would it be left or right? This is an anachronistic discussion that generates intense debate. Especially now that the Trump administration has come into open confrontation with the . After all, how do the scriptures and doctrine of the Church fit —or collide— with political discourse?
He defends values normally associated with conservatism and the right, such as family, faith and individual responsibility. But, on the other hand, Christianity came to promote help for the needy and excluded and the sharing of wealth — principles more associated with the left.
The truth is that, given what the canons of societies at the time were, Jesus was almost a revolutionary in Roman Judea in the 1st century. He was a charismatic preacher, who challenged the power of the Pharisees and spread radical messages of inclusion and equality.
In the New Testament, Jesus is quoted as saying, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” But the Catholic Church has always interfered in state affairs.
In addition to being spiritual leaders, Popes also have enormous political influence.
And they make use of it. Suffice it to say that, during the Middle Ages, the Church waged military and religious expeditions (), financed wars, legitimized and excommunicated kings.
During the 20th century, the Church’s Social Doctrine, which both criticized Marxism and savage capitalism, had a profound political impact in Europe and Latin American regimes. It inspired resistance, the defense of the most disadvantaged and the democratic transition.
All recent Popes have had strong political interventions. For example, Pius 11 created the sovereign state, John Paul II supported the fall of communist regimes, Francis openly criticized populism.
Leo 14 follows the same line, firmly condemning Trump’s warmongering policy.
I believe that the Pope is just doing his job: defending the Gospel.
Claiming to be a practicing Christian and defending policies that promote war or exclude ethnicities, minorities or social groups, as the ultra-right does today, is a contradiction and an unacceptable appropriation. Because both the Scriptures, the Church’s social doctrine and the latest encyclicals, advocate exactly the opposite: peace, love and integration.
