Opinion: Is there a future for Patriotism? A Catholic Perspective

What's a Catholic to do?

Are we looking at a future where we are not to fly our flag for fear we might offend someone? Are we looking at a time when standing up for America's greatness will be considered inappropriate? How can we respond? Our country needs Catholic patriots today more than ever, men and women of faith who are committed to bringing forth the common good in society.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - For those of us who affirm life from conception to natural death, marriage only between a man and a woman and the dignity of true human freedom, patriotism may seem hard to muster these days.

Not only have we seen sweeping changes introduced into the fabric of our country's core, we also witnessed the infusion of a sinister form of political correctness regarding our country's colors.

In late September 2009, the Bank of America in Gaffney, North Carolina removed American flags that had been placed in front of their branch to honor a local resident, Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Fowlkes. The young man died from a roadside bomb in Iraq and his body was being taken where it would be laid to rest. A neighbor of the family had been placed the flags on public property along the route his casket would follow. The bank manager indicated the flags violated company policy. Thankfully, BoA rectified the situation later.

Another incident took place in October 2009, when an apartment complex in Oregon banned flying the American flag from any of their dwellings or the vehicles of their occupants.

Then, again in October 2009, a firefighter, James Krapf, was fired for refusing to remove a flag decal from the front of his locker at the Chester City, PA fire department. The city had decided that all personal items should be removed from the lockers and the flag was no different.

Are we looking at a future where we are not to fly our flag for fear we might offend someone? Are we looking at a time when standing up for America's greatness will be considered inappropriate? How should we respond?

In the current climate, then, we might ask ourselves if there is really a future for patriotism.

A patriot is commonly defined as a person who loves, supports and defends of one's country.

If we are view patriotism as an act of emotion based on circumstances, I don't give it much hope.

If, however, we view this as an act of one who affirms the convictions expressed by our founding fathers in the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights, there is a critical necessity for it.

During his presidential campaign in the summer of 1952, Adlai Stevenson II addressed the American Legion Convention in Madison Square Garden. His opponent in the election was General Dwight D. Eisenhower, so the speech was critical for hi campaign.

What captured my attention was his description of patriotism:

"We talk a great deal about patriotism. What do we mean by patriotism in the context of our times? I venture to suggest that what we mean is a sense of national responsibility which will enable America to remain master of her power-to walk with it in serenity and wisdom, with self-respect and the respect to all mankind; a patriotism that puts country ahead of self; a patriotism which is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.

"The dedication of a lifetime-these are words that are easy to utter, but this is a mighty assignment. For it is often easier to fight for principles than to live up to them."

When we view patriotism as a dedication for a lifetime, we are no longer constrained by the ups and downs of politics and parties, but rather free to affirm our country and to preserve it, even from the forces within that tend to divert us from the course set for us in our foundation.

As Catholics, our patriotism must be expressed in much broader and proactive terms. In my opinion, our particular expression for "love of country" is even more critical to the future health of our nation.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, Those subject to authority should regard those in authority as representatives of God, who has made them stewards of his gifts: "Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution.... Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God." Their loyal collaboration includes the right, and at times the duty, to voice their just criticisms of that which seems harmful to the dignity of persons and to the good of the community. (2238)

It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. the love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. (2239)

In May of 2009, Archbishop Raymond Burke addressed the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC. His remarks kindled in me a fresh understanding of how we, as Catholics, do exercise our patriotism.

Archbishop Burke said, "The most treasured gift which we as citizens of the United States of America can offer to our country is a faithful Catholic life... From my earliest formation in the life of the faith, received at home from my parents and in the Catholic schools, it was clear to me that duty to one's nation, to one's fellow citizens, is integral to our life in Christ in the Church."

I'm a Catholic patriot when I pray for our nation and its leaders. As Archbishop Burke stated, "Surely, the most fundamental expression of patriotism is daily prayer for our homeland, the United States of America, her citizens and her leaders."

However, I'm also a Catholic patriot when I march for Life with thousands of others through the streets of Washington in January and when I write my senator or congressman, reflecting the social teachings of the Church in my message.

Catholic Patriotism, then, is fueled by the church's social teachings. Msgr. Stuart Swetland, Director of  Homiletics and Pre-Theology at Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, MD and a Naval Academy Graduate states, ".there are those who are appropriately given the responsibility for the common good of those societies that we belong to and we should honor them in their roles.

"We should honor our bishop for his role in the Church. We should honor our mother and father because of their parental role in the family. And we should honor those who have been entrusted with authority from God and Romans 13 makes that clear."

From his article, "The Catholic Virtue of Patriotism," Msgr. Swetland goes on to remind us that as a virtue, patriotism can have two extremes. First, you have the unpatriotic; those who are not willing to love his country or fulfill the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

There are also those who go beyond patriotism to a nationalist bigotry, who defends the bad as well as the good of the land.

"Between those is the virtue, somewhere in the middle, where we have an appropriate love of our nation. And an appropriate love of our nation is this: that we want to see it flourish. We want to see our nation flourish.

"We want to see the common good pursued and obtained and the common good is the sum total of all the conditions necessary for each and every member of the society to flourish as a human persons. And we should be pursuing the common good as a community."

Our country needs Catholic patriots today more than ever, men and women of faith who are committed to bringing forth the common good in society. Murderous assaults against unborn and infirmed are continuing unchecked, marriage and the family are regularly targeted for destructive redefinition, and our freedoms are being whittled away.

The words of St. John Chrysostom are just as pertinent today as they were when he wrote them, ".all humanity has lost its savor and had been corrupted by sin. Therefore, he requires of these people those virtues which are especially useful and even necessary if they are to bear the burdens of the human race.

Again, those who are clean of heart, peacemakers, and ardent for the truth, will order their lives so as to contribute to the common good."

Along with Archbishop Burke, may we declare, "Invoking the intercession of Mary Immaculate, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, let us pray today and everyday that we as Catholics, true to our faith and, therefore, patriotically devoted to our nation, may promote respect for all human life, safeguard the sanctity of marriage and the family, and, thereby, foster the good of all in the nation and in the world."

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