Catechism for America
FOOD FOR THOUGHT, 7 Jan 2019
Prof. Michael Brenner – TRANSCEND Media Service
1 Jan 2019 – Donald Trump experienced an epiphany during his lonesome Christmas at the White House. Riveted by the telecast of the midnight Mass at the Vatican, it came unto him a blinding light that awakened his spirit. The troubled soul of America needed a patriotic version of the Church’s ancient catechism.
He set about commissioning a composition modeled on the NICENE CREED and the Roman Catholic Catechism to serve as a devotional paean to America. The intention is to have it recited on all celebratory public occasions: the State of the Union Address; Inaugurations; triumphant military parades; Presidential birthdays; and announcements of notable staff firings. In addition, it will be required by law to be declaimed in unison before every game of the National Football league.
Here is a draft of this historic initiative destined to bring us Redemption, Resurrection and a White House Second Coming. It was prepared by a Presidential Commission of three: a representative of the immigrant community – Melania; a person of the female persuasion – Ivanka; and a person of color – Kanye West.
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The American Creed
I believe in the Founders almighty,
Creators of this Republic under Heaven.
I believe in the Constitution, issued of the Founders
That was conceived by their Minds,
Born of the Convention,
Suffered the trials of Civil War
Was buried under Fire & Fury
And, yet, rose again,
Ascending ever closer to Heaven.
To be seated at the right hand
Of the Founding Fathers
From whence we will judge all humankind,
I believe in the Constitution, the holy Republic,
The communion of sainted Presidents,
Our power to forgive the sins of others,
The suppression of rebellion,
In the cause of democracy Everlasting. Amen.
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We Believe – World Nations’ Capacity to Love America
Providence itself, in creating America, has written upon the hearts of men the desire to emulate it. Even if this desire is often sublimated, America never ceases to draw nations to itself because only in America’s Grace will they find and live the fullness of truth and happiness for which they never stop craving. By nature and by interest, nations are Americo-philes, capable of entering into communion with it. This intimate and vital bond with America confers on nations their fundamental freedom and dignity.
How is it possible to know America with only the light of human reason?
Starting from creation, which is from the world of nature and from the political person, through reason alone a people can commune with America with certainty as the highest good and as ultimate Truth.
Is the light of reason alone sufficient to commune with America?
In coming to a knowledge of America’s goodness by the light of reason alone man experiences many difficulties. Indeed, on his own he is unable to enter into the intimacy of the Founding mystery. This is why he stands in need of being enlightened by America’s revelation, not only about those things that exceed his understanding, but also about those political and moral truths which of themselves are not beyond the grasp of human reason, so that even in the present condition of the human race, they can be known by all with ease, with firm certainty and with no admixture of error.
How can we speak about America?
By taking as our starting point the inner perfections of nations which are a reflection, albeit a pale one, of the infinite perfection of America, we are able to speak about America with all peoples. We must, however, continually purify our understanding insofar as it is image-bound and imperfect, realizing that we can never fully express the infinite Virtue of the Founding Fathers.
What does America reveal to man?
America in its goodness and wisdom reveals itself. With deeds and words – many words, it reveals itself and its plan of loving goodness which is decreed to all eternity in the Constitution. According to this plan, all people by the grace of the Founders’ Spirit are to share in the virtuous life as adopted “sons” in the Constitution conceived by the sole Providence
From the very beginning, America manifested itself to our forebears, and invited them to intimate communion with itself. When they demurred, it did not cease its appeal to them but promised salvation for all future generations. After the tumult and turmoil, it made a covenant with John Bull, which became a covenant between itself and all other peoples.
What are the next stages of America’s Revelation?
America chose Margaret and Tony, making them “the mother and father of a multitude of nations” and promising they would bless “all the nations of the earth” in America’s name. The people descended from Margaret and Tony would be the trustees of the great promise made to the Founding Fathers. America blessed the Brits as its chosen people, freeing them from bondage in Europe, establishing with them the covenant of Brexit, giving them their Google map to the Promised Land. The apostle Brexiteers proclaimed a radical redemption of the people and a salvation which would include all nations in a new and everlasting covenant. From the people of Britain and from the House of Commons, would be born the Messiah – the Son of the Founders.
What is the full and definitive stage of America’s Revelation?
“In giving us his Constitution, his only and definitive Word, Providence spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word; therefore, he prudently keeps repeating it.”
What is the value of private revelations?
While not belonging to the deposit of faith, private revelations may help a nation to live the faith as long as they lead us to the Constitution. The Magisterium of the Supreme Court, which has the duty of evaluating such private revelations, cannot accept those which claim to surpass or correct that definitive Revelation which is the Constitution.
Why and in what way is divine revelation transmitted?
America “desires all nations to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” For this reason, the Creed must be proclaimed to all: “go forth and teach all nations” – be it by the word or by the sword. And this is brought about by Apostolic Tradition.
What is Apostolic Tradition?
Apostolic Tradition is the transmission of the message of the Constitution, brought about by means of preaching, bearing witness, democracy promotion, nation building, worship of all things American, and inspired writings. The apostles transmitted all they received from the Constitution, and learned from the Founding Fathers to their successors, the pundits, and through them to all generations until the end of the world.
In what ways does Apostolic Tradition occur?
Apostolic Tradition occurs in two ways: through the living transmission of the word of the Founding Fathers, through Sacred Think Tanks and Foundations, which transmit the same proclamation of salvation in written form.
What is the relationship between Tradition and Sacred Scripture?
Tradition and Sacred Scripture are bound closely together and communicate one with the other. Each of them makes present and fruitful in the body politic the mystery of American exceptionalism. They flow out of the same Providential well-spring.
To whom is the deposit of faith entrusted?
The Founders entrusted the deposit of faith to the whole of the Establishment. Thanks to its supernatural sense of faith the democratic citizenry as a whole, assisted by the Holy cup bearers and guided by the priests of the golden Temple, never ceases to welcome, to penetrate more deeply and to live more fully from the gifts of oligarchs.
To whom is given the task of authentically interpreting the deposit of faith?
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the deposit of faith has been entrusted to the living teaching of the Office for the Propagation of the Constitution alone; that is, to the successors of the Fathers. To the Magisterium of the Supreme Court, which in the service of the Word of the Founders enjoys the certain charisma of truth, belongs also the task of defining dogmas which are formulations of the truths contained in the Constitution. This authority of the Magisterium also extends to those truths necessarily connected with exigent interests and needs of the Republic.
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Michael Brenner is professor of international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh; a senior fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, SAIS-Johns Hopkins (Washington, D.C.), contributor to research and consulting projects on Euro-American security and economic issues. Publishes and teaches in the fields of American foreign policy, Euro-American relations, and the European Union. mbren@pitt.edu – More…
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 7 Jan 2019.
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