In-Depth Response to a Critical Reader: What About…?

Last updated on: February 26, 2025 at 1:42 pm by Dennis Knapp

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In-Depth Response to a Critical Reader: What About…? 2025-02-26T13:42:48-06:00 Dennis Knapp

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In the comment section of my last article, a reader blasted me for writing on a topic they considered “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.” The topic in question involved an Anglican female minster participating in Eucharistic prayers and receiving communion, while dressed as a priest. This reader, an atheist, saw no issue in such liturgical abuses, as such abuses concern the sacred, which according to them, does not exist.

They then proceeded to post a video by a secular humanist Youtuber criticizing the current presidential administration, calling it fascist, intolerant, and engaging in illegal activities.

Finally, after I pushed back, this commentator posed the following questions to me and stated, “by not saying anything” about these issues means that I am “in fact saying quite a lot.”

A Request for Topics and Article Suggestions

To start, as any regular reader of my blog knows, at the end of every article I ask for article suggestions.

Please visit my Facebook page and IM your questions (and follow my page) or topics for articles you would like covered.

Therefore, since this reader took the time to ask questions, I answered them below. Now, if this reader wishes to dig deeper into these issues, I recommend they start a blog on Patheos. Also, if this reader wants to read voices highly critical of Chrisitan conservatives, I suggest National Catholic Reporter, America Magazine, and Mark Shea’s blog (all of which I regularly read).

JD Vance Dismissed the Pope and US Bishops on Immigration

J.D. Vance was quite dismissal of the Pope and the US Bishops on immigration. What’s up with that?

I think the above reflects a bit of an overstatement. J.D. Vance does not consider his view on immigration out of line with historic Catholic doctrine. However, his comments to CBS’ Margaret Brennan concerning criticisms by the USCCB of current immigration policy does strike a critical tone. Vance stated that he hoped the USCCB’s concerns were not motivated by money and that they be a “good partner in common sense immigration enforcement…”

Regarding “common sense immigration enforcement,” I appreciate the input provided by canon lawyer, Fr. Gerald F. Murray. In his recent article, The Pope, the Border, and the Law, he stated:

…enforcing immigration laws affirms the dignity of a human being by compelling him to recognize and submit to laws enacted to promote social harmony and peaceful coexistence. The law-breaker is held to the same standard as everyone else. His dignity is promoted when he is reminded of his duty to obey just laws.

It appears that this “social harmony and peaceful coexistence” stands at the center of what Vance hopes of accomplishing in the enforcement of immigration laws. Furthermore, he hopes the USCCB supports such efforts.

Catholics and Gaza

Should Catholics be supportive of Trump’s proposed ethnic cleansing of Gaza?

When did Trump propose an ethnic cleanse of Gaza? For the record, I do not agree with Trump’s plan or take his plans for Gaza seriously. To me, his comments reflect an attempt to get others in the region moving in the right direction.

Mercy or Offense Over Religious Scandal

Since you seem to be obsessed with woman priests now, why is an exhortation to being merciful such an offense?

What do you mean by “an exhortation to being merciful”? An “offense” occurred when someone used a sacred event to make a political statement. Furthermore, I directed the article in question at Catholics who use this “offense” to subvert Church authority.

Trump’s Economy

Everybody credits the economy as one of the main reasons Trump won in 2024. So how is the economy doing under Trump’s watch, and what are the prospects for its future?

So, do you expect to turn the economy around in a month? Increasing energy production and independence are good places to start. Moreover, deregulation also helps spur the economy, as seen in the first Trump term. All this takes time, especially as Trump works to undo four years of poor economic governance.

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

What does it say about our society as a whole, when we have the world’s richest person being directly responsible for taking food, medicine and other essentials away from the poorest people in the world?

Does the amount of money one holds make one unqualified to weed out government inefficiency? Also, all funds through USAID are on a temporary 90-day hold, not a permanent one. You misrepresent Elon Musk in the question above.

Catholic Social Teaching and DOGE

Is the current systemic dismantling of the government compatible with Catholic Social Teaching on what is supposed to be the proper roles, duties and responsibilities of the State?

In 2015, the USCCB released a document titled, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. This document provides clear directives to the Catholic who desires engagement in faithful citizenship. In paragraph 92, the bishops layout Catholic policy priorities. They state:

Catholic teaching challenges voters and candidates, citizens and elected officials, to consider the moral and ethical dimensions of public policy issues. In light of ethical principles, we bishops offer the following policy goals that we hope will guide Catholics as they form their consciences and reflect on the moral dimensions of their public choices. Not all issues are equal; these ten goals address matters of different moral weight and urgency. Some involve intrinsically evil acts, which can never be approved. Others involve affirmative obligations to seek the common good.

What constitutes their ten policy goals? Below, I summarize longer goals and directly quote shorter ones.

Protect the unborn and pregnant women.
End to abortion, euthanasia, research using human embryos, the death penalty, and imprudent wars.
Protect traditional marriage between one man and one woman, reject gender ideologies, and promote better moral support for families.
Comprehensive immigration reform, including: path to citizenship, fair treatment of immigrants, prevention of family separations, maintenance of border integrity, respect for the rule of law, and addressing factors that compel immigration.
Assist families in overcoming poverty.
“Provide health care while respecting human life, human dignity, and religious freedom in our health care system.”
“Continue to oppose policies that reflect prejudice, hostility toward immigrants, religious bigotry, and other forms of unjust discrimination.”
Encourage cooperation between communities and governments to increase the common good.
Establish and comply with moral limits on the use of military force.
“Join with others around the world to pursue peace, protect human rights and religious liberty, and advance economic justice and care for creation.”

So, to answer the question posed: the above reflects “the proper roles, duties and responsibilities of the State.” However, nothing in Catholic Social Teaching condemns cutting of government waste, especially when such waste undermines Catholic moral teaching and supports intrinsic evil.

Final Thoughts…

In all honesty, I know this reader cares very little for my answers or “my silence.” Like me, they stand firm in their positions, therefore, I hold no hope in swaying them. However, unlike with other blogs that welcome NO feedback or option to provide feedback, I encourage my critics to keep challenging me, as I abhor echo chambers. So, comment away!