I often take exception to Scott Stantis’ editorial cartoon, published in the Chicago Tribune. However, his latest in the April 17 edition, commenting on civil political discourse versus accusations of heresy among Democrats, hit the nail on the head. And it was timely after my personal encounter on Holy Wednesday with Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican/Holy See, Brian Burch, outside his west suburban home.
There’s an adage about the U.S. Marines that has been applied to lapsed Catholics: that you never really get the Church out of the “man.” I certainly am a lapsed Catholic, yet I am opposed to the appointment of Mr. Burch as ambassador to the Vatican. I fail to understand how his support of Trump’s policies eliminating USAID and leaving children across the world without food or medicine, among other things that are anathema to the dogma of the Catholic Church, jibe with what I learned from 12 years of Catholic education, and sound contrary my experiences working with members of the clergy and from my late aunt, a Dominican nun.
So following the tenants of “civic theology,” I took my concerns directly to Mr. Burch. For nearly three hours I paced in front of his home with sandwich board signs emblazoned with the question, “What Would Jesus Do” (WWJD)? Neighborhood people stopped and commented, some agreeing with me, some Trump supporters. Mr. Burch eventually came out of his house to attend noon Mass at the church across the street.
We had a very civil conversation for about 10 minutes, discussing our differences as well as shared concerns on Trump’s abrupt cut-off of foreign assistance to children. We agreed to disagree, all recorded by a documentary film company. I politely declined his invitation to join him at Mass but welcomed his commitment to consider my entreaties about Trump’s policies while he prayed, and as ambassador to the Vatican representing the interests of all the USA.
I’d like to think that my impact on Mr. Burch was as sincere as his impact on me. I retain my opposition to Mr. Burch’s appointment as the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. But I am grateful to him for having had a civil conversation with me, Catholic to semi-Catholic.
Chris Donovan
Oak Park