Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
In 2012, Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the media aboard the papal plane flying to Mexico. According to the journalist John Allen, Jr., he had strong words for certain Catholics.
“One sees in Latin America, and also elsewhere, among many Catholics a certain schizophrenia between individual and public morality,” Pope Benedict said.
“Personally, in the individual sphere, they’re Catholics, believers. But in public life they follow other paths that don’t correspond to the great values of the Gospel which are necessary for the foundation of a just society. It’s essential to educate people in order to overcome this schizophrenia, educating not only about individual morality but also public morality.”
Eight years later, we might apply his comments to Catholic politicians who are personally opposed to abortion but publicly vote for it.
Yet the pope’s comments were in response to a Mexican journalist who had asked him not about abortion but rather about the divide between rich and poor across the continent and whether the Catholic church was doing enough to promote social justice.
“Naturally the church must always ask itself if it’s doing enough on behalf of social justice in this great continent,” Benedict said in reply. “This is a question of conscience which we must always ask ourselves.”
That led to his statement denouncing personal-public schizophrenia of believers. Context matters.
Our bishops teach us that our moral framework is one piece. For example, “The threat of abortion remains our preeminent priority because it directly attacks life itself, because it takes place within the sanctuary of the family, and because of the number of lives destroyed. At the same time, we cannot dismiss or ignore other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty.”
Their teaching that overcomes such schizophrenic faith is summed up in “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” https://www.usccb.org/offices/justice-peace-human-development/forming-consciences-faithful-citizenship. Check out the bishops’ five 2-minute videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL18AF7577177E12D9.
Nativity has a half dozen study groups starting the week of September 13 to reflect on living our faith in our political action. I’m kicking it off with a Pastor Chat on Sunday at 5pm. You can find a study group at a convenient time either in person or in zoom. https://nativity.org/pastors-chat.
“It’s essential to educate people in order to overcome this schizophrenia, educating not only about individual morality but also public morality.”
To heated conversations, our call is to bring the light of faith. Instead of hyper-partisan scorched-earth campaign, we are to be leaven that transforms our society, as Pope Benedict said, with “the great values of the Gospel.”
In Christ,
Father David
