his outburst, which was a model of humility and repentance. What does help is honest and charity, such as one finds throughout Forrest's treatment of Sungenis.

Read and pray. Michael Forrest's critique can be found at a website entitled "Robert Sungenis and The Jews."