Freedom and the Faith

At times, our national discussion about freedom makes it seem that laws create freedom. But Christ tells us, “…the truth shall make you free” (Jn 8:32). God has created us with free will and minds open to truth. Freedom, like life itself, is a gift. Laws can and do protect freedom, or they can destroy it. Both situations have been the case in history. In this country, however, when American Catholics encountered various forms of anti-Catholic prejudice, we could generally rely on the laws to protect our religion, and its truths, as well as our freedom. For this, we have been grateful.

It seems that is no longer completely the case or, at least, that protection for the free practice of the Catholic faith is ever more legally precarious in this country. Laws sometimes compel support for abortion or contraception, with very limited scope for conscience protection. Some laws compel support for extramarital sexual conduct, especially when sexual orientation is assimilated to anti-discrimination civil rights legislation. Laws can and do forbid or penalize religious hiring practices, and some laws target religion for special disfavor, e.g. the “lookback” legislation which applies only to private entities and almost exclusively, in practice, to the Catholic Church. On moral issues, there has developed a shift from non-interference by government to affirmative support from government, and this support can burden conscience. For example, the legislative language around abortion has shifted from “choice” to “access.” These are obvious examples in recent legislation; but there are many others, and their number seems to be growing.

Pope Benedict XVI, speaking at the beginning of 2011 to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, noted that, “acts of discrimination against Christians … are considered less grave and less worthy of attention on the part of governments and public opinion.” Recently, a paper issued by an organization that follows the joys and sorrows of Christians in troubled parts of the world reported that, “All too often and in many places, Christians suffer verbal abuse, discrimination in the workplace, taunts in the media and various threats. On some occasions, their homes and churches are burnt, and people — themselves, their loved ones and neighbors, even their priests and bishops — are killed… It is a travesty of justice to turn a blind eye, as so many do.” Certainly, the report was not speaking to the situation of Catholics and Christian believers in our country, but it would be wrong to ignore what seems to be developing here, as the First Amendment protection of religious institutions gets absorbed into and limited to the protection of personal religious speech.

In this country, Catholics have also sometimes followed the American habit of confusing law with reality. Our religion sometimes seemed to be a dispenser of rules rather than a proclaimer of truths. Perhaps the confounding of Catholic rules with Catholic doctrine accounts in part for the confusion that ensued in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, when many rules were changed but essential doctrine remained stable, because it is based on truths revealed by God and handed on by the church from generation to generation. If truth is reduced to discipline, however, a change in discipline brings expectation of a change in doctrine. When expectations that doctrines which no longer fit with social or cultural developments in the United States will be changed are not fulfilled, even some Catholics can become anti- Catholic in their attitude.

This July 4 finds the Catholic Church in our country in institutional difficulty, even as millions of Catholics joyfully live their faith day by day. The Holy Spirit is among us and can be counted on to guide the church and keep her united around her Lord. The church existed long before any modern nation-state and will continue to exist after they have all disappeared, but it’s good to celebrate our national independence and pray that the Lord will protect our freedom, whether or not we can count on the law to do so.

Law controls how we are permitted to exercise our freedom; but it is the truth, not law, that makes us free. As St. Paul wrote: “We have the mind of Christ.” He didn’t add, but could have, “And that’s enough to be free.” Happy Fourth of July!