Posted on 04/11/2005 9:26:55 PM PDT by Salvation
by Dr. Jeff Mirus
The Ideal Form of Government
The Church has never taught that one form of government is intrinsically superior to others, though many churchmen over the centuries have had strong opinions on this subject. Previous popes and Catholic political theorists have frequently defended monarchy as most closely mirroring the divine order, but others, including John Paul II himself, have favored democracy’s compatibility with the dignity of the human person.
John Paul’s advocacy of democracy has puzzled many commentators, who wonder why the Pope failed to match his democratic preferences with a zeal for transforming the power structures of the Church. For the past 40 years, strong forces both inside and outside the household of faith have worked tirelessly for the ascendancy of committees, synods, councils, and even lay management, in order to eliminate the Church’s hierarchical governance, or at least blunt its edge. It seems odd that a pope who valued democratic institutions did not take up this cause. Would this not be in keeping with the dignity of man?
The Governance of the Church
In a word, no. Whatever the case for democracy’s relevance to human dignity in the social order, that case is altered considerably by the nature of the Church. In the secular realm, the province of government is a natural one, over which man has dominion. Moreover, we are governed by men and women who are human persons like ourselves. It is therefore in keeping with our dignity that we should participate in some way in ordering secular affairs.
But the Church’s province is the supernatural order, over which we have no dominion, and the Church is governed by Jesus Christ, Who is a Divine Person. He shares our nature, but this sharing does not exhaust His personhood. To put the matter plainly, Christ is a superior being. Therefore, it is precisely in keeping with the dignity of our nature that we recognize that superiority and permit Him to govern in the Church.
It is an uncomfortable fact that Christ governs through his vicar, the pope, a mere man; that this man guides a hierarchy of purely human agents; and that there are precious few guaranteeds—though just enough—against the inadequacy of all that is human in the Church. But despite these drawbacks, the essential identity, purpose and domain of the Church would be lost if she were governed in any other way. Those without Faith cannot see this. On this point, they will be no less puzzled by the next pontificate.
Politics and Human Dignity
In the social order, however, the argument that participation in governance is compatible with human dignity is unanswerable. At the same time, one requires very large cultural blinders to believe that the only form of government which facilitates this participation is democracy. Or, to turn the question around, it is also a mistake to assume that democracy necessarily translates into significant political participation at all.
It is a grave error to presume that if the vote is widespread, meaningful participation in government is assured. This misconception contributes to the disintegration of intermediate institutions which can weigh against state power, and pits an atomized and disorganized mass of voters against those few who can pull the strings necessary to obtain political office. The so-called will of the people must always be represented, shaped and brokered, and will often be misrepresented, negated or ignored by those who understand how to wield political influence. In our own country, the standard means of shaping the chaos of the electorate into some semblance of order and strength is the political party. This in itself is a strong argument for taking democracy with a grain of salt.
Just as mechanisms of manipulation are essential to contemporary politics, so too have other times and places had their mechanisms to help ensure that various interests were taken seriously. In diverse ways and under a variety of political structures, labor unions, fraternal organizations, guilds, nobles, free towns, great families, and even the Church herself have upheld popular interests against unbridled state power. The best monarchies have shown substantial concern for the rights of the different groups of which society is composed, while the worst democracies have bred totalitarianism. Indeed, politics is not a science but an art.
Even in the United States, there are avenues of power and influence far more important than the vote. James Burnham in his book Congress and the American Political Tradition argued that there were five branches to modern American government: executive, legislative, judicial, the bureaucracy, and the lobbies. But even apart from those institutions which participate directly in government, there are others which wield great influence, such as political parties, as we have seen, and the mass media, which generally serves cultural elites.
Deepening Our Political Understanding
These reflections on politics arise from a consideration of John Paul II as monarch, recognizing that the larger-than-life quality of the one anointed to be father of his people has real value in the social order. Popes, of course, make natural father figures, being priests, and having a responsibility not only to rule but to teach and to sanctify. It is not so easy for politicians, who are called merely to rule. But we Americans are foolish when we insist that only one set of political forms is compatible with human dignity and dismiss the politics of other cultures for appreciating social values which our own democracy obscures. We are also foolish when we assume that a democratic leader need give no thought to the instruction and improvement of the citizens.
The failure to take teaching and sanctifying seriously, even within the very severe limits of politics, arises from an impoverished notion of the common good. One of John Paul II’s greatest lessons, forged in his battles against both Nazism and Communism, is that politics is not primarily a matter of abstract theory. Politics always comes from culture, and successful politics arises only from a rich and value-laden culture. In the matter of politics, as with nearly any other subject, we gain much from pondering the life, work and pontificate of the twentieth century’s greatest man.
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for the record: pope, hierarchy, bishops, politics, influence, john paul II, democracy, power, manipulation, government, human dignity, culture of life,
The republics have only ever defied this godly structure.
Venerable Barthololmew Holzhauser, about 400 years ago:
"These are evil times, a century full of dangers and calamities. Heresy is everywhere, and the followers of heresy are in power almost everywhere. Bishops, prelates, and priests say that they are doing their duty, that they are vigilant, and that they live as befits their state in life. In like manner, therefore, they all seek excuses. But God will permit a great evil against His Church: Heretics and tyrants will come suddenly and unexpectedly; they will break into the Church while bishops, prelates, and priests are asleep. They will enter Italy and lay Rome waste; they will burn down the churches and destroy everything.
The sixth period of the Church will begin with the powerful Monarch and the Holy Pontiff, as mentioned previously, and it will last until the revelation of Antichrist. In this period, God will console His Holy Church for the affliction and great tribulation which she has endured during the fifth period. All nations will become Catholic. Vocations will be abundant as never before, and all men will seek only the Kingdom of God and His justice. Men will live in peace, and this will be granted because people will make their peace with God. They will live under the protection of the Great Monarch and his successors.
During the fifth period, we saw only calamities and devastation; oppression of Catholics by tyrants and heretics; execution of Kings, and conspiracies to set up republics. But, by the Hand of God Almighty, there occurs so wondrous a change during the sixth period that no one can visualize it.
The powerful Monarch, who will be sent by God, will uproot every republic. He will submit everything to his authority, and he will show great zeal for the true Church of Christ.
The fifth period had begun around the time of Luther. The sixth period starts very soon and is short lived.
Very interesting commentary. Is there an online link for all those periods?
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This is an important point that many Catholics and non-Catholics alike seem not to understand. As an example is the Voice of the Faithful, whose motto is "Keep the Faith, Change the Church".
From their site:
Q. What does Voice of the Faithful feel will be the effect of bringing laity into the governance structure of the Church?
A. The Church hierarchy can learn much from the Catholic laity. We have intellectual, emotional and spiritual contributions to make and knowledge to impart on myriad real-life issues. These include, but are not limited to: human sexuality, women's rights, democratic processes, and the contextual roles of science and history in the healthy life of the Church.
Q. If Voice of the Faithful takes no position on "hot-button" issues, how can the organization meet its goal of "shaping structural change within the Catholic Church"?
A. Voice of the Faithful believes that creating structural mechanisms whereby lay Catholics can influence the governance and guidance of the Church at all levels — parish, diocese, region, nation, Vatican — will represent a seismic shift in the healthy life of the Church. We firmly hold that lay representation is necessary if we are to restore the Church to holiness and health. We are convinced that the solutions to the current crisis reside largely with the laity — doctors, teachers, families, survivors, and indeed the whole rich spectrum of men, women and children who live their daily lives as faithful Catholics in the real world.
http://www.votf.org/Who_We_Are/faq.html#three
Wow, just wow.
http://www.crystalinks.com/papalprophecies.html
http://www.whereisgod.info/English/catholic_prophecy.htm
http://www.unitypublishing.com/jan28_99.html
Thank you
Really amazing, isn't it?
Said from someone who views themselves at the top of this new monarchy as one of the royality.
It's easy to support something if you view it from the upperclass down, but it hard to support something when you view it from the bottomclass up.
You're no better than a marxist who supports marxism because you view yourself at the top of that social food chain.
By the way, democracy (like from ancient Greece and ancient Rome) is far older than modern feudalism (monarchies) which came about from the collapse of Western Roman Empire.
They will enter Italy and lay Rome waste; they will burn down the churches and destroy everything.
This happened at least two times. The Sack of Rome, conducted by French troops on May 6, 1527, and Napoleon's invasion of the Papal States in the late 1790s, which culminated in the setting up of a pagan altar in St. Peter's Square by the French invaders.
Heretics and tyrants will come suddenly and unexpectedly; they will break into the Church while bishops, prelates, and priests are asleep.
The Catholics-in-name-only in the Church at the moment, and the wreckovations of too many beautiful historic churches.
oppression of Catholics by tyrants and heretics
The story of the Church in Europe from Martin Luther until the present day.
execution of Kings, and conspiracies to set up republics.
The French Revolution and its fruit
Let's hope the Sixth age starts soon!
DIUTURNUM
Encyclical of Pope Leo XIII promulgated on June 29, 1881.
... Wherefore, being, by the favor of God, entrusted with the government of the Catholic Church, and made guardian and interpreter of the doctrines of Christ, We judge that it belongs to Our jurisdiction, venerable brethren, publicly to set forth what Catholic truth demands of everyone in this sphere of duty; thus making clear also by what way and by what means measures may be taken for the public safety in so critical a state of affairs.
6. It is of importance, however, to remark in this place that those who may be placed over the State may in certain cases be chosen by the will and decision of the multitude, without opposition to or impugning of the Catholic doctrine. And by this choice, in truth, the ruler is designated, but the rights of ruling are not thereby conferred. Nor is the authority delegated to him, but the person by whom it is to be exercised is determined upon.
7. There is no question here respecting forms of government, for there is no reason why the Church should not approve of the chief power being held by one man or by more, provided only it be just, and that it tend to the common advantage. Wherefore, so long as justice be respected, the people are not hindered from choosing for themselves that form of government which suits best either their own disposition, or the institutions and customs of their ancestors.[3] 8. But, as regards political power, the Church rightly teaches that it comes from God, for it finds this clearly testified in the sacred Scriptures and in the monuments of antiquity; besides, no other doctrine can be conceived which is more agreeable to reason, or more in accord with the safety of both princes and peoples.
Most interesting.
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Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, Thine Eyes of Mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the Blessed Fruit of thy Womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Pray for us O Holy Mother of God That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen. |
Curious as to your interpretation.
I'm not a history buff, so I appreciate your notes. I'll do geography any day over history. LOL!
Do you think things like this could happen all over again?
I see the possibility for a lot of persecution of Catholics and Christians right here in the United States. Look at the stories about Christmas displays, all the politcally correct jargon, the ACLU and its malfunctions -- how it is 180 degrees away from what it was founded to be.
Now that's something to look forward to. : D
St. Robert Bellarmine, Dr. of the Chruch, defended democractic practices and one can see the same democratic spirit in action in the Rule of St. Benedict.
As for myself, I believe prophecy which identifies in the end times a great Catholic King and a Great Catholic Pope ruling simultaneously and, even now, if I had my druthers, I'd prefer a Catholic King
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