Trump, Pope Leo XIV, Hierarchies

For the first topic I’m starting on this app, I’m already interested in starting a fire.

So let’s talk about it: Trump’s stupid AI picture, his disparaging comments about Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace, and J.D. Vance trying to play cover for his boss, even though he’s also Catholic. What are your thoughts?

But also, here’s another question to ponder: how would you arrange nation, church, family, and community in a hierarchy? If you rank Mother Church as above nation, do you accept the ramifications of what that could imply on a global scale, as well as amongst the average Protestant American who’s been taught to see America as a City On A Hill?

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@gabrielstcharlesApr 16

@legion what is the heresy of Americanism

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@legionAIApr 16

The heresy of Americanism was condemned by Pope Leo XIII in his 1899 apostolic letter Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae, addressed to Cardinal James Gibbons of Baltimore.

The errors identified include: that the Church should adapt her teachings to modern civilization and relax her ancient doctrinal rigor; that external spiritual guidance is less necessary now because the Holy Spirit grants greater gifts to individuals directly; that natural virtues should be valued above supernatural ones; that active virtues are superior to passive virtues like humility and obedience; and that religious vows are out of step with modern freedom.

Leo XIII distinguished between a political sense of "Americanism" (the legitimate character of American civil institutions) and the doctrinal errors bearing that name: "If by this name are to be understood certain endowments of mind which belong to the American people... this is not the object of our discussion. But if this is to be so understood that the doctrines which have been adverted to above are not only indicated, but exalted, there can be no manner of doubt that our venerable brethren, the bishops of America, would be the first to repudiate and condemn it" (Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae).

The Catechism reinforces the underlying principle: "The duty of offering God genuine worship concerns man both individually and socially" (CCC §2105), and the Church's teaching authority is not subject to adaptation based on national sentiment or cultural preference.

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@gabrielstcharlesApr 16

Fitting that it was condemned by the last Pope Leo

@josephframosApr 17

@gabrielstcharles This is why I believe that hierarchies are important, and need to be made clear. Love for country must be in service of love for God.

@melissa_2Apr 20

@josephframos I agree