by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace
The unspeakable has happened. And now we are left asking: Is this the kind of people we are? Destined to continue the current vicious downward cycle in a mosh pit, tearing at each other with ever more disgusting and degrading comments back and forth facilitated by social media, and hiding behind an improper understanding of “freedom of speech”?
And consequently, who are we as Church with a large and growing wing of Christian nationalism, an indifferent middle of the road adherents, and a shrinking number of witnesses to full Gospel living according to Catholic Social Teaching, known as our “best kept secret,” not taught even in many of our seminaries? All of this presided over by a largely impassive hierarchy, perhaps afraid to further deepen these divides.
The question now for us is what shall we do now?
One helpful light that shines on this challenge is the action of a group of Lutheran pastors living in Germany as the Nazis gradually took increasing and finally complete power (legally at first) there in the early 1930s. They came to be called the “confessing church” and reacted from a Gospel perspective to what was happening. The pastors saw clearly that their churches did not see that this situation would result in their Nazification.
Their public opposition to Nazism began with the famous 1934 Barmen Declaration and stated that the purpose was to articulate a clear stance against the pro-Nazi faction that dominated the religious landscape. “We reject the false doctrine… the Church could… allow itself to be given special leaders [pro-Nazis) vested with ruling authority.”
We should not draw too fine a line from that historical event to ours. Still, there are indications that the rhetoric in the latest campaign points in a similar direction for our country.
Another significant event several centuries ago centers on St. Francis of Assisi and his attitude to a corrupt Catholic Church and equally corrupt society. Generally, his manner was to live the Gospel without fanfare and that example sparked a huge movement in the church influencing the entire world, religious and secular forever. Yet there came a time when he felt compelled to take a public stand. As Pope Innocent III formed an army for yet another war against the Muslims who had occupied the Holy Land, Francis sought and (surprisingly received) permission to intervene before the fighting began. He traveled to the camps of the opposing armies as a personal ambassador of peace, first to the Christians – without any success – then took his life in his hands and crossed to the Muslim side. There he was recognized as a holy man and spent up to 18 months in dialogue with Sultan al-Kamil. Though his mission eventually failed, his example lives.
Some final words from St. Paul and then a prayer ascribed to Francis of Assisi. Perhaps they will help as we try to find a Christ-like pathway forward in this dark time.
St. Paul’s directive to the Philippians: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is anything worth of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
And finally, a well-known blueprint for living in times like these.
Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness light.
And where there is sadness, joy.
Oh, Divine Master, grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
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.