On Father’s Day, I was thinking about my dad. My father died nine years ago. Dad was a good Catholic and a political conservative. Our politics did not align very often, but while we might take opposing viewpoints on whether to be tough on crime, raise taxes, lobby for the latest nuclear power plant, and many other topics, my dad also taught me to conserve resources, to reuse, recycle, and always take care of creation. And don’t ever let him see you throw a recyclable item in the garbage!
My dad was also a believer in science. He would not understand those who believe facts are a matter of opinion; to be manipulated “for the cause”. He would favor the positions of scientists over politicians. While my father loved big business, he also loved parks, animals, plants, and nature. I think he would agree it was time to come together to tackle climate change and take care of our planet, rather than be contrary just to stop the other side from gaining an inch. I am pretty sure he would put God’s creation and his grandchildren and great grandchildren ahead of zero sum politics.
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis writes:
The development of a global community of fraternity based on the practice of social friendship on the part of peoples and nations calls for a better kind of politics, one truly at the service of the common good. Sadly, politics today often takes forms that hinder progress towards a different world.
I miss my dad. And I miss a society where all political sides worked together more often than not. It is only in working together that we can truly take care of our common home.
Paul Litwin
Saint Francis of Assisi at St John the Evangelist 