Deadly Indifference: How the Church Lost Her Mission, and How We Can Reclaim It

by Eric Sammons

Religious indifference―the belief that all religions are equally valid and able to lead people to salvation―has rapidly gained global ascendency over the last five decades. It’s even infected the Catholic Church, wreaking havoc on her mission to the world. Why is indifference deadly to Catholicism? Because it turns Catholicism into “just another religion,” neuters the Church’s role as our path to salvation and converts the parish into little more than a social gathering place. The result? Former Catholics now constitute the second largest “religion” in America. Seventy percent of Catholics do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist―and even higher percentages reject the Church’s moral teachings. Mass attendance is in free fall, and even the most basic habits of Sunday-going Catholics, such as regular Confession, have been lost. Eric Sammons, a former diocesan director of evangelization and now the editor-in-chief of Crisis Magazine , pulls the curtain back on the rise of religious indifference, uncovering a wealth of fascinating particulars about what made the “old” Church work, and what is causing the “new” to collapse. He identifies the most damaging distortions of the Faith, presented as progress, and explains why Church leaders felt compelled to upend traditional Catholic life. In captivating detail, Sammons explores why the New Evangelization was destined to fail and explains how the decision to de-emphasize the Church’s exclusive role in the process of salvation inevitably led to mass abandonment of the sacraments. He identifies how certain teachings were ignored or toned down―leading to their sudden collapse―and how progressives elevated ecumenism over evangelization and supplanted proclamation of the Gospel with “dialogue.” Deadly Indifference is both a vital examination of the current crisis facing the Church and a blueprint for how to overcome it. Let’s recover what was lost and return the Church to its unique rank as the light in a darkened world.

Genres: Catholic

304 pages, Paperback

Published May 25, 2021

About the author

Eric Sammons is a professional writer/editor and the author of several books. He holds a degree in Systems Analysis with a concentration in Economics from Miami University in Ohio, and earned a Master of Theology degree from Franciscan University. With expertise in diverse areas, he has worked extensively in both software development and Catholic evangelization.

Eric and his beautiful wife Suzan have seven children. They currently reside in Ohio and are serious baseball fans. Eric's website "Swimming Upstream" may be found at www.ericsammons.com and he may be followed on Twitter @EricRSammons.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read anything from the pen of Eric Sammons that was not very well done. From some of his excellent non fiction works such as Holiness for Everyone and Be Watchful to his wonderful fictional short story, The Profession. But as much as I love his other works, this is the most important work he has written to date. It is a book that should be in every Catholic home, School and church library. I would love to see a benefactor come forward and gift a copy to every bishop in North America. This is a book that has the power to shape, change and renew the church and through that the world.

This book is much needed in the church today. And I can only imagine would the would could be like in 5 or 10 years if this books is widely distributed, read, and applied. The chapters and sections in the volume are:

Foreword, by Bishop Athanasius Schneider
Introduction

I. Church Teaching on Salvation
What Is the Mission of the Church?
“Outside the Church There Is No Salvation”
Proclaiming the Only Ark of Salvation
Can a Non-Catholic Be Saved?

II. The Emphasis Shift
Making a Shift
From Proclamation to Dialogue
From Unique to One among Many
From Warning against Errors to Promoting Commonalities

III. The Theological Aftermath
The Salvation Spectrum
Salvation Optimism: The Inclusivists
Many Paths to Heaven: The Pluralists
Defending the Tradition: The Exclusivists

IV. The Practical Aftermath
The Church of Ecumenism
Dialogue Supplants Proclamation
Being Together to Pray: The Assisi World Day of Prayer
Throwing Caution to the Wind
Pope Francis Accelerates the Shift
“Willed by God”: The Abu Dhabi Declaration

V. The Impact
Changing Our Beliefs
Failure of the New Evangelization
The Sad State of Today’s Catholic Parish

VI. The Way Forward
Understanding Church Teaching on Salvation
Bring Back the Old Evangelization
Renewing the Parish
Conclusion
Appendix A: Can Catholics Criticize Popes and Councils?
Appendix B: U.S. Catholic Statistics — 1970-2019

Once I got going this book was very hard to put down. But to be honest, I hesitated about picking it up. I was well aware that it would not be an easy read. The test is masterfully down, and it is very accessible, but the content is very convicting. In the forward Bishop Athanasius Schneider states:

“Indeed, in our day war is almost everywhere stirred up and fomented against the revealed truth of God and against the primary mission of the Church to proclaim it strenuously and unambiguously.”

And he concludes the introduction with:

“May this book have a wide and beneficial reach and with God’s grace enkindle in the minds and hearts of its readers an unshakable love for the truth and the Church, because in her as St. Augustine says, “instead of victory, is truth; instead of high rank, holiness; instead of peace, felicity; instead of life, eternity.” (Civ 15:1)”

The description of the book is:

“In captivating detail, Sammons explores why the New Evangelization was destined to fail and explains how the decision to de-emphasize the Church's exclusive role in the process of salvation inevitably led to mass abandonment of the sacraments. He identifies how certain teachings were ignored or toned down--leading to their sudden collapse--and how progressives elevated ecumenism over evangelization and supplanted proclamation of the Gospel with "dialogue."”

And that is what you will find. An honest critique of some of the ways the church has gone wrong, and clearly and statistically shows the consequences. He highlights very clearly what church teachings are ignored or barely touched upon. And he sheds light on progressive ideas that have been elevated and celebrated.

The book will receive mixed reviews. Some will hate it and decry it with a vengeance. Others will praise it with out question or critique. But most should approach it with an openness to the Holy Spirit’s leadings, and they will find much of worth and value in this book. It might not be a book we want, but it is definitely a book we need!

Another excellent volume from Sammons pen. And one that is much needed today.


Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Maurisa Mayerle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you." Matt 28:19-20

This was once the well defined mission of the Catholic Church, the Church established by Christ to bring the Gospelto the world. Rampant inclusivity and pluralism have resulted in an indifferent Church which has lost its missionary zeal. What lead to the shift from successful evangelization to the failing soft, dialogue of ecumenism? How did we go from extra Ecclesiam nulla salus to any good person, regardless of belief will gain Heaven? The results have been deadly to the Church but more importantly to souls. Can we regain our missionary heart?

This was very thought provoking, engaging, well organized and argued--a must for every serious Catholic wondering if Catholic evangelization is even a thing anymore.

[Kyle Kowalczyk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whereas there is some interesting information in this book and his historical survey is somewhat helpful, I think that his premise is fundamentally flawed, and I can't recommend this book.

Sammons notes correctly that we live in a world of religious indifference. Tolerance is the virtue of the day and even amongst Catholics we find that there is a predominant thought that pretty much everyone goes to heaven provided they are a "nice guy". My ministry as a priest certainly bears this out.

The problem is that Sammons seems to think there was this golden era of Catholicism where everything was perfect and if we just were to go back to that place and time everything would be perfect again. He seems to suggest we just need to preach about no salvation outside of the church, every hot button issue and have Latin Mass everywhere.

I think this is problematic and off base. We do indeed live in a different world than the one we lived in even 70 years ago. But the answer is never in going back. The answer is engaging the culture where it is. I agree with him that we talk a lot about evangelization but not a lot of action. I also agree that we actually have to be more firm on the real possibility of hell and not trying to make exceptions for those "nice" atheists that live next-door. But the fault is not this or that papal document or this or that ambiguity in this or that theologian (no body reads those anyway). I think we just need to get back to the gospel.

[Karen McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, well written, important topic

A very readable, interesting and timely book. Mr. Simmons presents well thought out and persuasive arguments. I sincerely hope many pastors and bishops read this book!

[Noah Sell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I agree with the book, I’ve got to be honest and say that it is written terribly. The book reads as if it was written by a freshman in high school. It’s honestly very hard to get past the way it is written. The author also did a terrible research job and doesn’t properly argue his points or back up his claims. The book also contains some factual errors. The author leaves out things that are indispensable to his topic, such as a discussion of the heresy of Americanism. He also fails to make distinctions which would have helped his case

[James R Cascione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Professor Sammons nails what has happened to the Catholic Church and her mission over the last sixty years. Few if any polemics; just facts, and then inspirational advice and suggestions.

[Sarah Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. It was so well sourced, and it really helped me to better understand the slide into ecumenism/syncretism/pluralism/indifference that has been happening. I have long found it frustrating how so many Catholics will downplay the differences between our faiths, and solely look for similarities. Being able to see how this became the standard is really helpful.

I expect that I will reference this book often, and I have already encouraged several people to read it.

[Robert Miller]

Clearly states what must be done in the church as it certainly has lost its way. Catholics are in great need of a review of their catechism and need to reflect where they are heading. The church indeed needs to emphasize and work more intensely on the salvation of souls. Enough of dialogue among religions and back to evangelizing.

[William F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains the trouble in the one true church

[Andrew Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, gets you thinking. My favorite part is salvation spectrum and what each of the schools teaches.