We are faced with many polarizing influences in politics this election year. Maybe it comes with age or the advent of constant social media, or the fact that presidential elections come along every four years, but it always proves a major and contested distraction. Whatever our party designation, we should recognize the issues that have an impact upon our own needs as well as those that effect our community, state and nation. And, as Catholics, we must consider the teachings of our Church and how those issues impact the coming of Christ’s kingdom in heaven and on earth.
A constant frustration with the world today is the suggestion (and sadly social acceptance) that citizens keep their faith to themselves as it regards politics. Many claim the support of the Establishment Clause defined in 1947 as guaranteeing the ‘separation of church and state.’ This is not only socially damaging, but it is 100% in disagreement with our constitutional freedom of religion as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (Constitution, 1st Amendment)
The point here is that the faith of a religion is not relegated to the four walls of a church or consists only under our skin and in our hearts, but it is lived out by moral example.
To put it into context, before the American Revolution the colonies enjoyed a variety of “religious freedom” areas but the governing class belonged to the Church of England. This assumed a degree of favoritism and social climbing for those who wanted to belong to the ‘elite.’ By example, places like the Massachusetts colony adhered to a strict branch of Calvinism that socially ostracized those of different sects. In fact, the one common denominator in the various religious animosity of the day was the definitive belief that Catholics were not to be tolerated. However, Catholics who fought and died in the War for Independence, remained loyal believers despite the popular angst toward their faith. After the Revolution and subsequent ratification of the Constitution, despite the clauses guaranteeing religious freedom found therein, Catholics in the newly formed nation still faced persecution.
The point of this little lesson in history is to note that even from the beginnings of our great nation, Catholics have been different. True, the face of American Catholicism has changed greatly over the past two centuries. Yet, in the face of those ridiculing our beliefs, the chief charge to the Jews of the Old Testament remains the chief charge to Catholics: that we hold fast to our faith regardless of the challenges we face in our own day.
Our faith is a historical faith: one that comes from long, long ago and continues in the present. Much like Christ’s re-presentation of His sacrifice on the Cross almost two thousand years ago, His presence remains to this day when we celebrate Him at Mass. And just as our belief is a historical one, so must our convictions and actions be representative of the faith we hold on to at this point in history. Despite the polarizations leading up to and after the election, as a Catholic, charity must always be your default. When we identify as Catholics, we identify ourselves as those who love. We can disagree with someone and still love them. To leave charity out of the political arena because of the so-called separation of Church and State has no place in politics and no place in our country. As Catholics we exercise our freedom in our vote, but especially in how we love after the vote is cast.
By: Matthew Canter
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