The Friars Are Orthodox
The use of the terms "orthodox" and "conservative" are sometimes confused and understood to mean the same thing. They are, however, not synonymous.
The word “orthodox” comes from the Greek “ortho” and “doxos” which means “right belief”. Orthodoxy, then, pertains to doctrine. To be an orthodox Catholic means believing the teachings of the Church. The opposite of being orthodox is being in error.
The term “conservative,” on the other hand, means a tendency to conserve. It pertains much more to style - the style in which one's orthodoxy can be practiced. The opposite of being conservative is being “progressive” – oriented toward change.
People can be more or less conservative and progressive while remaining orthodox. For example, some prefer a more traditional style of Eucharistic liturgy while others less so. But both can be orthodox. The use of Latin in the Mass, for example, is not an issue of orthodoxy but one of style. Mass said in Latin or English are both orthodox. The issue of being conservative or progressive pertains to things that may be important but at the same time “nonessential”. It pertains to subjective preference in style; not objective essential truths.
Neither are the terms conservative and progressive value judgments. Being conservative or progressive is neither right nor wrong. There can only be a negative effect when one is too much of either. It is, therefore, an issue of degree. If one is too conservative, there is no room for legitimate development and progress. On the other hand, if one is too progressive there is no grounding in where we have come from. It is those who are on the extreme ends of the conservative / progressive continuum who put themselves in danger. They may not be open to other opinions and think they exclusively hold the truth. They are in danger of not allowing the Holy Spirit to work.
There can be a variation on how conservative or progressive a person is but there can be no variation in how orthodox he or she is. Orthodoxy is not negotiable; truth is not up for grabs. Some one can be too conservative or progressive but never too orthodox.
Even if a friar challenges a Church teaching it is never a dogma that is at issue. And it is done in honesty, humility and discretion. (Example: Because celibacy for Diocesan priests is not an issue of doctrine, a friar can still be orthodox even if he thinks Diocesan priests should have the choice of marriage.) The Franciscans are orthodox. Some may be more conservative and others more progressive but all are orthodox. And this is what is important.
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