The 2025 Government Shutdown<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/span><\/p>\nAre YOU Playing Pilate?<\/span><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
The 43-day government shutdown was more than a budgeting failure; it is a profound failure to uphold the common good. The political community exists, as articulated by the Second Vatican Council, \u201cfor the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy.\u201d (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a> Yet, as the calendar ticked on, this legitimacy was damaged.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Real Crisis: A Political Divide, Not Just a Divided Government<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nA government shutdown is a symptom of a divided government<\/strong>\u2014but the underlying cause is the more corrosive political divide<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/A-sign-about-the-government-shutdown-posted-outside-the-National-Gallery-of-Art.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
(AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The problem is not that our political structure allows for checks and balances; it is the fundamental chasm separating our lawmakers. We are witnessing the breakdown caused by an increasingly stark disagreement between Democrats and Republicans... about more than just politics and policies.<\/span><\/p>\nIn 2020, \u201croughly eight-in-ten registered voters in both camps said their differences with the other side were about core American values\u201d. (Pew Center Research)<\/a> This ultimately toxic distinction has rapidly widened, turning necessary negotiation into zero-sum competition that has now halted the most basic functions of the state.<\/span><\/p>\nHow the Shutdown Attacks Human Dignity<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWhen the government shuts down, millions of Americans\u2014from essential workers to those relying on public services\u2014are treated not as citizens, but as political leverage. This crisis illustrates an abandonment of the goal to define and advance a common good.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching insists that \u201cauthentic democracy\u201d is only possible in a state ruled by law and \u201con the basis of a correct conception of the human person\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 46)<\/a> The shutdown directly undermines this conception:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The Dignity of Work<\/strong>: Hundreds of thousands of workers are furloughed or forced to work without pay. As Pope Francis said, there is \u201cno worse material poverty... than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work\u201d. (Address to CAPP)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- The Abandonment of Public Authority<\/strong>: The shutdown is a failure of those who \u201chold the reins of government\u201d to uphold their duty of stability and function, which is necessary for \u201cpublic authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend...\u201d the structures of the state. (Pope Pius XI, 67)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- The Failure to Govern<\/strong>: The failure to compromise suggests that for some, the dignity of the person is negotiable, forgetting Pope Francis\u2019s insistence that \u201cthe human person and human dignity are not simply catchwords, but pillars for creating shared rules and structures\u201d. (Address to Participants in the 38th Conference of FAO, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Solution: Return to Principles<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTo resolve this political divide\u2014and thus end the shutdown\u2014we must move from arguing over entrenched \u201cpositions\u201d to embracing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a framework for political conduct:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Human Dignity<\/strong>: Recognizing that every person, including the workers and constituents affected by the shutdown, has inherent value.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Solidarity<\/strong>: The shutdown is the ultimate lack of solidarity. We must instead embrace the \u201cfirm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good<\/strong>\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> It requires a willingness to live as one, where \u201c[A]ll men and women are called to live as one, each taking care of the other\u201d. (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Subsidiarity<\/strong>: While the crisis is at the highest level, the spirit of Subsidiarity\u2014that decisions should be made at the lowest competent level\u2014is thwarted when the central authority is paralyzed. The actions of the largest and highest collectivity are creating a disturbance of right order, disrupting essential services from being performed.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Call to Action<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWe cannot sit back, give up, or believe others will \u201cfigure it out.\u201d This level of political dysfunction results when Christians and citizens \u201cplay Pilate\u201d and wash their hands. We must participate in politics because it is \u201cone of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics\u201d. If politics has become too \u201ctainted,\u201d it is because \u201cChristians have not participated in politics with an evangelical spirit\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe end of Day 37 must be a call to action to restore dignity, solidarity, and the common good to our governing process.<\/span><\/p>\nA Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDemocracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHuman Rights on Which the State Must be Ordered<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About the Political Divide<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Politics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Three](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Three-Principles.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Human-Dignity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Solidarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/capp-usa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Subsidiarity.png\")
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Are YOU Playing Pilate?<\/span><\/h2>\n <\/p>\n
by CAPP-USA<\/span><\/span><\/h5>\n <\/p>\n
The 43-day government shutdown was more than a budgeting failure; it is a profound failure to uphold the common good. The political community exists, as articulated by the Second Vatican Council, \u201cfor the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy.\u201d (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a> Yet, as the calendar ticked on, this legitimacy was damaged.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Real Crisis: A Political Divide, Not Just a Divided Government<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nA government shutdown is a symptom of a divided government<\/strong>\u2014but the underlying cause is the more corrosive political divide<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n
(AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The problem is not that our political structure allows for checks and balances; it is the fundamental chasm separating our lawmakers. We are witnessing the breakdown caused by an increasingly stark disagreement between Democrats and Republicans... about more than just politics and policies.<\/span><\/p>\nIn 2020, \u201croughly eight-in-ten registered voters in both camps said their differences with the other side were about core American values\u201d. (Pew Center Research)<\/a> This ultimately toxic distinction has rapidly widened, turning necessary negotiation into zero-sum competition that has now halted the most basic functions of the state.<\/span><\/p>\nHow the Shutdown Attacks Human Dignity<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWhen the government shuts down, millions of Americans\u2014from essential workers to those relying on public services\u2014are treated not as citizens, but as political leverage. This crisis illustrates an abandonment of the goal to define and advance a common good.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic social teaching insists that \u201cauthentic democracy\u201d is only possible in a state ruled by law and \u201con the basis of a correct conception of the human person\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 46)<\/a> The shutdown directly undermines this conception:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- The Dignity of Work<\/strong>: Hundreds of thousands of workers are furloughed or forced to work without pay. As Pope Francis said, there is \u201cno worse material poverty... than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work\u201d. (Address to CAPP)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- The Abandonment of Public Authority<\/strong>: The shutdown is a failure of those who \u201chold the reins of government\u201d to uphold their duty of stability and function, which is necessary for \u201cpublic authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend...\u201d the structures of the state. (Pope Pius XI, 67)<\/a> <\/span><\/li>\n
- The Failure to Govern<\/strong>: The failure to compromise suggests that for some, the dignity of the person is negotiable, forgetting Pope Francis\u2019s insistence that \u201cthe human person and human dignity are not simply catchwords, but pillars for creating shared rules and structures\u201d. (Address to Participants in the 38th Conference of FAO, 1)<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Solution: Return to Principles<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTo resolve this political divide\u2014and thus end the shutdown\u2014we must move from arguing over entrenched \u201cpositions\u201d to embracing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a framework for political conduct:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Human Dignity<\/strong>: Recognizing that every person, including the workers and constituents affected by the shutdown, has inherent value.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Solidarity<\/strong>: The shutdown is the ultimate lack of solidarity. We must instead embrace the \u201cfirm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good<\/strong>\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> It requires a willingness to live as one, where \u201c[A]ll men and women are called to live as one, each taking care of the other\u201d. (Pope Francis, 3)<\/a> <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Subsidiarity<\/strong>: While the crisis is at the highest level, the spirit of Subsidiarity\u2014that decisions should be made at the lowest competent level\u2014is thwarted when the central authority is paralyzed. The actions of the largest and highest collectivity are creating a disturbance of right order, disrupting essential services from being performed.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Call to Action<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWe cannot sit back, give up, or believe others will \u201cfigure it out.\u201d This level of political dysfunction results when Christians and citizens \u201cplay Pilate\u201d and wash their hands. We must participate in politics because it is \u201cone of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics\u201d. If politics has become too \u201ctainted,\u201d it is because \u201cChristians have not participated in politics with an evangelical spirit\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\nThe end of Day 37 must be a call to action to restore dignity, solidarity, and the common good to our governing process.<\/span><\/p>\nA Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nCatholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nDemocracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nHuman Rights on Which the State Must be Ordered<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nThe Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nTop 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nQuotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\nWhat Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About the Political Divide<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tMore About Politics<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tBack to Articles<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
<\/p>\n
The 43-day government shutdown was more than a budgeting failure; it is a profound failure to uphold the common good. The political community exists, as articulated by the Second Vatican Council, \u201cfor the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy.\u201d (Gaudium et Spes, 74)<\/a> Yet, as the calendar ticked on, this legitimacy was damaged.<\/span><\/p>\n (AP Photo\/Andrew Harnik.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The problem is not that our political structure allows for checks and balances; it is the fundamental chasm separating our lawmakers. We are witnessing the breakdown caused by an increasingly stark disagreement between Democrats and Republicans... about more than just politics and policies.<\/span><\/p>\n In 2020, \u201croughly eight-in-ten registered voters in both camps said their differences with the other side were about core American values\u201d. (Pew Center Research)<\/a> This ultimately toxic distinction has rapidly widened, turning necessary negotiation into zero-sum competition that has now halted the most basic functions of the state.<\/span><\/p>\n Catholic social teaching insists that \u201cauthentic democracy\u201d is only possible in a state ruled by law and \u201con the basis of a correct conception of the human person\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 46)<\/a> The shutdown directly undermines this conception:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The end of Day 37 must be a call to action to restore dignity, solidarity, and the common good to our governing process.<\/span><\/p>\n A Divided Government and the Political Divide<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching is not Left or Right<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Catholic Social Teaching, Democracy, and Free Markets<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Democracy Quotes that Will Make You Think<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Human Rights on Which the State Must be Ordered<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Government Must Defend a Culture of Family<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Role of the State and Economic Activity<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Top 10 Pope Benedict XVI Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Top 10 Pope John Paul II Quotes on Politics<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Quotes about Government<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n What Does Catholic Social Teaching Say About a \u201cWelfare State\u201d?<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Catholic social teaching is built on three foundational principles -\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity<\/strong>,\u00a0Solidarity\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Subsidiarity.\u00a0<\/strong>Human Dignity, embodied in a correct understanding of the human person, is the greatest. The others flow from it. Good governments and good economic systems find ways of fostering the three principles.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t This means a correct understanding of the human person and of each person\u2019s unique value. All Catholic social teaching flows from this: the inherent dignity of every person that comes from being made in God\u2019s image.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t Solidarity is not \u201ca feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of others. It is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good\u201d. (Pope St. John Paul II, 38)<\/a> Love of God and love of neighbor are, in fact, linked and form one, single commandment.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tThe Real Crisis: A Political Divide, Not Just a Divided Government<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nA government shutdown is a symptom of a divided government<\/strong>\u2014but the underlying cause is the more corrosive political divide<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nHow the Shutdown Attacks Human Dignity<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWhen the government shuts down, millions of Americans\u2014from essential workers to those relying on public services\u2014are treated not as citizens, but as political leverage. This crisis illustrates an abandonment of the goal to define and advance a common good.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Solution: Return to Principles<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nTo resolve this political divide\u2014and thus end the shutdown\u2014we must move from arguing over entrenched \u201cpositions\u201d to embracing the principles of Catholic Social Teaching as a framework for political conduct:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n
The Call to Action<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\nWe cannot sit back, give up, or believe others will \u201cfigure it out.\u201d This level of political dysfunction results when Christians and citizens \u201cplay Pilate\u201d and wash their hands. We must participate in politics because it is \u201cone of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good. And Christian lay people must work in politics\u201d. If politics has become too \u201ctainted,\u201d it is because \u201cChristians have not participated in politics with an evangelical spirit\u201d. (Pope Francis)<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThree Key Principles<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHuman Dignity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSolidarity<\/a><\/h2>
<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t