A Democratic Party that loses 56-41 percent among Catholics, like it did in 2024, is a Democratic Party without a future in vast portions of this country.
There are many of them in the halls of heaven. I'm sure she's so proud of her daughter continuing the highest ideals of our faith. Thank you for reading, Kathy!
God Bless You! Thank you for helping build Christs Kingdom. I am trying to do the same on my Substack too. We are all in this together, my brother in Christ Jesus.
Good article brother! The Democrats lost me because of their radical support for abortion and mutilating the bodies of minors due to Gender Dysphoria and other significant issues as well. That being said, I despise the Republican Party’s love affair with Trump, especially the “MAGA Cult”! I feel like a man without a party.
I’ve been around long enough to know that both faith and reason are necessary if we want to build anything worth living in.
The Democratic Party cannot afford to treat religious conviction like a liability—and we, the faithful and secular alike, cannot afford to let our beliefs be monopolized by Christian nationalists and men who sell crosses like used cars.
If we want this country to heal, let alone progress, we need a moral vocabulary that speaks in many tongues but walks in one direction: toward justice, toward dignity, toward the common good.
That means yes, Catholic voters. But also Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Protestant, Unitarian, and yes—humanists, agnostics, and atheists who carry more compassion in their fingertips than a thousand pulpits.
We don’t need fusion. We need fellowship. Shared meaning. A covenant of conscience.
The truth is: people of faith are already aligned with Democratic values on care for the poor, the immigrant, the sick, the environment. But we’ve let a small, loud faction define what “faith” means. And we’ve let a squeamish, secular instinct inside our party cede moral ground we never should have surrendered.
We don’t need sermons. We need strategy.
We don’t need dogma. We need dignity.
We don’t need to water down the truth. We need to lift up the voices of those who live it.
We don’t need to win converts. We need to win elections—because there’s too much suffering at stake to keep losing on principle while others win on propaganda.
Let’s build a coalition that prays and protests, that quotes scripture and Sagan, that welcomes the choir and the quiet skeptic.
Because only together—soul and system, sacred and rational—do we stand a chance.
To me, your words are perfect. Faith, reason, fellowship, justice, dignity….. there are millions of people of an endless number of religions or not who just care about the common good as you well stated. I am a lapsed Catholic who is tired of “Christians” and others trying to force their beliefs on everyone through government. I never had an abortion, but having gone through a pregnancy that ended in the death of my baby, I am the first to raise my hand and state that no matter who you are people must be allowed to make their own decisions based on their own circumstances and beliefs in conjunction with the experts you trust. I am not here to judge others except that we are all due dignity and good will.
Our founding fathers specifically saw the divide of church and state. Any messaging can be tailored to a specific groups while offering justice for all.
Love your comment. I am a ‘progressive’. I converted to Catholicism decades ago which confused my liberal friends. I am pro-choice. I am for bodily autonomy. I am for justice. I am for equity and dignity for all human beings. I was so glad when Pope Francis and now Pope Leo speak up for marginalized people and against injustice and cruelty. So glad there is a voice here now for this point of view.
Maya, equity, fairness, justice, respect and a fundamental recognition that individual diversity is a strength and not a “failure” to conform. I am privilaged in your presence and support. Thank you 😊
One of my best friends is Catholic (as am I). She will not vote Democratic because she believes in removing all immigrants from the US no matter what. I am really struggling with this viewpoint, especially given *that she is the faith formation director in her church, and her husband is in the US on a green card*. She is a lovely person-really!-but how to reconcile these conflicting beliefs? I don’t think her situation is uncommon.
It’s not uncommon. I think the best thing you can do to “convert” her to the Democratic cause is to keep being her friend—and live out the highest values of our shared faith.
An intellectual argument likely won’t change her mind. But your personal witness—your ethos and pathos—can move the needle over time.
Ezra Klein captured this well in 2020 when he said Joe Biden’s superpower was that he genuinely likes people. That kind of relational trust builds bridges politics alone can’t.
Thank you for your work. What you talk about is meaningful to me. I apologize for not being able to financially support your work right now - my finances are beyond difficult right now-but will be glad to when I can. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
I love your posts and this article is right on, except for the abortion part. You definitely do not speak for all Catholics. To be clear on the abortion issue....I know PLENTY of Catholic women who have had safe and legal abortions. I grew up Catholic and keeping women barefoot and pregnant is a patriarch's Modus Operandi. While we are on the subject of winning over voters, the Catholic church should re-examine its stance on birth control, male dominance and the right to safe and legal abortions. You might increase your own numbers without forcing women into birthing more Catholics. But I must say, Pope Leo is amazing and the Catholic church could be the saving grace in beating off this insanely abusive Trump "administration."
Ah yes, the Democratic "God Problem," otherwise known as forgetting that moral conviction does not just wear clerical collars and hold rosaries.
You are right, Christopher. You cannot win over Catholic voters if you treat their faith like it is a liability instead of a language. Skipping the Al Smith Dinner was not bold strategy. It was spiritual ghosting.
But let us not stop at absence. The real failure was not just in avoiding a stage with Cardinal Dolan. It was in failing to recognize that the Catholic imagination is already fluent in everything Democrats claim to believe in. The dignity of the poor. The sacredness of the stranger. The call to care for creation and confront empire.
You want the Catholic vote? Lead like Pope Francis. Be tender toward the margins. Be blistering toward the greedy. Be suspicious of slick slogans and afraid of no beatitude.
Instead, we get campaigns that speak fluent policy but cannot conjugate grace.
Catholics are not asking for purity tests. They are asking not to be erased. They know what it feels like to be guilt-tripped by the right and ghosted by the left. And they are not impressed with either.
Win their conscience, and their vote might follow.
—Virgin Monk Boy
(political monk of holy mischief and sacred strategy)
The question whether human life begins at conception, birth, or some point in between when the soul enters the body, has been debated by church scholars for years. The Christian Right at some point figured out it could use the issue for political purposes by declaring “life begins at conception, and it’s been used to divide us ever since. It’s given us one issue voters, while who ignore the horrors resulting from abortion bans.
Harris’ responses and speeches became repetitious. We got it the first time that her mother worked hard to raise her kids. Okay, but what else have you got to say? I voted for her but will never again because she conceded and bolted for cover for Months. Then, when she did emerge, saying, “l told you so!” was not appropriate or appreciated. She bolted to the money people, so it wasn’t a matter of hiding for safety, which would have been publicized. No, she went looking for the gravy train book deal, speaking tour, tchotchkes, etc.
Fortunately, the Democratic Party has a number of robust leaders from which to choose a new viable candidate.
As a Catholic, I voted Biden, Kamala Harris, and Barrack Obama. I voted Democrat for years. However, when it comes to some fellow Catholics, they viewed Harris as anathema to the Catholic faith. They could not accept Wokeism and liberals. I asked myself: was it this way when the Fascists first arose in the 1930s? I have come to the conclusion that a lot of people who claim to be Catholic do not have a basic understanding of the US Constitution or even world history, for that matter. All people are created equal— especially in the eyes of God. However, many of my fellow Catholics just don’t understand what it means to live in an America that preaches equality. The Pope understands it, but so many of the flock may come to terms with equality much too late.
I left the Republican party many years ago because of its lurching towards the extreme right, but couldn't embrace the Democratic party because as a devout Catholic I don't believe abortion is a right. I do share the Democratic party's position on social justice issues.
A little saddened to read some of the comments and even your take on what doomed us to fail the election. I always thought inclusionary faith-based politics meant including all individuals.
Hi, Lola! Thank you for reading. What in my article particularly upset you? For the record, you can do particular outreach to diverse communities by name and still have an inclusive campaign.
My mother, may she rest in peace, was a devout pro-choice Catholic.
There are many of them in the halls of heaven. I'm sure she's so proud of her daughter continuing the highest ideals of our faith. Thank you for reading, Kathy!
God Bless You! Thank you for helping build Christs Kingdom. I am trying to do the same on my Substack too. We are all in this together, my brother in Christ Jesus.
Good article brother! The Democrats lost me because of their radical support for abortion and mutilating the bodies of minors due to Gender Dysphoria and other significant issues as well. That being said, I despise the Republican Party’s love affair with Trump, especially the “MAGA Cult”! I feel like a man without a party.
I appreciate your reading, Nick! You're always welcome here.
I’ve been around long enough to know that both faith and reason are necessary if we want to build anything worth living in.
The Democratic Party cannot afford to treat religious conviction like a liability—and we, the faithful and secular alike, cannot afford to let our beliefs be monopolized by Christian nationalists and men who sell crosses like used cars.
If we want this country to heal, let alone progress, we need a moral vocabulary that speaks in many tongues but walks in one direction: toward justice, toward dignity, toward the common good.
That means yes, Catholic voters. But also Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Protestant, Unitarian, and yes—humanists, agnostics, and atheists who carry more compassion in their fingertips than a thousand pulpits.
We don’t need fusion. We need fellowship. Shared meaning. A covenant of conscience.
The truth is: people of faith are already aligned with Democratic values on care for the poor, the immigrant, the sick, the environment. But we’ve let a small, loud faction define what “faith” means. And we’ve let a squeamish, secular instinct inside our party cede moral ground we never should have surrendered.
We don’t need sermons. We need strategy.
We don’t need dogma. We need dignity.
We don’t need to water down the truth. We need to lift up the voices of those who live it.
We don’t need to win converts. We need to win elections—because there’s too much suffering at stake to keep losing on principle while others win on propaganda.
Let’s build a coalition that prays and protests, that quotes scripture and Sagan, that welcomes the choir and the quiet skeptic.
Because only together—soul and system, sacred and rational—do we stand a chance.
To me, your words are perfect. Faith, reason, fellowship, justice, dignity….. there are millions of people of an endless number of religions or not who just care about the common good as you well stated. I am a lapsed Catholic who is tired of “Christians” and others trying to force their beliefs on everyone through government. I never had an abortion, but having gone through a pregnancy that ended in the death of my baby, I am the first to raise my hand and state that no matter who you are people must be allowed to make their own decisions based on their own circumstances and beliefs in conjunction with the experts you trust. I am not here to judge others except that we are all due dignity and good will.
Our founding fathers specifically saw the divide of church and state. Any messaging can be tailored to a specific groups while offering justice for all.
Love your comment. I am a ‘progressive’. I converted to Catholicism decades ago which confused my liberal friends. I am pro-choice. I am for bodily autonomy. I am for justice. I am for equity and dignity for all human beings. I was so glad when Pope Francis and now Pope Leo speak up for marginalized people and against injustice and cruelty. So glad there is a voice here now for this point of view.
Maya, equity, fairness, justice, respect and a fundamental recognition that individual diversity is a strength and not a “failure” to conform. I am privilaged in your presence and support. Thank you 😊
Amen!
One of my best friends is Catholic (as am I). She will not vote Democratic because she believes in removing all immigrants from the US no matter what. I am really struggling with this viewpoint, especially given *that she is the faith formation director in her church, and her husband is in the US on a green card*. She is a lovely person-really!-but how to reconcile these conflicting beliefs? I don’t think her situation is uncommon.
It’s not uncommon. I think the best thing you can do to “convert” her to the Democratic cause is to keep being her friend—and live out the highest values of our shared faith.
An intellectual argument likely won’t change her mind. But your personal witness—your ethos and pathos—can move the needle over time.
Ezra Klein captured this well in 2020 when he said Joe Biden’s superpower was that he genuinely likes people. That kind of relational trust builds bridges politics alone can’t.
https://www.vox.com/2020/8/21/21387131/joe-biden-2020-democratic-convention-dnc-trump-president-acceptance-speech
I appreciate this so much.
Of course, Christine! Thank you for reading. Your support means the world to me.
Thank you for your work. What you talk about is meaningful to me. I apologize for not being able to financially support your work right now - my finances are beyond difficult right now-but will be glad to when I can. Thanks again and keep up the good work!
You're always welcome here, Christine! Don't worry about it at all
I love your posts and this article is right on, except for the abortion part. You definitely do not speak for all Catholics. To be clear on the abortion issue....I know PLENTY of Catholic women who have had safe and legal abortions. I grew up Catholic and keeping women barefoot and pregnant is a patriarch's Modus Operandi. While we are on the subject of winning over voters, the Catholic church should re-examine its stance on birth control, male dominance and the right to safe and legal abortions. You might increase your own numbers without forcing women into birthing more Catholics. But I must say, Pope Leo is amazing and the Catholic church could be the saving grace in beating off this insanely abusive Trump "administration."
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, I concur. I grew up Catholic and there are a lot of us, women and men alike, who share your views.
Ah yes, the Democratic "God Problem," otherwise known as forgetting that moral conviction does not just wear clerical collars and hold rosaries.
You are right, Christopher. You cannot win over Catholic voters if you treat their faith like it is a liability instead of a language. Skipping the Al Smith Dinner was not bold strategy. It was spiritual ghosting.
But let us not stop at absence. The real failure was not just in avoiding a stage with Cardinal Dolan. It was in failing to recognize that the Catholic imagination is already fluent in everything Democrats claim to believe in. The dignity of the poor. The sacredness of the stranger. The call to care for creation and confront empire.
You want the Catholic vote? Lead like Pope Francis. Be tender toward the margins. Be blistering toward the greedy. Be suspicious of slick slogans and afraid of no beatitude.
Instead, we get campaigns that speak fluent policy but cannot conjugate grace.
Catholics are not asking for purity tests. They are asking not to be erased. They know what it feels like to be guilt-tripped by the right and ghosted by the left. And they are not impressed with either.
Win their conscience, and their vote might follow.
—Virgin Monk Boy
(political monk of holy mischief and sacred strategy)
The question whether human life begins at conception, birth, or some point in between when the soul enters the body, has been debated by church scholars for years. The Christian Right at some point figured out it could use the issue for political purposes by declaring “life begins at conception, and it’s been used to divide us ever since. It’s given us one issue voters, while who ignore the horrors resulting from abortion bans.
Harris’ responses and speeches became repetitious. We got it the first time that her mother worked hard to raise her kids. Okay, but what else have you got to say? I voted for her but will never again because she conceded and bolted for cover for Months. Then, when she did emerge, saying, “l told you so!” was not appropriate or appreciated. She bolted to the money people, so it wasn’t a matter of hiding for safety, which would have been publicized. No, she went looking for the gravy train book deal, speaking tour, tchotchkes, etc.
Fortunately, the Democratic Party has a number of robust leaders from which to choose a new viable candidate.
As a Catholic, I voted Biden, Kamala Harris, and Barrack Obama. I voted Democrat for years. However, when it comes to some fellow Catholics, they viewed Harris as anathema to the Catholic faith. They could not accept Wokeism and liberals. I asked myself: was it this way when the Fascists first arose in the 1930s? I have come to the conclusion that a lot of people who claim to be Catholic do not have a basic understanding of the US Constitution or even world history, for that matter. All people are created equal— especially in the eyes of God. However, many of my fellow Catholics just don’t understand what it means to live in an America that preaches equality. The Pope understands it, but so many of the flock may come to terms with equality much too late.
I left the Republican party many years ago because of its lurching towards the extreme right, but couldn't embrace the Democratic party because as a devout Catholic I don't believe abortion is a right. I do share the Democratic party's position on social justice issues.
An excellent essay! Many of the points you mentioned are things I have found myself wondering about. I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your words.
A little saddened to read some of the comments and even your take on what doomed us to fail the election. I always thought inclusionary faith-based politics meant including all individuals.
Hi, Lola! Thank you for reading. What in my article particularly upset you? For the record, you can do particular outreach to diverse communities by name and still have an inclusive campaign.