by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace
“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding in Gaza before the eyes of the world… It is critical for us in the United States to support [Pope Francis’] call for an immediate ceasefire.”
Cardinal Robert McElroy and Archbishop John Wester, January 17, 2024
Cardinal McElroy and Archbishop Wester deserve an immense word of gratitude for their strong, unambiguous statement condemning Israeli’s murderous war on Gaza and the complicity of the United States in it. The statement is prophetic and, like all such declarations, will cause major opposition among Catholics and surely beyond. It will be termed “antisemitic” when in effect it is in effect simply a call for peace.
The statement speaks “truth to power,” referring implicitly to our Catholic president. Two highly respected Catholic pastors are aiming directly at the enabling role of the Biden administration in the Netanyahu genocide (without quite using that word).
The statement also elicits several considerations.
First, where are similar voices among the rest of the 290 active bishops in the United States? It is true that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has spoken on several occasions about the tragedy in Gaza. Shouldn’t people in dioceses all over the country also hear from their local shepherds on this humanitarian catastrophe and the part our country is playing in it?
Secondly, the point should be made that leaving this obligation up to the Catholic hierarchy once again makes the mistake of identifying them as “the” Catholic Church. This has been the impression related to such public declarations for much too long among Catholics and by extension non-Catholics, especially the media. Thus, on issues such as the Israeli/Hamas war, silence from our bishops connotes silence on the part of the Catholic Church. This is curious because the majority of U.S. Catholics accept the statement from Vatican II that all the baptized are the Church and we rightly speak as such.
Lastly, this conviction has enormous practical consequences. The Catholic Church has what can be called “parallel” spokespersons alongside our bishops, the People of God, who also speak with authority. Think for example of Catholic religious orders and congregations. They have an acknowledged and privileged place in the life of the Church. In our country, organized religious, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, are as much called to public and prophetic positions as the hierarchy. Specific religious orders and congregations, such as the Franciscans and Sisters of Mercy to name just two among hundreds, also have the right and obligation to speak the prophetic word in their Gospel-motivated lives and ministries.
Additionally, Intentional Eucharistic communities, loyal Catholics who practice their faith alongside official Catholic structures (such as parishes), are legitimate examples of the People of God – the Church. They, too, can and must speak prophetically.
Perhaps the best example of this Catholic reality of legitimate and parallel teaching bodies in the Catholic world is our own Pax Christi. We enjoy official recognition as the official Catholic peace movement from the hierarchal Church, without being subject to its organizational control. At moments like the present we do well to emphasize the “USA” side of our name. Pax Christi USA is part of an international Catholic movement with particular obligations vis a vis our country’s policies.
Recognizing this unique Catholic reality – elements of the body distinct from the hierarchical dimension of our Church – gives us immense freedom. We are not limited, as our bishops (erroneously) appear to be, by the fear being divisive. On the contrary, ours is a wonderful sense of freedom to speak clearly the prophetic word to the powerful as Jesus did: “Woe to you Pharisees.”
In the face of horrendous crimes being committed against the Palestinian people, the entire Catholic world must respond clearly and often.
If not us, who; if not now; when, if not here, where?
Cover photo of prayer vigil at the Ellipse, January 13, 2024, courtesy of sanatakesphotos.com
Joe Nangle OFM is a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace. As a member of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C., he is dedicated to simple living and social change. Joe also serves as the Pastoral Associate for the Latino community at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington, Virginia.