By Jean Welch Hill-
In light of the apparently endless stream of social media posts vilifying one person, cause, thing, or another, and the disconcerting impacts something as innocuously named as a “tweet” seems to be having on foreign and domestic policy, it may be time for a refresher on what Catholic advocacy should focus on and how to present our positions.
Two years ago, Pope Francis spoke before Congress in a speech that succinctly and powerfully set before Catholics, and all who listened, the reasons why the Catholic Church must speak on political issues, and the basis of every stance we take on such issues. Not surprisingly, he never once said, “Take your enemies down by any and all means possible” or “the means justify the ends” or even, “If you disagree, make sure you win the argument at any cost.”
Rather, Pope Francis first reminded us of each of our roles in a democracy: “You are called to defend and preserve the dignity of your fellow citizens in the tireless and demanding pursuit of the common good, for this is the chief aim of all politics.” Yes, each one of us must be engaged in this effort to achieve the common good, presumably though advocacy efforts that also promote the dignity of one another, including those with whom we disagree.
For Catholics, we do not engage as rabid followers of one party or another, but as human beings committed to building a more just and peaceful world. Pope Francis summarizes our Catholic stance on any political issue, and our approach to political dialogue: “Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities.”
Pope Francis also helped us navigate the news, and more importantly, the distractions, by pointing us to our priority issues: “Our efforts must aim at restoring hope, righting wrongs, maintaining commitments, and thus promoting the well-being of individuals and of peoples.” No small order. But what Pope Francis makes very clear to us is just how profoundly we could change the world with some focused, Gospel-based Catholic advocacy.
Love this point: “Yes, each one of us must be engaged in this effort to achieve the common good, presumably though advocacy efforts that also promote the dignity of one another, including those with whom we disagree.”