THE EDITORS ON THE OBERGEFELL CASE OF MANY THINGS 106 West 56th Street ike a lot of folks in the Catholic socially and economically outcast. New York, NY 10019-3803 Jesus spoke of joy, peace, justice Ph: (212) 581-4640; Fax: (212) 399-3596 media, I spent the days following Subscriptions: (800) 627-9533 the release of “Laudato Si’” talking and love; he summoned men and www.americamedia.org L women from all classes of society to facebook.com/americamag to the secular press. The most frequently twitter.com/americamag asked question, both on-camera and continue to follow his way to God and his commitment to helping off, was some version of “What is Pope President and Editor in Chief Francis really doing?” Now this is a people become whole and holy. Matt Malone, S.J. Being a companion with Jesus on his perfectly reasonable question, especially Executive Editors mission gave Ignatius of Loyola’s life Robert C. Collins, S.J., Maurice Timothy Reidy during a time when people are generally a sense of purpose and meaning. Managing Editor Kerry Weber distrustful of public figures and their It is just such companionship Literary Editor Raymond A. Schroth, S.J. motivations. that lies at the heart of Ignatian Senior Editor and Chief Correspondent Yet in the case of Pope Francis, the spirituality. The Society of Jesus Kevin Clarke question isn’t really necessary, mainly attempts to incorporate these same Editor at Large James Martin, S.J. because the pope tends to tell us exactly Gospel values into all its works. Executive Editor, America Films why he is doing something. When he Jesuits stress the need to take time Jeremy Zipple, S.J. moved out of the Apostolic Palace, for to reflect and to pray, in order to Poetry Editor Joseph Hoover, S.J. example, there was a lot of speculation Associate Editor and Vatican Correspondent find out how God wants us to serve Gerard O’Connell in all our ministries. This active about his motives. But he told us exactly Senior Editor Edward W. Schmidt, S.J. commitment to seeking God’s why he made the move: He found the Engagement and Community Editor palace too isolated. But even when leadership is called discernment. It is Elizabeth Tenety the pope doesn’t tell us explicitly why at the heart of St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Associate Editors Ashley McKinless, Olga he is doing something, we can usually Exercises. Segura, Sam Sawyer, S.J. The overriding characteristic Assistant Editors Francis W. Turnbull, S.J., discern his motives through the Rosetta Joseph McAuley Stone of his Ignatian spirituality. The we see in Jesus is loving obedience, an open-hearted desire to find and Art Director Sonja Kodiak Wilder Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius are ditorial ssistant Zachary Davis to pursue how God wants other E A the madness in the pope’s method, or Columnists Helen Alvaré, John J. Conley, S.J., men and women to be forgiven, to the method in his madness, depending Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M., James T. Keane, John W. be free, to utilize all their talents Martens, Bill McGarvey, Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, on one’s point of view. So in order to and opportunities in ways which Margot Patterson, Nathan Schneider, Robert David understand “Laudato Si’,” it is important build up this world as a place where Sullivan to understand something about Ignatian Correspondents John Carr (Washington), An- faith, justice, peace and love can thony Egan, S.J., and Russell Pollitt, S.J. (Johannes- spirituality. What follows is the best flourish. This kind of spirituality is burg), Jim McDermott, S.J. (Los Angeles), Timothy short description that I know of. The incarnational. It views the world as Padgett (Miami), Steven Schwankert (Beijing), author is the eminent spiritual master David Stewart, S.J. (London), Judith Valente a place where Christ walked, talked (Chicago) Howard Gray, S.J. and embraced people. It views the Moderator, Catholic Book Club MATT MALONE, S.J. world, therefore, as a place of grace, Kevin Spinale, S.J. a place of being able to give life to Editor, The Jesuit Post Following the example of St. others. Michael Rossmann, S.J. At the same time, Ignatian Editorial e-mail Ignatius, Jesuit life centers on the [email protected] spirituality is realistic. The world imitation of Jesus—focusing on Publisher and Chief Financial Officer Edward those priorities which constitute Christ faced was also a world of G. Spallone. Deputy Publisher Rosa M. Del Saz. Christ’s mind, heart, values, cruelty, injustice and the abuse of Vice President for Advancement Daniel Pawlus. priorities and loves. What are power and authority. Consequently, Advertising Sales Manager Chris Keller. Devel- opment Coordinator Kerry Goleski. Business those values, priorities and loves? Jesuit spirituality affirms our human Operations Staff Glenda Castro, Katy Zhou, Ignatius would encourage us to potential but also is dedicated to the Frankarlos Cruz. Advertising contact ads@ consider what Jesus said and did. ongoing, day-in-day-out struggle americamedia.org; (212) 515-0102. Subscription At the foundation of Jesus’ life was between good and evil. No one contact/Additional copies subscriptions@ americamedia.org; (800) 627-9533 prayer, a continuous search for apostolic work exhausts how good how best to live as an authentic can be done; therefore, Jesuits do © 2015 America Press Inc. human being before a loving God. all kinds of work. The Jesuit norm Jesus preached forgiveness of sins, is: to find where God will best be Cover: A Nepalese man celebrates World Envi- ronment Day in the forest of Gokarna on the healed the sick and possessed, and served and where people will best outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2014. CNS gave hope to the poor, to those be helped. photo/Narendra Shrestha, EPA Contents www.americamagazine.org VOL. 213 NO. 2, WHOLE NO. 5095 July 20-27, 2015

ARTICLES 14 PRAISED BE CREATION Looking at a life-giving encyclical Kevin Ahern • Drew Christiansen • Daniel P. Scheid Agnes M. Brazal • Daniel P. Horan • Elizabeth Pyne 20 FAMILY GATHERING Rediscovering the role of the synod of bishops John W. O’Malley 23 SOULS AT WAR An interview with Iraq veteran and writer Phil Klay Kevin Spinale

COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS

14 4 Editorial After Obergefell 6 Reply All 8 Signs of the Times 12 Column Blue Skies Ahead James T. Keane 18 (Un)Conventional Wisdom Alarm Fatigue Robert David Sullivan 27 Vatican Dispatch Francis Pushes Collegiality Gerard O’Connell 38 The Word No One Should Have Nothing; Hunger for the Truth John W. Martens 20 BOOKS & CULTURE 28 FILM “Inside Out” and “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” OF OTHER THINGS William Zinsser’s Ghost BOOKS God’s Bankers; Nothing but Love in God’s Water; America’s Hero POEM From Nine Evocations No. VIII.

ON THE WEB Kathleen McChesney calls for the disclosure of the names of all clerical abuse offenders. Plus, Roy Peterson of the American Bible Society talks about translating the Bible into the world’s languages. Full digital highlights on page 19 and at americamagazine.org/webfeatures. 28 EDITORIAL After Obergefell

he landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court church’s public witness. The church is not merely one more in Obergefell v. Hodges represents the high-water faction organized for public action. We are the body of Christ Tmark in the culture wars that have afflicted the before we are the body politic, evangelists before we are ac- country and the church for decades. Some view the court’s tivists. Evangelization and cultural warfare are not simply in decision to redefine civil marriage in order to accommodate tension with each other; they are opposites. Yet that fact does same-sex couples as an egregious instance of judicial over- not justify the church’s retreat from public life. The church is reach, one that must be resisted at all costs. Indeed, there by its nature a public body. While the separation of church is a serious constitutional principle at stake: We the people and state is a prudent arrangement, the separation of the must consider whether we want major public policy ques- church from politics is inconceivable, for the Gospel makes tions like the definition of civil marriage settled by judicial radical demands on every dimension of human living. fiat, rather than by our elected representatives or by direct In the months and years ahead, however, Catholics vote of the people. should reconsider not whether the church should engage in Yet prescinding from the constitutional questions the public life of this country but how we will do so. The pres- prompted by the case, it is clear from most national polls ent moment affords an opportunity for Catholics of every po- that the court’s decision accords with the opinion of a ma- litical stripe to assume an even more robust public presence, jority of U.S. citizens, as well as a majority of American but from a different starting point: that of human encounter Catholics. The court’s decision also comes on the heels of rather than of tactical confrontation. As Archbishop Wilton a recent referendum in Ireland in which a large majority of Gregory of Atlanta observed in the wake of Obergefell, this Catholics across that country voted for the legalization of moment affords us “an opportunity to continue the vitally same-sex civil marriage. Some Catholics have argued that important dialogue of human encounter, especially between the outcome in Ireland and the dramatic shift in Catholic those of diametrically differing opinions regarding [the rul- opinion in the United States are a result of the failure of ing’s] outcome.” ecclesial leadership to clearly articulate the position of the The same Gospel that Christians seek to announce in church. That is not true. Catholics in the United States and the public square requires that we engage in such a “dialogue Ireland understand the position of the church on the ques- of human encounter” in a penitential key, with humility, so tion of civil marriage; until recently, it was their position as that we may better discern the signs of the times. This humil- well. Yet large numbers of Catholics in both countries have ity is most important, perhaps, when reflecting on matters of reconsidered this position and have now rejected it. That is human sexuality, which make such dramatic and compelling the reality of the situation. claims on every human heart. While the church must hold These two events are part of a larger phenomenon— fast to what God has revealed in Scripture and tradition, can the transition of Western Europe and the United States to a we not also acknowledge that the same Spirit that spoke to thoroughly secular, postmodern social politics. In the United our forebears speaks to us still? It simply cannot be true that States, this transition has been underway since the sexual we have learned all there is to know about human sexuality. revolution of the 1960s ushered in a series of social and po- How can we discern together, then, what the spirit is saying litical battles collectively known as the culture wars. With the to us now? How can we better discern the good, the true and Obergefell decision, it is increasingly clear that those who be- the beautiful in the signs of the times? As Cardinal Reinhard lieve that the civil law ought to reflect and codify traditional Marx, Archbishop of Munich, has said, “We cannot say to Judeo-Christian values have lost not just these most recent someone: you are homosexual, you cannot live according to battles but the war itself. The New York Times columnist the Gospel. It is unthinkable…. [If ] two people in a homo- David Brooks, a self-described conservative who is sympa- sexual relationship have been faithful to one another for 30 thetic to religion, recently called on “social conservatives” to years, I cannot call that nothing.” While acknowledging and “consider putting aside, in the current climate, the culture war preserving what is essential, Cardinal Marx adds, “We cannot oriented around the sexual revolution.” see everything in black and white, in terms of all or nothing.” Catholics in the United States should also ask wheth- The temptation to see the recent court decision in black er “cultural warfare” is a helpful organizing principle for the and white terms is evident among some of those who de-

4 America July 20-27, 2015 scribe Obergefell v. Hodges as a second Roe v. Wade. Roe v. people. That claim, which is made often by those who should Wade concerns a vital question of life and death. Obergefell know better, is unfair and empirically false. According to a v. Hodges involves the question of who can contract a civil new report published this year from the Pew Research Center, marriage. While both decisions have far-reaching moral im- 48 percent of lesbian, bisexual and gay Americans identify as plications, they involve different degrees of moral gravity. Christians. Still, one of the reasons why the church’s position This view, moreover, that Obergefell is a second Roe, may on civil marriage was rejected by the public is that they rightly lend itself too easily to the binary culture-war thinking that perceived that members of the church have often failed to ex- can impoverish our understanding of events and narrow the tend to gay and lesbian people the “respect, compassion, and horizon of our public choices. sensitivity” that Catholic teaching requires. Indeed, too many The temptation to see the court decision in black and among us have been too slow to recognize the unjust discrim- white terms is also evident among some of those who see ination to which gay and lesbian people have been historically the court’s action only as one more attempt to marginalize subjected. the church and diminish religious freedom. We should resist A new pastoral approach, therefore, should be marked this temptation as well. The church must vigorously by basic human respect, which “must be real, not defend its freedom; the state has no natural or rhetorical,” as Archbishop Blase Cupich constitutional right to compel religious be- of Chicago has said, “and ever reflective of lievers to perform actions that compromise the church’s commitment to accompany- our consciences. There will be many more ing all people. For this reason, the church debates and decisions in the years ahead, must extend support to all families, no however, involving contestable questions matter their circumstances, recognizing of religious freedom and the public inter- that we are all relatives, journeying through est. In engaging in such debates, Catholics life under the careful watch of a loving God.” must be careful not to develop a “Masada While the culture wars may be over, complex” that would reduce our self-under- the new evangelization continues. The church standing to that of a besieged minority. Such a nar- in the United States must realize anew the true row self-perception is contrary to the generous, expansive motive force of that evangelization, what Pope Francis has nature of the good news we seek to share. called “the first proclamation, that Jesus Christ has saved you.” The church’s public presence, however, is not the most Whatever else it is, the public witness of the church begins important challenge before us. The church must also carefully and ends there. For too long the public has wrongly perceived discern how to provide better support for Catholic marriages the church as one more political faction aligned almost exclu- and families. The Obergefell decision has no bearing on the sively with the forces of reaction. It is not surprising that in a church’s understanding and practice of the sacrament of mat- country obsessed with all things sexual, the church should be rimony. Nevertheless, it is clear that there is a crisis involv- seen as singularly obsessed with such matters. Our task is to ing the sacrament. Marriages in the church throughout the change that perception in order to create a more fertile field Americas declined by 46 percent between 1980 and 2012, ac- for the seed of the Gospel. We will not change this percep- cording to the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate tion, however, through the mere assertion that it is not true. at Georgetown University. There were nearly a million fewer A credible public encounter must begin in humility, with celebrations of such marriages in 2012 than in 1980. It is in- our humble admission of the ways in which the perception accurate to claim that same-sex civil marriage is the cause of is at least partly true. Most important, we should begin with this crisis. Still, the crisis is such that some level of the energy the first proclamation, with our compelling witness to God and resources that the church summoned to oppose the re- and the person we are saying yes to, rather than the litany of definition of civil marriage should be redeployed to pastoral things we are saying no to. programs and community outreach that will strengthen these Now, as always, we must heed the word of the Lord: sacramental unions. “Be not afraid.” The world is not ending; it is changing. It is The church must also carefully consider our pastoral unsettling for many, surely. Yet it is also hopeful. We are at approach to gay and lesbian people and to Catholic families our best when we encounter any change with the certain hope headed by same-sex couples. This outreach should extend es- that everything has within it the power to call forth from us pecially to gay and lesbian people who are also poor and are a deeper response to God. The church has the resources to perhaps the most invisible population in the country. rightly discern the lights from the shadows in the changing In crafting a new pastoral approach, we should dis- signs of our times. Above all, we have the grace of the one who pense with the facile and dangerous assumption that the “cul- has saved us, the one who now calls us to greater faith, deeper ture war” is in large part a battle between Christians and gay hope and lasting charity for all.

July 20-27, 2015 America 5 REPLY ALL laws deaf to the existence of minor sex, why use the same term, “marriage,” children, a lively U.S. marketplace for to describe them? Each type of union Wage Tradeoff eggs, sperm and wombs, and same-sex may involve love, but something signif- In “L.A. Wage Wars” (Current marriage.” icant, something “radical,” according to Comment, 6/22), the editors write, There was that conflation again, now Archbishop Martin, is different in the “The argument for exempting union putting same-sex marriage in the cate- relationship traditionally known as workers, however, is a bit more cynical.” gory of not appreciating the man-wom- marriage. What are we avoiding by not The pressures being faced by Homeboy an connection. Ms. Alvaré must appre- naming these different pairings differ- Industries are not isolated. The ciate that gay men, lesbian women and ently today? Congressional Budget Office report is- transgender people do not deny the The Iowa Supreme Court faced this sued when President Obama first called special love, marriage and procreation question and blinked when it decided for increasing the federal minimum of heterosexual partners. All most of us Varnum v. Brien in 2009. The court wage notes that gains in income among want is recognition that we are not all simply accepted the appellants’ claim low-income workers could be offset by heterosexual, and it is not appropriate that a different name for their unions, smaller businesses being forced to not for us to partner with the opposite sex such as domestic partnership or civil hire or terminate workers to save costs. because this would not be authentic to union, was unjust discrimination. In The editors should have noted the our true selves as God created us. legal terms, they wanted equal rights tradeoffs being faced and acknowledge JOSEPH P. MERLINO in law, but one aspect of their drive for that these tradeoffs are not limited to an New York, N.Y equality was sameness in name.

organization with ties to the Jesuits, but Is it unjust to name different things The Language of Love are widely faced in the economy. differently? It has been unjust to deny ‘’A Family Embrace,” by Archbishop JOSHUA DECUIR homosexual people public acceptance Online Comment Diarmuid Martin (6/8), was a wel- and honoring of their honest stum- come overview of the church’s still- blings toward love. It is not progress, Created This Way in-process Synod on the Family. though, to play language games that Recently I had a visceral reaction to Archbishop Martin raises a question leave everyone feeling slightly dishon- the priest’s homily in which he lumped for me, however. He notes that last est. abortion, assisted suicide, divorce and year’s session of the synod discussed FRANK WESSLING same-sex marriage in the same sentence. “how to reach out to and recognize the Davenport, Iowa The next day I read “Man and Woman situation of men and women of same- Together” by Helen Alvaré (6/22). She sex orientation.” Participants stressed Loving God’s Creatures laments that this generation “has a front “that there is a radical difference be- Re “Animals 2.0,” by Susan Kopp row seat to the ceaselessly repeated tween marriage between a man and and Charles C. Camosy (5/25): As claims that there is nothing uniquely woman and marriage between people a Catholic and a vegan, my mind has important or special about the alliance of the same sex.” been reeling since I read this article. of the man and the woman…. These If there is “a radical difference” be- It is upsetting to learn about the cur- claims, of course, are the very founda- tween the union of a man and woman rent state of animal manipulation. I tion of arguments on behalf of divorce and the union of people of the same wholeheartedly agree that we have a responsibility to take care of all God’s creatures, and although we would like OMG! to cure all diseases, this experimenta- tion on animals creates a moral dilem- ma. How far do we go? It took me a lifetime to understand that animals are not only sentient beings but also that our treatment of animals carries over to how we treat one another. I under- stand animal testing results in benefi- cial medical outcomes; nevertheless, this should not be used to justify ani- mal abuse. No matter how you slice it, “Father, I didn’t read anything in ‘Laudato Si’’ about recycling homilies!” it comes back to a might-makes-right CARTOON WRITTEN BY JAKE MARTIN; ART BY BOB ECKSTEIN ART WRITTEN BY JAKE MARTIN; CARTOON

6 America July 20-27, 2015 attitude, and it becomes a slippery are abstaining, they can’t participate in in the years following college. He then slope. Cardinal John Henry Newman illicit sexual acts outside of intercourse. handed me an envelope, which I gave said, “Cruelty to animals is as if man Yes, when you practice periodic absti- to the vice president of Gonzaga. In it did not love God…. There is some- nence, you may have to abstain on your were two substantial checks—one for thing so dreadful, so satanic, in tor- birthday. And yes, when you decide it Gonzaga and one for the Jesuit com- menting those who have never harmed isn’t time to have a baby, you have to munity. us, and who cannot defend themselves, “sacrifice the unitive” when you can’t At another Jesuit college a freshman who are utterly in our power.” “take on the procreative,” even when you came up to me after class and said his JOYCE MENNONA, D.R.E. are married. That is simply the nature financial aid package for his sophomore Queens, N.Y. of sex. year has been slashed by 75 percent. I MELANIE SHANIUK went and talked to Jesuits, and they told Union Vote Cleveland, Ohio Daniel Healy’s complaint about “co- me that in the old days they could work something out but now everything is ercive unionism” (Reply All, 5/18) Losing Jesuits through the financial aid department, would be valid except for one simple Re “Company Men,” by William J. and they have no influence anymore fact—unions are democratic organi- Byron, S.J. (5/11): At an alumni dinner over there. The young man did not re- zations. So if Mr. Healy were forced for Gonzaga University, I spoke with turn for his sophomore year. to join a union, he could advocate for a doctor who had recently retired. He I am not claiming to understand the changing the closed-shop provision had graduated from Gonzaga in 1933. financial intricacies of running a col- of his union contract. He could vote He told me that he was in freshman lege or the legal problems if the Jesuits for union officers sympathetic to his year when the Great Depression hit still owned a college lock, stock and viewpoint. He could run for office in and by that spring his father told him barrel—but something has been lost. his local and national union. He could they could not afford to send him to There are now too few Jesuits, with even organize a decertification vote. Gonzaga anymore. He confided in his too little influence in helping students If worse comes to worst and none Jesuit professor, and a plan was worked of those avenues work, Mr. Healy with all their possible needs. out so he could work during school and HENRY GEORGE could quit his union job and be hap- pay back whatever he owed to Gonzaga Online Comment py making on average $10.62 an hour less in wages and benefits at a non- STATUS UPDATE union employer, according to the U.S. centers; turn each and every parish Bureau of Labor Statistics. Readers weigh in on “Laudato Si’,” Pope into a center of sustainable living us- MARK HAYWARD Francis’ encyclical on the environment. ing alternative energy, community gar- Manchester, N.H. dens, adult education programs, day For me this is one of the greatest mo- care and so on. If this happens, then Sex and Sacrifice ments in church history, and I am the encyclical won’t just be another I sympathize with the difficulties de- thankful to be alive while it happens. I lecture from someone who thinks he scribed in “Relying on Each Other,” by am a scientist, and it has always trou- knows best. Rachel Espinoza and Tawny Horner bled me that my church is often on MIKE WRIGHT (5/18). As someone who uses natural the wrong side of science. For the first family planning and has been on the time in centuries, maybe for the first By use of past papal documents, Pope online forums, I can say there isn’t any- time ever, the church has weighed in Francis demonstrates that what he thing false in this article. The authors on science at a time when it is still rele- is saying is in line with the tradition- say they simply want to be heard and do vant to do so and, in doing this, estab- al teaching of the church. By use of not intend to call for a change in church lishes that there is a role for faith in the current episcopal documents and teaching. I’ll extend them the benefit of scientific understanding of creation. reference to Patriarch Bartholomew’s the doubt, but the general tone of the This is a huge deal, and I don’t think teaching, he demonstrates the unity article implies otherwise. Being heard even we ardent Francis fans realize of the church in the world today. By and supported by church leaders would how monumental it could be. reference to the Sufi mystic, he affirms absolutely help. Another helpful com- MICHAEL HEBERT the biblical truth that even non-Chris- ponent would be accepting that mar- tians can find God in the natural riage, like anything worth doing well, All very nice, but I want to see him world (Rom 1:20). It really is a beauti- requires sacrifice and the willingness change the way the clergy operate. ful document. to do hard things. Yes, when couples Turn bishops’ “palaces” into homeless JAMIE SMITH

July 20-27, 2015 America 7 SIGNS OF THE TIMES

THE SUPREME COURT Close Calls Announced on Same-Sex Marriage and Death Penalty resident Obama’s signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, survived a Supreme Court challenge on June 25 in a 6-to-3 decision. “Congress passed Pthe Affordable Care Act to improve health insurance markets, not to de- stroy them,” Chief Justice John Roberts argued for the majority in King v. Burwell, ruling that the federal government may provide tax subsidies to help people buy health insurance even in states that refuse to set up insurance exchanges under the law. “We must respect the role of the Legislature, and take care not to undo what it has done,” Roberts wrote. This was just one of a number of significant decisions in recent weeks on mat- ters of concern to U.S. Catholics. On June 26, the court ruled 5 to 4 that same- sex couples are entitled to the same marital rights as heterosexual couples. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s sweeping decision in Obergefell v. Hodges invalidates all state constitutional and statutory defense of marriage provisions and requires marriage licenses to be issued without regard to sexual identity. That ruling was deplored by Catholic bishops around the country, beginning with the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., who called the decision a “tragic error.” Citing the Dred Scott and Roe v. Wade decisions, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami said, “Bad decisions lead to bad consequences and do not ‘settle’ a nurturing environment for children circumstances, recognizing that we are anything.” He added, “This decision and the fundamental building block to all relatives, journeying through life un- redefining marriage will also bring bad a just society.” der the careful watch of a loving God.” consequences.” He added, “At the same time, we In Glossip v. Gross, another bitterly Analyzing the practical ramifica- respect the dignity of all persons, not divided end-of-term case, the Supreme tions for the church at the national, wishing to undermine their pursuit of Court on June 29 upheld the execution state and local levels will take time, happiness but only to preserve and de- protocol used by Oklahoma and several said Archbishop William E. Lori of fend the gift of marriage as divinely re- other states. In a 5-to-4 ruling, Justice Baltimore. It has implications for vealed in Scripture and in natural law.” Samuel Alito upheld lower courts that “hundreds, if not thousands” of laws Archbishop Blase Cupich of said the use of the drug midazolam in at all levels.There is “a difficult road Chicago said, “It is important to note lethal injection does not violate Eighth ahead for people of faith,” he said. that the Catholic Church has an Amendment protections against cruel A few bishops’ statements attempt- abiding concern for the dignity of gay and unusual punishment. ed to accompany disappointment at persons,” citing the Catechism of the The majority opinion noted that the the court’s decision on same-sex mar- Catholic Church, which instructs that constitutionality of the death penalty riage with deference to the sensibilities gay and lesbian people “must be accept- has been previously established and of the nation’s gay and lesbian commu- ed with respect, compassion, and sensi- only delved into whether the claims by nity. Archbishop John Wester of Santa tivity” (No. 2358). Oklahoma death-row inmates that the Fe wrote, “As Catholics, we seek to up- “This respect must be real, not rhe- effects of the drugs used in lethal injec- hold our traditional belief in marriage torical,” said Archbishop Cupich, “and tion were unnecessarily painful. as a sacrament, a well established and ever reflective of the church’s commit- In a dissenting opinion, Justices divinely revealed covenant between ment to accompanying all people. For Stephen Breyer and Ruth Bader one man and one woman, a permanent this reason, the church must extend Ginsburg called for briefings on wheth- and exclusive bond meant to provide support to all families, no matter their er the death penalty itself ought to be

8 America July 20-27, 2015 change, “not just about the environ- tion,” he said, which can “continue the COURT’S CALLS. ment or treating it in isolation,” but a work of God” in cooperation with cre- Supporters of same-sex call to “prayerful contemplation of the ation. Pope Francis, he said, challenges marriage celebrate in front of the Supreme natural and human ecology.” The en- business people to “use their vocation to Court on June 26. cyclical asks us to consider “what kind benefit and lift up the poor,” the same of world do we want to leave to our challenge he issues to people at the children?” forefront of technological change. “Like He thinks this a challenge that the all things, technology can be abused,” current generation is up to meeting, Cardinal Turkson said. arguing that despite the difficulty of “Laudato Si’” is a call for global dia- responding to climate change and oth- logue to find concrete solutions to the er ecological threats it is not too late world’s economic and ecological prob- to “change course and change hearts.” lems, but it is also a call for dialogue But a process of global dialogue must between faith and reason, according begin, he said, one that can overcome to the cardinal—one that can be mu- entrenched ideologies and that remains tually beneficial. “Faith can expose the driven toward concrete solutions and blind side of reason,” he said, “and rea- firm international commitments. son challenges faith to be concrete and Cardinal Turkson emphasized the relevant in life.” pope’s belief that the problems of pov- Christiana Figueres, executive erty and ecological degradation repre- secretary of the U.N. Framework sent an integral global challenge. “Pope Convention on Climate Change, wel- Francis recalls how inseparable is the coming Cardinal Turkson on behalf of bond between care for nature and jus- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, ruled unconstitutional. “I believe it tice for the poor.... When we speak of expressed her personal gratitude for highly likely that the death penalty vi- the environment what we really mean is the “magnificent encyclical that His olates the Eighth Amendment,” Breyer a relationship between nature and the Holiness Pope Francis has blessed us wrote. “At the very least, the court societies which live in it,” he said. “We with.” Figueres pointed out this gener- should call for full briefing on the basic are part of nature.” ation’s unique capacity and responsibil- question.” That means humankind confronts ity to respond to the twofold crisis of “not two separate crises—one environ- global poverty and climate change. mental, one social—but one complex “We are the very first generation crisis that is both environmental and that has all the tools, all the science, all LAUDATO SI’ social.” Responding to that crisis must the capital,” she said, “everything it takes therefore address both ‘Green Encyclical’ components. The cardinal added that Goes to U.N. critics who have already ardinal Peter Turkson, presi- charged that the encyclical dent of the Pontifical Council is antibusiness or antitech- Cfor Justice and Peace, took nology have misunder- “Laudato Si’” on the road, present- stood it. He explained that ing the “green encyclical” from Pope “Laudato Si’” represents a Francis to a packed audience during critique of a new paradigm a special conference at the United of power arising from con- Nations on June 30. Cardinal Turkson temporary technological CLIMATE CHECK. A banner waving from the U.N. told his U.N. audience that “Laudato and economic realities. But, General Assembly building in New York on June 30 Si’” was not ultimately about climate “business is a noble voca- defines the nature of the debate inside.

July 20-27, 2015 America 9 SIGNS OF THE TIMES to eradicate poverty.” She added, at the same time this generation may be the NEWS BRIEFS last one capable of mitigating the worst effects of climate change before the pro- A prayer service on June 29 at Holy Family cess develops an ecological momentum Church in New York City not only recalled the that will become unstoppable. sacrifices of African martyrs in church histo- KEVIN CLARKE ry but also paid tribute to those who have died recently for their faith in Nigeria, Kenya and other African states. • After the U.S. Episcopal Francis in America Church voted on July 1 to allow gay couples The Vatican on June 30 released details to marry in church ceremonies, Justin Welby, Intercession for Africa of Pope Francis’ itinerary for his visit to the archbishop of Canterbury, expressed deep the United States from Sept. 22 to 27. concern about the stress that decision might cause within the 80 mil- The pope is making his first-ever visit to lion-member worldwide Anglican Communion. • Noting his concern the United States to attend the World for average people caught up in the Greek economic crisis, Pope Meeting of Families in Philadelphia. Francis said on July 1, “the dignity of the human person must remain During his five-day East Coast whirl- at the center of any political and technical debate” aimed at ending the wind visit, Pope Francis will reach crisis. • As debate over the display of the Confederate battle flag in out to the powerful in Washington, the aftermath of the Charleston shooting continued, vandals targeted D.C., and New York—meeting with monuments dedicated to the Confederacy, painting the slogan “Black President Obama and speaking before lives matter” on memorials in a half-dozen states. • Louis Martin and both the U.S. Congress and the U.N. Marie Zelie Guerin Martin, the parents of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, General Assembly. But organizers have will be canonized at the Vatican on Oct. 18 during the Synod of added side visits that will include some Bishops’ assembly on the family. places on the periphery of U.S. life. The pope will visit a Catholic Charities food program in downtown Washington, a lightning strikes. Federal investiga- criticisms from the pope, this time di- Catholic school in Harlem that serves tors are looking into some of the cas- rected specifically at the culture and largely Latino immigrant children and es as possible hate crimes. The timing economy of the United States. Joseph a prison in Philadelphia to meet with of recent fires in Florida, Tennessee, Kaboski, a professor of economics at inmates and some of their families. The North Carolina and South Carolina, the University of Notre Dame and papal itinerary also makes clear that the coming in the wake of the shooting president of Credo, an international Argentine-born pontiff, the first pope at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in organization of Catholic economists, from Latin America, will make Latino Charleston on June 17, could be a cause said, “As an individual, the pope prob- Catholicism a centerpiece of this visit. for concern, said Mark Potok of the ably views redistribution programs as a Southern Poverty Law Center. They more effective way of tackling poverty Churches Burning may be retaliation for the backlash than economic growth.” Kaboski said against the Confederate flag that fol- he views the pope “as neither pro- nor Although arson is blamed for at least lowed the shootings, he said. anti-capitalist, but instead a measured three fires in June at several predom- critic.” Kaboski said he is “confident inantly black churches in Southern Pope Francis finds much to commend” states, investigators say a blaze that de- A ‘Measured’ Critique in U.S. economic life. At the same time, stroyed Mount Zion African Methodist Harsh criticisms meted out by Pope the pope “would also criticize the vast Episcopal church in South Carolina Francis on free market capitalism disparities in income and wealth...point was not deliberately set. Churchgoers have sparked backlash from some fis- to the poor in the inner cities, and argue had feared the worst because the church cal conservatives and have led some that they are not fully participating in in Greeleyville, S.C., was burned to the people to call him “anti-capitalist” or society,” Kaboski said. ground by the Ku Klux Klan in 1995. even a Marxist. In anticipation of his The latest fire broke out on June 29 apostolic visit to the United States in during a night of frequent storms and September, some are bracing for more From CNS, RNS and other sources.

10 America July 20-27, 2015 SIGNS OF THE TIMES

DISPATCH | JOHANNESBURG aging situations of provocation. At the very least the firing of weapons on full The Marikana Massacre Report automatic must be prohibited in almost all circumstances. outh Africa’s President Jacob er of the Association of Mineworkers Second, laws against carrying weap- Zuma has finally gone public and Construction Union had—to his ons, violence, destruction of property Swith the 600-page report of the credit—tried to defuse the situation, and intimidation of non-strikers must Farlam Commission of Inquiry into the there was a general failure of leader- be firmly enforced, and unions should police killing of 34 striking minework- ship, exacerbated by A.M.C.U.’s bit- sign onto a commitment to abide by ers at Marikana, North West Province, ter rivalry with the National Union of these rules or face criminal proceedings. on Aug. 16, 2012. The report is com- Mineworkers over who exercised lead- Though Catholic social teaching em- prehensive and generally even-hand- ership at Marikana. braces the right to organize, negotiate ed. Many hope it will contribute to a Lonmin was also criticized for not and strike, it has never endorsed crim- change in the way labor disputes in doing its best to address the strikers’ inal behavior during job actions. South Africa will be handled in the fu- concerns. Proper avenues for negotia- Third, businesses must be held to ture. On the latter point, however, the principle of negotiation and I am less certain. Historians may see it as dialogue during labor disputes. The three main culprits in the This is particularly pertinent in report—the police, the unions and an accurate reflection a society where wealth gaps be- the Lonmin mining company— of South Africa’s tween workers and management come in for fairly equal criticism. are so acute. While Catholic social Police resorted to excessive and turbulent present. teaching supports the rights of uncontrolled force that resulted capital and private property, this in the massacre of the mine work- has never been to the exclusion ers. Though the strikers were armed, tion were not sufficiently explored. By of the duty to negotiate with workers. aggressive and did not abandon their insisting that nonstrikers should come And certainly not in cases of extreme weapons and disperse when called to work, Lonmin failed to consider inequality. upon, the police fired upon them with their safety in an environment where, as I suspect the Farlam Report will assault rifles on full automatic. Though often happens in South African labor satisfy few in South Africa. My sense, one might argue current and prior prov- disputes, intimidation of those going to however, is that with notable excep- ocation by the striking workers—there work could be presumed. tions, it is as good a report on the mas- had been violent clashes in the days Significantly, Farlam exonerat- sacre as we are likely to get. Decades before the 16th—the police response ed a number of government minis- from now historians may see it as an all was excessive and deadly. The tactic of ters—notably Deputy President Cyril too accurate reflection of South Africa’s encircling the strikers to disperse them Ramaphosa (who allegedly holds turbulent present, typified by poverty, nonviolently was an ill-conceived con- shares in Lonmin)—of direct responsi- inequality and the rapid escalation of tribution to the chaos. bility. This is controversial. During both social disputes into violence. Unless Similarly the strikers, as the Farlam the Marikana crisis and the inquiry, the these questions are properly addressed, Commission (the investigation was led involvement of government officials, the future will be a lot like the pres- by a retired judge, Ian Farlam) notes, often to end the strike apparently in ent—just intensified. acted without discipline. In a manner all Lonmin’s favor, was noted. Will this report be recounted some- too common in South African strikes, What ethical lessons can be learned day as the turning point at which South the strikers were armed, destroyed from Marikana? First, South Africans African society, in the spirit of “nev- property, and some even killed a few need to rethink how police action er again,” developed a new consensus company security officials in the days during strikes and protests is conduct- about labor and more broadly about before the massacre. Though the lead- ed. Applying “justified use of force” trying to create a less unequal society? principles, it is clear that police need I’d like to think so, but my historian’s ANTHONY EGAN, S.J., is America’s retraining, not only in containment and sense suggests otherwise. Johannesburg, South Africa, correspondent. crowd-dispersal strategies but in man- ANTHONY EGAN

July 20-27, 2015 America 11 JAMES T. KEANE Blue Skies Ahead ne of my fondest childhood doc about China’s callous disregard for outside? Did the city’s voters enact memories is of Game One the environment and for human health local legislation to fight the pollu- Oof the 1988 World Series. or in a dystopian film about a future tion that was making them sick? Did Featuring the Oakland A’s against when we all wear masks. we voluntarily start taking the bus to my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers, The sight reminded me that Los work? Did a mayor say it’s time to put the game included perhaps the most Angeles used to be a national joke an end to this scourge? famous moment in baseball history, when it came to air quality; what fog None of the above. In fact, the an- when the injured Dodger hero Kirk was to San Francisco, smog was to swer began with an unlikely alliance: the Gibson came on as a pinch hitter in Los Angeles. My Catholic grammar Republican President Richard Nixon the bottom of the ninth inning and school regularly instituted “smog days” and the Democrat Edward Muskie. homered to give the Dodgers the win. during the Septembers of my youth, The senator from Maine was behind Because I was there (yes, I know, every when the air quality was so the 1970 Environmental Angeleno claims this), I missed Vin poor we were not allowed Protection Act as well Scully’s justly famous call of Gibson’s outside for recess. Health Los Angeles as the 1970 Clean Air homer: “In a year that has been so professionals already knew used to be Act, both of which improbable, the impossible has hap- by then that smog is linked Nixon signed into law. pened!” to asthma, cancer and car- a national These federal laws Thanks to the Internet, however, dio-respiratory diseases. spurred state and local I can watch it whenever I want; the Our air was killing us. It joke when politicians to draft their entire NBC broadcast is available on had been worse for the gen- it came own laws requiring YouTube. On a recent viewing, I was eration before. cleaner cars and reduc- shocked by something that I clearly Los Angeles, still not ex- to air ing industry’s emissions never noticed as a 14-year-old. actly pristine, doesn’t suffer quality. of what we now call Dodger Stadium sits in a ravine in “smog days” anymore. Air greenhouse gases. These the center of Los Angeles, so while it pollution is now 40 per- became increasingly re- appears to be isolated from the city, it cent of what it was when I was a kid strictive as the years went by, so that is actually situated in its heart. In the in the ’70s and ’80s—and that’s with Los Angeles was cleaner in 1988 than establishing shots of the broadcast, twice as many cars on the road. A re- in 1970 and is cleaner still in 2015. In the Goodyear blimp turns its cameras cent study by W. James Gauderman of fact, California now has a law on the on downtown Los Angeles. The icon- the University of Southern California’s books that requires the state to reduce ic Library Tower (now the U.S. Bank Keck School of Medicine shows that such emissions to 80 percent below Tower) was under construction at the cleaner air over the last 30 years in 1990 levels by 2050. time, and the rest of the skyline was a Southern California has resulted in In short, Los Angeles enjoys clean- bit lower than today. But you wouldn’t “significant improvement in lung func- er skies because of federal legislation. know the difference. It’s almost impos- tion and lung growth among children.” Remember that the next time some- sible to see the buildings. While my hometown still suffers from one tells you that when it comes to The smog is so thick and viscous severe ozone pollution, all one has to ecological concerns, industry should that the city seems to exist at the bot- do is look out the window on a sum- be allowed to police itself, or that the tom of a bowl of broth. Everything mer’s day to notice the difference. economy is strangled by nuisance pol- is some shade of brown. The image So what changed? lution laws, or that “we can’t do any- would not be out of place in a shock- Did industry—car manufacturers, thing to affect climate change,” or that oil companies, manufacturing plants, the pope’s new encyclical is naïve. We the massive ports of Los Angeles and who pollute the planet can also help JAMES T. KEANE is an editor at Orbis Books in Ossining, N.Y., and a former associate editor Long Beach—feel guilty that the chil- to heal it, incrementally but effectively. of America. Twitter: @jamestkeane. dren of Los Angeles could not play Improbable? Yes. Impossible? No.

12 America July 20-27, 2015

Praised Be Creation Looking at a life-giving encyclical

On June 18, Pope Francis published his much-anticipated encyclical on the environment, “Laudato Si’,” which begins with a line from St. Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of Creatures.” America asked several experts to respond to this historic document. Excerpts from their responses are below. Their full responses, along with additional coverage, can be found at americamagazine.org.

Follow the Footnotes of bishops’ conferences have value in the formation of uni- versal Catholic social teaching. BY KEVIN AHERN n addition to the use of gender-inclusive language, a KEVIN AHERN is a theological ethicist and an assistant professor of reli- gious studies at Manhattan College, Bronx, N.Y. first in official Catholic social encyclicals, one of the Imost amazing aspects of “Laudato Si’” is the footnotes. Francis departs from the tradition of Catholic social en- cyclicals by citing national bishops’ conferences and sever- A Cosmic Family al sources that are not official Catholic sources, including BY DREW CHRISTIANSEN U.N. documents and, most surprisingly, a Sufi mystic! he encyclical offers both ethical and policy solutions Now, while this may seem somewhat pedantic to most to the environmental evils and injustices the pope readers, footnotes in papal teaching have functioned as a has described. But I would like to note two religious way to alert the reader to the text’s continuation of a tra- T remedies he offers that address social isolation as a source of dition. The footnotes in “Caritas in Veritate” (2009), for environmental injustice. One is theological, the other spiritual. example, the social encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI, refer The theological vision is of a cosmic family of creatures of mostly to the official social teachings of other popes. This the one God. “All of us are linked,” writes Pope Francis, “by tradition reflects a specific theology of the papacy that un- unseen bonds and together form a kind of universal family, a derstands the pope to be the primary teacher of Catholic sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate doctrine, with a strict division of roles between teacher and and humble respect” (No. 89). It is in that lived vision, as in student. As such, the pope would never need to learn from St. Francis’ fraternity of God’s creatures (Brother Sun, Sister sources “below” him, not even from statements by nation- Moon), that we can overcome alienation from one another, al conferences of Catholic bishops. Under the pontificates especially alienation of the advantaged from the poor, and the of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, the social estrangement of humanity from our earthly home. statements of national bishops’ conferences and synods Finally, the avenue to environmental and social harmony is were perceived to be lacking the competency for authori- found through the cultivation of peace: inner peace and peace tative (magisterial) teaching. In “Evangelii Gaudium,” Pope with creation. The encyclical sees environmental degradation Francis addressed this point as he called for the develop- and social injustice as the results of imbalances within our- ment of the “juridical status of episcopal conferences” with selves, among humans and between humans and the natural “genuine doctrinal authority” to better serve the mission of world. the church (No. 32). Inner peace, Pope Francis writes, “is reflected in a balanced While not welcomed by everyone, “Laudato Si’” affirms lifestyle together with a capacity for wonder which takes us the authority of these regional structures, with 20 cita- to a deeper understanding of life. Nature is filled with words tions of statements from 18 national and regional bishops’ of love, but how can we listen to them amid constant noise, conferences. The selection of statements from multiple re- interminable and nerve-wracking distractions, or the cult of gions of the world appears to make a point about the con- appearances?” (No. 225). cerns expressed by bishops about the problems at hand. Indeed, it constructively shows how the fostering of an in- DREW CHRISTIANSEN, S.J., a former editor in chief of America, holds the tegral ecology is not simply the concern of Pope Francis. title Distinguished Professor of Ethics and Global Human Development at Georgetown University. He advised the U.S. bishops in the drafting of their Although subtle, this is also a nod to an inductive and 1991 pastoral statement on the environment, “Renewing the Earth,” and lat- more decentralized vision of church, where the statements er designed and oversaw the bishops’ environmental justice program.

14 America July 20-27, 2015 TREE HUGGER. Celebrating World Environment Day at the forest of Gokarna, outside of Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2014

The Communion of Creation versal brother- and sister-hood” (No. 228). While St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI affirmed BY DANIEL P. SCHEID the intrinsic value of nonhuman creatures and exhorted us to respect the grammar of creation, Pope Francis incorpo- n many ways, Pope Francis’ long-awaited “Laudato rates the goodness of the cosmos into the core of a Catholic Si’” continues and develops the tradition that St. John approach to ecology (No. 236). Reverence for creation al- IPaul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI established, lows awe and wonder (No. 11) to penetrate into our hearts yet in significant ways it also marks a bold and fresh direc- and calls us to a “universal communion” (No. 76), to kinship tion for Catholic social teaching on ecology. As we have seen with all creatures, to a sense of belonging and rootedness from this pope in other areas, there is also a shift in tone and (No. 151) and to joy in the cosmos. After all, the final aim a movement toward a vision that many Catholic eco-theo- of an encyclical on ecology is not just sustainable economies logians have been articulating for several years. More than and immediate international action on climate change but previous papal documents, “Laudato Si’” fervently rejects also the praise and worship of the Creator (No. 87). anthropocentrism (No. 67), stresses “a sense of deep com- munion with the rest of nature” (No. 91) and celebrates rap- DANIEL P. SCHEID is an assistant professor of theology at Duquesne turously the goodness of creation and of each creature, loved University. His forthcoming book, The Cosmic Common Good: Religious Grounds for Ecological Ethics (Oxford), explores ecologi- in its own right by God. cally oriented principles of Catholic social thought in dialogue with other The text begins with St. Francis of Assisi, whose name the religious traditions. pope has taken, and his famous “Canticle of the Creatures,” in which Earth, “our common home,” is not simply a resource but “a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful The View From the Global South mother who opens her arms to embrace us” (No. 1). Every BY AGNES M. BRAZAL creature, Francis insists, is “the object of the Father’s tender- ness,” and even if a creature has only “a few seconds of exis- oming from a fragile archipelago where the rise in sea tence, God enfolds it with his affection” (No. 77). Human level is the highest in the world, and extreme weather beings are called to mirror this love, to “love and accept the Cevents are predicted to further increase this century, I wind, the sun and the clouds, even though we cannot control worry for our future and fervently hope that the call of Pope

CNS PHOTO/NARENDRA SHRESTHA, EPA them.” Indeed, Francis even says that “we can speak of a uni- Francis will be heeded. The encyclical underlines that every-

July 20-27, 2015 America 15 CALL TO ACTION. Journalists attend a news conference for the presentation of Pope Francis’ new encyclical, “Laudato Si’,” at the Vatican on June 18, 2015. one can do something for our common home. In response to The Franciscan Character of this call, each diocese of the church in the Philippines, in col- laboration with other faiths and civil society organizations, ‘Laudato Si’’ can plan to educate and mobilize communities to protect BY DANIEL P. HORAN the environment and the threatened resources and species ope Francis clearly “gets” both the letter and the spirit in the area. This without doubt would leave a trail of ecolog- of the Franciscan theological and spiritual tradition. ical martyrs. The Global Witness reports that almost 1,000 One of the most striking and apparently controver- environmental activists opposing mining, deforestation, etc., P sial dimensions of “Laudato Si’” is the explicit connection the around the world were killed between 2002 and 2013, with pope makes between abject poverty and environmental degra- the number jumping 20 percent in 2014, a sign that we are dation. The truth is that this is not a new idea but goes back as in the midst of a global environmental crisis. far as Francis of Assisi, if not earlier. Pope Francis writes early To sustain this commitment as “ecological citizens” there- on that “the poverty and austerity of Saint Francis were no fore necessitates a spirituality that inspires, nurtures and mere veneer of asceticism, but something much more radical: provides ultimate meaning to our personal and communal a refusal to turn reality into an object simply to be used and acts. Though “Laudato Si’” explicitly speaks of spirituality controlled” (No. 11). This statement points to the heart of only in the last chapter, the whole encyclical is distinctive- St. Francis’ embrace of evangelical poverty as a means toward ly about an integrative eco-spirituality based on an integral deepening solidarity. What the saint from Assisi recognized ecology that links labor and technological and social devel- in his time was how not just things but also women and men opment with care for creation and the diversity of life forms were coming to be valued in financial terms. One’s worth came and cultures, and with a special concern for the poor and the to be determined by how much money one had rather than vulnerable. The pope elaborates that in the Christian tra- by the inherent value that comes with being lovingly created dition this spirituality finds its deep source in the gospel of by God. creation, the Trinitarian communion and the world as sacra- Pope Francis draws our attention to the interrelationship ment of this communion. between the reality of global climate change (largely caused AGNES M. BRAZAL teaches at the St. Vincent School of Theology- by the affluent and powerful of our time) and the poor, who

Adamson University in the Philippines. suffer the devastating effects disproportionately. The category REUTERS/MAX ROSSI

16 America July 20-27, 2015 of “the marginalized” extends beyond the human species to is necessary if I am going to be able to recognize myself in include our very planet. As the pope says, “The earth herself, an encounter with someone who is different. In this way we burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and can joyfully accept the specific gifts of another man or wom- maltreated of our poor” (No. 2). For Francis of Assisi, rad- an, the work of God the creator, and find mutual enrichment” ical lifestyle change was required to authentically follow the (No. 155). Gospel. Embracing evangelical poverty as a means of protest How should we read this rather broad claim about gen- against social injustices and a means toward closer solidarity dered identity and interaction? Francis ends the paragraph led him among the poor and outcast of his day. with a clue, citing his general audience on April 15 of this year: “It is not a healthy attitude which would seek ‘to cancel out DANIEL P. HORAN, O.F.M., is the author of several books, including sexual difference because it no longer knows how to confront The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton. He is currently writing a doctoral dissertation titled “Imagining Planetarity: Toward a Postcolonial it’” (No. 155). In that address, Francis criticized gender theory Franciscan Theology of Creation.” when laying out “the difference and complementarity between men and women” as a basis for reflecting on the sacrament of marriage within “the beauty of the Creator’s plan.” It would therefore be a mistake to see the seeds of any radical departure The Diversity of Creaturely Life from magisterial teaching on gender and sexuality in Francis’ BY ELIZABETH PYNE text. A general, natural law-based statement in favor of gen- der essentialism is unsurprising. Nevertheless, interpretation hile “Laudato Si’” affirms Catholic teaching must attend to specific silences or, in this instance, relative qui- against artificial birth control and abortion, the et on sexuality against the resounding demand for economic Wonly specific comment on gender or sexual iden- and ecological justice, cultivated at both personal and political tity is brief and somewhat oddly positioned at the close of a levels. In a sense, then, the cards are drawn but the hand is not section on the “ecology of daily life.” Following a more sub- played. Within the development of papal teaching on “integral stantial treatment of urban planning and the realities faced ecology” this may be a notable move. by the poor comes a reflection on bodily interaction with one’s environment as a facet of “human ecology.” Then this: ELIZABETH PYNE is a doctoral candidate in theology at Fordham “Also, valuing one’s own body in its femininity or masculinity University, Bronx, N.Y.

July 20-27, 2015 America 17 (UN)CONVENTIONAL WISDOM Alarm Fatigue ox News host Bill O’Reilly said crunched the numbers, decided that in “the right direction”). The question is it on his show in May: “There not much would change as a result of whether this pessimism is leading to, or Fis no question the country is the midterms and told readers, “Just is caused by, campaign rhetoric. changing for the worse. And that’s be skeptical if you hear that 2014 is It would be ironic if Americans be- why the upcoming election is, perhaps, the most important election of your come so jaded by the “most important the most important presidential vote lifetime, as parties, pundits and poli- election” cliché, and so desensitized to in our lifetime.” ticians almost always claim sooner or fear-mongering, that they tune out the The talk show host Steve Deace later. This election isn’t so special.” specific challenges the presidential can- was way ahead of him, writing in The But it’s human nature to see a point didates should be talking about. “Alarm Washington Times in March that of no return just ahead. Elections al- fatigue” is the term used by many hos- next year will bring “the most import- ways make me think of “The World pital workers, who must get through ant election of our lifetimes. While I Is Falling Down,” written by the jazz their day deciding how much attention am normally skeptical of such talk due singer Abbey Lincoln. to give to the bells and si- to its abuse nearly every election cycle, (“Summer’s gone and win- rens constantly going off this time it’s actually true.” If we don’t ter’s here/ We had a lot of None around them. make the right choice, he warns, “We rain this year/ The news is of these Pope Francis may could be fundamentally transformed really very sad/ The time is encounter this fatigue into the spitting image of Europe’s so- late, the fruit is bad.”) Sad problems when he visits the cialist, culturally rotting democracies.” news—or, more accurately, are going to United States this fall, On the other side of the political anger-inducing news—can and in particular when spectrum, the progressive website help motivate people to be resolved he speaks about climate Electablog also announced in March: vote. More important these change—something “Every election gets called ‘the most days, is the idea that we’re by a single that really could harm important of our lifetime.’ You now one election away from election. the earth in an irrevers- have permission to explain why this economic or moral collapse ible way. He may address is actually true in 2016.” The rea- can motivate people to give other current challenges son? “The next election will decide if money to candidates and political in the United States, including racism, [Republicans] get to start undoing the groups. an often brutal and capricious crimi- progress that’s just begun.” “The stakes for protecting our coun- nal-justice system, the pressures of rais- We will hear more of this as the try’s core values have never been higher,” ing children when day care and early campaign begins in earnest with this says the homepage of Priorities USA, education are unavailable to many and summer’s presidential debates. Four a political action committee raising widening income inequality. None of years ago, Conor Fridersdorf of The money to help elect Democrat Hillary these problems are going to be resolved Atlantic wearily tried to put a stop Clinton. “We’ve lost our way morally,” by a single election. They require many to the “most important” cliché, calling Republican Mike Huckabee said of years of attention and many policy out serial offenders and asking, “Are the United States in his announcement ideas—some of which, inevitably, won’t they so lacking in perspective that speech, telling his audience, “I ask you work. they really believe the present mo- to join with me today, not just so I can References to “the most important ment is more important than most of be president, so that we can preserve election of our lifetime” are like alarms American history?” this great Republic.” It’s not surprising that lose their effectiveness, merely irri- Two years ago, the data maven Nate that the website Real Clear Politics tating us instead of rousing us to action. Silver added to the backlash when he reported in late June that its average Better to accept that we’re always going of recent polls found 62 percent of to face challenges, and to be realistic Americans believing that the country about what we can do in a single year, ROBERT DAVID SULLIVAN is a freelance writ- er and editor living in the Boston area. Twitter: is on “the wrong track” (versus 29 per- even a presidential one. @RobertDSullivan. cent believing that the U.S. is heading ROBERT DAVID SULLIVAN

18 America July 20-27, 2015 FROM OUR BLOGS Writing, Death and Monastic Wisdom: A Conversation with Kathleen Norris, Judith Valente Scourge or Friend? Trying to Learn WEB ONLY the Lessons of Human Dying Kathleen McChesney, former head of the U.S. Sidney Callahan bishops’ Office of Child and Youth Protection, Pope Francis Would Be a Lousy calls for the disclosure of the names of all clerical New York Times Columnist abuse offenders. Robert David Sullivan

SYNOD ON THE FAMILY WHAT YOU ARE READING Commentary on the working document or “in- strumentum laboris” for the second session of the How Should Christians Respond to the Court’s Decision on Marriage? synod. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M.

Top Ten Takeaways from ‘Laudato Si’” PODCAST James Martin, S.J. Dr. Roy Peterson of the American Bible Society Follow the Footnotes, Kevin Ahern talks about ‘The Living Word’ project and the A Most Misunderstood Saint group’s move to Philadelphia. James Martin, S.J.

“I believe the more dioceses release the names of all credibly accused priests, the more some victims would feel in a position to come forward.” —Carolyn Disco, Disclose the Names of Clergy Abusers

July 20-27, 2015 America 19 Family Gathering Rediscovering the role of the Synod of Bishops BY JOHN W. O’MALLEY

COLLEGIAL GREETING. Left to right, Cardinals Roger M. Mahony, retired archbishop of Los Angeles; Carlos Amigo Vallejo, retired archbishop of Seville, Spain; Giuseppe Betori of Florence; and Walter Kasper of Germany before a meeting with Pope Francis in the synod hall at the Vatican on Feb. 21.

nlike the other synods held since the Second It is “synodality.” The pope used the word three times in his Vatican Council, the Extraordinary Assembly greeting. The word’s very strangeness (a neologism, at least of the Synod of Bishops to discuss the family, in English) and the pope’s repeated use of it in such a short held in Rome last October, sparked widespread speech should alert us that something significant might be at Uinterest. It did so for two reasons. First, the open and lively stake. What could that possibly be? debate in the synod contrasted starkly with the muted in- Let us speculate. But to do so we need some background. terventions characteristic of its predecessors, which tended First of all, a definition: What is a synod? If we look at the to be little more than rubber stamps. The lively debate was history of the church from its very earliest days until 1965, not an accident. Pope Francis, in his opening greeting to the the answer is simple. A synod is a church council. In church- synod, had stipulated that “speaking honestly” was the pre- speak the two words are synonymous and are used inter- requisite for the synod’s success. Second, it was in this tell- changeably. The Council of Trent, for instance, referred to us-what-you-think atmosphere that the synod addressed itself as “this holy synod”—haec sancta synodus. The 53 vol- sensitive, controversial and real-life issues like divorce, an- umes of official background material on the Second Vatican nulments, same-sex unions and cohabitation before mar- Council are called “the proceedings of the synod”–acta syn- riage. The world took notice. odalia. But there is a third reason the synod should have aroused But the definition raises a further question: What, then, interest, and it is perhaps the most important reason of all. is a council? A council is a meeting, principally (but not ex- clusively) of bishops, gathered in Christ’s name, to make de- JOHN W. O’MALLEY, S.J., holder of the title University Professor in the cisions binding on the church. That definition covers both theology department of Georgetown University, is the author of What Happened at Vatican II. the 21 councils/synods Catholics count as ecumenical, that CNS PHOTO/PAUL HARING CNS PHOTO/PAUL

20 America July 20-27, 2015 is churchwide, and the hundreds upon hundreds of local synods every three years. The synods were to be the instru- councils/synods that have taken place since the very earliest ments for interpreting and implementing Trent on the local days of the church. level. John Carroll, accordingly, had hardly been appointed Hundreds upon hundreds! If we take those numbers se- bishop of Baltimore before he held his first diocesan synod riously, we soon come to the conclusion that the tradition- in 1791—with his 22 priests. Over the next three-quarters of al organ of church governance until the late 19th century a century, there followed in Baltimore 21 diocesan, provincial was not the papacy but the synod. Of course, as St. Thomas and plenary synods as the church spread across the country. The Third Plenary Council (1884) produced the landmark Baltimore Catechism, from which for almost 100 years every Catholic girl and boy in the country learned the basics of the faith. When Francis, on As was happening elsewhere at about the same time, the series of synods in Baltimore ended in 1886. The defini- the night of his tions in 1870 of papal primacy and infallibility by the First Vatican Council wittingly or unwittingly put a damper on the synodal phenomenon. Synods continued to be held here election, styled and there, now and again, but the persuasion grew that they were no longer necessary or appropriate because “Rome” himself ‘bishop of could and would make all decisions that were needed. By the time of Vatican II, many bishops, partly in re- action to such centralization, promoted the doctrine of Rome,’ he signaled episcopal collegiality, that is, the teaching that bishops have a responsibility not only for their own dioceses but a re- sponsibility, with and under the pope, for the whole church. the importance and An aggressive minority at the council fought the doctrine as untraditional, dangerous and contrary to Vatican I, and dignity of the local it tried to weaken it even after it was approved by an over- whelming majority. But once approved, the question arose as to how the church. teaching was to be made operative in the church. What would be its institutional form? As the council entered its final stages, it began to wrestle with that problem. But be- Aquinas said so well, in important matters of controversy, fore it was able properly to address it, Pope Paul VI inter- the papacy is the arbiter, finaliter determinare, but up to that vened in September 1965 by creating the Synod of Bishops. point decisions rested on the local or regional level. Faced with the papal intervention, the council incorporated the Synod of Bishops into its document “On the Pastoral Good Council Office of Bishops,” as if it were an expression of collegiality. Probably taking their cue from the so-called Council of But of course it was not. As defined by Paul VI, the Synod Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-30), at least 50 councils/synods were of Bishops was strictly an advisory body, with no authority held in Palestine, North Africa, Rome, Gaul and elsewhere beyond what the pope conceded to it. As Paul’s document as early as the second century. After the recognition of repeatedly stated, the synod was subject “immediately and Christianity by Constantine, the numbers continued to grow directly to the authority” of the pope. Probably without real- across the Christian world. In Spain alone from the fourth izing it, Paul VI radically redefined what the word synod had until the early eighth century there were at least 50. meant since the church’s earliest days. A synod was no longer The decisions of these synods might be doctrinal or dis- a decision-making body. It was now an instrument not of the ciplinary, but of course they were binding only on the local bishops but of the Holy See, to use or not use at it saw fit. level. Nonetheless, they were sometimes taken as normative for the church at large, as were those of the synods against What to Expect Pelagianism held in North Africa and elsewhere in the fifth The synods since Vatican II have functioned precisely ac- and sixth centuries. cording to the model Pope Paul VI set down, with even In the 16th century, the Council of Trent ordered bishops their advisory function often seemingly inoperative. But the to hold synods annually and archbishops to hold provincial extraordinary meeting of the synod last year did not in the

July 20-27, 2015 America 21 least follow that pattern, nor are there grounds for thinking that the follow-up this October will be any different. What is going on? We need to lift our eyes above the specific problems the synod addressed and focus them instead on the way Pope Francis dealt with the synod. We need to pay attention to his insistent use of the curious word synodality. We cannot read the pope’s mind, but we can examine his record. While still archbishop of Buenos Aires, for instance, Francis was the key player in the revival of the Conference of Bishops of Latin America, known as CELAM, an institu- tion that had languished for several de- cades. In some countries before Vatican II, episcopal conferences had begun to play a role somewhat analogous to that of synods, and CELAM then and immedi- ately after the council was an important instance of the phenomenon. Vatican II encouraged such conferences, but by the early 1980s the Holy See had begun ever more to limit their authority. The reviv- al of CELAM in 2007 was a reaction against that development. When Francis, on the night of his elec- tion, styled himself “bishop of Rome,” he signaled the importance and dignity of the local church. In his greeting to the synod last October, he said the meeting was an expression of “collegiality and syn- odality.” He told those assembled that they “bring the voice of the particular churches, assembled at the level of local churches through bishops’ conferences.” These innocent-sounding expressions seem to point in one direction: a revival in some form of the ancient synodal tra- dition of the church. No revival in history has been able to bring back the past “as it really was.” If we are headed for a revival of the syn- odal tradition, it will be conditioned by our present realities, especially the com- munication networks of today, which instantaneously make local decisions global news. Nonetheless, Pope Francis seems to want somehow to move the church in that direction. If so, take note. It’s important. A

22 America July 20-27, 2015 Souls at War An interview with the Iraq veteran and writer Phil Klay BY KEVIN SPINALE

hil Klay won the National Book Award for fiction in 2014 for his collection of short stories, Redeployment. Writing in The New York Times, Dexter Filkins called it “the Pbest thing written so far on what the war did to peo- ple’s souls.” A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Klay served in Anbar Province, Iraq, from January 2007 to February 2008 as a public affairs officer. He is a graduate of Regis High School in New York and Dartmouth College. Kevin Spinale, S.J., interviewed Mr. Klay by e-mail.

Why did you choose the title Redeployment? Many of your stories take place after combat, either in the United States or in Iraq, with soldiers recalling bursts of violence in which they were involved. Is there a sense of re-sentiment or re-feeling in the term “redeployment”? It seems that soldiers, even those only marginally in- volved in combat, cannot but live in a state of redeploy- ment—a state in which they continuously recall trauma or the consequences of trauma. “Redeployment” is a military term. It means to transfer a unit from one area to another. So the main character of the title story is literally redeploying. He’s leaving a combat zone with his unit and heading back to Camp Lejeune. But of course, I wanted all those ad- ditional connotations as well—the sense of deploying multiple times (as the main character anticipates he will), of entering a new challenge, of returning in your mind to the past deployment. And the return is not simply about trauma, I think. Oftentimes discussion of war gets flattened to a Phil Klay discussion of trauma. But most of the narrators are not traumatized. They’re grappling with various is- sues related to their service, but it’s not simply a psycholog- will naturally be murky. There is the way their service chang- ical battle, and it’s not one that could be cured with a more es their relationship to their own citizenship and the choic- robust response to issues of mental health. There are the es they make as Americans. And yes, tracing the emotional moral choices they make, the communal and personal alle- contours of their experience, or searching for what the emo- giances they have, the ways in which their sense of them- tional reaction ought to have been (which is essentially what selves is wrapped up in their service in a morally complex the narrator of [my story] “Ten Kliks South” tries to do), is war and in morally complex decisions whose ultimate costs a part of that process.

KEVIN SPINALE, S.J., is a student of theology at Boston College and the Many of the characters you portray are marginally involved in moderator of America Media’s Catholic Book Club. combat: These men were in Iraq, but they were not infantry- PHOTO: HANNAH DUNPHY

July 20-27, 2015 America 23 men. They work in the State Department, PsyOps, Mortuary with the help of angels. Fidelity toward the God of Israel pro- Affairs, as engineers, chaplains. One is an adjutant. They did tected them. not experience firefights, but they were transformed by an ex- I have been thinking of this notion of prayer in the fur- perience of mortality or futility in Iraq. When they return nace quite a bit, and two passages come to mind. The first home, they experience all the effusive praise and gratitude is from the story “After Action Report.” A chaplain encoun- that is extended to the grunt and the officer. But they remain ters a soldier distraught about a combat action. The chaplain marginal; they cannot quite fit into civilian life. Why do you counsels the soldier to pray. The soldier rejects such advice take on the perspective of these figures? as being as trite and superstitious as keeping a rabbit’s foot. For many reasons. Because war is a much broader sub- The chaplain responds: ject than the individual experience of an infantryman alone. Because exploring different roles offered me new angles to “That’s not what prayer is for.” explore issues central to war (death, heroism, masculinity, “What?” etc.). Because I wanted a group of narrators who might com- “It will not protect you.” plicate each other’s stories. The experience of killing is rad- I did not know what to say about that. “Oh,” I said. ically different for the infantryman who sees his enemy, for “It’s about your relationship with God.” the psychological operations specialist who tries to manip- I looked at the dirt. “Oh,” I said again. ulate his enemy into Marine machine-gun fire and for the “It will not protect you. It will help your soul. It’s artilleryman who isn’t sure whether he fired the fatal bullet for while you are alive.” He paused. “It’s for while at someone who has just been killed. you’re dead, too, I guess.”

One of your stories is called “Prayer in the Furnace.” In the Old You also depict another chaplain’s own thoughts about prayer Testament Book of Daniel, three Jews resist Nebuchadnezzar, in that same story. The thoughts come just after he reads a the Chaldean king, and remain faithful to the God of Israel. canticle from Daniel in his breviary: “I stopped reading and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refuse to worship the tried to pray with my own words. I asked God to protect the Babylonian gods, and they are thrown into a furnace. They battalion from further harm. I knew he would not. I asked pray amid the flames and survive their attempted execution Him to bring abuses to light. I knew he would not. I asked him finally for grace.” Could you talk about these passages? How does one pray in the middle of combat? What grace does a combat chaplain or a soldier need aside from protection from harm? Does prayer help at all in healing—perhaps in surviving the furnace of redeployment and the memories of deployment? I think it really depends on what you think you’re doing when you pray. Augustine writes: “For in prayer there occurs a turning of the heart to him who is always ready to give if we will but take what he gives, and in that turning is the purification of the inner eye when the things we crave in the temporal world are shut out.” I think that shutting out of “the things we crave in the temporal world” is very important. The situation the men are in makes almost anything seem permissible. The staff sergeant Haupert, in “Prayer in the Furnace,” angrily denies that anybody has a right to judge his unit, given how crazy things were. I remember reading about a Vietnam veteran who noted that for some of the men in his unit, the fact that they could die at any moment made them feel like it didn’t matter what they did, no matter how terrible. But the longer he was in country the more he got to feeling that it was the other way around—because they could die at any moment, what they did mattered even more. So prayer in a combat zone serves exactly the same pur- pose as it does in peacetime. In war the stakes are life and

24 America July 20-27, 2015 death, true; but if you believe in God and in the notion of So resilience is, of course, necessary for a warrior. But a human soul, then we are always making decisions of tre- a lack of empathy isn’t. In fact, it’s harmful (and probably mendous significance. The intensity and violence of war can particularly harmful in a counter-insurgency). In “Prayer in obscure this just as much as complacency and distance from the Furnace” the “tough guy” talk of some of the leaders in suffering. the battalion is often a mask for incompetence. I thought of this when I saw the accusation of one faction within the Courage seems to be the greatest Marine Corps virtue—es- C.I.A. that the other was “running a ‘sissified’ interrogation pecially courage manifested in aid of one’s fellow marines. But program” because they were unwilling to use waterboard- there is something related to and almost as compelling as cour- ing. The torture program may have been a moral and legal age: toughness. Toughness clearly aids in the exercise of lead- disaster; it may have seriously undermined our credibility as ership. It arises from combat time and wounds and kills. Yet a nation and provided propaganda for our enemies; but at toughness is indiscriminate and can become brutal or cruel. least we weren’t sissies, right? Toughness almost seems like an untreated illness—perhaps Tough-guy posturing is the opposite of what Marines treated by booze or Ambien or further violence. How much need in a leader. They need moral courage, they need empa- does toughness wear down marines? How difficult is it to sur- thy, and at the very least they need competence. vive as a marine without demonstrable toughness? Well, what do we mean when we say “toughness”? Because Why is it so important for a marine to articulate his or her there’s resilience and there’s a lack of empathy, and I think experience? In many of your stories, this is exactly what the they’re two very different things that often get confused. In characters hope to do. They ache to share their experience, but Phil Zabriskie’s “The Kill Switch,” Col. Patrick Malay claims, in most cases they are unable to. They are even unable to share “The warrior ethos is not to kill. The true warrior ethos is the experience with their spouses or parents or those with to protect.” In popular culture, military hero worship often whom they are most intimate. Does this need to communicate focuses on body counts, but the quintessential military hero the experience of violence and fear that was service in Iraq is the guy who saves his comrades by jumping on a grenade. relate to your beautiful passage in “Prayer in the Furnace”? It’s about what you’re willing to endure for a cause, not what Sin is a lonely thing, a worm wrapped around the soul, you’re willing to inflict. shielding it from love, from joy, from communion with fel-

July 20-27, 2015 America 25 low men and with God. The sense that I am alone, that none know exactly what type of effect they will achieve. But that’s can hear me, none can understand, that no one answers my never sufficient. I think of Psalm 139: cries—it is a sickness over which, to borrow from Bernanos, “the vast tide of divine love, that sea of living, roaring flame LORD, you have probed me, you know me: which gave birth to all things, passes vainly.” you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. Your job, it seems, would be to find a crack through which some sort of communication can be made, one soul to another. You sift through my travels and my rest; Yes, absolutely. I think it’s deeply important for soldiers with all my ways you are familiar. to feel as though they can share their experiences and be un- derstood, but it’s complicated by a variety of factors. There’s Even before a word is on my tongue, a kind of mysticism about war experience that both soldiers LORD, you know it all. and civilians often buy into. There is a lot of political weight Behind and before you encircle me put on how the experience ought be interpreted and expec- and rest your hand upon me. tations about what that experience is supposed to mean. Sometimes it’s painful to discuss. And oftentimes there’s Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, an unwillingness among veterans to expose oneself to judg- far too lofty for me to reach. ment, which goes hand in hand with a civilian unwillingness to accept complicity in war. In order for real communica- Where can I go from your spirit? tion to happen there needs to be openness on both sides, a From your presence, where can I flee? willingness to empathetically engage and to forgive the oth- er for any misunderstandings that arise because both sides There is something both beautiful and terrifying in the are more interested in the conversation continuing than in idea of being truly known. Beautiful because it draws us out withdrawing due to real or imagined slights. So some of the of our isolation, makes us feel understood and connected to characters in Redeployment feel it’s easier to withdraw into the rest of the world. Terrifying because none of us are ever silence, or to only use their war stories in a way in which they fully justified. A

26 America July 20-27, 2015 VATICAN DISPATCH Francis Pushes Collegiality ver since he became pope, Fran- accompanied by my blessing. ident of the Argentine bishops’ confer- cis has sought to encourage United in the Lord, and please do ence, Bergoglio experienced first hand Egreater collegiality in the Cath- not forget to pray for me. and on several occasions tensions and olic Church, together with synodality. Franciscus incomprehension between the center He wants to implement and develop and the periphery. He came to under- the teaching of the Second Vatican To understand Pope Francis’ deter- stand that there could be a better way of Council in this area, which is highly mination to foster and develop colle- doing things if collegiality and synodali- important not only for the internal life giality in the church, it is necessary to ty were allowed to flourish. of the church but also in the search for remember that he served as a diocesan Since becoming pope, he has sought unity with other Christian churches, bishop for 21 years (1992–2013) be- to make this happen in several ways, and in the first place with the Ortho- fore his election to the See of Peter, first and in his programmatic document dox. as an auxiliary bishop, then as coadju- “The Joy of the Gospel” he identified The publication of the encyclical tor and finally archbishop the development of col- “Laudato Si’” revealed two small but of Buenos Aires. Francis legiality and synodality significant ways in which the Argentine Several popes have as one of the goals of his pope has sought to develop collegiality. been diocesan bishops, but wants to im- pontificate (No. 32). He First, he drew on input from at least 16 Francis is the first pope ever plement and has reaffirmed that aim bishops’ conferences when writing the to have served as president on a number of occasions encyclical. Second, he sent a copy of of a national bishops’ con- develop the since then. the text to every diocesan bishop two ference. He was elected to teaching of In pursuit of that ob- days before its publication, accompa- head the Argentine bishops’ jective, he has established nied by a personal handwritten note. conference for two terms Vatican II on the Council of Cardinal He hoped they would rise to the oc- (2006–12). He is also the collegiality. Advisors, increased the casion by participating in his universal first pope to have played a number of cardinals and magisterium. key role in a plenary assem- bishops on the boards That handwritten note in Italian, bly of a continental conference of bish- of the different Vatican congregations accompanied by a translation in the ops, the Conference of Latin American and offices, pioneered a new way of relevant languages, was particularly Bishops (CELAM). In that capacity conducting the synod of bishops and significant since it contained an ex- he was elected at its plenary assembly participated actively in the work of the plicit reference to No. 22 of Vatican in Aparecida, Brazil, in 2007—almost synod’s council. Furthermore, he has II’s “Dogmatic Constitution on the unanimously—to chair the all-import- sought to internationalize even more Church,” which speaks about collegial- ant committee assigned to draft its final the College of Cardinals by appointing ity. The note read: document. In addition to all this, he members from the peripheries. And he participated in several synods of bish- has decentralized the presentation of JHS. The Vatican, 16 June 2015. ops and was appointed to the key role the pallium to new archbishops so as to Dear brother, In the bond of uni- of rapporteur (relator) at the September involve the local church. ty, charity and peace (LG 22) in 2001 synod, replacing Cardinal Edward Moving away from a monarchical which we live as bishops, I send Egan of New York, who had to return style of papacy, he has made clear that you my letter “Laudato Si’ on home suddenly after the terrorist attack national bishops’ conferences should be Care of our Common Home,” on the World Trade Center. His skillful the ones to comment on major issues in performance at that global event caused their countries, and not the pope. This many cardinals to view him as a poten- explains his silence when civil authori- GERARD O’CONNELL is America’s Rome tial successor to St. John Paul II. ties in various countries, including the correspondent. America’s Vatican coverage is sponsored in part by the Jesuit communities of It should also be remembered that United States, approved same-sex mar- the United States. Twitter: @gerryrome. in these various roles, especially as pres- riage. GERARD O’CONNELL

July 20-27, 2015 America 27 Books & Culture

FILM | JOHN ANDERSON meanor into a downward spiral. It is pretty sophisticated stuff. Who MORE THAN A FEELING among the great filmmakers has put the workings of the human psyche front Two emotionally honest summer films and center and made it so intellectu- ally engrossing? Hitchcock? Bergman? oy is the dominant emotion of Thinking, as we see while traveling in- Maybe, but I really can’t remember Inside Out—that’s Joy with a side Riley’s mind, is secondary to feel- laughing very much at “Vertigo” or Jcapital J, the first-among-sup- ing, and the daily operation of what “Persona.” But with “Inside Out” the posed-equals struggling for the Riley’s feeling is being run by a crew of laughs are regular and pointed—and heart, and soul, of the lovely little her- mixed (up) emotions. likely to be way over the head of the oine at the center of Pixar’s latest mas- In addition to Joy (Amy Poehler), tots who will be taken to see this pas- terpiece of animation. Proving once there is Anger (Lewis Black), who tel-paletted marvel. Perhaps, like an more that their best work is a mix of is usually fuming, literally; Disgust amusement park ride, there should be the dark and the wondrous, the Pixar (Mindy Kaling), who is, perhaps not a height requirement before one gets people—among them director Pete so ironically, the most socially adept aboard. No, that wouldn’t matter. The Docter (“Up,” “Monsters, Inc.”) and of all the emotions; Fear (Bill Hader), taller people will actually be more dis- co-director Ronaldo Del Carmen— who frets and cringes and wears a turbed than the kids. go inside the head of a young girl Chanel-patterned sweater vest (what’s What, after all, is free will about, or named Riley (voice of Kaitlyn Dias), he afraid of?) and Sadness (Phyllis human intellect for that matter, absent who has been uprooted from her be- Smith), Joy’s most direct competition a balanced emotional life? When Joy loved Minnesota and deposited in San for Riley’s destiny, a rather sweet, un- and Sadness get separated from the Francisco by understanding parents assuming agent-saboteur who keeps control tower—and video-game con- who would like to know what she’s turning Riley’s fondest memories blue sole—by which the emotions maintain thinking. (No, they don’t.) Besides: (like her) and sending the girl’s de- the equilibrium of the usually cheerful

ANIMATED CHARACTERS. Fear, Joy and Disgust appear in the movie “Inside Out.” CNS PHOTO/COURTESY DISNEY-PIXAR CNS PHOTO/COURTESY

28 America July 20-27, 2015 Riley, what results is a kind of spiri- maintenance workers vacuuming up A film about which this review- tual death spiral. Even kids who have and discarding no-longer useful mem- er has no mixed emotions at all is Me not gone through what Riley is going ories. Like phone numbers (“She’s got and Earl and the Dying Girl, directed through will recognize the barely con- ’em on her cell...”). And piano lessons by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and written tained anguish she feels after she and (“Keep ‘Chop-Sticks’ and ‘Heart and by Jesse Andrews from his best-sell- her Midwestern parents (Diane Lane, Soul’ and dump the rest...”). ing young adult novel. Despite coming Kyle MacLachlan) arrive in oh-so-for- Pixar’s feature films—the best out of the Sundance Film Festival on a eign San Francisco, their furniture gets of them—have had an almost mor- tsunami of positive hype (not always a stuck on a moving van good sign) it is likely to in Texas, they find a Olivia Cooke and Thomas be one of the better mov- dead mouse in the liv- Mann in “Me and Earl and ies of the year when 2015 ing room and her first the Dying Girl” is through. day at school turns An intelligent, emo- into a debacle. As she tionally honest and sat- is introducing herself isfying film, “Me and to her class, Sadness is Earl” has something of turning her memories a foolproof emotional of Minnesota blue. centerpiece—a beautiful Riley’s composure col- dying teenage girl. But lapses along with var- while the fate of Rachel ious Core Memories, (Olivia Cooke) is cer- which are shaped like tainly the core issue of marbles (as in, don’t the movie, the story be- lose ’em...). longs to Greg (Thomas It’s a little agoniz- Mann), a teenager who ing. Much of “Inside purposely avoids emo- Out” resembles one of those dreams bid subtext: The downsizing sin- tional or political commitment (avoid- where you can’t quite get where you gle-mother of the “Toy Story” films ing alliances with any and all cliques at have to be. But what it also implies, as (not to mention the eternal-damna- his high school, for instance) until he is Riley’s various Islands of Personality tion theme of “TS3”); director Brad coerced by his mother (Connie Britton) (Friends, Family, Hockey, Goofball, Bird’s Objectivist philosophizing in into spending time with Rachel. What etc.) are seen to be shutting down and “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles”; develops is an utterly convincing re- going out of business, is that pulling the eco-apocalypse predicted by lationship between Greg and Rachel, oneself out of a similar depression “WALL-E.” The latest skirts the ter- and Greg and himself. Much of Mr. would require a rallying of emotions ritory of mental illness. Riley, left Gomez-Rejon’s previous work as a di- that might simply be impossible, espe- unmoored by an AWOL Joy and rector (“American Horror Story,” “The cially if your personal Joy and Sadness Sadness (who are, the movie wisely Town that Dreaded Sundown”) has are getting lost amid the data banks of concludes, complementary) decides been in a totally different genre, but Longtime Memory, trying to catch the to run away back to Minnesota, steals he has worked for and with, among Train of Thought and wandering into a credit card from her mother to do others, Martin Scorsese, Nora Ephron a realm of dormant nightmares (where so and walks the scaffolded streets of and Alejandro González Iñárritu. He broccoli and Jangles the Party Clown San Francisco like an outpatient. All brings to “Earl” something rare at the are lurking). of this is totally uncharacteristic of a movies these days, an ability to convey On the up side, they also run into girl who was the picture of happiness emotion through image. His visual Riley’s old invisible friend, the hot- until she got her life uprooted to a sense, rooted in cinema history, elevates pink Bing Bong (Richard Kind), who place where they put broccoli on piz- a film that likely would have been first- shows them around the place (“Look, za (“You ruined pizza!” rants Anger; rate anyway, but a talent like his is what there’s Critical Thinking...and Déjà “Nice going San Francisco! First the separates mere film from film art. Vu...and Language Processing...and Hawaiians, now you!”). Where will Déjà Vu...”). One of the funnier se- Riley end up, should her emotions fail JOHN ANDERSON is a film critic for Variety and The Wall Street Journal and a regular quences—because it’s so absolutely to get it together and save her life? We contributor to the Arts & Leisure section of The

CNS PHOTO/FOX SEARCHLIGHT on the money—involves a couple of shudder to imagine. New York Times.

July 20-27, 2015 America 29 OF OTHER THINGS | RAYMOND A. SCHROTH WILLIAM ZINSSER’S GHOST he teacher’s main task, I think, Son” and Joan Didion’s “Goodbye to manity and warmth. Say “I.” Write to is to introduce students to All That.” Since good writing is based please yourself. Read your work aloud Tmen and women of every gen- on great writing, I also used Zinsser’s and listen. Good prose writers must be eration from whom they can learn. If it On Writing Well, which sold over 1.5 part poet. works, the author will come alive, join million copies over six editions, as The chapter on travel writing goad- the discussion and make students and a guide through the genres—writ- ed me to introduce a course on it and teachers friends. ing about people, travel, sports, the to travel alone to places like Peru, At least that’s what happened with arts and criticism, and the memoir— Gabon, Indonesia, Vietnam and Iraq William Zinsser, author of On Writing on how to do it, as we drank in how right after the first Gulf War and Well, who died May 12 at 92, and who Orwell and Didion did write about it all, to kept teaching until the end, even after it well. prove that I could do glaucoma had stolen his sight. As soon I found myself a The writer’s job it. Whether that en- as his obituary hit the pages, I received learner in my own is to sell hanced my credibility emails from two former students from course, drinking in with my students, they my days at Loyola University New Orwell’s rationale (ego, who he or she never told me. Orleans, to tell me that Zinsser was aesthetic enthusiasm, is, with an The chapter on the dead. They had not read him since historical impulse and arts makes the vital the 1990s, but they wanted to express political purpose) as if emphasis on distinction between their sorrow. it were John’s Gospel humanity and the review, which is Born in Manhattan in 1922, “in- and matching Orwell’s more a news story, toxicated” by the scent of printer’s ink, critique of stale im- warmth. and criticism, which Zinsser edited the student newspaper at agery and dying met- is a “serious intellectu- Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, aphors (toe the line, al act” that evaluates a left Princeton University to fight in grist for the mill) with performance in con- World War II, studied art in Florence Zinsser’s criticism of text. Consider Virgil after the war and then worked at The clutter (“at this point Thompson’s fearless re- New York Herald Tribune—at that in time” instead of port on Toscanini, who time the best-written New York City “now,” “facilitate” rath- “shamelessly whips up paper—until it closed in 1966. When er than “ease,” “due to the tempo and sacrific- he taught a workshop on nonfiction at the fact that” over “be- es clarity and ignores Yale in 1970, when the so-called new cause”). the basic rhythm” if “he finds the audi- journalism, which employed the char- Above all, he nails “impacted with ence’s attention beginning to wander.” acteristic style of fiction, was breaking the ground prematurely,” used to de- And of course the most challeng- out, 170 students signed up for his scribe an Air Force missile crash, and ing chapter is on the memoir, writing class that held 20. he warms my determination to prevent about oneself. It has its perils. “Ego My basic writing class at Loyola the verbification of nouns. If I could is healthy, no writer can go far with- used three books: Strunk and White’s recall Zinsser’s ghost for a special mis- out it. Egotism, however, is a drag.” The Elements of Style, long considered sion, it would be to head off the virus The memoir, he says, takes us back to the writer’s bible; William Smart’s of “incredible” coming to mean very some corner of our life framed by war edited Eight Modern Essayists, classic good, rather than something that can- or some other upheaval. It is a story of selections that included my favorites: not be believed. growing up. A handwritten notebook Virginia Woolf ’s “The Death of A Zinsser’s basic beliefs were the journal of my Fordham junior year in Moth,” George Orwell’s “Why I Write,” following. Writing is hard and lone- Paris in 1953-54 lies in my foot lock- E. B. White’s “Once More to the Lake,” ly work. Rewriting is the essence of er, unread for 60 years. Do I dare to James Baldwin’s “Notes of A Native writing. (This essay draft will be 1,200 turn it into a memoir? Zinsser con- words, which I must chop down to cludes: “The best gift you have to offer RAYMOND A. SCHROTH, S.J., is America’s 730.) The writer’s job is to sell who when you write personal history is the literary editor. he or she is, with an emphasis on hu- gift of yourself.”

30 America July 20-27, 2015 BOOKS | NICHOLAS P. CAFARDI organizing international papal trips. In 1971, Paul VI made him the head FOLLOW THE MONEY of the I.O.R., a post for which he was uniquely unqualified and where his GOD’S BANKERS of insurance policies of Holocaust vic- on-the-job philosophy was, “You can’t A History of Money and Power at tims. This, at least, is Posner’s surmise. run the church on Hail Marys.” the Vatican As he states, “Generali’s paperwork on Michele Sindona owned a number By Gerald Posner this matter is missing.” of private banks in Italy, which he used Simon and Schuster. 752p $32 Nogara served the popes until to launder illegal funds. Marcinkus 1956, having made another fortune invested I.O.R. funds in these banks God’s Bankers is not so much about for the Vatican by carefully investing and allowed Sindona to use the I.O.R. the history of money in the church as in Italy’s postwar real estate and con- for foreign currency transactions, thus it is about the skullduggery surround- struction boom. He was succeeded by avoiding Italian currency laws. When ing it. When the pope was the abso- Sindona’s banks failed, according to lute ruler of central Italy, there weren’t Massimo Spada, who had left I.O.R. many money problems, because, like to work for Sindona, the Vatican lost any king, he got his money from tax- $56 million dollars. Roberto Calvi’s ing his subjects. But after Italian na- bank, the Banco Ambrosiano, in which tionalists took away the pope’s king- Marcinkus bought a 10 percent inter- dom by 1870, leaving him only the est for I.O.R., was another criminal miniature Vatican City, the money front. When it failed, I.O.R. had to troubles began. come up with $244 million to pay the The source of the Vatican’s wealth Ambrosiano’s creditors. today, according to Posner, is the $92 Marcinkus was indicted in Italy for million dollar payment that Pius XI his role in the Ambrosian fraud. For accepted from Mussolini in 1929 in years Italian policemen watched every compensation for the church’s prop- gate of the Vatican, so that they could erty that had been seized during the arrest Marcinkus if he came out. But unification of Italy and the subse- Marcinkus did not leave the Vatican’s quent investment of those millions by walls during the two years it took the skilled financiers working for the Holy Vatican to challenge Italy’s jurisdic- See. We learn in detail about these tion. When Marcinkus did depart in financiers, starting with Bernardino 1990 to return to the United States, Nogara, who was called on to invest it was in disgrace, but at least not in the original payment from Mussolini. the troika of Massimo Spada, Henri handcuffs. In 1942, with the creation of the di Maillardoz and Luigi Mennini, Throughout his time at the Vatican Vatican bank—formally called the which lasted until the infamous Bank, and despite these scandals, Institute for the Works of Religion, or criminal Michele (Michael) Sindona Marcinkus had retained the support I.O.R., its Italian initials—Nogara had wormed his way into Vatican finances of Paul VI and John Paul II. One a way to move money around wartime through his friendship with Cardinal reason for John Paul’s support may Europe in what the Federal Bureau of Giovanni Battista Montini, soon to have been Marcinkus’s reliability in Investigation called “in the black—off be Pope Paul VI. The financial chi- shuffling money from the Vatican the radar of Western investigators.” caneries of Michele Sindona, his to Poland’s Solidarity movement Nogara, through various shell en- protégé Roberto Calvi and their dupe, through the I.O.R. Posner reports tities, invested heavily in insurance Archbishop Paul Marcinkus, presi- that at one point Marcinkus, using companies in eastern Europe. Here dent of the I.O.R., is the meaty center I.O.R. funds, purchased $3.5 million is Posner’s most serious charge: that of Posner’s book. in pure gold ingots from Switzerland through I.O.R.’s takeover of Generali, Marcinkus was a Chicago priest that were then smuggled into Poland a formerly Jewish-controlled insurance who had studied at the Vatican diplo- by a priest in the false bottom of his company whose owners and directors matic academy. He gained papal favor sport utility vehicle. had been deposed by the racial laws, first by serving as an English transla- Things did not improve much at the Vatican profited from the “escheat” tor for important visitors and then by I.O.R. after Marcinkus’s departure.

July 20-27, 2015 America 31 Throughout the 1990s, I.O.R. served Massimo Tulli, former director gen- during meetings or protests. Activist as an “off-shore” bank for rich and in- eral and vice director of I.O.R., for groups plan and protest without the fluential Italians. Seven-time Italian money laundering. This past October, benefit of music. prime minister, Giulio Andreotti, a Vatican prosecutor froze I.O.R. ac- Scholars are beginning to investigate used it to hide a $60 million slush counts of the former president and and evaluate this recent phenomenon. fund, oddly called the Cardinal another vice director of the I.O.R., The first volume of Robert Darden’s Spellman Foundation. In December Angelo Caloia and Lelio Scaletti, on timely and readable book, Nothing but 2012, the secretary of state at the suspicion of embezzling money from Love in God’s Water, offers a well re- time, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in- the sale of I.O.R. real estate. searched, notated and indexed lens structed I.O.R. to make a loan of $20 The Vatican bank obviously needs through which to focus an evaluation million to a film studio whose owners the complete housecleaning and re- of protest music based on African- were his friends. The loan has since structuring that Pope Francis has American sacred song. been written off as a complete loss decided to give it, which Posner de- to the Vatican. Even now, a Vatican scribes in the book’s last chapters. Go Down Moses, way down in monsignor, Nunzio Scarano, is under God’s Bankers is an effective brief on Egypt land arrest in Italy and awaiting trial for at- why such drastic measures are long, Tell ol’ Pharaoh to Let my people go! tempting to use I.O.R. to smuggle 23 long overdue. million untaxed euros into Italy for Darden describes singing during his wealthy friends. In March 2014, NICHOLAS P. CAFARDI is a law professor at backbreaking work as the first nonvio- Italy indicted Paolo Cipriani and Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. lent protest of newly enslaved people. He appreciates the somewhat clumsy attempts at notating African-American KIM R. HARRIS spirituals by European-American musi- cians, educators, soldiers and mission- LET FREEDOM SING aries, noting, however, their respect for the people and their songs, a “legitimate NOTHING BUT LOVE IN the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, sacred musical expression.” Darden also GOD’S WATER Ala., to commemorate the 50th an- recounts the enslaved peoples’ transfor- Volume 1, Black Sacred Music niversary of Bloody mation of received op- from the Civil War to the Civil Sunday (March 7, pressive theologies from Rights Movement 1965). the slave masters’ faith By Robert Darden Veterans of the communities into the Penn State University Press. 224p civil rights movement liberative theology and $34.95 wondered aloud on secret codes that support- that bridge and asked ed individual escapes and “Hands up don’t shoot!” “Black lives young marchers in well publicized revolts by matter!” “I can’t breathe!” Chants like their midst why pro- charismatic leaders like these, accompanied by gestures of tests since the killing Denmark Vesey (1822, marching with hands in the air, accentu- of Michael Brown and South Carolina) and Nat ate the protests of present day multira- Tanisha Anderson ap- Turner (1831, Virginia). cial activists as they decry the killing of pear generally devoid Darden quotes the unarmed black men, women and chil- of the inspiring song lyrics of the music he de- dren by police officers in communities leaders and communi- scribes. Readers may find across the country. ty singing. Does pro- themselves humming and test song still offer release of justified singing along as they read: Oh freedom, O freedom, O freedom anger, give expression to lament, en- over me. courage nonviolence during arrests and Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, And before I’d be a slave, I’d be buried reverberate with demands for change? D’liver Daniel, d’liver Daniel. in my grave, and I’ll fight for my right to In answer, young protesters spoke of Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel, be free! organizing on social media. Popular And why not every man? recording artists champion causes of Singing, older activists marched over freedom without acting as song leaders Unfortunately, with no forewarn-

32 America July 20-27, 2015 ing, Darden begins to abbreviate the black community in the Montgomery, members of the Student Nonviolent quoted lyrics: Ala., bus boycott. Coordinating Committee. Freedom Participating in the first mass meet- Singers sang historic songs. Older John Brown died that the slave ing at the Holt Street Baptist Church, members of the crowd sang with great might be free, Montgomery, an oppressed community energy. The young choir of the church But his soul’s marching on. made dangerous choices inspired by fa- then offered their musical contribu- Now has come the glorious jubilee, miliar songs, instantly repurposed into tion. They chose a contemporary gos- When all mankind (sic) are free freedom songs, anthems that carried pel “praise and worship” song, “You’re the community through 13 difficult Amazing,” as recorded by Ricky Dillard Readers unfamiliar with the songs months. and New G. or with no sense of the song form will not understand that these words repre- Onward, Christian soldiers, You’re amazing, you’re amazing, you’re sent two separate verses, with repetition marching as to war amazing, so amazing! within each verse. With the cross of Jesus going on Singers and students of American before. Younger members at the meeting labor union movement music will ap- stood and sang with gusto. Might young preciate Darden’s detailed chapter on In placing the history gathered by people march while praising the God union songs. Darden focuses on ways Darden in conversation with the pres- who inspires them and praising each in which original and transformed spir- ent protest experiences one could ask other for courage to join the movement? ituals and emerging black gospel music from where new protest songs might Based on Darden’s descriptions of free- supported union workers in recruiting emerge. Will black sacred music contin- dom anthem creation in Montgomery, new members and sustaining labor ue to provide music for freedom move- could this indeed be an emergence of a strikes. ments? Will young protesters eventu- new form of freedom song? Amid stories of segregated labor ally embrace singing as inspiration for unions, Darden offers the surprising activism? KIM R. HARRIS is co-composer of Welcome musical observation of “Negro and At a mass meeting in Tabernacle Table: A Mass of Spirituals and specializes in performing and promoting the liturgical, histori- White Unity” in protests for workers Baptist Church in Selma, Ala., during cal and popular understanding of Negro spiritu- rights among the singing union work- recent commemorations, veteran als and civil rights freedom songs. ers of Birmingham, Ala., in 1939. He quotes a “protest-oriented rewrite” of the spiritual “Joshua Fit [Fought] the No. VIII, from Nine Evocations Battle of Jericho:” “The bird lies still while the light goes on flying.” Black and white together, we’ll win From “Unknown Age,” by W. S. Merwin the vote, win the vote, win the vote Those with strapped-on wings (Black and white together, we’ll win for ages dreamt of flying like the birds the vote) Going to build our promised land. and fell from cliffs broke limbs or died. But when I ask for the wind’s help In this first volume, Darden’s treat- ment of civil rights movement music getting beyond the mind’s bent roads is limited to the experience before and its dead ends it sighs and says and during the Montgomery bus boy- cott (1955–56). He includes details (with a whoosh) I’ll take you there of musical collaborations and protest just as soon as all your words are ash. trainings at locations including the Highlander College/ Folk School and Richard Becker the passage of unionized spirituals into Richard Becker’s poetry has been published in America, Columbia,The the music of civil rights. Darden con- Literary Review, Cold Mountain and elsewhere. The author is an associate cludes the present text with an account professor of music at the University of Richmond. of the use of hymns familiar to the

July 20-27, 2015 America 33 ELAINE Ma c KINNON ued their liberty. Why then was Lafayette not able to A ROMANTIC IN AMERICA become a hero of his own revolution? Auricchio looks for the answer in both the volatility of politics in France and AMERICA’S HERO behind his newly-wed wife, Adrienne in the character of Lafayette. She sees The Marquis Lafayette de Noailles, whose family had brought him as one who welcomed revolution, Reconsidered him wealth and high connections, but only in order to reform the mon- By Laura Auricchio and defying a last-minute royal direc- archy, not abolish it. Events, though, Knopf. 432p $30 tive for him to turn back. Auricchio moved more quickly than he could sees Lafayette as a keep pace with, and the Few foreigners have captured the romantic driven by mood in France did not American imagination quite like the idealism and deter- long favor that stance. He Marquis de Lafayette, the French-born mined to achieve the played a prominent role aristocrat who became a hero of the glory that seemed to early on and as a member American Revolution and protégé of elude him in France, of the National Assembly General George Washington. Across where he felt out helped write the famous America, his fame is immortalized in of place, particular- Declaration of the Rights the more than 600 cities, towns, vil- ly at the capricious of Man. His popularity lages, counties, squares, parks, ships court of Versailles. among the Parisian mass- and submarines named after him. In Though enormously es led to his appointment homage to him, even American pi- wealthy and raised in to head the new National lots volunteering to fly for France in a world of noble priv- Guard. He helped calm World War I proudly called them- ilege, Lafayette found the mob that marched selves the Lafayette Flying Corps. Yet American society, in October of 1789 to few Americans realize the paradoxes with its direct and Versailles to force King of Lafayette’s life and legacy and how frank manner, more appealing. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to tarnished his efforts to lead his own To explain his success in the return to Paris. nation’s revolution turned out to be. In American context, Auricchio points to But Lafayette soon found himself France there is little memorialization a combination of factors: youth, luck, under fire from all sides. Auricchio of Lafayette, despite the leading role he some degree of military and political reveals the tragic irony of Lafayette’s played in the initial phase of the French acumen, his wounding at the Battle of situation. He defended the king, but Revolution. This striking discrepan- Brandywine and of course the signifi- neither Louis XVI nor his entourage cy in American and French historical cant sums of money that he was will- trusted him. Neither did the radicals, memory is the springboard for Laura ing to invest in the American cause. who despised Lafayette’s monarchism Auricchio’s superb new biography, The His actions earned him both popular and feared his ambitions. Lafayette, so Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered. She acclaim and access to Washington, devoted to the ideal of democracy in contrasts his dual experiences in the Franklin, Jefferson and Adams. America, refused to advocate the same American and French revolutions and After his return to France, he con- for France; he felt that monarchy was offers fresh insight into how Lafayette tinued to work for the American too deeply entrenched in French tra- came to be hailed in America as a true cause, and helped to sustain the flow dition and that the French were not patriot, but in France escaped the of French financial and military sup- ready for a republic. His role in the guillotine by being imprisoned by the port all the way through the final bat- revolution came to an ignominious end Austrians until 1797. tle of Yorktown. At its end, Lafayette when he was forced to flee the country Auricchio first examines the mo- had won the lasting devotion of the and was seized by the Austrians after tivations and circumstances that led American public, and he likewise nev- crossing their border. Lafayette to join with the American col- er lost his enthusiasm for all things He spent five miserable years as a onists in their fight against the British. American. The love affair was mutual: prisoner, until finally the French gov- As she shows, it was a bold and defiant Lafayette had gained the distinction ernment bowed to international pres- action. He was only 19 when he chose he craved, and Americans had found sure and negotiated for his release. to outfit a ship at his own expense a dashing affirmation of all they stood Following the restoration of the mon- and sail across the Atlantic, leaving for, an Old World aristocrat who val- archy, Lafayette was able to revive his

34 America July 20-27, 2015 July 20-27, 2015 America 35 political life and served in the legisla- connections between 18th-century quotations, pictures and commentaries ture. But he never regained national France and America, recreating in from Lafayette’s personal papers and prominence. Only in America, where vivid detail the worlds he occupied, from the correspondence of prominent he toured in 1824 to huge crowds and from the salons of the Enlightenment individuals like Washington, Franklin, national acclaim, did he continue to to the battlefield and public squares Adams and Jefferson. enjoy heroic status. of the New World. This is a book of Readers will find particularly fas- Auricchio’s portrait of Lafayette will remarkable historical depth, yet is very cinating the author’s examination of appeal to lovers of biography and histo- accessible to a general reader. Her anal- French Revolution pamphlet literature ry alike. She artfully weaves Lafayette’s ysis is grounded firmly in prodigious and political cartoons published by story into a rich account of the inter- research, and she includes numerous Lafayette’s opponents that lampooned and criticized him, some bordering on the pornographic. At times her ac- count reads like a thriller, especially when she immerses the reader in the intrigues that ran through both revo- lutions and that repeatedly ensnared Lafayette. Her engaging style brings Lafayette vividly to life, revealing him as he appeared to contemporaries and as he saw himself. Anyone who reads this book will come away with a much more nuanced understanding of this complex man and his remarkable encounters with history. Auricchio deftly explores the rather complicated psychology be- hind his irrepressible enthusiasm for the fledgling American republic and identifies the deficiencies in character and judgment that undermined his ef- forts in the French Revolution. Yet, to a certain degree the reader is still left wanting a more decisive analysis as to whether Lafayette’s character was the ultimate determinant of his fate or whether it was the circumstances he encountered. Some might question whether the author is completely objective about her subject. She seems decidedly sym- pathetic to Lafayette and suggests to the reader that his high-minded goals, work ethic and pursuit of public good outweighed the personal mistakes he made. The underlying sentiment of the book is that Lafayette deserves more recognition from his own countrymen for his aspirations and for his attempts, however unsuccessful they were, to steer France away from bloodshed and extremism. Finally, it would have been inter-

36 America July 20-27, 2015 esting to have learned more about in the book mainly through the letters These quibbles pale, though, in the Lafayette’s wife, Adrienne, and about that Lafayette wrote to her; yet after light of the author’s achievement as a the source of the remarkable fortitude 1792 it was she who fought relentless- writer and historian, and this book is a she revealed during the darkest days ly for Lafayette’s freedom, even while valued addition to our understanding of the French Revolution. Auricchio her sister and mother fell victim to the of Lafayette and to the expanding field presents only a limited portrait of this guillotine. When her efforts came to of Atlantic world studies. woman, whose family wealth made it naught, she voluntarily joined him in possible for Lafayette to support the prison, only to suffer a fatal decline in ELAINE MacKINNON is a professor of history Americans so generously. She appears health from the horrendous conditions. at the University of West Georgia.

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July 20-27, 2015 America 37 THE WORD No One Should Have Nothing SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B), JULY 26, 2015 Readings: 2 Kgs 4:42–44; Ps 145:10–18; Eph 4:1–6; Jn 6:1–15 “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” (Jn 6:5) couple of days before the re- God, which Elisha really is. of those who have died” (1 Cor 15:20), lease of Pope Francis’ encyc- Elisha does not keep the first fruits as the spiritual bread from heaven. But Alical “Laudato Si’,” a neighbor offering for himself, however, but offers the spiritual truth does not negate the and I were discussing rumors about the it to the people, saying, “Give it to the meaning of the material bread and the encyclical and what it might contain people and let them eat.” Elisha’s ser- necessary sustenance it offers. concerning the state of the earth and vant complains that the 20 bar- It was the miraculous act of economic systems. It was an intrigu- ley loaves will never feed 100 multiplication that drew the ing conversation, because my neighbor people, but Elisha reiterates people to Jesus, says John, does not identify as a Christian, or even that God had said, “They that made them want “by a theist, but his concern for the needs shall eat and have some force to make him king” of humanity and the earth is evident in left.” What Elisha re- and led them to proclaim, how he lives. We were discussing the ceived as a representative “This is indeed the proph- need for all people to have food, cloth- of God, he gave back to et who is to come into the ing, education, a home and all other ba- the people. Everyone ate, world.” But it is the act of sic necessities, when I noted that there as promised, and there giving what is needed physi- would never be genuine equality among was some left over. people with respect to money and goods Jesus’ teaching on the mul- PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE because of a variety of factors, including tiplication of the loaves and fishes talent, skill and even luck. starts with human need too, in which Reflect on the crowds around Jesus. What It was then that he said, “But no one the few fish and loaves of a little boy can you share from your abundance? should have nothing.” That cut to the became an outpouring of food for ART: TAD A. DUNNE TAD ART: heart of the matter. All of us as God’s the gathered crowd. Jesus, says the precious creations deserve in this Gospel of John, knew what his plan was, world the basic necessities. And there but he asked his apostle Phillip, “Where cally that allows people to see with the is enough. In fact, with God in our are we to buy bread for these people to eyes of the soul, to look beyond this sights, there is always some left over. eat?” “Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ world to the world eternal, from the There is a story in the Second Book wages would not buy enough bread for barley bread to the bread of heaven. of Kings, a story that Christopher T. each of them to get a little.’” Jesus then God’s abundance, poured out over the Begg says “is obviously the inspiration took the five barley loaves and two fish whole earth, is intended for everyone. for New Testament multiplication mir- and fed 5,000 people, with 12 baskets All are called to participate in this acles” (NJBC, p. 176), in which Elisha is full left over. richness, to be a part of the one body given the first fruits of the harvest as a There is no question that Jesus’ ac- and one Spirit, sharing in the material “man of God.” Most Old Testament tra- tions and the stories that recount them, and the spiritual bread. ditions see these first fruits as offered to found in all four Gospels, are modeled This is not Elisha or Jesus teaching the priests and Levites or to the house on the account of Elisha feeding a hun- lessons in economics but lessons in of God (e.g., Ex 23:19, Lv 23:10), but gry crowd. There is also no question theology, the nature of God’s ways. If all of the first fruits are truly an offering that in both stories there is a spiritu- our economics does not make room for to God through the representatives of al meaning that runs deeper than the feeding everyone, with some left over, simple physical act of nourishing the it is not because the church’s science body. Elisha gives the people the food is faulty but because of our hardened JOHN W. MARTENS is a professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn. dedicated to God as the first fruits; hearts. There is enough for everyone, Twitter: @BibleJunkies. Jesus will offer himself, the “first fruits and no one should have nothing.

38 America July 20-27, 2015 Aselgeia, akatharsia and epithymia can also reflect other disordered de- Hunger for the Truth sires, whether for food, bigger houses EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (B), AUG. 2, 2015 or more cars. Social sins, of course, can Readings: Ex 16:2-15; Ps 78:3-54; Eph 4:17-24; Jn 6:24-35 be the hardest to see, because the way a society lives can come to seem the “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry.” (Jn 6:35) normal, the best, even the only way to here is a fine line between hav- a spiritual one, and it is one that each live. While we might ask how people ing what we need to sustain wealthy nation and person must take lived justifying the evils of slavery, we our physical existence and today: How are we handling our abun- must ask ourselves how we live justify- T ing the evils of overconsumption. How feeling we just do not have enough. Or dance? is that line the one where we want more Jesus challenged those who fol- do we justify overuse of food and other and more? Once we cross that line, as lowed him after the multiplication of natural resources, throwing away tons individuals and as societies, to where loaves and fishes to take the same test. of food daily, while others go without our most notable identification is as He asked the crowds, who continued basic needs being met? a consumer, it can be difficult to cross to follow him, if “you are looking for Ephesians asks us “to be renewed in back. Once this takes place, the most me, not because you saw signs, but the spirit of your minds.” This is not surprising of things begins to happen: because you ate your fill of the loaves.” a renewal of ideological purity, of the Our own sense of worth and value can Because the human needs are so real right or the left, of this political party be tied up in things we own and things and genuine, it can be easy to focus or that, but a renewal in the spirit of we buy. Even sadder, though this is sad on them when they are met and to see God’s word, the word made flesh. This enough, we begin to see other people that as the end of life. Jesus asks his renewal criticizes every human vanity as valuable on the basis of their power followers to look beyond and not to to buy things and accumulate “stuff.” “work for the food that perishes, but Poor people themselves become less for the food that endures for eternal PRAYING WITH SCRIPTURE valuable, and all kinds of ways are con- life, which the Son of Man will give Follow Jesus in the crowd. Are your desires cocted to explain how they are respon- you.” It is only the spiritual food that ordered to the bread of heaven? sible for being poor and the architects will satisfy our deepest needs. of their own fate. It is a properly ordered life that For many of us in the West, myself assigns to all human needs their right and every form of human impurity; it included, food is something we con- place. The author of Ephesians, tradi- strips excuses away and leaves us hun- sume too much and waste too often, tionally understood to be the Apostle gry for the truth alone. while many others suffer with too lit- Paul, challenges us to take this test This is the hunger that compels us tle. Part of having more than enough is and not to abandon ourselves “to licen- to demand, “Sir, give us this bread al- being thankful for the abundance and tiousness (aselgeia), greedy to practice ways.” Jesus tells us: “I am the bread of properly stewarding what is left over. every kind of impurity (akatharsia).... life. Whoever comes to me will never The Israelites knew what it was to be You were taught to put away your for- be hungry, and whoever believes in me bereft and called out to God to supply mer way of life, your old self, corrupt will never be thirsty.” It is this bread their needs. God did it, but it was also and deluded by its lusts (epithymia), that orders all our appetites and al- a test, to see “whether they will follow and to be renewed in the spirit of your lows us to turn away from the desires my instruction or not.” God provided minds.” The prominent concern in this of selfishness and indifference so that for their physical needs; “He rained passage is with sexual licentiousness, we can clothe ourselves “with the new down on them manna to eat and gave but sexual lust is not the only desire self, created according to the likeness them the grain of heaven. Mortals ate that can lead us astray. Unbridled pas- of God in true righteousness and ho- of the bread of angels; he sent them sions can consume every area of our liness.” JOHN W. MARTENS food in abundance.” But the test was lives, corrupting and deluding us.

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