In the world’s oldest republic, the pope made Thomas More his model of political virtue and warned against projects that invoke freedom while serving power. The argument has an American address.
Thank you for the newsletter, Chris. The Vice President has been doing a lot of back peddling because of Trump’s slurring of his speech. I will continue to pray for Pope Leo and this nation of ours.
This essay is well worth the time to read it. Mr Hale writes concisely, somehow, in severing the bogus yet seductive connection between ‘Catholicism’ and partisan political power that justifies reactionary politics in the West. 💔
Surely, if humankind is to progress away from repression and violence toward a catholicity of conscience, Pope Leo XIV’s words in San Marino must be taken to heart, first, and then to mind. His three papal predeceesors progressively laid out this thought. 💛
So, two quotes come to mind. Blaise Pascal would rightly see jd vance as a false prophet when he wrote in 1669: “Man is neither angel nor brute, and the unfortunate thing is that he who would act the angel acts the brute.” 🫣
In 1962, President Kennedy argued for a more atemporal perspective toward politics almost three centuries after Pascal: “I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” 🗽
I follow these posts eagerly; they give me hope and encourage faith and love. Thank you, Christopher, for writing so clearly in your commentaries. I have one suggestion. I encourage you to get a friend to help you with Latin pronunciation. Though this is a small detail, it detracts from the excellence of what you are saying. Surely there are many who would be able to support you in this, and who would do so gladly. Gratefully, Sr Rose M Quilter
I appreciate your perspective & candor with respect to the role of religious bodies in society. I like to reflect on how your views compare & contrast with mine & my experiences.
If you don’t mind, I have a question about a development in Virginia. We have two ballot questions concerning constitutional amendments on abortion & same-sex marriage to be considered in November. Bishop Michael Burbidge, Archdiocese of Alexandria, is promoting “Catholics Vote No” which seems a bit off Pope Leo’s message.
Bishop Burbidge insists his Church is not partisan. But, while he’s not advocating for or against any specific candidate or party, he is advocating specific policy positions. I understand he believes his opinion is true to the Gospel, matters of faith & morality for society. I’m curious as to your thoughts on his alignment with Pope Leo. I respect the Bishop’s views & wouldn’t want to impose mine on him or others holding similar views.
I Trust Pope Leo XIV!!
We ALL need to find the places where we listen to, learn from, support, and respect each other.
I find that here
Thank You!
Thank you for the newsletter, Chris. The Vice President has been doing a lot of back peddling because of Trump’s slurring of his speech. I will continue to pray for Pope Leo and this nation of ours.
This essay is well worth the time to read it. Mr Hale writes concisely, somehow, in severing the bogus yet seductive connection between ‘Catholicism’ and partisan political power that justifies reactionary politics in the West. 💔
Surely, if humankind is to progress away from repression and violence toward a catholicity of conscience, Pope Leo XIV’s words in San Marino must be taken to heart, first, and then to mind. His three papal predeceesors progressively laid out this thought. 💛
So, two quotes come to mind. Blaise Pascal would rightly see jd vance as a false prophet when he wrote in 1669: “Man is neither angel nor brute, and the unfortunate thing is that he who would act the angel acts the brute.” 🫣
In 1962, President Kennedy argued for a more atemporal perspective toward politics almost three centuries after Pascal: “I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.” 🗽
I follow these posts eagerly; they give me hope and encourage faith and love. Thank you, Christopher, for writing so clearly in your commentaries. I have one suggestion. I encourage you to get a friend to help you with Latin pronunciation. Though this is a small detail, it detracts from the excellence of what you are saying. Surely there are many who would be able to support you in this, and who would do so gladly. Gratefully, Sr Rose M Quilter
I appreciate your perspective & candor with respect to the role of religious bodies in society. I like to reflect on how your views compare & contrast with mine & my experiences.
If you don’t mind, I have a question about a development in Virginia. We have two ballot questions concerning constitutional amendments on abortion & same-sex marriage to be considered in November. Bishop Michael Burbidge, Archdiocese of Alexandria, is promoting “Catholics Vote No” which seems a bit off Pope Leo’s message.
Bishop Burbidge insists his Church is not partisan. But, while he’s not advocating for or against any specific candidate or party, he is advocating specific policy positions. I understand he believes his opinion is true to the Gospel, matters of faith & morality for society. I’m curious as to your thoughts on his alignment with Pope Leo. I respect the Bishop’s views & wouldn’t want to impose mine on him or others holding similar views.
More on the effort may be found at https://catholicsvoteno.com
Thanks 🙏🏼