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To bolster my activities, I call upon some support from ancient times. For example, Saint Augustine, a Catholic theologian of expression far greater than myself, stated clearly that God exerts rule over sinful creation by the duality of influences coming through both Church and state. Both social entities may properly exert the divine good will of God. The proper tension that may rightfully exist between these two ruling powers was discussed by Augustine during the throes of the declining Roman Empire’s struggles. During the early 5th Century A.D, Augustine wrote his famous work entitled “The City of God”. That tome favored Christianity as expressed over competing religions and clearly declared that God allowed not only the success of Rome, but also the sack of Rome. He stated that we as Christians can consider ourselves rightly called to be influential in the rise and fall of governments and may give voice in all governmental matters. In this nation, we presently are called to do so peacefully using both prayer, works and vote. Indeed, we of the Church have a dialectic responsibility to converse with the government. This is one duty from which we should not shrink! By doing so, we stand against societal chaos. From blessed Saint Augustine, we read a quote about the nature of the earthly, peaceful political nation, as defined by him as the “earthly city”. He used symbolisms garnered from the biblical book of “Revelation”… Now, when victory remains with the party which had the more just cause, who hesitates to congratulate the victor, and style it a desirable peace? These things, then, are good things, and without doubt the gifts of God. But if they (of the government) neglect the better things of the heavenly city (the church), which are secured by eternal victory and peace never-ending, and so inordinately covet these present good things that they believe them to be the only desirable things, or love them better than those things which are believed to be better… if this be so, then it is necessary that misery follow and ever increase. (St. Aurelius Augustine, The City of God 15.4.1) |
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Black Robe Regiment-Allegany– July 2025 Editorial |
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Click Here To View this Video about… “The 1916 Project” |
