As of Wednesday, January 20, the United States has a new President and Vice-President. This election year has been more tumultuous, controversial, and divisive of any election in my memory. As in most churches, members in our two parishes hold a range of differing political opinions, which can be divisive, but don’t have to be. What we believe as Catholics about Christ in the Eucharist transcends all politics.

It has long been the practice in our parishes to pray for the president at daily Mass and in the general intercessions on Sunday.  We will continue to observe that practice as we always have.  As your pastor, it is not my responsibility to share my own personal political views and opinions with you.  Most priests are aware that some of our members try to “read between the lines” to discern political bias or opinion. I have always been, and plan to continue to be, vigilant and cautious when mentioning controversial issues. 

I empathize with those of you who would like your church to be a place that is apolitical. To be sure, difficult issues like race, violence, sexuality, abortion, and war have a moral component and make some of you uncomfortable.  I can only speak for myself, but when I raise any of those issues, I use extreme caution to present Roman Catholic teaching on the issue in question while avoiding advocating any particular political point of view. 

Catholics are also citizens.  Our bishops have consistently advised us to practice “faithful citizenship,” meaning participating in our democracy and electing our leaders. It is never appropriate for the church to endorse a political candidate, and I have never done so. Faithful citizenship respects the primacy of our individual conscience – the interior place where each of us listens for voice of the Holy Spirit. 

Amidst the chaos and controversy of the recent election, it is still our responsibility to pray for our leaders as we always have. This does not mean we have to agree with them; in fact, conscience may demand we strongly disagree with them at times.  Praying for our leaders is not taking a political stand.  Instead, praying for our leaders, whoever they are, is practicing faithful citizenship and practicing our Catholic faith.                              Fr. Gary