The Catholic School, Fidelity to the Church and Political Expression

Being a Catholic Educator has its challenges. Discipline, lesson planning, curriculum development, angry parents, faithfulness to Church teaching are just some of the many challenges faithful Catholic teachers face inside and out of the classroom. However, one of the most difficult and at times contested aspects of this catechetical profession is the faithful dissemination of Church teaching. Emphasis on the teachings of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church can present a challenge when the parent of the child you are instructing does not believe in certain doctrinal teaching for a myriad of reasons.

This point becomes somewhat more complicated when issues related to politics and the preference of political candidates surface. The responsibility of all Catholic Educators is to teach the truth and draw students into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. See: Catechesis In Our Time, 5, 20. Thus, regardless of what political persuasion someone may have, the duty of all Catholic teachers is to teach the truth.

This leads me to describe a situation that occurred a few days ago. A mother left me a message in my office that was indicative of how much work is before us in proper catechetical instruction. The mother was dismayed at Diocesan Catholic School policies we had set with respect to no mentioning of political parties nor any specific profession of any political candidate on Catholic school property for obvious reasons. Her position was that children should have the right to an understanding of both political parties and have the freedom to make their own decisions on the issues involved. As with all things, this was not her most intriguing point. Concluding her short commentary was her understanding that "a Catholic can in good conscious vote for a candidate who supports abortion at all stages and still be considered pro-life." Her reasoning, (the greater good will be accomplished to reduce the number of abortions and provide women with the freedom to seek care and not have back-alley abortions. )

As I listened to the message, my immediate response was to pray for her misguided and misinformed conscience. The Catechism reminds us that:

"Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person -among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life."(2270)

The defense of the unborn child of God is the foundational issue of our day; this trumps any other issue at hand, especially those that directly professes to destroy a defenseless child. Though, this mother may have thought she was making a sound argument, which she is not, her point falls short of any sound logic. Our duty is to always present the hope that is realized in the Gospel (1 Pt 3:15-17). Prudence and moral courage serve as key attributes in faithfully defending the Church and presenting the truth to all who listen to our reason for our hope. As faithful catechists we must continue to press on in professing the truth of Christ to all who will listen to the Gospel.