A New Pope, a New American Administration, a Stern look at our own allegiance!

A New Pope, a New American Administration, a Stern look at our own allegiance!

Who ever thought that it is easy to adjust to new leaderships in our world where many things can change right before our eyes?  President Trump, now 109 days after inauguration (with this writing) as president, has already made massive changes around the world that affect everyone.  Pope Leo XIV just a few days after his election on May 8, 2025, as our latest Bishop of Rome that we all await the overhaul of some inadequate provisions that may not be in sync with what God had in mind when he created us.

Both offices require more than accolades as the responsibility and accountability of either one is not a lightly taken position.  President Trump must account to those who voted for him as a leader in our democracy and Constitution of the United States.  Pope Leo XIV also owes an accounting, not to the Cardinals who elected him, but to God in his Holy Spirit who will require a much deeper response to his acceptance as a spiritual leader that has been around since St. Peter was the first pope. 

The principle concern for all of us is not the mention of the Holy See or Washington, D.C. and the requirements each must be aware of before God and America, it is our own promise to follow the very dictates of our baptism and the adherence of our allegiance to God.  No matter how much we support our Constitution as citizens, or follow the words of acceptance of being confirmed in what we attest to believe, it becomes a real challenge to live what we believe. 

Watch when some people do not care about politics to the point of never voting, will not support the right of freedoms we hold dear, and turn their heads away from the realisms of what our future as Americans will mean to our children and grand-children.  As an alternative to politics we must seriously consider the effect of our baptismal promises (although as infants we did not verbally answer those questions) strengthened through our Conformation.  As Roman Catholics we are mandated to follow the essence of what it means to evangelize our sacramental faith for those who do not know Christ.  

However, with so much apostasy existing in our Church the premise of concerning ourselves with confirmation promises what use is there for so many to adhere to them?  

Just recently, one day after Pope Leo XIV was installed an email came across to me indicating this Pope, like Francis, in their opinion, turned their heads when the Pedaphiles in the clergy were allowed to run rampantly in the Church without doing anything to stop it.  Cardinal Donald Wuerl in Pittsburgh was also accused of the same negligence.   In support of him I ministered at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh with Bishop Wuelr.  I know him well and defend his integrity.  There seems to be a lot of “Holier than thou” Catholics ready to accuse when they do not have all of the ramifications of the situation in their hands.  If they are guilty of actually promoting these evils then that is one issue.  But if they are on a band-wagon to condemn some prelates; bishops, cardinals, and yes even a pope, they need to take a second look at their own weaknesses before removing the splinter from someone’s eye without actual proof that their neglect is not a neglect at all.

This becomes a stern look at ourselves as far as playing God to determine who are the guilty among us and we feel compelled to throw them into hell.  This person who informs me of so many ills in the Church, although being a nominal Catholic themself, nevers wastes a moment to put the Church and its clergy down in a nanosecond.   Be warned God has the final say and they had better examine their own state of “holiness.:  LOL.

Ralph B. Hathaway