FAITH AND POLITICS
In this section of our website, we will discuss the relationship between the contemporary teachings of the Catholic under the guidance of Pope Francis and his reform of the Catholic Church according to the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Focus will be placed on how this teaching relates to the present political situation in the United States.
A Personal Reflection on the 2024 Election
John R. Connolly
November 6 2024
November 6 2024
Some of you who read this will think that this is a horrible thing to say.
Last night, November 5, 2024, I went to sleep in the United States of America.
When I woke up this morning, November 6, 2024, I felt like I was in Nazi Germany in 1938, the year I was born.
I sincerely hope that my premonition doesn't turn out to be true.
Last night, November 5, 2024, I went to sleep in the United States of America.
When I woke up this morning, November 6, 2024, I felt like I was in Nazi Germany in 1938, the year I was born.
I sincerely hope that my premonition doesn't turn out to be true.
Trump's Two Desecrations of the Capitol Rotunda
Trump’s second desecration of the Capitol Rotunda took place on January 20, 2025, when he was sworn in as president of the United States of America. This is a man who is a convicted felon. His character, temperament, intelligence, personality, mental instability, knowledge of world affairs and U.S. history make him totally unfit to serve as president of a country based upon freedom, equality, and justice. His entire political agenda is based upon lying, hate, violence, creating false narratives, distorting and misrepresenting the views of his opponents. and condemning groups of people as inhuman. He labels those who do not support him, or vote for him, as enemies, and threatens to put them in jail or punish them in other ways. He has surrounded himself with people who totally adhere to his political agenda without any doubts or any questions. Loyalty is the only qualification for serving in Trump’s presidency. Intelligence, professional skills, ethical character, government experience, or the ability to listen to opposing views are not necessary qualifications. This loyalty means accepting an ever-escalating series of lies that began with his false claim, without any evidence, that he won the 2020 presidential election. This has become the foundational lie of his whole political agenda.
Trump himself has no commitment to protecting the Constitution of the United States nor of accepting or following the division of powers between the executive, the legislative, and judicial branches of the United States government. On this very day, he has attempted to overturn the 14th amendment to the constitution through an executive order. This is a power that is not granted to a president. Over and over, he has declared his preference for dictators and indicated that this is how he intends to govern as president of the United States. Politically, he is a self-described nationalist who, under the guise of pseudo populism, is seemingly intent upon establishing a government that will be ruled by an oligarchy of the rich.
It is quite ironic that freezing weather forced the inauguration of this man to be moved into the Capitol Rotunda, the sacred seat and symbol of our democratic and constitutional government which is based upon freedom, equality and justice.
The first desecration of the Capitol Rotunda took place on January 6, 2021, when thousands of Trump supporters, incited by Trump himself, violently stormed the Capitol in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Trump sent them to the Capitol as a quasi- military force in an attempt to intimidate the Vice-president and the members of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate into replacing the legitimately elected electors with a group of fraudulent electors in six states. They broke down the barriers protecting the Capitol perimeter, climbed the Capitol steps, and forced their way into the Capitol Rotunda. In the process they beat police with flagpoles, batons, wooden clubs and baseball bats, used stun guns and chemical sprays on them, and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with police officers. This clearly was an insurrection, an attempt to destroy our democracy, and an act of treason. However, their insurrection did not succeed and many of the rioters were legally prosecuted and given prison sentences for their participation in this criminal act. Immediately after the event in 2021, Trump himself, along with several republican politicians said that the insurrectionists should be punished for their crimes. On January 7, 2021, Trump condemned the rioters stating that they defiled the seat of democracy. He went on to say, “To those who engage in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent the country, and to those who broke the laws, you will pay.” (Videotaped Remarks on the Attack on the United States Capitol).
And then, on January 20, 2025, what does the newly inaugurated president do? He turns the January 6 desecration of the Capitol Rotunda into a sacrilege of lawlessness by granting pardons and commutations of sentences to over 1,500 of the January 6 rioters who were legally charged, prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to prison for their crimes. The hypocrisy of Trump’s presidential citation granting these pardons and commutations is evident to all. This is supposedly a man who supports law and order, wants to protect the police, and take criminals off the street. Yet what has he done? He has put 1,500 more criminals on the streets of our country. Neither a pardon nor a commutation overturns their convictions. They are still criminals. Some pleaded guilty to violent crimes. Many are members of far-right violent extremists’ groups like the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. The fact that these rioters are free does not make our country any safer.
John R. Connolly
January 20, 2025
U S Bishops Speak Out in Support of Immigrants
COUNT ON THE COMMITMENT OF ALL OF US TO STAND
WITH YOU IN THIS CHALLENGING HOUR
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio
June 16, 2025
Addressing U.S. immigrants Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), informs them that “As your shepherds, your fear echoes in our hearts and we make your pain our own. Count on the commitment of all of us to stand with you in this challenging hour.” “No one can turn a deaf ear to the palpable cries of anxiety and fear heard in communities throughout the country in the wake of a surge in immigration enforcement actions.”
While the archbishop supports law enforcement actions for ensuring security and the common good, he states that nonviolent protest and dissent can be a legitimate expression of democratic participation. He cites the lack of opportunities for legal status for immigrants and the growing denial of due process to them as injurious to human dignity and considerable breakdowns of the rule of law. Furthermore, the archbishop adds, that the unfounded accusations against Catholic service providers contribute to societal tensions and a growing climate of fear.
In conclusion, Archbishop Broglio assured those who are motivated to work for just and humane solutions to current immigration challenges have the cooperation and goodwill of the U.S. Catholic bishops.
While the archbishop supports law enforcement actions for ensuring security and the common good, he states that nonviolent protest and dissent can be a legitimate expression of democratic participation. He cites the lack of opportunities for legal status for immigrants and the growing denial of due process to them as injurious to human dignity and considerable breakdowns of the rule of law. Furthermore, the archbishop adds, that the unfounded accusations against Catholic service providers contribute to societal tensions and a growing climate of fear.
In conclusion, Archbishop Broglio assured those who are motivated to work for just and humane solutions to current immigration challenges have the cooperation and goodwill of the U.S. Catholic bishops.
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