Archbishop Dolan and Congressman Ryan: Catholic Social Doctrine, 2012 Campaign

'This exchange of correspondence will be, I trust, but the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, in service, I pray, of the country we love and the religious convictions that have always inspired sound citizenship and generous public service.' This exchange between the Congressman and the Archbishop is an example of the proper application of the principles and truths offered by Catholic Social Doctrine to be used in policy initiatives.

P>WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - While Republican Presidential candidates announced their candidacy and President Obama positioned himself for his re-election effort, the President of the US Bishops Conference, Archbishop Timothy Dolan and a Conservative Catholic Congressman named Paul Ryan exchanged letters which can help frame the issues of the upcoming presidential campaign. 

The political wordsmiths are trying to lay claim to that field of moral theology referred to as "Catholic Social Doctrine" as the 2012 campaign for the US Presidency begins. Prior to 2004 the phrase "Social Teaching" of the Catholic Church referred to the teachings found in the Sacred Scriptures, expounded upon in the Christian tradition, developed in the documents of the Second Vatican Council, explained within a contemporary series of encyclical letters, apostolic letters and exhortations, and wonderfully summarized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Sadly, many people had not read these sources. So, what claimed to be the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church was too often the "spin" of self styled "experts" with political agendas.

Then on April 2, 2004, the Memorial of Saint Francis of Paola, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, President of the "Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace" released the "Compendium of the Social Doctrine of Church." It can be studied and read in full online here It can also be purchased here I recommend that every Catholic, indeed all Christians, other people of faith and all people of good will purchase this outstanding compendium. It is a tremendous resource. 

This social doctrine of the Church confronts what Pope Benedict called the "Dictatorship of Relativism" and insists there are unchangeable truths such as the dignity of every human person at every age and stage which must form the foundation of any just society. To be Pro-Life is not about a "single issue", it is about a world view. It is this dignity of the human person which requires a respect for every human life whether that life be in the first home of the womb, a wheelchair, a jail cell, a hospital room, a hospice, a senior center or a soup kitchen.

Another truth is that marriage is between one man and one woman, intended for life, and ordered toward the bearing and raising of children in the family. Marriage is not some social construct which can be redefined by courts or legislatures. It is also one more example of a word we must not give up - for the sake of the true common good. It is the foundation for family and family is the first society, first church, first school, first economy, first government and first mediating institution. The first community which humanizes and civilizes all of us is the family.

Another truth is that all human persons created in the Image of God are created for relationship and called to human community. We can never fully experience human flourishing outside of social relationships. These relationships are perfective of our human person because we are by nature - and grace - made for these relationships. Catholic Social Thought does not begin with the individual but with the family.

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The social doctrine rejects a notion of "freedom" which begins and ends with the isolated, atomistic, person as the measure of its application. Authentic human freedom must be exercised within a moral constitution. We will only experience freedom when we choose what is good and what is true. Otherwise "freedom" becomes a counterfeit and enslaves. The social doctrine also recognizes our obligation in solidarity to one another. We are our brother/sister's keeper.

The social doctrine offers principles to help us order our economies but does not propose any particular economic theory. Rather, it insists that every economic order be at the service of the human person, human freedom, human flourishing and the family. We are called to give a love of preference to the poor, recognizing our solidarity with them. However, this call to solidarity is to be applied through the application of the principle of subsidiarity, rejecting all forms of dehumanizing collectivism, either of the left or the right.

The market economy has been affirmed in recent social teaching as having a potential for promoting these goods - when properly understood and morally structured. However, the Catholic Church stood against the materialism of the atheistic Marxist system and cautions Nations which have adopted a form of liberal capitalism of the dangers of "economism" or materialism which promotes the use of persons as products and fails to recognize the value of being over acquiring.

The truths and principles contained within Catholic social doctrine are not merely "religious" positions, in the sense that only religious people need assent to them. They are revealed by the Natural Law and can be known through the exercise of reason. The truths are true for all people and for all time. The Church calls us to offer them as leaven to be worked into the loaf of human culture. We are called to build a truly just and human society.

On April 29, 2011, Congressman Paul Ryan, a devout Catholic - and someone who could be called a political and economic conservative - wrote a respectful letter to Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York in which he discussed his now controversial proposals for dealing with the United State's looming budgetary crisis. This letter can be read in its entirety here.

The Congressman's budget proposals have been objected to by some, including some faithful Catholics. What makes this letter important is the Congressman explains the rationale behind his proposals within the framework of a sincere effort to apply the principles found within Catholic Social Thought. In fact, he cites the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church throughout the letter referring to both the obligation of solidarity and its application in light of the principle of subsidiarity.

In response, Archbishop Dolan wrote a gracious response to the Congressman on May 18, 2011 which can be read in its entirety here. He began with these words: "Thank you for your kind and enlightening letter of April 29, 2011. I deeply appreciate your letter's assurances of your continued attention to the guidance of Catholic social justice in the current delicate budget considerations in Congress. As you allude to in your letter, the budget is not just about numbers. It reflects the very values of our nation. As many religious leaders have commented, budgets are moral statements.

"As is so clear from your correspondence, the light of our faith - anchored in the Bible, the tradition of the Church, and the Natural Law - can help illumine and guide solid American constitutional wisdom. Thus I commend your letter's attention to the important values of fiscal responsibility; sensitivity to the foundational role of the family; the primacy of the dignity of the human person and the protection of all human life; a concrete solicitude for the poor and the vulnerable, especially those who are hungry and homeless, without work or in poverty; and putting into practice the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, here at home and internationally within the context of a commitment to the common good shared by government and other mediating institutions alike."

What this exchange of letters may signal is the liberation of Catholic Social Thought from those who seek to use it as a proof text for their own political agendas. Often, that has meant opposition from those who would be considered "on the left" in contemporary political parlance. Sadly, some among those who might be considered "right" have too often ignored it. This Social teaching is a gift which we should open and use to forge a better future.

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However, the principles and truths contained with Catholic Social thought always require the exercise of prudential judgment in their application. Agree or disagree with Congressman Ryan's exercise of his prudential judgment - and his proposed legislative solutions to the current fiscal crisis- he has done exactly what a Catholic in public service should do with the Social Doctrine of the Church.

Archbishop Dolan wrote to the Congressman, "The principles of subsidiarity and solidarity are interrelated to one another. The late Pope reminded us that, "... the principle of subsidiarity must be respected: a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, but rather should support it in case of need and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good. (Centesimus Annus, 48)."

"Thus you rightly pointed out Pope John Paul's comments on the limits of what he termed the "Social Assistance State." Your letter is correct in observing that the Church makes an essential contribution to society when she raises up moral principles to help guide and inform decisions about public policy in a compelling way.

"We bishops are very conscious that we are pastors, never politicians. As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, it is the lay faithful who have the specific charism of political leadership and decision (Lumen Gentium, 31; Apostolicam Actuositatem 13). The high call to public service which you have nobly answered entitles you and all our elected officials to our respect and constant prayer. Thanks to you and your colleagues for accepting that call.

"This exchange of correspondence will be, I trust, but the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, in service, I pray, of the country we love and the religious convictions that have always inspired sound citizenship and generous public service."

This cordial but solid exchange between the Congressman and the Archbishop is an example of the proper application of the principles and truths offered by Catholic Social Doctrine which should be used in making policy initiatives. It also shows the proper respect due from elected officials to the leaders of the Church.

Are we finally at a point when we can have a genuine discussion on the issues which matter most by beginning with the principles which cannot be compromised such as the dignity of every human life? Did Archbishop Dolan and Congressman Ryan just rescue Catholic Social Doctrine for the 2012 Campaign?

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