Posted on 02/06/2014 9:15:58 AM PST by cornelis
For most casual observers, whether Catholic or not, the main battle lines within American Catholicism today seem self-evident. The cleavage overlaps perfectly the divide between the political parties, leading to the frequently-used labels “liberal” and “conservative” Catholics. We have Nancy Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo representing the Left, and Rick Santorum and Sam Brownback aligned with the Right. Mainstream opinion has classified Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI as honorary Republicans, and Pope Francis as a Democrat (hence, why he is appearing on the covers of Time and Rolling Stone Magazines).
This division does indeed capture real battle lines, but more than anything, the divide is merely an extension of our politics, and—while manned by real actors—does not capture where the real action is to be found today in American Catholic circles.
The real action does not involve liberal “Catholics” at all. Liberal Catholicism, while well-represented in elite circles of the Democratic Party, qua Catholicism is finished. Liberal Catholicism has no future—like liberal Protestantism, it is fated to become liberalism simpliciter within a generation. The children of liberal Catholics will either want their liberalism unvarnished by incense and holy water, or they will rebel and ask if there’s something more challenging, disobeying their parents by “reverting” to Catholicism. While “liberal” Catholicism will appear to be a force because it will continue to have political representation, as a “project” and a theology, like liberal Protestantism it is doomed to oblivion.
The real battle is taking place beyond the purview of the pages of Time Magazine and the New York Times. The battle pits two camps of “conservative” Catholicism (let’s dispense with that label immediately and permanently—as my argument suggests, and others have said better, our political labels are inadequate to the task).
On the one side one finds . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at theamericanconservative.com ...
FYI
The leadership of the Catholic church has always been conservative on social issues, yet VERY liberal on economic policy. I am sick and tired of hearing about “social justice” in Church. Wish the Church would avoid politics altogether.
The real battle is between the Constitution and a Christian forefather people. The Constitution being interpreted that gay marriage is a constitutional right, that freedom overrules religion, sets them on collision.
An interesting and well reasoned article with a lot of inside baseball, which will undoubtedly be reduced to a juvenile exchange of knee-jerk cliches and a Religion Forum cat fight.
“...We have Nancy Pelosi and Andrew Cuomo representing the Left...”
Yea, well any ole wolf can dress itself in sheep’s clothing and call itself a sheep.
Sam Brownback.. is he the supposed pro-life guy that loves Sebelius so much?
I find it highly ironic that the country which HOSTS the official chair of the Roman Church (I know, Vatican City is it’s own state, but that’s just irrelevant nominalism) has swerved so violently Left, both economically and socially, over the decades. You’d think that the ambient influence, and the ubiquitous presence of self-identifying adherents, would be enough to temper the country towards at least a reverent respect for that church’s teaching.
Doesn’t say a lot for Roman Catholicism.
Agreed. I am so sick of the knee-jerking on things like minimum wage hikes and universal health care without seriously considering the consequences.
It is impossible for the Church to avoid politics, since the political structure and general culture seem intent on meddling in realms spiritual.
Correct! In some cases though, they wish to do far more than simply “meddle.” They are out to eradicate.
When the Constitution accepts gay marriage would you say the Constitution is a left or right document?
When did our Constitution accept “gay marriage?”
I had read both from Murray and MacIntyre when I was in the seminary. I am more of a philospher, and MacIntyre makes more sense to me because his case is based on the philosphy of St. Thomas Aquinas. It has totally different presuppositions from Murray, who is operating from the Modern Liberal Individualism that was around at the time of the Founding Fathers. This is also why Pope Francis is confusing to Conservatives and Progressives alike here in the US. Francis is operating from a 13th century philosophy, and has different underlying assumptions than any of our current batch of political philosophers and commentators. They are trying to fit Francis into philosophical boxes that do not fit him. The Pope makes perfect, coherent sense to us Thomists.
This fight is local only to the US Catholicism. Worldwide, the three way fight in moral theology between Neo-Thomists, German Jesuits under Karl Rahner, and the French Jesuits pushing Patristic studies, will have a much more lasting effect on Catholicism.
I said ‘when’ - but that’s the way I read the tea leaves - gay marriage is happening. Check out the fate of DOMA.
After reading the complete article at the site, I think Saul Alinsky saw his opening int eh radical Catholics group, the ones who think the American founding was a mistake. Or, he was able to drive that theory into their psyches. Obama’s paster,Jeremiah Wright, seems to be of their ilk.
Interesting article. Being raised Baptist, I have come to love the Catholic faith. I’d convert, but it would be chaotic to other family members, and it would not change my state of salvation. I do love Touchstone Magazine and have wanted to order the sister magazine, First Things. I have learned much!
Once an expat, always an expat.
St. Michael better put a move on!
1. The Limits of Natural Law
2. Cicero and the Politics of the Public Orthodoxy
3. The Problem of Political Power and the Forces of Darkness . . .
6. Natural Law Tradition and the American Political Experience 7. Eric Voegelin and the Christian Tradition
8. Jaffa, The School of Strauss, and the Christian Tradition
Not to my knowledge. I believe you’re thinking of Pat Roberts.
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