We’ve all heard the old joke that ends, “Is the Pope Catholic?” The point is that we have before us a question with an easy answer. But as Pope Francis emphasizes the brutality of capitalism toward the poor and global warming, some conservatives are answering the question with “No, the Pope is a communist.” Liberals would like to claim Pope Francis for his views on social justice, but conservatives would like to claim him for life issues. Let’s look over a few selected quotations for an answer.
1. “The family—based on marriage between a man and a woman—is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and nurturing of children.”
2. “Every human being has a right to life, the fundamental right that makes all other rights possible, and a right to access to those things required for human decency—food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing, freedom of religion and family life.”
3. “While the common good embraces all, those who are weak, vulnerable, and most in need deserve preferential concern. A basic moral test for our society is how we treat the most vulnerable in our midst.”
4. “This preferential option for the poor and vulnerable includes all who are marginalized in our nation and beyond—unborn children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, and victims of injustice and oppression.”
5. “We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions and requires us to eradicate racism and address the extreme poverty and disease plaguing so much of the world. Solidarity also includes the Scriptural call to welcome the stranger among us— including immigrants seeking work, a safe home, education for their children, and a decent life for their families.”
6. “The economy must serve people, not the other way around.”
I’ve been unfair and misleading here (I’d go to confession on Saturday, but my parish closed). Those quotes are not from Pope Francis, but from Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States, issued in October 2011 – before Francis became Pope. The U.S. bishops have issued similar calls prior to earlier presidential elections.
When I’ve taught a course called “Catholics in Political Life” in the past, we’ve read Faithful Citizenship carefully. We’ve also studied voter guides issued by both liberal and conservative Catholic organizations, giving contrary advice as to where Catholics should place their political priorities. It’s a prelude to one of my favorite term paper assignments: “If you wish to vote as a faithful Catholic, which candidate would you vote for in the next presidential election, and why?” I get some wonderful answers with support for both Republican and Democratic politicians.
So to return to the question, Pope Francis is not a liberal, or a conservative, or a communist. He’s a Catholic.