Last week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote and published a Special Message of concern for the evolving harm enveloping immigrants in the United States.They condemned the administration’s immigration policies, specifically opposing “indiscriminate mass deportation” and “dehumanizing rhetoric and violence” against immigrants (and law enforcement). Many Catholic sermons on Sunday included the Special Message.
It’s hopeful that “the church” – at least here and there – finds the faith and courage (heart and backbone!) to oppose our current government. (Just as here and there, law firms, universities and corporations have stood up to the President.) But in his last election, 81% of white Evangelicals and 67% of white catholics voted for Trump. During Trump’s first candidacy, one of you, commenting on my preaching, chided me, “Pastor Michael thinks one can’t be faithful and support Trump.” It was true, even if I worried it might not be pastorally correct (towards Trump supporters).
I might now have a more nuanced understanding of the structural reasons and the resentments that fuel Trump support. But as Trump’s political career has barreled ahead – in his second term rolling over people like the insurrectionists’ at the end of his first term crushing police officers in the Capitol doors – I am less worried about MAGA’s feelings. I no longer worry it’s divisive to pick a side. In fact, with all this cruelty – when people are being hurt, dying – not picking sides leaves you overtly supporting oppression. Jesus wasn’t afraid to call out wrongs; we shouldn’t be either.
This administration frequently appeals to its Chistianity (or Christian nationalism). But I’ve grown more convinced one can’t follow Jesus and Trump both.
In the tempest of it all, we can lose perspective on where we are. Or trying to shield ourselves from our own dismay, we let our new political underbelly get normalized, like Trump tried to do with the 2017 U”nite the Right” rally in Charlottesville. This simply isn’t like a victory of Republicans over the Democrats, or vice-versa. It’s become a deeper existential and faith question: are this government’s policies and actions making it impossible for citizens (and non-citizen residents) who are Christians to live faithfully?
The policies of the second Trump administration tear through our social fabric and impact people’s faith lives almost as much as our material lives, because, for Christians, Trump is raising confessional issues. More than any administration in recent memory, this government is having a spiritual impact. The existential questions it raises are about the soul of our nation.
Our country elected for a second time a president who weaponizes division and fear of racial / ethnic / religious difference for political power. He demonizes and blames vulnerable immigrants. He disrespects – in vulgar attitudes and behavior – wormen. He expresses wholesale mistrust toward Muslims (unless they are Saudi leaders and business partners). He is constantly parsing “real Americans” and those who aren’t “his people.”
He still lies about the outcome of the 2020 election (and hundreds of other facts) and tries to criminalize his enemies and opponents. He attacks and maligns the functioning of the free press and the fairness of our judicial system. He shows disregard for the rule of law when it is not in his interest.
He promises to wall America off from outsiders. He dismisses threats to the planet’s sustainability. He acts to increase the wealth and economic security of the nation’s most advantaged, while stripping benefits / basic rights (food, shelter, healthcare) from the least advantaged. His disregard for the vulnerable around the world is even worse.
With the political dysfunction; the graft; the geopolitical conflict and genocide; the social indifference and cruelty of this Presidency, doesn’t the church – like the Council of U.S. Bishops – need to stand up in opposition? Can you and I be faithful – on our watch – if we don’t insist these are not they ways that Jesus calls us to live and to love?
In faith and courage,
Michael
