Deacon James Toner, in concluding Aug. 5 his column “Just call me ‘Bob’,” posed the question, “so should we show respect for the sacred office of priest and for him who is privileged to hold that office, by referring to him, not as ‘Bob,’ but as ‘Father Smith.’
Does that then show an increased level of respect for the person, position or office? Sometimes it is difficult to separate the person from the position held. Our life experience shows that having a title doesn’t always equate to respect.
Like Deacon Toner, I was in the military and then entered a career in law enforcement for almost 30 years. I found over the years that respect is something which is earned and doesn’t automatically come with any title. I do have great respect for those who enter the priesthood and religious life. It is a great act of love and sacrifice that should be respected and honored.
Referring to my parish priest as “Father Bob” or “Father Smith” certainly in my mind does not diminish the respect I have for him.
Jim Healy lives in Charlotte.
Related: Deacon James H. Toner: Just call me ‘Bob’
What drives us on Election Day? What pushes us to find the time to head out to the polls and support the candidates who, in some way, speak to us personally?
For me, it is imperative to find candidates who have a majority of their platform concerning the dignity of the human person aligned with Catholic teaching. This may seem tedious. The media are brilliant at creating illusions and distractions about the nominees and the issues, and they may create diversions that appeal to secular concerns.
According to a 2014 Gallup Poll, almost 75 percent of Americans identified themselves as Christians. Yet, Providence Forum statistics found that only 50 percent of Christians are registered to vote and of those, only half of them actually take the time to vote. So, three-fourths of all Christians have no voice or impact on government policies or legislation.
To those who think religion has no place in politics, consider the consequences of such neglect. The Bible is filled with examples of how politics shaped the behaviors of its people. From Moses as a leader in Exodus to the message in Jude that warns us about abuse of power, the parallels between modern-day issues and the teachings of the Bible are undeniable.
When we study the lives of the saints, we also find an unequivocal correlation between upholding God’s law in politics and religious freedom. Through his life and his death at Auschwitz, St. Maximilian Kolbe demonstrated the connectedness of Catholic faith and political matters. We should take to heart his words, “The most deadly poison of our time is indifference.”
I sympathize with the 75 percent of Christians who fail to vote. On one hand, we hold our religious beliefs in high regard, yet the candidate we have decided to support may not personify moral integrity. Our internal turmoil may prompt us not to vote at all.
By blocking out the noise and focusing on party platforms, we can begin to make more reasonable decisions in our call to perform our civic duty. In fact, the Church has identified five non-negotiable areas to help guide us toward voting virtuously. We should ask where a candidate and their party stands on religious liberty, marriage legislation, abortion, stem-cell research, and the role of Planned Parenthood. The candidate’s response will tell us how concerned they are with the preeminent threats against the dignity of the human person.
In the Bible, the Greek word “logos” is used to describe divine wisdom or harmony. When God is acknowledged in a society as the center of all things, there is an accord between the religious and political realms. God is all good and can only create perfection. But in our desires and distractions, we construct scenarios of turmoil and unrest. On Election Day, remember that we will all be judged not only on what we have done, but what we fail to do. Let us all go out and search for Logos.
Tammy Harris is a member of St. Gabriel Church in Charlotte.