“A Better Kind of Politics” is the title of Chapter 5 of “Fratelli Tutti,” the encyclical by Pope Francis published in October 2020. The need for a better kind of politics was also the mantra heard throughout the country following the assassination attempt of former President Donald Trump on July 13.
The need to “tone down the inflammatory rhetoric” that has become so commonplace in our culture was echoed by political and church leaders in the days following the shooting. Sadly, all of us have become too accustomed to the divisive nature of politics in our country. Network television, cable news agencies and social media outlets representing varying political perspectives often resort to vilifying personal attacks intended to frighten perspective voters.
In this election year, both President Biden and former President Trump have been the subjects of fiery rhetoric. Many citizens will not discuss politics in the workplace, among friends or even within their own families for fear they will be “canceled” or mocked for expressing a political point of view or voting preference. Thus, Pope Francis is correct in calling for “a better kind of politics.” A better kind of politics will enable us to listen to one another, respect our different approaches to political life, and work toward creative solutions for the common good.
In “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis points us to recurring themes in Sacred Scripture and Catholic social teaching that guide us in our quest for civility. For example, Francis reminds us that we are all part of the same human family and “we are all in the same boat.” (#30) In the classification of “red states” and “blue states,” we too often forget that we are the United States of America, and that together we work to forge a nation that promotes life, liberty and justice for all.
Pope Francis also reminds us of our call to love one another. Those we disagree with politically are children of God and our sisters and brothers in Christ. “Every commitment inspired by the Church’s social doctrine is derived from charity, which according to the teaching of Jesus, is the synthesis of the entire Law (Mt 22:36-40).” (#181).
Too often, the encyclical reminds us, the media is an obstacle to dialogue, and “it becomes easier to discredit and insult opponents from the outset than to open a respectful dialogue aimed at achieving agreement on a deeper level.” (#201) As followers of Christ, we are called to encounter one another, see the person of Christ in each other, and listen to another’s viewpoint with respect. In “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis includes an extended meditation on the parable of the Good Samaritan. We are called to show mercy and love to the wounded stranger we encounter on the roadside. We are also called to extend mercy and love to the neighbor whose politics may differ from ours.
In the weeks following this awful event in Butler, Pa., we continue to pray for the victims of the shooting, especially for the family of Corey Comperatore, who died while saving his family. We can also do our own part and set a better tone when discussing politics in conversations and on social media. A collective examination of conscience is needed, beginning with a simple question: How is Christ calling me to recognize the human dignity of someone with whom I disagree – even passionately?
These past few weeks, I have been thinking about Robert F. Kennedy, the former U.S. senator and candidate for president in 1968. On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis, Tenn. With tears welling in his eyes, RFK relayed the tragic news while speaking at a campaign rally. Kennedy said: “What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black … the vast majority of … people in this country want to live together, want to improve the quality of our life, and want justice for all human beings that abide in our land. And let’s dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world. Let us dedicate ourselves to that and say a prayer for our country and for our people.”
As we all know, Sen. Kennedy himself was assassinated in June 1968, just two months after the death of Dr. King and his plea for nonviolence.
As this election year progresses, we continue to pray for a “better kind of politics.” We pray for love, wisdom and compassion toward one another. And we pray for the grace to make gentle the life of this world.
Father Vince Guest is pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Camden, and coordinator of the Black Catholic Ministry Commission and Racial Justice Commission for the Diocese of Camden.
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