A Catholic Patriotism

Crisis Magazine ^ | May 15, 2015 | JAMES KALB

[verga]

Good to see you again. Still praying for you.

[Salvation]

Not at my Novus Ordo Masses.....partly in Latin.

[JPX2011]

American Catholics have been taught for two generations to hate America.

What country are you living? The Church has taught that Catholics have a duty to give loyalty and fidelity to their nation. See Pope Leo XIII's encyclical Immortale Dei for a more complete explanation.

As for American individualism what are you referring to? If all we're talking about is the classical ideal of American rugged individualism, the self-starter, the American can-do spirit that would be fine. However, I would suggest to you that iteration is no longer the dominant force in American society. And the Church on Earth must operate in the space and time it finds itself and deal with what is, and not what was.

What good is an American individualism which, in its current form, denies the dignity of the person, as a result of the proclaiming of individualism as the sole good that the society should orient itself apart from right reason and the Church? I would be disturbed to hear that form of individualism preached from the pulpit.

[Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I've never heard a priest talk about "American individualism" from the pulpit, ever. And I've never met a priest who gave the slightest impression whatsoever of disliking America. The higher-ups such as Dolan, O'Malley, Cupich, et al who fly around and promote socialism are doing so in opposition to Church teachings.

I've known Protestants who had incorporated being American into their faith, making it practically just as important as believing in the Trinity. Catholicism takes a longer view obviously and doesn't hold nationality literally sacred, but there is nothing about Catholicism that dissuades strong, red-blooded patriotism.