On Social Justice: For the Love of Church, Education, and the Power of Influence

St Patrick’s Cathedral ~ Easter Vigil Evening - Locked and Live-streaming due to Coronavirus Pandemic

In the last few days I have seen many articles published about Cardinal Dolan’s conversation with President Trump in relation to Catholic Education. However, most of those articles are slated toward criticizing Cardinal Dolan for speaking with Trump and whatever words were said between them or after.

Let me give a little more perspective here. Let us be clear. We are in the middle of a pandemic. All schools are struggling and having issues finding ways forward, since the majority of them in this country have been shut down. Instead of criticizing someone whether it be Cardinal, Priest, Bishop, or President, on the efforts they would like to put forth to help save Catholic Education (which includes your public and private colleges with your specialized degrees) for THIS Country, maybe, as Catholics and as a group of people, we should be saying “Thank you.”

Given my training in Catholic Social Teaching, and my moral compass…… I also have stood up for the rights of immigrants, the rights of people from conception to natural death, as well as the rights of marginalized groups in society. That includes during this pandemic and outside of it. I have also advocated for the rights for Catholic Education / Christian Education/ private education / specialized education, and have listed numerous benefits in relation…as well as advocated for public education to have the funding and things that it needs.

It is a very good thing that ANY president would think to take into consideration how to best support educational systems which include a Catholic Education, as well as the plan going forward for Public Education. Additionally, it is a very good thing, in this area, other Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other people within politics and in positions of authority, as well as other Cardinals, Bishops, and priests, lay faithful, and people of all cultures and countries, can see an example of how to have both “Church and State” in communication with each other, through our Cardinals, Bishops, priests, lay members being in conversation with those within politics and vice versa.

While all of you are busy complaining about a President and Cardinal (although it was multiple people the president called) in dialogue with each other and in positive conversation about Catholic Education, other governments, including China, are literally ripping crosses off of churches and God knows what is happening with Christian Education/Catholic Education in some of the other countries or similar countries where religious persecution is blatantly taking place. I am thinking if they are ripping crosses off of churches and persecuting Christians, that would probably include trying to destroy Catholic Education. At a time like this, ESPECIALLY at a time like this, we need to be standing together and supporting our Cardinals and Bishops to speak truth to situations, especially when asked. Cardinal Dolan, as well as the other Cardinals and Bishops have tried to do this. I am also happy to say, our Cardinals and Bishops are taken seriously in this country and are thought of in positive ways. Additionally, this serves as an example to other countries, that conversations between those involved in ministry and with a hand on the pulse of the people, as well as the people themselves, can have conversations with those in politics, government, and come to a solution for the betterment of all.

While serving as this example, when other countries have yet to find a way to be able to even have the conversation, we, as a nation are opening new pathways forward for dialogue during times of crisis, but also during everyday situations. Having the conversation, opens the door, in a positive way, for future conversations on other topics, and shows this can be done in a civil and concrete way. This also shows other countries that Cardinals and Bishops thoughts are important and worth hearing, especially on major issues in the world, in each individual country, and that Cardinals and Bishops are trying to work through on multiple levels. Lastly, if you look at the President’s trajectory in itself, you will see, he is more open now to hearing about Catholic Social Teaching, as well as about the issues the church sees in society within the United States and within the world than he has been in the past. This has occurred since his visit with Pope Francis. This is actually a good thing, because then it gives room for those major issues as well as other major issues to be discussed and to find concrete solutions to - that include Catholic Social Teaching as part of the answer. BOTH - Cardinals, Bishops, Priests, lay-members, religious leaders, the people, AND the President and Government are trying to find a solution to the problem.

Also recognize, anyone, on the face of the planet can have a wonderful conversion for Christ story…on issues in relation to Catholic Social Teaching, Education, and any other area. Recognize that the Holy Spirit moves through people…and changes people to do the work God would like them to do. No matter who they are. This is a fact. We have seen it throughout the Bible, in multiple stories. The Holy Spirit is the one who has the ultimate Power of Influence to have someone turn towards Christ and the good…to create changes for the betterment of society, and for all humanity. This applies to all leaders, in this country or outside of it.

With that, I bid you adieu - to think about what we are really suffering through here and how to concretely create solutions for the good of all….this includes those in Catholic Education and the possibility of a Catholic Education for our youth in this country, as well as others. Instead of bickering about things that have possibly been said or not said, or possibly who is supporting who or not supporting who, see this situation for what it is - -a global crisis where we are trying to find solutions to some really tough questions, and trying to find a way forward through -so far- what has been a nightmare. This includes trying to save our educational systems, including Catholic Education, as well as public, private, or specialized, education and other faith tradition schools - ———try to give praise and thanksgiving that a conversation is even taking place…. and the good that that conversation could possibly do for the youth in this country as well as in other countries. It is in offering praise and thanksgiving that miracles may be able to take place. And I for one, would love to see Catholic Schools and Catholic Education (as well as other schools-public, private, or specialized, and other faith tradition schools) still exist after this pandemic.

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