Sunday, September 27, 2020

At election time, clergy need to stay pastoral rather than political

 

At election time, clergy need to stay pastoral rather than political

At election time, clergy need to stay pastoral rather than political

Churchgoers participate in a procession at the Holy Apostles Church in Milwaukee, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020. For decades, Roman Catholic voters have been a pivotal swing vote in U.S. presidential elections, with a majority backing the winner — whether Republican or Democrat — nearly every time. (Credit: Morry Gash/AP.)

Commentary

As Election Day quickly approaches, clergy are being reminded of their pastoral role to form consciences and to address the social issues of our day from a moral perspective rather than a political one.

Since all political issues are also moral ones, the possibilities are vast and the landscape is extremely broad for preaching and teaching by the clergy. Yet on both sides of the political spectrum, we have some members of the clergy who insist on overstepping boundaries. It appears some members of the clergy just really cannot help themselves, wanting to play politician.

Such a role reversal is as sad as politicians who want to play clergy. But members of the clergy have not been elected, and politicians have not been ordained. These are different public offices for complementary, but very different functions.

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