Father Bernard Haring, C.SS.R., says the Church will suffer a great loss in membership if unreasonably conservative men continue to stifle thought created by the Second Vatican Council.

“If these men continue to use the apparatus and their power to stifle thought, I am afraid we will have to pay a big bill in great losses,” the German theologian said in an interview. “These men do tremendous harm to the Church.

Father Haring said, “During the council, I was astonished at the vigor of men who wished reform but I was also astonished at the ‘infallible minority’ who ‘infallibly’ chose the wrong attitude.”

The Redemptorist priest added, however, there have been many structural changes in the Church. He said he has great hopes for the Synod of Bishops which will meet in Rome in September.

“The Synod is one of the great hopes for changes,’ the theologian said. “Often it was said that Pope John called bishops of the world to be his helpers in Church renewal, and Pope Paul by instituting the Synod has called vigorous men to help him, but has also made sure the minority as its place and can speak.

“If the Synod works as expected it will be a great hope. If it fails to outbalance the senile structures of those who wish to return to the former order, then that means the graveyard of immobilism, and the explosions and defections will be unavoidable. God protect us!”

Asked if he thought the Church was moving too slowly or too quickly toward renewal, Father Haring replied, “I realize that some are drawing back without respect for forward moving traffic and are creating chaos. Others are moving quickly without thinking about direction. However, on the whole I am confident that the people of God will move forward in patience and harmony.”

Discussing the structure of the Church, he said the present movement in all parts of the cultivated world calls for a man to return to private life or take another job if he cannot function on a higher level.

“It seems that this is not possible in the Church. There is so much talk of making a career. In the Church the man who wishes to make a career without considering whether he contributes to Church unity and ecumenism is a most ridiculous figure.

“There is a gap, an immense gap to the gospel and to modern culture,’ he commented. “We must search for a better expression of doctrine, a more lively liturgy and a Church structure which expresses life and the life of the Gospel.”

While in Atlanta, Father Haring conducted a clergy conference and gave a public lecture at the Cathedral Center.

In his talk on “Christian Maturity”, the theologian said the theme of Christian maturity has new implications in this age.

“In past centuries the means of higher culture were a monopoly of a small upper class. Today the vast majority has the opportunity to share higher learning or at least to participate in many ways in the whole cultural life.

“The future of humanity, and particularly the future of liberty depends on participation of as many people as possible in the responsibilities of cultural, social, political and economic life.

“If we do not wish to be shaped passively by the existing structures and especially by the public opinions which influence us through a thousand channels of social communication then we have to make up our mind and take an active role in shaping public opinion and the whole style of life.

“Christians are called to be ‘salt for the earth and light to the world’. They can fulfill this role only to the extent of their depth in faith, their mature and well-informed conscience and to the extent of their competence in professional, cultural and social life. A Christian is never allowed to aim to mere mediocrity or to be complacent.”

Father Haring said a truly mature Christian is humble and never thinks he is already fully mature. “He is always on the way of a continuous conversion, always ready to learn and to unlearn. He acknowledges humbly his shortcomings.’ He has a good sense of humor in view of his shade. He takes God and His work serious, and he reveres God in his neighbor. He has self-respect, but he does not take himself too seriously.”