Learning from Language (Division vs. Dialogue)

 In recent weeks, our world has seen/heard the violence-infused “My way or the highway" rhetoric of President Trump. 

First, following his profanity-laden spew on Easter regarding the straight of Hormuz; he threatened “an entire civilization” with death. To follow up that, Trump then attacked Tucker Carlson, Megyn Kelly, Alex Jones and Candace Owens; all of whom have grown more distant and critical of his policies and rhetoric recently. Finally (for now…) he attacked Pope Leo, criticizing nearly everything about him, while with incredible naivety claimed he (Trump) was the only reason Pope Leo was elected. He then went on to state his preferred attributes in a pope with “I want a pope with…” 

One could make the argument that Trump’s language isn’t much surprising, which perhaps has some weight to it. The man is an apex narcissist. I’m not sure whether he actually believes what he says; but he does have a tendency to try and follow through with statements he’s made. 

Let me here and now join the ranks of many people across nations, parties and religions in condemning President Trump’s language. His highly inflammatory and violent words are a great wound to the entire human family. As a human being, I’m offended that a man so many people, myself included, put so much trust in, has drastically disappointed me to put it mildly. As a Catholic who deeply values my faith and so many of our Church’s leaders, especially Pope Leo, his attacks on the Holy Father are disgraceful. While Trump may never admit this, he has absolutely no influence whatsoever over the process of picking a Pope. Moreover, he is not at all entitled to a Pope who does and speaks the way he wants. 

In fact, he deserves what we have; a Pope and many Cardinals and Bishops standing in firm opposition to the Trump administration’s divisive and dangerous policies and words. It is the Pope’s right and obligation to speak out against violence and wars and promote paths of peace through dialogue and multilateral cooperation and agreements. This is precisely what Pope Leo has done since the start of his papacy. His first words to the public were “Peace be with you”; which were the words of Jesus to his disciples after his resurrection. 

In closing, I invite everyone to reflect on Jesus’ words especially in “the sermon on the mount”; where Christ praised the “meek”, “poor in spirit” and “peacemakers” among others. Think and pray about real world ways you can help contribute to peace. Peace may indeed at times be a difficult process. It often requires continuously testing and reevaluating ourselves and our relationship to the complex world around us. May peace be with us all; especially those most vulnerable. Let us keep our faith alive with prayers and remain in hope for peace to be firmly established.