Bob Nicholas.com

Lately it seems I’ve come across a couple of folks who fit the title of this post.  These folks have a distorted view of Catholicism and how we are called to act with regard to issues such as abortion, war, prayer in schools, etc.  The line between Catholic and Politician is blurred and they see their role as “fixing” the world rather than “loving” as God intends.

Let me clarify this post by saying (1) I am a pro-life Catholic who tries to live the teachings of the Church fully and (2) I am a very conservative voter and I do not associate with any political party or movement (3) and lastly that I am a gun owner who wouldn’t think for one second about shooting a home intruder to defend my family.

Recall that recently I wrote about the desire to seek justice and the desire to love.  These two desires are not congruent with one another.  Love is an action, or choice, which is wholly separate from justice because love is our action and justice belongs entirely to God.  This idea is fundamental to understanding my stance on political Catholics. 

The Political Catholic is a breed of Catholic who sees their ministry/passion solely as accomplishing things such as the reversal of Roe v. Wade, or the removal of guns from society, or the reinstatement of prayer in schools.  These “political” issues are, while very important, not elements of the Catholic faith.  As Catholics we are called to be pro-life, pro-prayer, and while the 5^th Commandment tells us not to kill there are no real Catholic teachings on gun ownership. 

See the problem with the Political Catholic isn’t their passion, and often times their theology isn’t faulty.  Rather it is the method of carrying out their agenda, their “mission”, which causes grave concern.  Political Catholics place the advancement of their agenda above the dignity and love of others and often are unwilling to accept any lower result than the perfect one.  This not only turns off others and alienates the Political Catholic, it alienates those that might more tact and Grace to hear the Gospel. 

An example, and an easy one at that, is quote “Pro-Life Catholics” who are overtly passionate about the issue of Abortion.  Abortion is wrong and it IS murder of the innocent.  Roe v. Wade is the most destructive law on the books in the U.S. Government and we lose millions each year because of this lie. 

The problems with the Political Catholic approach to this issue are three fold:

-          First these folks have a distorted view of the Pro-Life movement and they hijack it solely for the issue of abortion.  I am constantly amazed at those that proclaim to be pro-life and yet forget the elderly, sick, abandoned, hungry, homeless….  And don’t get me started on pro-life people who are devoid of love for those among us with disease, physical ailment, or mental ailment such as Downs or another (note that I didn’t say disease or dysfunction, these beautiful people often love better than any of us can ever hope too; would you call that dysfunction?)

-          Second, these folks place the reversal of Roe v. Wade as the number one priority of the pro-life movement.  Hear me clearly: The reversal of Roe v. Wade is an ignorant attempt by those involved.  I wish you luck in your losing effort.  The reversal of this decision will happen only when and only if we Evangelize the world to become more pro-life.  Until then the pro-life is only a movement and not a state of society….which is the ultimate goal.  It’s like a sport, almost always the way to score is not to go directly for the goal, rather it is to work as a whole team to move the ball around and find the best angle.  At this point, we need more on our team to win.

-          Lastly, these folks place their passion, in this case the anti-abortion agenda, ahead of everything else regardless of any collateral damage.  After all what could be more important right?  How about working to save the souls of those that are pro-choice, the abortionist, and those that are turned off by this agenda?  Political Catholics do not consider the negative impact of their words/actions on others.  Often they explain away those that disagree as ignorant or not faithful.

The Political Catholic does more damage than good to the Church.  Their efforts are destructive to the Body of Christ and to others perception of our faith. 

How many people proclaim to be Catholic and yet do not know the Truth?  Shouldn’t we be focused on strengthening our Body [of Christ] rather than berating those among us who don’t agree?  Don’t get me wrong, you cannot be Catholic and pro-choice.  Well, unless you like hot places….[sarcasm…].  Seriously if you are pro-choice you should not be receiving the Eucharist as you are not in communion with the Catholic Church.  You should discuss this with your Priest or another trusted person with a properly formed conscience (which means someone who believes and lives the teachings of the Church)…

Back to the issue.  The Political Catholic would rather those who are not in full communion with the Church simply leave.  Is this Christian?  Is this Catholic?  No, it’s not.  Rather it is a distortion of the Church to advance a personal political agenda.  And more importantly, it’s not acceptable.

Lastly I want to say this.  I agree with a Catholic Politician (who may or may not be a Political Catholic) being denied the Eucharist if they publically proclaim a belief not in communion with the Catholic Church.  I pray I’m never asked to carry that out because I cannot imagine the drama involved however, publically proclaiming a belief that does not fit the Church’s teachings is not acceptable.  Note however that this is a Church issue, not a politic issue. 

If you find yourself in the un-lucky position of being a Political Catholic, you should seriously consider why you say and act as you do and if those words and action reflect Christ.  I pray for you.  And I’m here to help however I can if you ask.

If you find yourself in conversation with a Political Catholic and you yourself are not one my request is simple.  Love.  Show them what real unconditional Christian love is all about.

I pray we are able to find greater unity in the Body of Christ.  That means that the ultra-conservative and the ultra-liberal Catholics need to move to the center….where Christ is.

In Him!

In the next article I’m going to address further the Pro-Life Movement.  I’m growing tired of “pro-lifers” not being pro-life and simply being anti-abortion.  There is more to the picture than that.