Some people, both Catholic and non-Catholic, ask the question inspired by today’s political climate, why Catholic clergy cannot engage professionally in politics. It’s a fair question considering people ordained in other faiths are running for office in the United States. (Twelve ministers are running at this point.) We crave for honest representatives, persons with a sense of mission and equality. Who better than a servant of the people through faith alone? The longest serving Catholic priest in the United States Congress was Robert Drinan, a Jesuit who was a Massachusetts congressman from 1971 to 1981, until Pope John Paul II forbade clergy from being elected to political office. Drinan’s superb education pedigree in theology, philosophy and law made him an ideal candidate for a political post needing an advocate and caring person. He called for the impeachment of Richard Nixon for secretly approving the bombing of Cambodia without Congressional approval. Father Robert Cornell of Wisconsin served one term and did not run for re-election due to the Pope’s demand.
But the recent rise in popularity of James Talarico of Texas and Adam Hamilton of Kansas have some Catholics questioning: Why did the Pope forbid Catholic clergy from seeking political office? Talarico is a Presbyterian seminarian with a Master of Divinity from the Austin Presbyterian Seminary as well as a bachelor’s in government from University of Texas at Austin. He resembles a cherubic choir boy more than a cattle ranch hand. Hamilton converted from a conservative Christian denomination to Methodism receiving a master’s degree from the esteemed Perkins School at Southern Methodist. Talarico’s theology seems right on target for the issues at hand: God is not binary, Scripture is a story of migrants and our responsibility for them, government exists to help its citizens-not the reverse. Hamilton has been both a republican and a democrat giving him the perspectives of both parties and respect for their good qualities while challenging the weaknesses of both. He is solidly based in scripture without being mindlessly mired in literal interpretations. He leads the largest Methodist congregation in the nation: 25,000 members who worship in nine locations.
I’ve been studying the platforms of both men, and I perceive a deep concern for others and a strength in confronting the forces that keep so many from flourishing. Yet neither man ‘preaches’ as he speaks. Each speaks from an ethos that squares with faith arguing that every human being is very special and that we need each other for the ‘common good.’
You might ask why we can’t support a Catholic clergyman who thinks and acts this way. Let’s take a few reasons for the Pope’s position. First, a clergyman should not focus on one district or one group of people alone, especially relying on this group for the votes necessary to secure his position. A priest is a servant of all.
Second, the money to get elected is formidable. Certain interest groups will demand the priest’s attention and support and try to buy this support. Often such a request can result in anger against the Church. Third, clergy are human. If any innuendo or seemingly innocent gesture can be misinterpreted, it surely will be by political opponents. The fallout involves a whole diocese or religious order in recompense.
These are just a few of the reasons why Roman Catholic priests cannot run for office. Greater, more reflective reasons are those that are theologically based. A priest is a priest for the whole church, not just the diocese or order through which he serves. This is most obvious in the assignments of bishops to any diocese every so many years. Roman Catholicism is a universal church; Vatican City is a neutral State for these reasons. It is obliged to no one in particular but to all in practice.
Finally, the priest’s professional role—like that of nuns—is basically a prophetic role. This is one of the reasons why we are assigned to different places to minister throughout our careers. One can be prophetic only by discerning the needs of other groups beyond our own comfort zone.
Reflection
If Talarico and Hamilton win their contests, Congress has a good chance of turning democratic. In an interview with Jimmy Kimmel which was pulled by the Trump administration, but which made it to YouTube, Talarico questioned, “What would Jesus do if he visited the U.S. Senate?” He answered, “For I was hungry and you cut my food assistance. I was sick and you kicked me off Medicaid. I was a stranger and you deported me and my family. And then he would overturn these fancy desks and demand we take care of all these, our neighbors, especially the least of these.” Hamilton has been breaking down the finer points of the Lord’s Prayer in some of his speeches and in his fine book, The Lord’s Prayer. One of the risks of dedicated Christian leaders becoming political leaders is the possibility of a type of Christian Nationalism becoming strident in a country. But true Christianity does not foster such a reality; Christianity is not a political ethos.
We are nearing a contentious, grueling midterm election and we all feel the anger and bitterness it is generating. In addition to personally voting, why not follow the races carefully? Learn the candidates elsewhere. Take an interest in every part of our nation and pray for non-violence. Let’s treasure our freedoms. Resolve to pray and work for safety of all at polling stations and for everyone running for office. Most of all, read and study the candidates and issues we need to know. I hope this brief explanation clarifies the reasons the Catholic Church does not approve of clergy seeking political office. But they can and should address all issues requiring justice, peace, love, the good for every human being, the preservation of world order.
May God bless each of you as you struggle to know what is right and honorable for our nation.
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