Doctrine

Bad ideas are not usually completely bad. They ordinarily have some aspect of good, because otherwise nobody would follow them. There is always some spark of truth, and this is what makes them attractive, but that part of the truth is not theirs: it derives from Christ and from the Church. And so, these good ideas (which are mixed with error) should be seen as coming from Christians who possess the fullness of truth; it should not be that we Christians go after these ideas.

Distinction between error and one who errs

But that concept is valid only from the doctrinal point of view. In practice, in your personal relationships, you do have to go after those who are mistaken, not to be dragged along by their ideologies, but to win them for Christ and attract them gently and effectively to the light and to peace.

Charity towards those who are mistaken

You have often heard me say that the Work of God is not againstanything. Certainly, we cannot say that error is a good thing, but those who are mistaken merit our affection, our help, our loyal and sincere friendship. We would not please God if we were to refuse it simply because they don’t think the way we do.