“The Church is not an ideology. Rather, it is an attachment to a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.”
In a recent interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo of Africa provided a much-needed perspective on the perceived divisions within the Church. While social media and mainstream news often amplify narratives of a divided Church, Cardinal Ambongo insisted that these divisions are largely superficial. “The press often claims the Church is divided between conservatives and progressives,” he said. “These categories do not exist among the Cardinals themselves.”
The Cardinal’s comments come in the wake of the recent conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV, a moment many expected to reveal rifts within the College of Cardinals. Instead, Cardinal Ambongo emphasized that the conclave was marked by unity, not factionalism. According to him, the gathering was characterized by a shared focus on Christ rather than ideological camps. He stressed that the Church is not about political or cultural factions but about fidelity to Jesus Christ.
“The Church is not an ideology,” he said. “Rather, it is an attachment to a person, and that person is Jesus Christ.” This powerful reminder reframes the conversation about division, urging Catholics to look beyond labels and focus on the essence of faith: love for Christ and one another.
Patrick Madrid echoed Cardinal Ambongo’s call for unity on his show, pointing listeners to St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. The Apostle addressed early Christians who were dividing themselves by allegiance to specific leaders — Apollos, Cephas, and Paul. St. Paul admonished them, reminding them that Christ alone is the center of their faith.
Patrick noted that the same temptation to align with certain figures or ideologies exists today. Whether it’s “Team Benedict,” “Team Francis,” or “Team Trad,” the tendency to fracture the Church along personal or ideological lines misses the point. As Patrick said, “At the end of the day, Jesus didn’t ask Peter, ‘Do you have the right liturgical preference?’ He asked, ‘Do you love me?’”
Cardinal Ambongo’s comments serve as a timely reminder that the Church’s unity is not defined by factions but by fidelity to Christ. For those feeling disheartened by the noise of Catholic social media, this is an invitation to refocus. The real story, Cardinal Ambongo said, is not division but a shared mission to follow Jesus and live out the Gospel.
Catch more reflections like this on The Patrick Madrid Show, airing weekdays on Relevant Radio from 8–11 AM CT.
