Catholicism, Poverty, and the Alt-Right

Last updated on: January 17, 2018 at 11:06 am by Chase Padusniak

Catholicism, Poverty, and the Alt-Right 2018-01-17T11:06:19-04:00 Chase Padusniak

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

But what must be remembered is that these individual struggles must always align with the Gospel, that is, with the Church’s “internationalist universalism.” We do not work for justice when that justice fails to accord with the Gospel; similarly, we do not work in love when our works fail to square with the universal love of Christ.

And that brings me to the pragmatic point gestured to by my title. What of the Alt-Right? What of a renewed sense of national exceptionalism, an attitude of “us first”?

It is true, as many have argued, that the Catholic tradition places some emphasis on loyalty to one’s nation, which is analogous to the loyalty one has to one’s family (think “fatherland” and “father”). This sort of argument goes back at least as far as Plato’s Crito. It must, however, be approached properly. Aquinas distinguishes between proper loyalty to one’s family and nation and a loyalty that detracts from our ultimate allegiance to God:

Religion and piety are two virtues. Now no virtue is opposed to another virtue, since according to the Philosopher, in his book on the Categories (Cap. De oppos.), “good is not opposed to good.” Therefore it is impossible that religion and piety mutually hinder one another, so that the act of one be excluded by the act of the other. Now, as stated above (I-II:07:2; I-II:18:3), the act of every virtue is limited by the circumstances due thereto, and if it overstep them it will be an act no longer of virtue but of vice. Hence it belongs to piety to pay duty and homage to one’s parents according to the due mode. But it is not the due mode that man should tend to worship his father rather than God, but, as Ambrose says on Luke 12:52, “the piety of divine religion takes precedence of the claims of kindred.”

Accordingly, if the worship of one’s parents take one away from the worship of God it would no longer be an act of piety to pay worship to one’s parents to the prejudice of God. Hence Jerome says (Ep. ad Heliod.): “Though thou trample upon thy father, though thou spurn thy mother, turn not aside, but with dry eyes hasten to the standard of the cross; it is the highest degree of piety to be cruel in this matter.” Therefore in such a case the duties of piety towards one’s parents should be omitted for the sake of the worship religion gives to God. If, however, by paying the services due to our parents, we are not withdrawn from the service of God, then will it be an act of piety, and there will be no need to set piety aside for the sake of religion. (Summa Theologica)

As stated above, Christ’s message is a universal one, and it is very easy for proper concern to turn into something that is an affront to the call of the Gospel. For example, many parts of the world are, undoubtedly, dealing with a “refugee crisis.” The vast majority of those fleeing to the United States and Europe (among many other places) are leaving behind poverty, war, and crises of all sorts. The majority settle in places close to their original homes and spill over into “the West” only when these places are nearly full. Thus our nations, our “fatherlands,” are, in many cases, their last hopes.

When it comes to the poor and marginalized, the Bible (never mind the quote from Pope St. John Paul II above) is rather clear:

Those who oppress the poor revile their Maker, but those who are kind to the needy honor him. The wicked are overthrown by their wickedness, but the just find a refuge in their integrity. Wisdom can remain silent in the discerning heart, but among fools she must make herself known. Justice exalts a nation, but sin is a people’s disgrace. (Proverbs 14:31-34)

Whoever cares for the poor lends to the LORD, who will pay back the sum in full. (Proverbs 19:17)

Those who give to the poor have no lack, but those who avert their eyes, many curses. When the wicked prevail, people hide; but at their fall the just abound. (Proverbs 28:27-28)

Go back Continue Reading

Previous Post

January 11, 2018

Francis and the Benedict Option

Next Post

March 19, 2018 The Byzantine Dorothy Day

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Academia Culture Politics Reviews Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 July 2021 December 2020 November 2020 July 2020 May 2020 April 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 August 2019 July 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who played the harp for King Saul?

Select your answer to see how you score.

David Samuel Asaph Solomon