Santorum's Speech: Capturing the Kennedy Mystique, Correcting the Kennedy Mistake

9/14/2010

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has lost its soul. Like many of my fellow Catholic Americans, I grew up equating being Catholic with being a Democrat because I thought Democrats cared more about the poor, the working class, the marginalized and those with no voice. I was wrong. The elite of the Democratic Party have embraced a notion of "freedom" as a power over others and "choice" as a right to do whatever one wants.

The failure to hear the cry of the child in the womb while mouthing the language of caring for the poor is unbridled hypocrisy. Medical science has confirmed what our conscience has always known, that child in the womb is one of us. His or her voice cannot be heard because it is muffled in the once hallowed home of the womb and disregarded by political opportunists. Yes, there may be a few truly Pro-Life Democrats. However, after the experience of the Health Care debate this past year, even this former Democrat is beginning to have my doubts.

Then there is the Republican Party. One of the earliest heresies in Christian history was Manichaeism. The Manicheans held that all matter (including the human body) was evil. They rejected the authentic understanding of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. The Christian claim is that the Second person of the Blessed Trinity really truly became a human person, fully Divine and fully human. The human person is an integrated unity, body and soul. Well, there is a kind of political Manichaeism injecting itself into the political debate in this nation. It seeks to divide "social" and "economic" issues. This is political dualism which will have dangerous results.

This "political dualism" is being touted once again in Republican circles; the idea that there are "social" and "economic" issues and they must be kept separate. Proponents claim "we" can "only win elections if we stay focused on the economic issues". The most recent example of this was found in comments made by Governor Haley Barbour. We must reject this political dualism and reject candidates who espouse it!

The reason we care about expanding economic opportunity is because we respect the dignity of every human person, including our smallest neighbors, and we want to expand participation. The reason we want to ensure the proper application of the principle of subsidiarity so as to keep government at the lowest level is because we respect the primacy of the family. The family is the first society, the first government, the first church, first school, first economy and first mediating institution. Senator Rick Santorum does not fall prey to the error of seperating "social" and "economic" issues. He is an integrated conservative and a faithful, morally coherent Catholic.

The Republican Party has also not fared well on placing in the positive law protection for the inalienable Right to Life. However, that Right is acknowledged in their platform. They have sometimes fed the stereotype used by their opponents that they care about children only when they are in the womb. Some Republicans seem to favor a "survival of the fittest" approach to the market economy which does not recognize our obligations in human solidarity.

Some Republicans have decried centralized economic planning as leading to collectivism and warned about the growth of the Federal Government - but then participated in propounding the problem when they were in power. Also, though "big government" solutions have not worked well in the delivery of charity the Republican Party has not talked enough about empowering the mediating associations to deliver that charity.

Some Republicans espouse a brand of "libertarianism" that cares little about our social obligations to one another. We are our brothers/sisters keepers and Catholics must never forget that. Rejecting big government solutions doesn't mean rejecting our obligation in solidarity. It means building a ground up model of economic opportunity which expands opportunity and participation to all.

This historic speech by Senator Rick Santorum in Houston, Texas reveals him to be a consistent Catholic, genuinely patriotic American and impressive leader. He understands the clear direction of his Church to be morally coherent and he understands history. He thinks clearly and is unafraid to speak the truth. He is a man to watch, listen to and pray for.

Catholic Online will be following the midterm Congressional elections in the United States and the coming 2012 Presidential race very closely. There is too much at stake to remain silent or passive.In anticipation of the letters I am sure this article will generate, I want all of our readers to know that Catholic Online is structured as a for profit limited liability company, not a nonprofit organization. One of the reasons - so we can be free to engage the vitally important political issues in the days ahead. We intend to do just that.

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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 14 Comments

Cyril
2 years ago
Thanks for your comments John, I think that imposing the positions of the Church about several social issues, abortion, marriage are examples of attempting to influence a pluralistic society to abide by Christian values. I am against abortion but it is presently allowed and until the law is changed I believe that Christians who are against abortion should continue to pray that women will not turn to abortion as a solution to their pregnancy. I believe that the first ammendment reference to separation of Church and State means that the State should not make one religion the State religion as it often was before our Constitution. The Church for many years was the main religion for most countries in Europe, after Constantine made it the State religion in the Roman Empire. For over 1500 years the Church did not allow the practice of any other religion until the Reformation in Germany. Remember that in many of the colonies in America before the Constitution there were religions which dominate that particular colony. Maryland is a good example, when the English got control of the government they outlawed the practice of the Catholic religion in public.
John
2 years ago
Cyril:
I have yet to read any comments online anywhere to suggest that we impose a Catholic theocracy. I don't believe we even have anything like Sharia law available to be imposed. I think those who complain about religion being involved demonstrate their own stubborn poor understanding of people of faith at large.

If you believe the Constitution requires Church and State to be separate, I think you understand the Constitution rather poorly. The only mention of Church and State that I've ever heard of is the First Amendment, which as Sen Santorum comments, aimed to keep the State from dictating which Church a citizen must attend. I understand that Jefferson's letter that mentioned the matter referred more to reasons why the People should be attending Church services, but not insisting upon their particular Church dictating law.

If you think we intend to impose some vintage of theocracy, I would ask what sort of theocracy we CAN impose? Catholic faith does not, to my knowledge, include anything like Islamic Sharia law. Canon law does not address matters important to the State.
Cyril
2 years ago
Dear Jennifer, I am aware this is a conservative site but I believe that one has to read all sides of a problem in order to make an intelligent judgement. I read several conservative catholics sites besides this site. I also read Catholic News Agency which seems to be the source of many of the articles that appear on this site. Unfortunately, I was on a break at work and went online to see what stories were circulating on the many sites I read. As I said in my comment I intend to read the speech by the senator and also the article about his presentation. Becasue I disagree with the contents of an article I am not "maligning" the individual writer or the speaker referred to in the article.Thanks for taking the time to look at my comment and I will be responding with more detail as soon as I can. I am also frustrated by the conservative republican catholics who seem to hate anyone who does not agree with them. I commented on a speech which Archbishop Chaput made recently which was making many of the same points that senator Santorum was apparently making. I believe that the US Constitution makes it clear that church and state should not be "in bed together." One of the reasons that religions have been able to flourish in this country is the idea that one religion should not have the power of the state behind them. One has to remember the history of church and state ruling hand in hand. Since the time of Constantine the Catholic Church has been a major player in Europe and the results have not always been positive for the general population. This is not only the Catholic Church but many other religions have been the dominate religion and the results has usually been very negative. Theocracy is not the best type of government, look at the Muslim countries in the middle east right now. Jesus died on the Cross to bring all mankind to salvation.
Jennifer
2 years ago
Response to Cyril:
The one who seems to be maligning others here is you, albeit subtly. This is a site that I, a conservative Catholic, like to come to for validation of my beliefs in our Church and culture. You obviously do not read the articles here for the same reason as I, which is fine. However, when you spew off without reading an article at length, and do not argue the merits of your positions but whine and complain about what you perceive as name calling, then you confirm for me all of the frustrations that I have with current liberals today - both in and out of the Church.
Nino Baldino
2 years ago
coming home from work I was quickly told by my wife of the shooting of President Kennedy.in 15 min.I received a call from a college official that my talk was cancelled! it seems the faculty and students believed a anti-communist conservative had done the shooting and thus my life was in danger if I were to appear to the political science club..every 15 min.I received the same call..finally when it was revealed that a pro-castro communist had killed the president I received word it was OK to deliver my talk it was for Dec.4th..and so I did to some 900 students..later I received a letter from the college student dean asking me to write a column for the paper!!!! What would have happened in this nation if this Oswald character had escaped to mexico as planned the Lord only knows.Goldwater headquarters also had to close down due to threats,and Major General Ted.Walker (whom Oswald took a shot at in April of that year) was also threatened..Officer Tippet is the real hero of the day,maybe thats why he is so hated by the left wing ruling class.he gave his life for truth,justice and the American way..may we never forget this brave policeman!
D PHARISEE
2 years ago
When the announcement was made that President Kennedy died, everything stopped in the entire nation of my dear Philippines and then for a moment, one can hear sobs of people all over. When he got elected as the first Catholic president, we knelt and thank God, what pride, joy, peace and love . Suddenly, we were all in one accord in prayer of support for his presidency.

Over the years, there was silence among Catholics about the man and now I know and I thank you for reprinting that speech.

We need a vicar of Christ on earth most especially at a time as this.
Cyril
2 years ago
I have not had time to read the full article yet. Santourum in his speech seems to be following up on the comments of Archbishop Chaput recently. President Kennedy is an easy target for these extreme conservative catholics to attack 50 years after he made the speech. He as they know is dead so he cannot defend himself from these comments. I hope that you conservative get what I believe will happen if you continue to go to the extreme to support the republican conservative, who have done very little for the catholics who have supported them in an effort to overturn the abortion ruling by the Supreme Court. One thing that I have noticed about the loyal supporters of this news site, they cannot make a negative comment about a comment made by anyone who disagrees withs the conservative point of view without name calling and suggesting that the person leave the Church. I will read the full article when I have time and respond to it.
Nino Baldino
2 years ago
Here we go again with the 'mistakes 'bit..ohum..this was the president who lamented on his 'mistake' in abandoning the Cuban freedom fighters in the bay of pigs attack by not giving them the much needed air cover! Then he gave the dictator some $50million dollars in ransom to buy back these same 1500 fighters thus makiing sure the reds had complete control in Cuba.No he told the truth in saying that in no way will he be controlled or influenced by any religious doctrine of the Catholic Church..and he never was! He exra-marital affairs attest to that fact..we have NEVER had a practicing Catholic as president yet,, in my opinion!
Jennifer
2 years ago
I just finished reading Senator Santorum's speach and I am truly impressed with his knowledge and understanding of both our Catholic faith and U.S. political history! He is obviously well educated in both, and has integrated the two without compromising either. I wish more of our Catholic politicians would learn from him and follow his example! I also hope our Catholic electorate educates themselves - and reading this speach would be a good first step!
Scott A.
2 years ago
Wonderful article! Thanks for boldly yet lovingly proclaiming our role and responsibilities as faithful Catholics.

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