Masks and muzzles

Citizenship is a liberal art.  If liberty is understood to be the freedom to avoid natural law rather than the freedom to embrace natural law the term ‘free society’ becomes a self-contradiction.

Ruminate on these two provocative concepts which are found in Fr. John Courtney Murray’s book “We Hold These Truths: Catholic Reflections On The American Proposition”. Though published sixty years ago the book is even more relevant today as our nation struggles with its understanding of itself.  

For citizenship to be effective and fruitful each citizen must accept that the right to membership in society is founded on the responsibility such membership entails. That responsibility is for citizens to realize as fully as possible the potential ‘nature and nature’s God’ has bestowed on them and to do so within the universally recognized precepts of human dignity. This principle is not limiting; to the contrary, it is liberating and guiding. What’s more, it is not a man-made law. Rather it is the reality that exists outside of us. For us to avail ourselves of it we must search, study, discuss and practice it and continuously learn from it. Like marriage, it is more than science. It is an art.

Where the existence of ‘nature and nature’s God’ is not recognized – let alone respected – this unifying principle disappears and with it the chords of humanity that bind us in a flourishing society. When ‘free’ means to have rights without responsibility society is impossible. Civil law alone will not hold us together. Some readers may recall the legally permitted celebration of ‘free’ love several decades ago and the effect this misconception had on the integrity of family life, that fundamental manifestation of a vibrant society.

For more than a year the COVID pandemic has obliged us to wear face coverings when in public. Most have done this willingly as a responsible precaution to protect themselves and others. Some have done so begrudgingly as they regard the requirement an intrusive government imposition limiting their personal freedom. Has this cloth wrapped around our noses and mouths been a mask or a muzzle?

It depends, of course, on whom you ask.  But, related to the pandemic or not, there has been some large-scale muzzling perpetrated on us these past months, and rather than ensuring society’s health it has contributed to its division and decline. I refer to the muzzling of free speech. This insidious campaign is especially egregious in our co-called enlightened colleges and universities, but it is also evident in our industries and media. Citizenship is an art, therefore open discussion and dialogue covering all points of view are essential for a sound and vigorous society. No free speech, no freedom, no free society.

Free speech is dialogue in words. Philanthropy is dialogue in action. When donors support worthy causes, they are citizens acting responsibly. They are taking a stand. They are bearing witness to subsidiarity and solidarity.  Unmuzzled and as forcefully as with spoken words, they declare: “this is what we believe”.  The National Catholic Community Foundation understands this power which philanthropy wields. We are privileged to accommodate it.

As with citizenship membership in the Kingdom is also a liberal art. It requires the discipline of ongoing seeking and learning and dialoguing. If we ignore rather than engage this responsibility, we will be the morons in our oxymoronic attempt to sustain a ‘free society’.