ROOTED IN FELLOWSHIP How a Benedictine school deepened its mission by staying put - America Magazine
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SEPTEMBER 2021 THE JESUIT REVIEW OF FAITH AND CULTURE
ROOTED IN
FELLOWSHIP
How a Benedictine
school deepened its
mission by staying put
Stephen G. Adubato
24
p PLUS:
In the Classroom
with Richard Rohr
p 32
Should Catholic
Schools Teach
Critical Race
Theory?
p 44
James Martin
on 9/11 and the
Communication of
Memory
p 52
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2 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG
O Res Mirabilis!
Let’s set the record straight: Pope permission from the Vatican. is not a great deal of time for a church
Francis did not “ban the use of Latin in While Pope Francis’ decision does that is more than two millennia old.
the Roman Catholic Church,” as one greatly restrict the use of the extraor- Then again, the pope is not a pol-
person recently put it to me. He didn’t dinary form, the pope has not abol- itician or a pundit. He’s a pastor. And
even ban Latin from the Mass. Pope ished it. The extraordinary form can he has more and better information
Francis, in fact, didn’t ban anything. and will continue to be celebrated in than I.
As America’s Vatican correspondent those places where the diocesan bish- Still, I think it’s worth noting that
explained on July 16, “Pope Francis op determines that it is necessary to the unity-in-diversity that the original
has revoked the faculty given by meet some pastoral need. papal permissions for the extraordi-
his predecessors that [since 2007] Why did the pope do this? Basi- nary form were meant to engender is a
allowed any Catholic priest of the cally, Francis’ predecessors believed worthwhile, even necessary goal. Even
Latin Rite to celebrate the Tridentine that greater access to the extraordi- within celebrations of the ordinary
Mass.” What does that mean? nary form would act as an instrument form there is a great deal of diversity.
In the Latin rite, there are two of ecclesial unity. But Pope Francis I have never celebrated Mass in the
ways in which the Mass is celebrated, believes that in some places the ex- extraordinary form, but I have con-
each with their own texts and logic: traordinary form has instead become celebrated in the ordinary form, with
the “ordinary form” and the “extraor- a source of division as well as a symbol the pope himself at Saint Peter’s Ba-
dinary form.” The ordinary form is the of opposition to Vatican II. The pope silica. I have also concelebrated at the
usual parish liturgy with which all of made this judgment after consulting Basilica of Sacre Coeur in Paris on the
us are familiar. In most places, the or- the world’s bishops about the matter. feast of the Sacred Heart, and at Saint
dinary form of the Mass may be used Obviously, I take the pope at his Patrick’s Cathedral on Christmas and
in any language, including Latin, and word. He is doing his job. The first and Easter. I have also celebrated Mass in
there are several Catholic communi- last duty of the successor of Saint Pe- thatched-roofed churches in the heart
ties in the United States where the or- ter is to safeguard ecclesial commu- of Latin America, in prisons and at
dinary form of the Mass is said in Lat- nion. But if you had asked me about coffee tables in the living rooms of the
in. Those communities are unaffected the matter before the pope acted, I sick or dying.
by the pope’s action. would have questioned whether such I am awestruck by the beauty of
The extraordinary form of the a change was necessary. My view from the Eucharist wherever I encounter
Mass is the liturgy prescribed in the the cheap seats was that the celebra- it. I often think, “Isn’t it a miracle
Roman Missal of 1962, which is a de- tion of the extraordinary form was not that we’re here doing this and haven’t
scendent of the Missal promulgated really having the effects the pope de- blown up the world yet?” That’s a big
after the Council of Trent. The ex- scribes, at least not in my corner of the reason why the so-called liturgy wars
traordinary form is mainly celebrated Catholic world. bore me. To be sure, rubrics and form,
in Latin and contains elements, like For one thing, very few people at- not to mention plain good taste—all
the priest facing away from the con- tend Masses celebrated in the extraor- of that matters. But what unites us
gregation, with which some of you will dinary form. I suspect that a majority in the Mass is the Lord himself, pres-
be familiar. St. John Paul II and Pope of U.S. Catholics are unaware that ent in the Eucharist. That is enough
Benedict XVI had made it easier for there even is an extraordinary form. to make it beautiful. For whether it’s
priests to celebrate Mass according to And most of the relatively few people performed by a royal company or the
this older, extraordinary form. Pope I have met who have a devotion to this local high school drama club, Shake-
Francis has changed the rules. Now, form of the liturgy don’t strike me as speare is still Shakespeare.
a priest must have the permission of opposed in any substantive way to
his bishop to celebrate Mass in the teachings of Vatican II. And while the Matt Malone, S.J.
extraordinary form and, in certain “experiment” with the extraordinary Twitter: @americaeditor.
circumstances, the bishop must seek form is three or four decades old, this
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA |3
THE ISSUE
GIVE AND TAKE
6
DISPATCHES
12
FEATURES
24
YOUR TAKE ‘AMERICA’ SURVEY, PART II: THE ST. BENEDICT’S OPTION
Your reactions to our comprehensive POLITICS, ABORTION, L.G.B.T. A high school in Newark thrives on the
survey of U.S. Catholics ISSUES AND RACIAL JUSTICE stability of the monks who founded it
Stephen G. Adubato
8 GoodNews: Georgetown’s Joel Castón
OUR TAKE becomes the first person to win an 32
Just war theory after Afghanistan election from jail THE BLESSINGS OF
IMPERFECTION
10 In North Carolina a Tridentine Richard Rohr's Living School taught
SHORT TAKE Mass parish faces Pope Francis’ new me to love our flawed world
Catholic teaching on abortion cannot restrictions Sonia Livingston
be reduced to Bible quotes
Jana Bennett Cuban religious superiors: We hear
‘God’s voice’ in the cries of protesters JESUIT SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
44
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND
CRITICAL RACE THEORY
Can Catholic social teaching bridge
the divide?
Christopher Devron
4 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG
AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd
Friar Leopoldo Serrano celebrates
Mass at Mission San Francisco de Asis,
in Honduras, June 27. The pastor is
helping to rebuild the community of
La Reina, a nearby Honduran village
buried in a mudslide in 2020.
Cover: Graduation at St. Benedict’s Prep in
Newark, N.J., 2017 (Michael Marmora)
FAITH IN FOCUS IDEAS IN REVIEW THE WORD
48 56 70
LESSONS FROM LITTLE FLOWER DANTE’S HARD-WON OPTIMISM Reflections for Sundays
Contemplating the Passion in light of What is it about Dante that makes him September 5, 12, 19, 26
my students’ suffering so modern? Jaime L. Waters
Mattie Denzer-King Jason M. Baxter
52 BOOKS LAST TAKE
9/11 and the communication of Birth of a Movement; In the Wine
memory Press; First Principles; Radical 74
James Martin Sufficiency DAVID CARROLL COCHRAN
In praise of England’s most Catholic
54 football club
I once fell in love with the Latin POEMS
Mass. I understand why Pope Francis
restricted it. 55
Zac Davis YOUR PRESENCE
Yuan Changming
60
INDIAN SUMMER
Michial Farmer
SEPTEMBER 2021 VOL. 225 NO. 3 WHOLE NO. 5266
YOUR TAKE
Your reactions to our comprehensive survey of U.S. Catholics
The August issue of America featured the results of a comprehensive survey of U.S. Catholics by the Center for Applied
Research in the Apostolate, commissioned by America Media. Many of the questions and responses in the survey focused
on reader reaction to the resurgence of the sexual abuse crisis and its coverup that occurred in 2018 with the Pennsylvania
Grand Jury Report and the revelation that former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick had sexually abused minors. Below is an
edited selection of reader comments to the survey and surrounding commentary. Please see this current issue for more
results from the survey about politics, church finances and other issues.
How many Catholics walked away from the church after just put them aside and focus our attention on our Lord
2002, long before the release of the Pennsylvania grand Jesus Christ.
jury report? This survey does not capture the true impact Rogelio Ulibarri
of the sexual abuse scandal/coverup because it excludes
those who left long before the Pennsylvania and McCarrick There seems to be a fear that to discuss [the abuse crisis]
scandals. They had already lost all trust in Catholic Church openly only keeps the issue alive. The truth is that everyone
officialdom—nuns, and priests, yes, but especially the needs to stay alert and keep the hierarchy accountable. In
bishops, the cardinals and the popes. my opinion, to resolve this issue long-term, as well as other
Anne Chapman concerns, requires a new way of managing and directing
church affairs through a true partnership of the clergy,
Seminaries are doing a better job recently in the processes religious and laity.
of preparing men for the priesthood. I believe there is much Lloyd William
more attention to these issues now than was common in
the past. Also, the church from the pope down has been So many Catholics do not know who Cardinal McCarrick
more active and direct about the problem and has adopted is. His story no longer has the capacity to shock as it would
policies of direct intervention. have decades ago. People are no longer “scandalized” by the
Elizabeth Stevens behavior of some priests. It seems that every few months
there is another story of sexual impropriety by a member
I see this study and resulting article as an interesting of the clergy.
statistical study but agree that the study will probably be L. Kenney
used more for damage control than true reform. However
I remain hopeful that if forward looking bishops become It is astounding to me that Catholics do not know who
more influential in the [U.S. Conference of Catholic McCarrick is. Perhaps it is our nature to forget anything
Bishops], this may change. prior to the last week. I continuously read that the U.S.
Although there are many aspects of this crisis, I believe news cycle is something like eight days. After that, who
that two underlying causes are the bishops’ immature un- cares? It says so much about our maturity as citizens of the
derstanding of human sexuality, and clericalism, which led United States. (This is not just a Catholic issue.)
to a “circle the wagons” response to the crisis. How could Stephen Healy
an apparently Christian group not realize the profound and
lasting damage to someone who has been sexually abused
and then not take strong positive action? This study does
not touch on these issues.
Frank Pasquariello
I think that many Catholics, including myself, have gotten
to the point of saturation. We find all the controversies
and misbehaviors of our leaders so overwhelming that we
6 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA |7
OUR TAKE
Just War, Just Peace
As of Aug. 9, six cities in Afghanistan contemporary world, conceding, for in earlier centuries to speak of the pos-
had fallen to the forces of the Taliban, example, that “probability of success sibility of a ‘just war.’” Pacifists took
which also seemed poised to seize the is particularly difficult to measure in the pope’s words as a clear nod in their
capital of Kabul. The rapid advance dealing with an amorphous, global direction. Perhaps they were, but the
of the Islamist juggernaut followed terrorist network.” The Afghan War pope appeared to be addressing the
President Biden’s announcement in was but one theater in a global war difficulty, not the impossibility, of ap-
July that the U.S. military mission waged against primarily non-state plying just war principles in the mod-
in Afghanistan would conclude on actors. The bishops were aware that ern world. If the pope’s comments tell
Aug. 31. How tragically ironic that traditional just war theory, which us anything definitive, it is, at a mini-
the Taliban may be back in control of was first elaborated systematically in mum, that just war theory needs to be
Afghanistan by the time the United Catholic thought in the late Middle updated if it is to be relevant.
States observes the 20th anniversary Ages, presupposes that the units of its Presuming, then, that the church
of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, moral calculus are nation-states, not does not wish to throw out the baby
2001. Rooting out Al Qaeda and transnational terrorist networks like with the bathwater, how should it go
Osama bin Laden, and eliminating Al Qaeda. about updating the tradition and ar-
the Taliban’s ability to offer aid and Such seeming anachronisms have ticulating a more realistic framework?
comfort to terrorism, was the stated prompted many Catholics in recent First, as Bishop Robert McElroy of
casus belli of the U.S.-led invasion of years to ask whether just war theory San Diego has noted, any new frame-
Afghanistan later that year, a conflict is still relevant or even necessary in work must be built on “a compre-
that has claimed nearly 200,000 lives, the 21st century. Some groups have hensive dedication to international
according to the Costs of War Project even called for the abrogation of just norms and the power of nonviolence
at Brown University. war doctrine and the development of a to achieve peace with justice.”
In the aftermath of 9/11, as the completely new framework. An inter- Such a fundamental commitment
U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan was national conference organized by the does not require the complete aban-
getting underway, the U.S. Conference Dicastery for Promoting Integral Hu- donment of the possibility of armed
of Catholic Bishops released a pasto- man Development, held at the Vatican intervention. The tragic reality of this
ral message, “Living With Faith and in 2016, argued in its final commu- fallen world makes it relatively easy
Hope After September 11,” which of- nique that there are few, if any, wars to imagine scenarios in which na-
fered moral guidance drawn from the that can be considered just and that tion-states might need to use propor-
church’s traditional just war frame- just war theory has been used more tional force to protect the common
work: “We acknowledge…the right and often “to endorse rather than prevent good. When addressing the United
duty of a nation and the international or limit war.” Yet as the writer Peter Nations in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI
community to use military force if Steinfels observed in 2016, the history indicated that the international com-
necessary to defend the common good of just war theory is a good deal more munity may even have a moral duty
by protecting the innocent against complex than that, and the pacifists’ to intervene in situations in which re-
mass terrorism,” the bishops wrote, “counterfactual narrative ignores the gimes have failed to protect their citi-
adding that “every military response fluctuating forms and fortunes of just zens from genocide, war crimes, ethnic
must be in accord with sound moral war thinking over many centuries.” cleansing, crimes against humanity
principles, notably such norms of the Pope Francis has also questioned and catastrophic natural events. Such
just war tradition as non-combatant the viability of just war theory, writing interventions should always be a last
immunity, proportionality, right in- in “Fratelli Tutti” that “we can no lon- resort and should always be conduct-
tention and probability of success.” ger think of war as a solution, because ed under the auspices of the United
Yet at the same time that they in- its risks will probably always be great- Nations and an international constab-
voked the church’s just war tradition, er than its supposed benefits…. In view ulary force.
the bishops acknowledged the diffi- of this, it is very difficult nowadays to Yet the traditional just war frame-
culty of applying its provisions in the invoke the rational criteria elaborated work has evolved beyond a calculus
8 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG
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Founded in 1909
President and Editor in Chief Matt Malone, S.J.
for deciding whether armed conflict is Deputy Editor in Chief Maurice Timothy Reidy
Executive Editors Sebastian Gomes
morally justified (jus ad bellum) or how Ashley McKinless
such conflicts should be waged once they Kerry Weber
Editor at Large James Martin, S.J.
are initiated (jus in bello). The tradition Production Editor Robert C. Collins, S.J.
also has much to say about the moral re- Senior Editors Kevin Clarke
James T. Keane
sponsibilities of the various actors in the J.D. Long-García
aftermath of conflict (jus post bellum). Sam Sawyer, S.J.
Robert David Sullivan
International progress since 9/11 on ban- Creative Director Shawn Tripoli
ning landmines and cluster munitions are Graphic Designer
Poetry Editor
Alison Hamilton
Joe Hoover, S.J.
examples of how traditional just war prin- Vatican Correspondent Gerard O’Connell
ciples have been developed and adapted National Correspondent
Associate Editors
Michael J. O’Loughlin
Zachary Davis
to particular contemporary challenges. A Colleen Dulle
Ricardo da Silva, S.J.
recent conference on global disarmament Jim McDermott, S.J.
at the University of London’s School of Audio Producer Maggi Van Dorn
Video Producer &
Oriental and African studies, which was Director of Photography Deniz Demirer
co-sponsored by the Holy See, is but one Studio Production Operator Kevin Jackson
Assistant Editors Molly Cahill
example of the kinds of creative collabora- Joseph McAuley
tions required to develop and implement a Contributing Writers Simcha Fisher
Nichole M. Flores
framework for war and peace. Cecilia González-Andrieu
Regardless of how the church’s think- Rachel Lu
Eileen Markey
ing evolves, a greater effort must be made Jim McDermott, S.J.
at every level of ecclesial life to educate John W. Miller
Kaya Oakes
Catholics throughout the world about Nathan Schneider
the church’s teachings on war and peace. Valerie Schultz
Eve Tushnet
Debates about just war theory and peace- Contributing Editors Patrick Gilger, S.J.
making are too often confined to the rar-
William McCormick, S.J.
Paul McNelis, S.J.
ified quarters of the academy. Too little of Regional Correspondents Dean Dettloff (Toronto)
the church’s teaching on war and peace is
Special Contributors
Jan-Albert Hootsen (Mexico City)
Jake Martin, S.J.
taught in seminaries and courses of forma- Editor, The Jesuit Post Tucker Redding, S.J.
Moderator, Catholic Book Club Kevin Spinale, S.J.
tion, which is perhaps why it is infrequent- O'Hare Fellows Douglas Girardot
ly cited from pulpits. Keara Hanlon
Sarah Vincent
Lastly, as the church’s reflection con- Summer Interns Grace Doerfler, Chloe Gunther, Amelia Jarecke
tinues, Catholics must continue to bear
Executive V.P. and
witness to both justice and forgiveness. In Chief Operating Officer Traug Keller
the immediate aftermath of 9/11, St. John V.P. of Finance and Operations Siobhan Ryan
V.P. of Advancement and Membership James Cappabianca
Paul II spoke of justice; but even more, he Advancement Strategist Heather Trotta
had the courage to speak of forgiveness at Advancement Associate Michelle Smith
Director of Advertising Services Kenneth Arko
a time when few were in the mood to hear Account Manager Lindsay Chessare
it. “Forgiveness is in no way opposed to Advertising Services Manager Geena Di Camillo
Director of Marketing Lisa Manico
justice,” he wrote, “as if to forgive meant Special Assistant to the President &
to overlook the need to right the wrong Editor in Chief Nicholas D. Sawicki
Business Operations Staff Glenda Castro, Jonathan Tavarez,
done. It is rather the fullness of justice…. Bianca C. Tucker
Peace is essential for development, but Editor Emeritus
Chair, Board of Directors
Francis W. Turnbull, S.J.
Susan S. Braddock
true peace is made possible only through
forgiveness.”
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SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA |9
SHORT TAKE
Catholic teaching on abortion cannot be reduced to Bible quotes
I often notice misconceptions about abortion (or makes “the bishops wrong The second philosophical concept
Catholic tradition in abortion debates about abortion”). is the personhood debate, which arose
and opinion pieces in the popular However, natural law in Catholic in the 1960s and 1970s related to end-
press. One recent example of this was tradition is not based on individual ra- of-life care (i.e., at what point is a person
Garry Wills’s essay in The New York tional determinations (which would not a person, so that a ventilator might
Times on June 27; it was scintillating seem to privilege those who have certain be unplugged?). This debate quickly
reading, but it did not engage Catholic mental abilities). Catholics view natural became integral to beginning-of-life de-
tradition well. law as the light of reason that all people bates as well.
Mr. Wills points out that nowhere in have because human beings are made in Note that in this debate, “person” is
the Gospels does Jesus specifically pro- God’s image, connecting us to God’s cre- not the same as “human.” To my knowl-
hibit abortion. This is true. Yet Mr. Wills ation and God’s plan. Catholics also un- edge, there is no biologist who would try
articulates an extremely limited way of derstand natural law as activity that en- to say that an embryo or fetus living in a
reading Scripture that emphasizes only ables human flourishing, which means it human uterus is not human.
the text, and printed words cannot tell us is more than making rational arguments. But the question of when a hu-
how Christians have heard those words Catholics can make use of natural man is a person means defining what
and lived them out. We need to consider law without direct reference to God’s is characteristic of persons but not of
the whole of Catholic life, especially his- revelation. To develop arguments that non-persons.
tory and philosophy. appeal to human reason and philosoph- Many personhood debates relate
Historically, a question we might ical understanding enables us to com- to questions of independence: When is
ask is: Why are there records of ear- municate with people who do not share the point at which a fetus can be inde-
ly Christian communities prohibiting Christian beliefs but who nonetheless pendent of its mother? At what point is a
abortion? The second-century Chris- might share our convictions about the fetus viable outside the womb? Naming
tian instruction manual known as the significance of human life. Thus, atheists the time when a person is “independent”
Didache, originally written in Greek, like Nat Hentoff and Christopher Hitch- cannot be easily done. If a baby can sur-
tells Christians that “there are two ens famously opposed abortion (though vive with oxygen and incubation, is that
ways, one of life and one of death.” The Hitchens stopped short of urging a com- simply dependence on a machine? Ba-
“way of life” involves following the com- plete prohibition), as do many secular bies cannot feed themselves when they
mandments to love God and love neigh- pro-life groups. are first born, so does that make them
bor, and the Didache’s author spells out There are two more specific phil- dependent? Begin thinking about this
what it means to love neighbor: “You osophical arguments that, in part, too much, and we begin to recognize we
shall not murder a child by abortion nor use natural law and that feature in are all, to some extent, dependent on one
kill that which is begotten.” That is, even abortion debates. another. This is Jesus’ commandment to
if Jesus does not specifically prohibit One of them engages with the idea love our neighbor in a different key.
abortion, the earliest Christian com- of intention, which is how we make a dis- That brings us full circle to why
munities used Jesus’ commandments tinction between something that hap- Catholics see abortion as wrong—
about loving our neighbor to protect the pens “naturally” and something that is scripturally, historically and philo-
lives of the most vulnerable among us. a sinful action—that is, evil deliberately sophically. Abortion prioritizes the
Philosophically, we might consid- chosen by a human being. We know that deliberate taking of a very vulnerable
er natural law tradition. Natural law is all humans die, for we are mortal beings; human life, in contradiction to the love
sometimes understood as merely what we also know it is a very different thing that Jesus preaches.
a reasonable person rationally deter- for me to die in my sleep than to die be-
mines about the world. That view might cause someone shot me on purpose. Jana Bennett is a professor of Catholic
lead someone like Mr. Wills to argue that Similarly, while many pregnancies end moral theology at the University
because there exist reasonable people in miscarriages, this is a tragedy, but it is of Dayton, co-editor of the blog
catholicmoraltheology.com, and
who think abortion is permissible, nat- not the same as a directly intended kill- author of the book Singleness and the
ural law makes a poor argument against ing of a child in the womb. Church (Oxford University Press).
10 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG11168_LAKE_Halfpage-Ad_7.125x4.5_PRESS.pdf 1 8/9/21 5:59 AM
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MORE THAN READY. LOYOLA READY.
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 11'AMERICA' SURVEY PART 2
U.S. CATHOLICS ON POLITICS,
ABORTION, L.G.B.T. ISSUES AND
CNS photo/Erin Scott, Reuters
RACIAL JUSTICE
By Mark M. Gray and Thomas P. Gaunt
In August, America reported the results of a national sur- ocratic majority among Catholic voters—though Joseph R.
vey of U.S. Catholics on their attitudes about the church Biden Jr., the second Catholic to be elected president, does
three years after the release of the devastating Pennsylva- not seem to have done quite as well among Catholic voters
nia grand jury report on sexual abuse of young people by as Barack Obama, another Democrat and not a Catholic,
members of the Catholic clergy. The survey, sponsored did in 2008 and 2012.
by America and conducted by the Center for Applied Re- The major national surveys measuring the election
search in the Apostolate at Georgetown University, also outcome are not in agreement for 2020. In the American
asked about other timely topics including the election of a National Election Study, President Joe Biden is estimat-
Catholic president (with no consensus on whether this is ed to have won 55 percent of the Catholic vote and former
a “positive thing”), the ordination of women, abortion and President Donald Trump 43 percent of the Catholic vote.
other life issues, financial donations to the church, racial In the exit poll conducted by Edison Research and shared
justice and Catholic identity. The second part of the results by major media outlets, Mr. Biden is estimated to have won
of our survey reveal that many divisions within the church 52 percent of the Catholic vote compared with Mr. Trump’s
also run along political lines. On other issues, especially 47 percent (the same poll found that Mr. Trump won 56
those involving L.G.B.T. Catholics, there were significant percent of the white, non-Hispanic Catholic vote). Finally,
differences among age groups. a new AP-NORC poll estimated that Mr. Biden won 49 per-
cent of the vote compared with 50 percent for Mr. Trump.
A Catholic President and Communion According to our own poll, conducted in the wake of
CARA tracks the presidential vote of Catholics in the Unit- the 2020 election, 42 percent of Catholics self-identified
ed States by aggregating the major surveys measuring as Democrats and another 7 percent as independents who
the electorate released on the day after each election and are “closer” to the Democratic Party. Twenty-six percent
shortly thereafter. The Catholic electorate has been nearly identified as Republicans and another 7 percent as inde-
evenly divided in half of the last six elections, but the 2020 pendents who are closer to the Republican Party. Fifteen
election may have marked the return of at least a tiny Dem- percent were independents who did not lean toward either
12 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORGPresident Joe Biden waves as he leaves Holy Trinity
Catholic Church in Washington after Mass on April 10.
major party, and 3 percent identified with some other po-
litical party.
Forty-two percent of adult Catholics said it is a “posi-
tive thing” that the United States currently has a Catholic In your opinion, is it a ____ thing
president. But a majority, 52 percent, called this a “neutral that the United States currently
thing,” and 6 percent said it was a “negative thing.” There has a Catholic president? By birth year of respondent
was a significant partisan split on this question, with 57
percent of Democrats but only 29 percent of Republicans Positive Neutral Negative
saying it was “positive.”
Twenty-seven percent of adult Catholics said they
100%
would be “very supportive,” and an additional 18 per-
cent “somewhat supportive,” of the U.S. bishops’ issuing 90% 26% 40% 47% 40%
a statement that Catholic politicians and public officials
who support legal abortion should not present themselves 80%
for Communion; 24 percent did not support that idea, and 70% 66%
31 percent were undecided. Among those most likely to
be “very supportive” of the Communion prohibition were 60%
53%
men (35 percent); weekly Mass attenders (43 percent); 50% 55%
pre-Vatican II Catholics, who were born before 1943 (43 48%
percent); and Catholic Republicans (46 percent). 40%
30%
The Ordination of Women
Our survey revealed strong support among U.S. Catholics 20%
for women’s ordination, either as priests or as permanent 9%
10% 7%
deacons. Fifty-six percent supported allowing women ages 5% 5%
35 and older to be ordained as permanent deacons, and 0
nearly the same share—52 percent—supported allowing Pre-Vatican II
(before 1943)
Vatican II
(1943-1960)
Post-Vatican II
(1961-1981)
Millennial
(1982 or later)
women to be ordained as priests.
Twenty-five percent of the respondents said “maybe”
Do you feel the Catholic Church should allow
to the idea of allowing women to be ordained as permanent
women, ages 35 and older, to be ordained as
deacons but said that they want to learn more before an-
swering further. Nine percent said “no,” and 10 percent “I
permanent deacons?
don’t know.” Twenty-two percent said “maybe” to the idea Yes 56%
of allowing women to be ordained as priests but said that
Maybe, but I want to learn more before answering 25%
they want to learn more before answering further. Sixteen
percent said “no” to the idea and 10 percent “I don’t know.” No 9%
Men were just as likely as women to support allowing Don’t know 10%
women to be ordained as deacons or as priests. A minori-
ty of weekly Mass attenders supported allowing women to
be ordained as deacons (46 percent) or as priests (38 per-
cent). Majorities of monthly attenders (58 percent and 54 Do you think women should be allowed to be
percent) and those attending Mass a few times a year or ordained priests in the Catholic Church?
less often (59 percent and 60 percent) support ordaining
women as deacons or as priests. Yes 52%
Maybe, but I want to learn more before answering 22%
Abortion and Life Issues No 16%
Forty-nine percent of adult Catholics said they are either
“very” or “somewhat” opposed to abortion. As mentioned
Don’t know 10%
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 13above, 45 percent were at least “somewhat supportive” of ings, compared with 26 percent of the post-Vatican II
the idea that Catholic politicians and public officials who generation, 16 percent of the Vatican II generation and 6
support legal abortion should not present themselves for percent of the pre-Vatican II generation. Thirty-percent of
Communion. Democrats have considered leaving because of the church’s
Thirty-eight percent were “very” or “somewhat” op- teaching on L.G.B.T. Catholics, compared with 21 percent
posed to euthanasia or assisted suicide, and 32 percent of Republicans.
were similarly opposed to the death penalty. Nineteen
percent were “very” or “somewhat” opposed to embryonic Church Giving
stem cell research, and 20 percent said the same of in vitro Forty-nine percent of respondents said they or someone in
fertilization. their household contributed to the collection at their local
Republican Catholics were more likely than Demo- parish in 2020. Four in ten gave $250 or less over the year—
cratic Catholics to oppose abortion (65 percent compared $250 would equate to $4.81 per week.
with 41 percent), assisted suicide (45 percent compared Past CARA research indicated that Catholics gave $10
with 34 percent) and embryonic stem cell research (26 per week, on average, in 2010. Another four in 10 in our new
percent compared with 19 percent) but less likely to oppose survey gave $251 to $1,000 in 2020—$1,000 would equate
the death penalty (28 percent compared with 36 percent). to $19.23 per week. One in five gave $1,001 or more per year
Both groups were equally likely to oppose in vitro fertiliza- to their parish in 2020.
tion (22 percent of Democrats and 21 percent of Republi- A little more than a quarter gave to their diocesan fi-
cans). Majorities of Catholics affiliating with either party nancial appeal in 2020. A higher share, 33 percent, gave to
were supportive of in vitro fertilization, but that was true their diocesan financial appeal in 2019, before the pandem-
with none of the other issues listed. ic. Respondents were asked about the most recent time
they contributed to their diocesan appeal and whether
Same-Sex Blessings they changed the amount they usually give. Eleven percent
Sixty-two percent of adult Catholics said they believe indicated their most recent contribution was an increased
priests should be allowed to bless same-sex couples. Week- amount, 24 percent said it had decreased, and 64 percent
ly Mass attenders were among the most likely to oppose said their contribution stayed the same.
the blessing of same-sex couples (51 percent said “no”), Among those who reported a change in giving to their
while those attending a few times a year or less often were diocesan appeal, 46 percent said this change was a result
the most likely to be supportive (69 percent said “yes”). of a change in their household’s income or ability to give. A
Pre-Vatican II Catholics opposed such blessings (56 per- quarter said the change was related to their reaction to the
cent “no”), but other age groups were supportive: 58 per- sexual abuse scandal, and 22 percent cited their feelings
cent said yes among Vatican II Catholics, born between for the state of the national economy. Ten percent said the
1943 and 1960; among post-Vatican II Catholics, born be- change was a result of financial loss related to the pandem-
tween 1961 and 1981, approval was 64 percent; and among ic. Eight percent cited another reason.
millennial Catholics, born in 1982 or later, 67 percent ap- Sixty-six percent of respondents said they have at least
proved. Democratic Catholics supported same-sex bless- “some confidence” that the pastor of their local parish is
ings (73 percent “yes”) but Republicans opposed them (57 properly handling church finances. Sixty-one percent said
percent “no”). they have this same level of confidence in their bishop’s or
Twenty-nine percent of adult Catholics rated the cardinal’s handling of church finances.
church’s outreach to L.G.B.T. Catholics and their families
as “good” or “very good.” Forty-one percent rated this out- Racial Justice
reach as “fair.” Three in 10 considered it “poor” or “very Sixty-two percent of adult Catholics agreed “somewhat”
poor.” A quarter of adult Catholics said they have consid- or “strongly” that the Catholic Church should do more
ered leaving the Catholic Church because of its teaching to advocate for racial justice in the United States. But
on L.G.B.T. Catholics, a statistic consistent across all fre- 57 percent said that the church has been an advocate for
quencies of Mass attendance. But there are differences racial justice in the country. Forty-four percent agreed
by generation. Thirty-five percent of millennial Catholics “somewhat” or “strongly” that the Catholic Church and
said they have considered leaving because of these teach- the Black Lives Matter movement have “a great deal of
14 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORGbcp.org
@bellarminebells
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 15overlapping concerns.”
While Democrats and Republicans were in agree- How much do you agree with the
ment that the church has been an advocate for racial following statements?
justice in the United States (60 percent of Democrats
“Strongly agree” only “Strongly agree” or
and 58 percent of Republicans at least “somewhat” “somewhat agree”
combined
agreeing), they disagreed on whether the church should
do more to advocate for racial justice (79 percent of
The Catholic Church should
Democrats and 48 percent of Republicans at least do more to advocate for racial
“somewhat” agreeing) and whether the church and the justice in the United States 33% 62%
Black Lives Matter movement have a great deal of over- Democrats 47% 79%
lapping concerns (58 percent of Democrats and 28 per- Republicans 18% 48%
cent of Republicans at least “somewhat” agreeing).
The Catholic Church has been
What It Means to Be Catholic an advocate for racial justice
When asked what factors are most important to their in the United States 26% 57%
sense of being Catholic, 90 percent of respondents
said helping the poor was “somewhat” or “very” Democrats 28% 60%
important. Eighty-four percent similarly cited receiving Republicans 28% 58%
Communion. Eighty-one percent said living a life
consistent with church teaching is at least “somewhat” The Catholic Church
important to their sense of what it means to be Catholic. and the Black Lives Matter
Sixty-two percent responded similarly about attending movement have a great deal
Mass weekly, and 59 percent said the same about being of overlapping concerns 19% 44%
involved with their parish. Democrats 25% 58%
Republicans 10% 28%
Mark M. Gray is the director of CARA Catholic Polls
and a senior research associate at CARA.
Thomas P. Gaunt, S.J., is CARA’s executive director.
With research assistance from Autumn Gray.
How much confidence do you have
that the following church leaders
are properly handling church
This survey was conducted by the Center for Applied finances?
Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.
CARA surveyed 1,050 self-identified Catholics from May Your local bishop or cardinal The pastor of your local parish
21 to June 4, 2021. The survey was taken online and was
100%
available in English and Spanish (861 respondents took
90%
the survey in English and 189 in Spanish). The sample
was provided by the management and market research 80%
firm Qualtrics from actively managed, double-opt-in sur- 70%
vey research panels. 60%
50%
50% 45%
40%
32% 31%
30%
19%
20% 15%
10%
0
People who attend Mass a A least once a month Weekly or more often
few times a year or less often
16 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORG“BE WELCOMING”
Inspired by Hebrews 13:2
“Be welcoming to strangers
many have entertained
angels unawares”.
Timothy Paul Schmalz Sculptor
Side one: Stanger
Side two: Angel
To read more about acquiring this sculpture and to
see more of Timothy Schmalz ‘s new work please
visit timothypaulschmalz.com
TIMOTHYPAULSCHMALZ.COM
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 17Joel Castón with Georgetown
University President John
DeGioia at a 2019 end-of-
semester celebration at the
District of Columbia jail.
Courtesy of the Prisons and Justice Initiative at
GOODNEWS:
How Jesuit-educated Joel Castón
Georgetown University
became the first person to win an
election from jail
Joel Castón does not like to be idle. Mr. Castón was quick to point out that he is far from the
Waking at 4:45 a.m. most mornings, he is an avid prac- only “inside” student with talent to offer, calling his elec-
titioner of yoga, a self-described “hyperpolyglot,” a Chris- tion a victory for all incarcerated people. “There are other
tian worship leader and a writer who just finished the first Joels, there are other Joelitas,” he said. “Having someone
draft of his memoir. He is also the first person in Washing- like us at the table makes sure that you can actually solve
ton, D.C., to win elected office while incarcerated. the problems.”
On June 29, Mr. Castón made history when he was The Prison Scholars Program includes participants
sworn in to the Advisory Neighborhood Commission in from the regular Georgetown student body outside the D.C.
Washington’s Ward 7, where he will represent constitu- jail. “The terms ‘inside’ and ‘outside’ classmates began to
ents in the D.C. jail as well as residents in a nearby women’s fade for me, and they were just my classmates,” Alexa Ea-
shelter and a new apartment building. son, a 2020 graduate who participated in the program, said.
Mr. Castón’s achievement may be unique in the United Mr. Castón recalled one day when an outside student
States. According to Marc Howard, a professor of govern- came into class and asked if she could sit beside him. “We
ment and law at Georgetown University and the director of were both students at Georgetown University, regardless of
Georgetown’s Prisons and Justice Initiative, incarcerated the uniform that we wore,” he said. “Marc’s class had the
people have the right to vote only in Maine, Vermont and dual benefit of not just the curriculum but also the human
the District of Columbia. component. That was magnified by the students, both in-
With enfranchisement comes the right to run for of- side and outside.”
fice, and Dr. Howard does not know of anyone else who Harry Rose, a member of Georgetown’s class of 2020,
has won elected office while incarcerated. “I hope that [the took a course called “Forgotten Humanity of Prisoners.”
election] shows that incarcerated people have value, that For Mr. Rose, the course became particularly meaningful
they exist, that they are human beings,” Dr. Howard said. when pandemic restrictions forced classes online.
Mr. Castón said he is committed to using this oppor- The move actually enabled the class to communicate
tunity to be a voice for the residents of his district. “I want more frequently than they could have done with in-person
to magnify the humanity of the men and the women that I visits alone, he said. The connection became “a huge life-
represent.” line” for both inside and outside students during the lock-
Mr. Castón and Dr. Howard have known each other down.
since Georgetown first introduced its program at the D.C. Mr. Castón’s election is important because it shows
jail. Mr. Castón has taken a number of courses through that the experiences and voices of incarcerated people de-
Georgetown’s Prison Scholars Program, which was estab- serve to be included, Dr. Howard said. “I think we as a soci-
lished in 2018. ety and as a democracy will be better off and strengthened
“There’s so much research and evidence showing that by listening to the voices of incarcerated people,” he said.
participation in programs like ours reduces recidivism to “So I hope that Joel Castón’s election is a first step in that
almost zero,” Dr. Howard said. “We feel like we’re making direction, but that he won’t be the last.”
a contribution to society by helping provide education and
life skills to people who will be coming home and now will Grace Doerfler, editorial intern. Twitter: @gfdoerfler.
be equipped to make the most of it.”
18 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORGVISIT shsst.edu/ecsp33/
TO WATCH OUR VIDEO!
Contact Kelly Kornacki: kkornacki@shsst.edu • 414-858-4726
www.shsst.edu | HALES CORNERS, WI | An apostolate of the Priests of the Sacred Heart
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 19A North Carolina
Tridentine Mass
parish faces
Pope Francis’
new restrictions
For most U.S. Catholics, Pope Francis’ “Traditionis Custo- adherents, many from outside of Boone.
des”—which was released on July 16 and restricts the use Bishop Peter Jugis of Charlotte, in a statement on July
of the 1962 Latin Missal for the sake of church unity—will 17, said that the Tridentine Mass will remain for now in
have little impact. They attend Mass where the traditional the parishes where it is currently celebrated “as we move
Latin Mass (also known as the Tridentine Rite or the “ex- together as a diocese in a smooth and orderly transition to
traordinary form” of the Mass) has not been celebrated for the new course charted by ‘Traditionis Custodes.’”
more than 50 years. While the bishop urged obedience, some Latin Mass
But that is not the case in Boone, N.C., a small city nes- followers were more critical of Pope Francis.
tled in the foothills of the Appalachians with relatively few An online newsletter posted by the Charlotte Latin Mass
Catholics. Among the Catholics of Boone, the pope’s state- Community responded: “When one hears or sees a Pope do
ment is seen as either a call for liberation or a sign that the something quite inimical to Christ’s teaching and causing
church is destined for decline. scandal, a few may be tempted to despair.” It urged Latin
St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country, the Catholic parish Mass followers in the diocese to “turn off the ‘ecclesiastical
in Boone, offers the Tridentine Mass as its major Sunday filth’” if it results in a loss of “interior peace.”
liturgy. Some parishioners objected, and now they attend Chase Jackson, 27, is a member of the Tridentine Rite
Mass in a local garage. They are a community in exile, community at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro. “I
waiting for their local parish to abolish the Tridentine Rite, feel misunderstood by our Holy Father,” he said by email
whose adherents they view as usurpers. on July 20.
“Does this mean we get our church back?” asked one “I don’t believe that the Latin Mass caused the disunity.
member of the garage Mass community, commenting on It is simply filling the void that the church has created by
“Traditionis Custodes.” watering down the faith to accommodate the world,” he
These former St. Elizabeth parishioners said they never said. “Christ’s cup was bitter and we want to drink from that
asked for the Tridentine Rite and charged that it was im- cup. Young people don’t want to be catered to; we want to
posed when a new pastor arrived two years ago. Roughly be called to mission.”
half of St. Elizabeth’s parishioners have left since, they Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., a liturgist and theology professor
said, to join either the garage community or local Protes- at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn., said that
tant congregations, and have been replaced by Latin Mass Pope Francis had little choice about issuing his motu pro-
20 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORGPolice detain a young protester
in Havana on July 11.
CNS Photo/Reuters
Cuban religious superiors: We hear
‘God’s voice’ in the cries of protesters
Human rights groups have reported the detention of hundreds
of activists and protesters in Cuba after unprecedented
demonstrations in July. Recognizing “God’s voice in the
Pope Francis elevates the consecrated host as people’s grievance,” the Conference of Catholic Religious in
he celebrates Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday at
Cuba issued a statement on July 13 urging the government to
the Church of the Holy Spirit near the Vatican in
Rome on April 11. allow Cubans to express their discontent freely.
CNS photo/Vatican Media Protesters had expressed anger over long lines, shortages
of food and medicine, and electricity outages. But there were
also calls for political change in a country governed by the
prio. “The bottom line is that Pope Francis is reso- Communist Party for more than six decades.
lutely following the Second Vatican Council in let- Cuba’s religious superiors urged nonviolence and dia-
ter and in spirit. It was never going to work to have logue to address the crisis. “We should all avoid the trap of
two parallel liturgies with differing ecclesiologies using violence as a way to impose one’s own version of the
and sacramental theologies, one originally released truth,” they said. “We are worried that due to a lack of capac-
to replace the other, one following the council and ity for dialogue and listening, the government will attack,
one not,” he said. repudiate, persecute and condemn people who think differ-
“I feel great sympathy for those who have be- ently and express their views in public.”
come part of the traditionalist liturgical world,” he Speaking from Havana, Danny Roque, S.J., said Cuba’s
added. “They have been cruelly misled into thinking leaders have long blamed the nation’s woes on the U.S. em-
that the council was optional and would eventual- bargo. Though he agreed that the embargo hurts the econo-
ly be rolled back. Bringing about liturgical unity as my, he suggested that Cuba’s persistent shortages and black-
Francis desires will require from the bishops, and outs also result from structural faults.
from all of us, much forbearance and patience.” Cuba remains a “dependent and economically fragile na-
Mr. Jackson said that unity sought by Pope Fran- tion” after the loss of former patrons like the Soviet Union
cis is also a goal for the Tridentine Mass community. and Venezuela because of its commitment “to an economic
“We need encouragement and loving correction, not system that, like the rest of the countries where it [has been
condemnation. I hope he will have the same compas- implemented], has not managed to solve [elementary] prob-
sion and mercy on us as he does the rest of the world. lems nor guarantee a minimum of economic development,”
We are not the enemy, but family,” he said. Father Roque said.
“We have many, many problems in Cuba that we can solve
here,” he said. “We just need more freedom, especially eco-
Peter Feuerherd contributes from Queens, N.Y. nomic rights for the people, so the people can be more pro-
Twitter: @peterfeuerherd. tagonists of their lives, their economic situation.”
Kevin Clarke, chief correspondent. Twitter: @ClarkeAtAmerica.
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 21INSIDE AMERICA
HIGHLIGHTING WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE AMERICA MEDIA. • THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
America Media is your resource for social analysis and spiritual renewal, guided NEW AMERICA MEDIA SURVEY OF
by intelligence, diversity and the spirit of charity. Our mission is to host opinions
and expose you to various individuals and groups, all within the broad spectrum of
AMERICAN CATHOLICS SHOWS
Catholic opinion. LINGERING HARM OF THE SEX
ABUSE CRISIS
Three years ago this August, the
Catholic Church was rocked once
again by revelations of sexual
abuse of minors by members of the
Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash
clergy, this time in a devastating
report from a Pennsylvania grand
jury. The report detailed the sexual
abuse of thousands of children and
the extensive cover-up by church
leaders that followed. Last month,
EDITORS' PICKS America Media released the results
A few of our recent articles of a new survey of American Cath-
on the theme of education: olics that reveals the lingering harm
The experiment that could change A defense of learning Latin and Greek done by the sexual abuse crisis, and
the future of Catholic education (Also: Why does it even need defending?) the depth of the Catholic Church’s
Thomas W. Carroll Kevin Spinale, S.J. trust problem.
America commissioned the
The pandemic exposed how broken our Forget Plato’s philosopher-kings.
Catholic schools are. But it also created an We need philosopher folks. Center for Applied Research in the
opportunity for change. Jeff Hausman Megan Halteman Zwart Apostolate at Georgetown Univer-
sity to survey adult Catholics about
Visit americamagazine.org to read these selections. their understanding of the crisis
and how it has affected their faith.
Fifty-seven percent of the Catholics
America and CARA also
surveyed by CARA said they pay “a
asked survey participants a
great deal” or “quite a bit” of atten-
range of questions about their
tion to the issue of the sexual abuse
faith beyond the impact of the
of minors by clergy. Seventy-six
abuse crisis, such as the con-
percent of respondents said that
troversy over whether Catholic
the crisis has hurt the reputation
politicians who support abor-
of the church at least somewhat,
tion rights should be denied
and about one-third said they were
Communion, the effects of the
“embarrassed” to tell others that
Covid-19 pandemic on Mass
they were Catholic because of the
attendance, women’s ordina-
crisis.
tion, blessing same-sex rela-
tionships, and more.
For full details on the survey,
Turn to page 12 visit americamagazine.org/
for details and these results. mediasurvey.
22 | AMERICAMAGAZINE.ORGDOROTHY FORTENBERRY
NAMED 2021 HUNT PRIZE LAUREATE
Dorothy Fortenberry, playwright and screenwriter, is the 2021
laureate of the George W. Hunt, S.J., Prize for Journalism, Arts
& Letters for outstanding work in the category of Fiction Writer
or Dramatist.
Co-sponsored by Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel & Center
at Yale University and America Media, the Hunt Prize was estab-
lished in 2014 to honor the memory of George W. Hunt, S.J., the
longest-serving editor in chief of America magazine, and to pro-
mote scholarship, the advancement of learning and the rigor of
thoughtful, religious expression; to support and promote a new
generation of journalists, authors and scholars; and to support
the intellectual formation, artistic innovation and civic involve-
ment of young writers.
Ms. Fortenberry will be awarded the $20,000 prize this month.
In addition to receiving the monetary prize, she will also deliver
an original lecture at the presentation ceremony that will later be
published as a cover story in America magazine.
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
CHURCH
MEETS
WORLD
Three years ago, a Pennsylvania grand jury report described Maggi Van Dorn,
in graphic detail the abuse of over 1,000 minors at the hands the host of the
of more than 300 priests. Then, Theodore McCarrick, an Deliver Us podcast,
influential cardinal in the American Church, was found credibly unpacks a new and
accused of abusing minors and adult seminarians. ground-breaking
survey conducted by
For survivors, the news was painful, yet validating. How did America magazine
this second wave of scandal–the news of both abuse and and CARA in the
cover up–affect the Catholic faithful more broadly? What do latest episode of
they believe caused the crisis? Did the grand jury report and the “Church Meets
news about McCarrick impact their faith and affiliation with the World” podcast.
Catholic Church?
Listen to the podcast on your favorite app or at americamagazine.org/churchmeetsworld
SEPTEMBER 2021 AMERICA | 23You can also read
