An objection to quoting from Origen

You say that it seems imprudent to quote from Origen. 

Pope Leo XIII, Aeterni Patris (#12), Aug. 4, 1879: “After him came Origen, who graced the chair of the school of Alexandria, and was most learned in the teachings of Greeks and Orientals.  He published many volumes, involving great labor, which were wonderfully adapted to explain the divine writings and illustrate the sacred dogmas; which, though, as they now stand, not altogether free from error, contain nevertheless a wealth of knowledge tending to the growth and advance of natural truths.” Pope Leo XIII, Providentissimus Deus (#7), Nov. 18, 1893: “In the Eastern Church, the greatest name of all is Origen – a man remarkable alike for penetration of genius and for persevering labor; from whose numerous works and his great Hexapla almost all have drawn that came after him.”

As we can see, your objection is unfounded.  Early Church fathers, such as Tertullian and Origen, even though they drifted into heresies later on in their lives, hold such a prominent place in the writings of the early Church fathers that they are often quoted by Catholic authorities.  If their teaching conflicts with a Catholic teaching, then it should not be promoted or quoted in a positive fashion.  But their other statements are often quoted because they represent a witness to the early Tradition for a particular point or belief.  For instance, Origen (185-254) provides us with one of the best early quotes that we’ve seen proving the apostolic tradition of sacramental confession to a priest.

Origen (A.D. 185-254): “There were also evil thoughts in men, that were revealed for this purpose, that He might destroy them Who dies for us.  As long as they were hidden it was impossible wholly to destroy them.  Hence, we also, if we have sinned, must say: My injustice I have not concealed (Ps. Xxxi. 5).  For if we have made known our sins, not alone to God, but those who can heal our wounds and sins, our sins shall be wiped out.” (quoted in Sunday Sermons of the Great Fathers, Vol. 1, p. 166.)

Furthermore, if you object to quoting from anyone who errs in other parts of his writings, then you shouldn’t even reference St. Thomas, as you do; for St. Thomas also made errors.