LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Political differences should be addressed through lens of Christian charity

Posted

To the Editor:

I feel obligated to keep up on where our diocese is headed, so I remain a subscriber to Rhode Island Catholic. However, my tolerance is tested when I see blatant stereotyping by the editorial writers and Bishop Tobin — specifically, mischaracterization of those despised “liberals.” One of the June 25 editorials misstates that, “Most of the hate-based rhetoric has come from the liberal left, who are perhaps still fuming over election results.” And Bishop Tobin, in his “Without a Doubt”column, asserts that “some of the liberal politicians and Hollywood types who attacked President Trump over his climate decision could do a lot more themselves to protect the environment if they would just forego the frequent international travels, private jets, splendid yachts, palatial homes, and lavish lifestyles.” I am a faithful Catholic, strongly prolife, who adheres to all doctrinal teachings of the Church — although I certainly take issue with some nondoctrinal policies (as does Pope Francis). Yet, I proudly consider myself a “liberal” Catholic in the classic sense of the word.

As for the specifics in your recent editorial, I condemn the actions of comedian Kathy Griffin (as have most liberals in response to her holding a mock, severed head of the president) and the shooting of Congressman Scalise. That said, it was candidate Trump who has lowered the nature of political discourse to extreme nastiness and denigration of opponents, immigrants, the disabled and others. Even most level-headed conservatives and Republicans condemned his approach, until he became the only alternative to Secretary Clinton. As for Bishop Tobin’s statements on the Paris Accord, I presume that he has actually read Laudato Si’. If so, it should be clear that individual jets and yachts do not approach the carbon-emitting effects of the energy industries in America (and the lifestyle he describes fits President Trump and his advisors more than most liberals). Yes, we can debate the value of the Paris agreement, but most would agree that the U.S. (as the world’s moral leader and second-largest CO2 producer) should take a leadership role in climate efforts — even the coal industry and former ExxonMobil CEO Secretary Tillerson advised remaining in the Accord. Yet the President followed his “America First” policy in pulling out. Pope Francis’ encyclical clearly espoused a global view, not a “my country, the heck with everyone else” perspective.

So let’s discuss policies and policy differences, for the benefit of all, rather than lumping groups together with broad negative statements. I would hope that further thoughts in our paper are less “random” and more Christian.

Paul McKenney M.D., Warwick