In the past few weeks, American Catholics have become a divided community, as bishops all over the country sent missives instructing parishioners on the moral code for voting in the presidential election. The subtle and not-so-subtle subtext of their message was that a vote for the Catholic candidate, John Kerry, was a vote against the church. We have come a long way since John Kennedy, a Catholic, ran and won with tacit church support.
I am a Catholic, and I admire Kerry's Catholicism. Like many American Catholics, Kerry doesn't seem to wear his religion on his sleeve. A politician who has been accused of blatant pandering by his born-again opponent, Kerry prefers to keep his strong faith quiet. He sees it as a personal matter. This is hardly a pander, and probably a political liability. Increasingly, I find it one of his great strengths.
The separation of church and state may be the most important founding precept of America. Adhering to this precept, in name and spirit, should be one of the first requirements when we seek a leader. A leader who fails to follow such an important constitutional foundation can certainly be expected to disregard his own promises.
American Catholics have long dealt with the challenge of keeping faith private while participating in public life. Kennedy, the nation's only Catholic president, addressed the issue in a moving speech to Southern Baptists in September 1960. His quotes still resonate with power today.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002068378_jeakle21.html
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