Catholic in a Late-Liberal World?

In a fine article “A Christian Strategy”Adrian Vermeule of Harvard Law compares our current cultural situation with that St. Paul, and the early Church faced, in the Roman Empire. (https://www.firstthings.com/article/2017/11/a-christian-strategy). Like our own society, the Roman imperium was multi-cultural and fascinated by Christianity even as it was fiercely hostile to it much of the time. But Paul and company were strategically astute and flexible in leveraging identity and position to their advantage in a pragmatic manner. Without ever betraying their faith or fundamental values, the early Church took full advantage of the benefits offered by the Pax Romana. Consider the providential offerings of this often murderous regime: a superb network of transportation and communication for spreading the Gospel, the Latin language that lives today in the Church, the immense classical tradition and all it has meant to our religion, and so forth. He argues that the Christian today cannot pledge allegiance to any political party or ideology but can enjoy a freedom to work with any coalition that advances the good that the Church values. He cites as example scriptural counselors like Daniel and Mordecai who worked loyally for pagan rulers without compromise even as they advanced the cause of the Jews. And so it would seem that while resistant to a late-liberal regime that is fundamentally hostile to the Church, we need not retreat into defensiveness, fear and resentment but can remain free to conspire with all that remains wholesome, hopeful and true in all the various parties, organizations and movements.