Politics Beyond Politicians
By Max Rosner
As the popularity of the Vietnam War began to decline, Robert Drinan won a seat in Congress to oppose the war. The pinnacle of Drinan’s short-lived congressional appointment came when he filed the papers to impeach President Nixon. Yet, in the business of his schedule as a politician, he still found time to perform transubstantiation on Sundays. Father Robert Drinan, S.J., was the embodiment of the union of church and state.
Catholics are routinely stuck in difficult voting situations, particularly when the local priest is not seeking a higher (secular) office. The 2016 presidential election seemed particularly difficult for Catholics to grapple. Even Catholic politicians do not tow the line on Catholic Social Thought: Senator Tim Kaine is seen as betraying pro-life values, and Speaker Paul Ryan is accused of placing the gospel of Ayn Rand over that of Luke. In the words of the Initiative’s director, John Carr, Catholics are “politically homeless” in the ballot box.
Politics, however, is about more than individual politicians. When President-elect Trump assumes office, the bulk of the federal government will remain the same, and civil servants will most likely keep their jobs across the numerous departments and agencies. Politics is even more than the government. Federal, local, and international governments often task the private sector and non-profit organizations to carry out the law. For example, Catholic Charities USA resettles more than a quarter of all refugees that enter into the United States (disclosure: I am a former intern with CCUSA). That’s nearly 20,000 newcomers. Catholic Relief Services also has a tremendous international impact—13 million people have been served by CRS through emergency response, clean water access, and micro-financing. Due to the enormity of the work Catholic agencies and organizations perform, they have a say at the table when it comes to legislation and executive orders. Both parties recognize the selfless work Catholic agencies do. The Al Smith Dinner, a fundraiser for New York’s Catholic Charities, has become the only event outside of a debate that both presidential candidates attend. Therefore, having Catholic politicians is not a necessary item to having a Catholic politics based on the dignity of the human person. Politics is just as much about policy in action than the politicians who propose it. This should continue to be the priority in the Trump era.
Max Rosner (C'18) is an undergraduate studying government and theology at Georgetown.