Render Unto Caesar: Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life

What role do Catholics have to play in the public arena? Do we have to leave our faith at home when we enter public life or talk at the water cooler? Must we "impose" all of our views on fellow Americans in order to be loyal Catholics? Are you a "bobo", a "Catholic Taliban"? Does it matter morally for whom I vote? Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Capuchin Franciscan and Archbishop of Denver, tackles these questions and many more in a wonderful, readable volume entitled "Render unto Caesar" (Doubleday, NY, © 2008). Chaput, never partisan and never acrid, writes as a pastor, inspired, in part, by a friend who failed to unseat an incumbent for the Colorado Assembly, a friend who felt the lukewarmness of his own party toward his candidacy because he stood by his Catholic values in spite of the bewilderment of his colleagues. As our country wrestles with tremendous societal changes, rampant egoism and materialism, and the growing shadow of a culture of death, Archbishop Chaput wants to rally Catholics "to find again the courage to be Catholic Christians first." Catholics have the eerie sense that in many ways we are no different in many ways than our neighbors. We have made it financially, socially and politically! But has this come with too much accommodation to the ways of a secularly dominated culture. Are we rendering to Caesar what is God's? We have powerful members of major political parties but it seems that they are ineffective in bringing a Catholic view to our world or worse, outright oppose the teachings of our Faith as they assume positions of leadership. Amid all this confusion, Chaput gently leads the reader through the history of the Church's relationship to the state and society in general. He examines the role and growth of Catholics in the United States of America, highlighting the innate Catholicity of the American experiment and America's inherent wariness of Catholicism. Deftly, the author sheds light on the history of the Second Vatican Council, clarifying myths about the Council and its initiator Pope John XXIII and explaining the importance of the American Catholic experience in formulating key doctrines on religious freedom and the value and place of other Christian denominations and other faiths. He briefly sketches the great theological journeys of Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. After explaining to us how we arrived at where we are, Chaput challenges us that if we really love our country and our faith we need to bring our faith into the public square "without excuses or apologies." While respecting the good will of all he explains how the promises President Kennedy made in the 1960 election campaign seemed prudent, but in the end began a paralysis of American Catholic political thought that lead to and lives on in the "personally opposed but ..." mentality of today. Recounting the positions of St. Thomas More, and Governor Robert Casey Sr. he shows there is a way to be loyal to one's country and be thoroughly Catholic. Never one to evade the hard questions, Chaput personally answers why defending the right-to-life, particularly for the unborn, is the paramount issue of our day and how Cardinal Joseph Bernardin warned against misuse of the "seamless garment" to nullify the priority of the sanctity of human life. The Archbishop offers his candid thoughts on receiving Holy Communion and how he handles the difficulty of public figures who present themselves for Communion while public defying the Church's teachings. A must read before you go to the polls in November but will have lasting value as we go about renewing ourselves and "Serving the Nation by Living Our Catholic Beliefs in Political Life." Rev. Peter Calabrese Barnabite Father, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine Lewiston Community

I must say, if you want a guidebook for real, authentic Catholic thought in politics, this is it. Hands-down, this is one of the best books I've ever read. Our very own Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, Archbishop of Philadelphia outlines every major point that today's American Catholic who is politically aware (And yes, we all should be!) needs to know, including: The history of anti-Catholic sentiment in America, and the Church's involvement in politics from Ancient Rome to Modern Day. How the modern definition of separation of Church and State is birthed from that anti-Catholic sentiment of the 1800s; Why preaching ALL Catholic ideals in politics does not result in wanting a "Christian Taliban" or Church-run state, Cited examples of authentic faith practice and non-authentic faith practice in American political life; The need to be vocal about our Catholic beliefs, and where they stem from; The reasons behind our complacency in today's American culture; The modern thought process of our generation, whom Archbishop Chaput cites as "Bobos" from author David Brooks; A fantastic, grounded interpretation of Matthew 22, and what Jesus meant by "Rendering unto Caesar"; And of course, whether a Catholic in good conscience can vote for a "pro-choice" candidate. While Archbishop Chaput starts off the book slow and a bit dry, delving into deep Church history and some very philosophical discussions on what it means to be Catholic and a follower of Christ, around Chapter 8 the book takes off into a whirlwind of the history of being Catholic in America and intertwining that into political life. You will find yourself both uncomfortable and emboldened at the concepts that the Archbishop speaks of in the last few chapters of the book. But be warned, this is not light reading. While the book is a short 12 chapters, it is dense in its language and content. Archbishop Chaput is an unbelievably well-read and well-educated man. You will find yourself reading and re-reading chapters, even paragraphs over and over, as Archbishop Chaput cites everyone from ancient Roman philosophers, the Bible, modern American politicians, writers, Catholic Bishops, and everyone in-between to make his point. Take a highlighter when reading, and take note of the vast amount of quotable things written in this book, whether they are said by the Archbishop, or by someone else. Overall, I really can't recommend this book enough. If you find yourself contemplating of the symbiosis of living out your Catholic faith in the public square, whether that be merely which candidates to vote for, or what are we really "Render Unto Caesar" is the handbook. There is no doubt about it. This book is a must-read. And I am happy to say that Archbishop Chaput is leading my diocese after reading "Render Unto Caesar."

The best book I've ever read on the church-state relations. This is as important book for Catholics and all Christians because it's a rallying cry for Christians to once again engage in the public square. I live in Canada where the churches perhaps have been meeker that the case with our American friends. I've suggested this book to at least a dozen people and they in turn introduced to many of their friends. It's helps that Archbishop Chaput (of Philadelphia) is a great writer and a man absolutely secure in his world view. I've read it twice and I'm sure a third go will happen soon. It will inspire you to live your faith without fear.