Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the health-check domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /nas/content/live/brownpelican/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131

Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the mfn-opts domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /nas/content/live/brownpelican/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131
Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky: Catholics and Patriotism – Brown Pelican Society of Lousiana

Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky: Catholics and Patriotism

Clarence Thomas: Celebrate America 250 By Doing Something To Save The Country, by Shawn Fleetwood
April 17, 2026
Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations: The Miraculous Sign of Jesus
April 17, 2026

David McGuire. Unsplash. American flag, sunset.

By Fr. Jerry J. Pokorsky, Catholic Answers, July 4, 2024

Can people devoted to a perfect God also be devoted to an imperfect country?

In the United States, we usually identify ideological differences as liberal or conservative, right or left, Democrat or Republican. The categories are helpful to some extent. Disciples of Jesus worship the Word made Flesh, “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Thoughtful Christians prefer to distinguish between truth and error. So when we pledge our allegiance to the flag, we must pay close attention to the words for purposes of personal integrity.

A Union Army officer during the Civil War composed the first Pledge of Allegiance of the United States. Decades later, in 1892, Francis Bellamy penned the Pledge that is in use today. In 1942, Congress adopted it: “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” …