Pope Francis - Getting Past Sinners and Saints

Quite a lot has changed since people had concerns about John F. Kennedy’s Catholic faith and whether his allegiance to the Pope would interfere with his allegiance to his country and its constitution. Now we have 164 Catholic congressmen and women - and the Pope spoke this week to their joint session.   More than just “spoke,” he was welcomed enthusiastically -  and celebrated.  It was very cool that Congress could embrace this leader in what felt like a rare bipartisan moment.  It is also an historic moment and a hopeful one.  A major takeaway is the Pope’s invitation to dialogue - his invitation to rise above the duality of sinner and saint that dominates, or more accurately, prevents, political discourse.  Can our leaders respond?  Could both sides relax their claim on rightness and righteousness, refrain from demonizing the other and open themselves up to dialogue?

In another sense little has changed, as Ben Carson recently suggested that a Muslim is not fit to be president. He voiced the same fears that Kennedy and Catholicism faced in 1960.  And those fears are not his alone, as his statements have been followed by a surge in his popularity.  But if history is a lesson, in the end fear doesn’t win. (Check out Krauthammer's opinion of Carson's comments here.)

And I do agree with Dr. Carson on this point:  we must guard against the violation of the first amendment. We must not allow the government establishment of religion - any religion - even my religion.  We must work constantly to provide space for people of different religions and differing understandings to exercise their faith - even if their faith conflicts with ours.  Or especially if their faith conflicts with ours!    

No, that does not mean anything goes.  That does not strip away our history.  Our country is founded on fundamental morals and values that will stand the test of time. The Pope spoke of the most  important one yesterday - he referred to it as he advocated for a humane and just approach to immigrants and reminded us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life.   So as Pope Francis suggested to our leaders, let us drop the saints vs sinners partisanship.  “Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated.”   Yes - maybe we can give the Golden Rule another try.