Prior to any substantive decisions, Pope Leo signaled...by demeanor, style, deportment, temperament and history...a radical "vibe shift": irenic and (small "c") catholic. Irenic in that he seeks peace and reconciliation, across divides of fear, anger, hatred. Catholic in that he seeks the good and true in everything, including the adversary and those in error. My hope is that he is able to do this in allegiance to the Deposit of Faith and Truth entrusted to him.
"Ideology," in the toxic, negative sense, is a vision of political reality that:
1. Vastly simplifies social life all its richness, complexity, nuance, depth, ambiguity and mystery into stiff, narrow terms.
2. Is fueled, unconsciously, by fear, anxiety, defensiveness, resentment, rage, scapegoating and rash judgment.
3. Demonizes the adversary, seeing all evil; and defensively justifies the wrong on its own side.
Our world, nation and Church are viciously polarized, divided by resentment, fear, rage and judgement. Leo is like a refreshing breeze from heaven...even before he speaks or acts.
Immediately upon his election, I surged with joy and relief. I have been in a good mood ever since! This is very personal for me. For 50 years I have been a loyal, zealous Catholic Culture Warrior, defensive of my faith inheritance against progressive/liberational elite and the liberal wing of our Church which are both hostile to core Catholic values. However large majorities of my friends, family and those with whom I work significantly agree with the opposition on key issues. This has been a sadness for my for the entirety of my adult life. Leo points for me a path forward: loyal to truth, but free of fear and anger and open to the other, even the other in error.
I expect Leo to preserve what was best in Francis: his eagerness to come close to those far from the Church. I expect him to free us from the confusion and volatility of Francis. I expect he will move slowly, judiciously, carefully, sensitively to preserve what is best from the past. I do not expect from him the lucid, profound, virile teaching we received from John Paul and Benedict. But I expect him to reverence and protect that legacy.
In family discussion I have been told: "You are listening too much to Fox News!" Likewise, from another family member: "I would not even touch the NY Times." Both comments manifest an ideological suspicion: a sense of moral contamination. If I watch Fox or read the Times I efficaciously become infected with error and evil. I probably get 20% of my news from Fox; I am a proud member of the Fox family of Bret and Martha. I get about 15% from the Times and 10% from CNN. I am a member of those families as well. I have been reading the Times for 60 years and will do so until I die. They are not perfect: what family is?
I agree with Fox about 80%; with CNN about the same; with the Times about 75%. The cultural/moral issues most important to me align with Fox about 95%. But when it comes to reporting and analysis of global diplomacy, economics and such I find CNN and The Times most helpful. I accept and value and critique the Times for what it is: a professional, competent, progressive, Jewish newspaper.
My aspiration going forward is to maintain the intensity and clarity of my convictions as I build communion with those with differing views...always in confidence, peace, openness, and love.
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