Catholic Leaders Condemn Capitol Riot With Rare Display Of Patriotism
Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in Washington, D.C. (Wikimedia Commons)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Catholic clergy strongly condemned the Capitol protest turned riot that resulted in at least five deaths, including one police officer as of Thursday night, and in an unusual display of patriotism reminded American Catholics of their national pride.
The Archdiocese of Washington D.C. released a formal letter from newly-appointed Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who referred to the nation’s Capitol as “sacred” — a tone rare to hear from clergy regarding secular institutions.
“Our United States Capitol is sacred ground and a place where people over the past centuries have rightly demonstrated, representing a wide variety of opinions,” Cardinal Gregory wrote. “We Americans should honor the place where our nation’s laws and policies are debated and decided. We should feel violated when the legacy of freedom enshrined in that building is disrespected and desecrated.”
Gregory has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, and previously criticized his use of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protestors in order to take a photo in front of a historic D.C. church.
“The divisive tone that has recently so dominated our national conversations must change,” the Thursday letter concludes. “Those who resort to inflammatory rhetoric must accept some responsibility for inciting the increasing violence in our nation.”
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published a brief statement on the riots written by Conference President Archbishop José Gomez.
“I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans,” the statement opened.
The exceptionally short letter, less than 150 words in length, continued, “The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God.”
In another unusual mix of spirituality and national pride, the letter concludes with an appeal to entrust the souls of Americans to the Blessed Virgin Mary in a hope that “she guide us in the ways of peace, and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”
Cardinal Seán Patrick O’Malley of Boston expressed frustration at the growing divides among communities within American society, and claimed the violence only served to heighten tensions.
“The violence witnessed in our nation’s capital yesterday serves only to inflame our divisions & pit citizen against citizen at a time we need to be united,” Cardinal O’Malley wrote.
Similar to other statements, Cardinal O’Malley invoked a sense of American pride and identity, urging a refocus on matters important to social well-being outside of politics.
“In the spirit of what makes America a beacon of light & democracy for the entire world we must set aside our divisions and together go about the work of helping to lift people out of poverty, healing the sick, welcoming the immigrant & address systemic racism, & many other tasks.”
Cardinal O’Malley ended on a note of anxiety about the future of America, saying that “we live in a divided nation and the challenges our nation faces are significant.”
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark was even bleaker in his assessment, comparing the growing distance between political affiliations in America to a wound.
“The events of yesterday are a graphic exposure of the deep and advancing polarization in American society that has festered for years,” he said. “This divisiveness disregards faith, justice and the rule of law.”
Cardinal Tobin emphasized that as bad as things are, they can still get much worse.
“As shocking as it may be to glimpse how disordered our nation has become, the terrible truth is that we are not immune from further moral and social decay,” Tobin said. “If we wish to claim it, Catholics have a legacy that is crucial to the healing of the nation. Our faith includes a commitment to mutual respect, dialogue, and the principles on which our democracy is based. We must come together as one nation under God, who loves and bestows dignity on all. The person with whom you may vehemently disagree is also a beloved child of God.”
Bishop Rick Stika of Knoxville was perhaps the most glum clergyman to comment of all.
Looking back on Wednesday’s events, Bishop Stika listed the damage done by rioters, and the lives lost in the riot.
“Yesterday the rhetoric of some enflamed a mob that eventually caused the death of 4 people, endangered those in law enforcement as well as those who represent this nation in government. It also defaced the ‘peoples house,’” he said.
Acknowledging that perhaps only a minority of the crowd intended to cause harm, Bishop Stika said that the responsibility still has to be taken, saying: “Perhaps it was just a small amount but the rhetoric gave cover to those who had a desire to destroy and loot. Ultimately the buck stops with someone.”
Bishop Stika concluded, mourning the decline of American prestige internationally, and wondering if the nation would survive.
“This nation long ago lost its right and ability to tell other nations how to govern. This noble experiment of the founders of the US is failing,” he said.
One other person made a notable comment on the ongoing radicalization of American voters, though it wasn’t an American member of the clergy.
In a small, unpublicized move Thursday, Cardinal Robert Sarah of French Guinea, retweeted a quote from his previous discussions on the decline of Western nations posted by another use: “Unfortunately, it is easier to destroy a country than to rebuild it.”
Timothy Nerozzi is a writer and editor from northeastern Pennsylvania. He covers religious issues with a focus on the Catholic Church and Japanese society and culture.
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