Deal W. Hudson: The Self-Examination of a Politically Active Catholic

By Deal W. Hudson
11/21/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love.(1 Cor 13:1)

When the results of the November 6 election became clear early that evening, I realized it was time not for finger-pointing; it was time for self-examination.

Deal W. Hudson

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic online) - Over the last four national elections, I have led outreach efforts to Catholic voters, specifically those who attend Mass regularly.

During each campaign, I stressed the political importance of the settled, or non-negotiable issues as taught by the Catholic Church: opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, fetal stem cell experimentation, and religious liberty.

About prudential issues, I stressed that "good Catholics" can disagree, but all should begin their reasoning from the first principles of Catholic moral and social teaching: the common good, human dignity and rights, subsidiarity, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor.

I have no regrets about how I led these outreach programs, the teaching of the Church was represented accurately, and the teaching authority of the bishops was always underscored with respect. I do regret those times my own voice became angry or bitter, and I apologize to any and all who witnessed those moments.

Yet, when the results of the November 6 election became clear early that evening, I realized it was time not for finger-pointing about voter fraud, the GOP establishment, Romney's emphasis on the economy rather than social issues, the failure of Orca, the continued alienation of Latino voters over immigration, or alphabetical voter guides issued by state Catholic conferences; it was time for self-examination.

The moment arrived just a few days ago as I sat listening to a group of national faith leaders discuss "what went wrong" when the country sent the Obama/Biden ticket back to the White House for another four years. I agreed with most of what was said, but much of the tone, the how it was said, turned me off. I thought to myself, "If I am turned off, then much of America must be turned off as well."

The next day, my son Chip and I met a young man from Texas for breakfast, a new friend who I had grown to like very much over the past year. He asked me what I thought of the meeting the previous day, and I found myself saying something that surprised me:

"You know why people become Christians, it's because of love, God's love. People are burdened with guilt, with their sins and failures. They need and want forgiveness, redemption from the past, hope for the future, they want a happier life and to be with God in eternity."

"Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavily laden and I will give you rest." (Matt 11:28)

My young friend's eyes grew big and his smile even larger; he not only agreed but also had been waiting to hear someone well-established in "Christian politics" say it. I had not planned to say it, I told him, it just popped out, a product of my own frustration with the way Christians had been presenting themselves and their moral issues to the nation during a political season of historical importance.

But I knew I couldn't just leave it there. I hadn't intended to dismiss, or leave behind, the political effort over the past 50 years to articulate and defend the Christian vision that permeates the American Founding and natural and revealed laws that show us the way to the common good.

Let me put it this way: There is an inherent tension, almost a conflict, between what Christians must do in a political campaign and what Christians do in evangelization. In politics we focus on moral standards, standards of conduct and action; as evangelists we reach out to those whose failure to keep those standards have left them cut off from God and feeling alienated from the Church and its teachings. In politics we insist that people respect and abide by certain moral standards, but as evangelists we call these same people to "come home" even if they have not been living by them, if they have broken God's laws and commandments.

I know what I am saying is subject to caricature as a kind of "faith without works" attitude, but, of course, given more time I would tell, as they say, "the whole story." We enter the Church broken, and over time through its teaching and the grace of the sacraments we learn and we grow; the "works" will follow.

This, too, is subject to caricature as if I am saying that "sin" is gradually erased from our lives, and, of course, that is not the case. But our sin is a constant reminder of why we gave ourselves to God in the first place, why we need His grace and the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The humility that is pressed upon us by the constant repetition of sin and forgiveness has no place in our "religious outreach" to voters. This is not a criticism of our political efforts; it's the simple consequence of Christians seeking a goal in the political order, the election of one candidate rather than another, the support of one policy rather than another.

I'm not suggesting religious leaders should stand at political rallies and qualify every declaration of support for life, marriage, and religious liberty with, "And, by the way, I am a sinner who needs to ask for God's forgiveness every day of my life." That turns a political event into a religious one, or at least creates a confusing amalgam of both.

The best any of us can do, as Christians in politics, is pay close attention to our tone and our visage: What are we communicating by how we talk and by how we present ourselves to the world? Would anyone of good will who disagrees with us see or hear that we are attempting to share a gift or would they say we are "puffed up" with pride?

It's our way of speaking, and what used to be called "comportment," that reminds those on the campaign trail that as Christians we are not reducing ourselves to advocates of a few moral maxims, no matter how important. Our kindness, patience, and good humor in the midst of political rancor can be witness to the heart of our faith, to the heart of the Church.

So let it be, going forward!

"Though I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love..." (1 Cor 13:1)
-----

Deal W. Hudson is president of the Pennsylvania Catholics Network and former chairman of Catholic Outreach at the Republican National Committee.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: campaign 2012, politics, republican, conservative, liberal, democratic, political participation, Deal W Hudson

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1 - 10 of 11 Comments

blacksheep09
6 months ago
Great article with many valid point's; the Catholic and other Christian Church's voted for evil, I wonder how many Confessor's heard that, my guess is zero. The Falling Away continues and the pews become filled with goats and wolves, I pray wisdom for the leadership and conviction for the true believers. The lost need to prayed for, but not absolved of the wickedness they have commited without repentance. We as a nation are responsible for policing the wicked from our ranks and have failed. We cleave to the world and I say "No, my household will follow the Lord!"
judy claar
6 months ago
I too, enjoyed your thought provoking article, along with those who posted. I ask you to read my post to Vance, on the article entitled: "Atheist Insists On Lose-Lose Scenario In Nativity Fight".
That response could have very well gone here. Blessings...
Nan Balfour
6 months ago
I appreciate the comments both from Mr. Hudson and the commentators. Being a faithful Catholic is really hard. I understand more everyday why we are called the Church Militant; we have to fight spiritual battles in society and in our own hearts every single minute of every single day. None of us could make it without the consolation of our God who traveled through the narrow gate before us. My response after the election was that I just have to be more faithful because though I am depressed about the results, I have no business being in despair. Jesus is Hope and we have to trust as difficult as it can be because where else can we go? He has the words of Eternal Life. Practice virtue, persevere, fight the good fight and race to win; visit the sacraments, pray and discern our path in Jesus; this is what we are called to do. Fortunately because we have a loving and generous God, we will find happiness in the struggle . . . . sometimes it is just hidden in the details. God Bless Us All.
JAMES
6 months ago
Mr. Hudson: Thank you for baring your heart and soul. I can relate to your soul searching as you review your thought and attitidues this past election cycle. For the sake of His sorrowful Passoin may He have mercy on us and on the whole world. Yes, we must spesk the truth in Love and even cry out for the souls who will be lost unless they repent and believe the Gospel. We are truly ambassadors for christ, first and foremost. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church--- and that includes dry maryrdum as well. God Bless you.
Chris
6 months ago
The strongest warriors on Earth need rest too, to be relieved by the guard who will take their turn at the gates. There are some brave and tired soldiers ready for their R&R, only to come back when called upon stronger than before.

The next guard is sleeping; how shall we awaken them?

"You know why people become Christians, it's because of love, God's love. People are burdened with guilt, with their sins and failures. They need and want forgiveness, redemption from the past, hope for the future, they want a happier life and to be with God in eternity."
Mathew Thankachen O.Praem
6 months ago
I appreciate the introspection made by Mr. Hudson of his ' catholic political intervention' and his earnestness to translate catholic values in to civic and political life of the Nation. I like the way he links politics with Evangelization. The more the Nation fails to put into practice the human values, catholic values, the greater will be the responsibility to evangelize. However, as the hierarchical Church is separated from politics, the leaders of the Church only make aware of the faithful to take proper leadership and choice while the bishops and clergy keeping away from ' party politics'. It comes within the purview of ' teaching and purifying'. It's no matter who wins or who loses, rather a good number of catholic community put up a good fight to stand for catholic values in the civic life that matters. After all, the followers of flock has always been the " little flock" in its history. Numerically, Europe grew into a bigger flock, but they failed to keep up the spirit of the " little flock" - viz. " humility" within . Pride, weather of Church or society will always destroy . It is the history of Israels and many other nations. If America doesn't truly follow the tenets of Christ and the Church, the very Christian community will gradually be annihilated and will be ruled over by someone else like the Biblical deportation.
Mathew Thankachen O.praem
Bob
6 months ago
"The person who does not become irate when he has cause to be sins.
For an unreasonable patience is the hotbed of many vices.
If fosters negligence and stimulates not only the wicked, but above all, the good to do wrong."

St John Chrysostom Doctor of the Church.

Even if Everyone is doing something wrong, it is still wrong.

Do NOT be sorry for speaking out and getting angry. We should all be more than a little irate!
Kasoy
6 months ago
Let's heed the call of the Pope to a New Evangelization to change the hearts of men to see the Truth and regain their faith in God. St. Francis said when you evangelize, SOMETIMES you have to speak. Mr. Hudson, as a nationally recognized Catholic leader like Deacon Fournier, why not organize a national program that will address one or two of the major problems of poor Americans? It may start with a simple donation campaign to fund that program - a campaign that is patterned after the "Widow's Mite or the Five Loaves and Two Fishes" principle - small, but regular donations from all US Catholics collected every 1st Sunday of the month at every parish that will all go to the national fund that will finance the program. No small donation is without value if done cheerfully out of love. With trust in God's providence the "five loaves and two fishes" program can achieve great things (feed "five thousand people"). When people see the charitable program that faithful Catholics support, they may say as the ancient Roman pagans said of the early Christians, "See how they love one another" (Tertullian) which may sow the seed to convert their hearts. Love will set our politics right.

Jesus revealed to Sis. Josefa Menendez, "Nothing that is done in love is small. No, there are no small things in my sight, for the very force of love makes them great."
vance
6 months ago
This is not a failure of tone, rather it is a failure of the Bishops and priests to communicate to the faithful. It's been my experience for over 60 years that the Bishops and priests do not use the pulpit to defend life or the Holy Sacrament of Marriage. They don't defend virtue, honesty, virginity, or holiness. They are our 'Leaders'. If they won't lead, then they need to step down and go do something else.
Janusz
6 months ago
Dear Mr. Hudson, the time has come to realize that the majority of voters during the last elections feel differently than those of us who follow the teachings of Jesus' Catholic Church. It has nothing to do with the "tone of the message" and the sooner we recognize it the less time we will spend/waste looking for the faults in ouselves while the other side continues their, YES, murderous ways!
There nothing wrong with getting angry, even Jesus did more than once, according to the scriptures....How can we remain calm and composed while the Holocost against the unborn children continues and 50% of "catholics" vote for the Preident and his party who support this attrocity! I could go on, but will just say, Let's Get it Right for a Change!

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