Social justice isn’t a false god; it’s rooted in faith
Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles already had at least one controversial proposal before him.
The head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the former archbishop of San Antonio, was in the midst of a contentious debate among his bishops.
It was about the Eucharist and whether politicians who support abortion rights — namely, President Joe Biden — could be denied communion at the altar.
Biden is a practicing Catholic, and his election in 2020 spurred the priestly debate.
At a meeting in mid-november, the bishops approved a new document on communion that emphasized the sacred rite but sidestepped any mention of politicians.
The document, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” also approved a plan for a three-year Eucharist revival campaign.
The most conservative bishops had gotten their say, if not their way.
Also in November, Gomez addressed a group in Madrid via video ahead of the 23rd Congress of Catholics and Public Life.
It was sponsored by the Catholic Association of Propagandists, a Spanish lay group described as committed to promoting faith in the public square.
The theme for its conference was “Political Correctness: Endangered Freedoms,” which gives you some idea of the group’s perspectives.
In his talk to them, Gomez addressed what he called “America’s new religions.” He was talking about U.S. social justice movements.
It might have been Gomez’s most controversial statement about life in the U.S.
Gomez, a Mexican immigrant ordained as an Opus Dei priest, declared that social justice movements — such as Black Lives Matter — are replacing the church and Christianity.
He said they’re becoming “pseudo religions” and “dangerous substitutes for true religion.”
Gomez also described a nation undergoing “aggressive secularization” and social justice groups as “profoundly atheistic.”
Some Catholics, no doubt conservative ones, may have been waiting for such pronouncements, similarly viewing “woke” culture as a threat to U.S. society in general.
For others, Gomez’s address was another example of how divided the country has become along political fault lines.
For me, it was puzzling to hear how social justice movements are viewed by conservative Catholics like Gomez.
They’re seen as threatening, almost ominous.
That’s so far from truth and reality.
Gomez’s words deserved to be read in full, as they are complex. They also have to be viewed in context to his support for liberal causes such as immigrant rights.
Over the years, Gomez has made statements in support of those fighting for racial and economic equality. He has condemned white supremacy and even congratulated Biden on his election.
Some among his brethren weren’t happy about that.
But in this November speech, Gomez chilled the air.
It’s one thing to criticize a country growing more secular and less adherent to any faith tradition. The “nones,” those who don’t claim a religious affiliation, have been on the rise for a long time.
But to call social justice movements anti-christian and a replacement for the church is a stretch, especially since some of those who participated in Black Lives Matter protests, attending vigils and supporting their cause, are indeed acting on their faiths.
Catholics included.
Such protesters and supporters are more likely to see themselves as individuals exercising their right to demand justice and accountability from law enforcement and the judicial system.
They’re not worshiping false gods but seeking to right societal wrongs, and likely come to these issues from both secular and spiritual standpoints.
When they decided to join protests against the killing of an unarmed Black man by police officers, they were more likely acting as voters, community members, taxpayers and students who want to see their public institutions respond with fairness and humanity.
In a country that prides itself on the separation of church and state, social justice movements replace neither church nor state. Gomez made one statement that many would agree with, however.
“The world does not need a new secular religion to replace Christianity,” he said.
“It needs you and me to be better witnesses. Better Christians. Let us begin by forgiving, loving, sacrificing for others, putting away spiritual poisons like resentment and envy.”