Fr. Jerry Pokorsky: Models of Political Meddling by Clerics

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Bp. Mark Seitz with fellow clergy. Church Militant

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky, Catholic Culture, July 24, 2020

Fr. Jerry Pokorsky is a priest of the Diocese of Arlington who has also served as a financial administrator in the Diocese of Lincoln. …

A priest is a messenger boy. His job is to sow the good seeds of the Gospel on behalf of Jesus, and cast away the evil seeds of the Devil. He has authority only to the extent he teaches in union with Christ. If he wishes to be a good priest, he must jealously guard the integrity of that authority for the salvation of souls.

The clergy feel a lot of pressure to respond to the political events of the day, and often find it difficult to remain silent. In June, El Paso Bishop Mark J. Seitz took a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement (including its violence?). Apparently the Holy Father approved. But the pressure for a pastoral response from the clergy usually comes from the laity, often eager to claim the pastor as a political ally. But clerical meddling in politics is fraught with danger. …

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