(A colleague sent this on to me; it is encouraging to hear that there are voices like this in the U.S. Church)
Most Rev. Daniel Thomas
Diocese of Toledo
1933 Spielbusch Avenue
Toledo, OH 43604
February 7, 2025
Dear Bishop Thomas,
I write to you today, in one sense, because I know of no perfect place to present my concerns, and you are the chief shepherd of our Church in northwest Ohio, a fellow laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, and a man who engenders my respect and loyalty.
My words penned here are not meant to be critical of you or your brother bishops, although my thoughts may be tinged with some disappointment as well as challenge.
I hope this is more than just an exercise in venting, although at this moment that, in fact, may be one of my visceral needs. I apologize in advance for the length of this missive and the imposition upon your time, should you choose to slog through it. Apologies also for any cynicism that might bleed throughthese words.
I write because in my 77 years of life, I have never felt such disappointment and dismay, and even anger (righteous, I hope) at my country and a large portion of her citizens who seem to be almost gleefully taking us in a direction that I see as antithetical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not since I was a 13-year-old Ohio farm boy during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962 that I have lain awake at night worrying about the fate of our country and world; but the nightmares have returned.
Of course, much of this distress is engendered by the man who currently occupies the Oval Office in the White House. Let me enumerate a few concerns:
(1) Eight years ago, in Mr. Trump’s first inaugural address, he repeatedly mentioned that it was his intent to always make America FIRST, in every policy, position and public pronouncement. I realize such addresses are rhetorical by nature, but his insistence on FIRST immediately caused me to cringe and to recall Jesus’ repeated counsels that “the first shall be last,” “if you want to be first, you must serve the rest,” etc. Jesus’ words are not rhetoric or semantics, but the truth that saves. FIRST in our culture always seems to mean dominance or superiority over another; but Jesus always identified with that “other.” It is also well to remember the words of his mother Mary, the first and greatest disciple: that “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the lowly.” (Lk. 1:52) First indeed. Give God the glory, as she did.
(2) Mr. Trump and his followers are fond of using as a mantra the term Make America Great Again (MAGA). I believe we have a profoundly different notion of what makes America great. I believe that America is at its greatest when it lives out its ideals in a spirit of compassion and generosity.
Sadly, it happened that America was called to greatness when we sent millions of our young men and women to battle and die in Europe and Asia when oppressive dictators threatened the freedoms and very lives of millions of people in the 1930’s and 1940’s. We entered a brutal war on foreign shores primarily to defend innocent people.
America was great when we embarked on the monumental Marshall Program to feed, clothe, house and rebuild a devastated Europe, even when there were pressing needs at home.
America was great when we established the Peace Corps and sent thousands of eager and altruistic young men and women to foreign lands to help educate, heal, and lead people out of poverty.
America was great when thousands of courageous people stood up in the last century against the evils of racism so prevalent in our nation even 100 years after our bloody civil war.
America was great when it welcomed immigrants from all over the world, fleeing oppression, poverty and religious persecution, my own ancestors from Germany and Ireland included.
Greatness is really very elemental. It is, simply, SERVICE. It is sharing my gifts, whatever they maybe, with anyone in need. Greatness has nothing whatsoever to do with money or power.
(3) In his recent campaign for the presidency, Mr. Trump actually came out and changed his mantra, saying that it was his goal to “Make America Wealthy Again,” spouting economic nonsense like tariffs and complaining that “everyone takes advantage of our country.” Obviously, for him greatness is equated with wealth and possessions. A recent article in the New York Times cited a study that concluded that the United States is both the wealthiest country in the world as well as the unhappiest country in the world. [“A Wealthy and Unhappy Nation” by David Leonhardt, NYT, 02-04-25] Should that conundrum surprise any follower of Jesus Christ? As if wealth and possessions will provide happiness! Our Savior repeatedly says something quite different: the Sermon on the Mount tells us how to be happy, and it is certainly not predicated on acquiring wealth—quite the opposite. Matthew 20, Matthew 25, and other scriptural references too numerous to cite here, will tell us the same thing. Blessed are the poor in spirit.
(4) Apart from Mr. Trump’s total disdain and disregard of the Constitution, the separation of powers in our government, and the rule of law, egregious as his conduct in these areas may be, one area deserves special mention as being absolutely contrary to the Gospel. I speak of his elimination of USAID and all aid to foreign countries, which his chief influencer Elon Musk labels as “criminal activity which must go into the wood chipper.” [cf. Mr. Musk’s posts on his own social media platform X, 02-02-25] And this from a man whose personal wealth exceeds the GNP of 140 countries in the world. Also, in the three months since the election, Musk’s personal wealth has increased by far more than the entire budget of USAID, which accounts for less that 1% of the federal budget. That final statistic should embarrass us as a nation. Less than 1% of our goods? From us who have so much more than 90% of the world? And we want more? More wealth? Really? Is it any wonder that we have so few friends in the world, when we live in relative luxury and thousands of people die each day for want of a crust of bread?
And our new Secretary of State, the Catholic Mr. Marco Rubio, says that the United States is not in the business of doling out charity, that foreign aid demands a return on our investment, and that it should be given only to those who can increase our “security.” With the snap of a finger, we stop lifesaving food and medicine to millions of poor people around the world, so that we can be more secure. Mr. Rubio, let me say that doing charity is exactly what we should be about as a nation. “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more,” (Lk. 12:48) Security? Mr. Rubio, you may want to read Jesus’ parable about building “bigger barns.” (Lk. 12: 16-21)
(5) The entire issue of immigration and the treatment of disenfranchised people is a complicated one, balancing rights and responsibilities, common good and individual good. Certainly, the processes to enter this country seeking asylum and/or citizenship must be reviewed and perhaps totally reworked. But the scripture is abundantly clear: All people are created in the image and likeness of God. All are children of God and have an inherent dignity that comes solely from that and the fact that the Son of God died for each one of them. We are to pay special attention and care to the “widow, the orphan and the alien [immigrant].” What could be clearer? To label the bulk of these people as “murderers, thieves, rapists, nut cases,” as Mr. Trump regularly does, is simply untruthful and a despicable affront to humanity. Almost as despicable, is the Vice President, Mr. J. D. Vance, also a Roman Catholic, accusing the American bishops of caring about immigrants only because they (the bishops) “are in it for the money, the federal funds that come their way.” [cf. Mr. Vance’s interview on CBS Face the Nation, 01-26-25] Abominable.
(6) I hesitate to devolve into an ad hominem attack on any one person, but it is evident that the dispirited and malignant condition of our country is largely abetted and directed by the current president. It is beyond my comprehension that millions of good, moral and “Christian” people could put their trust in a man who is a pathological liar, a serial adulterer and a sexual predator, not to mention a lawfully convicted felon, and a twice-impeached public office holder.
Nearly every word that comes from the mouth of Mr. Trump, as well as many of his policies, is antithetical to the Gospel. His principal rhetorical strategy is to demean and belittle any people who might disagree with him or challenge him. Whenever there is a problem, his modus operandi is to immediately excoriate and blame someone else for the difficulties, never willing to sit down and hear multiple opinions, lest one differ from his own. He labels opponents as “stupid,” “morons,” and regularly uses words that I would never repeat in front of my mother. And millions of people just smile uncomfortably and look the other way. People have told me that “Oh, that’s just Trump. He doesn’t really mean that stuff.” Why in the world would you entrust your country to someone who consistently says what he does not mean?
He repeatedly campaigned on a platform to be the “agent of revenge” against all those who maliciously wronged him. Even if that ludicrous allegation had a kernel of truth within it, did not our Savior tell us that we should never seek revenge, but instead, “turn the other cheek as well… pray for those who persecute you”? Do we really want to be a nation fueled by anger, hate and revenge, led by leaders who see mercy, compassion and forgiveness as weakness, supported by people who see anyone different as the “enemy”? How can such a people long stand?
I am aware that millions of Christians voted for Mr. Trump because he professes to be “pro-life.” A pretty shaky definition of “pro-life.” Would a “pro-life president” cut off programs aiding women and children living in poverty (one of the principal reasons troubled women reluctantly choose abortion)? Would a “pro-life president” advocate expanding the death penalty to include even more vast numbers of people, many of them suffering from mental illness? Would a “pro-life president” turn a blind eye to the catastrophic climate crisis facing our “Common Home” and in fact propose policies that will increasingly put our fragile planet in even greater, more precipitous danger? Would a “pro-life president” label immigrants fleeing poverty and oppression as “vermin, poisoning our blood”? (Perhaps 1930’s/40’s Germans would have considered Adolph Hitler to be “pro-life”—he stood for the same things.) And even the façade of being “anti-abortion” has fallen away as Mr. Trump now says he would veto a national ban on abortion. He is “pro-life” as long as there may be votes in it for him.
To my friends and family members who support Mr. Trump because he is “pro-life,” I want to say: “cf. the above, and also, if any of your adult sons were to speak or act like Donald Trump, you would (1) wash his mouth out with soap, (2) put him in a “time out” for the next four years, and (3) cut him out of the will. Your shame would be palpable.
I write these words (some, I am sure, will call it a diatribe or a screed) on February 7, 2025. Celebrating Mass this morning, I listened with tears in my eyes to the first reading for Friday of the Fourth Week of the Year. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews, counseled his Jewish Christian congregation about how they were to act as they persevered in the faith even as persecution was rampant in their midst: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality… Be mindful of prisoners as if you were sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as yourselves, for you may yet suffer as they do. Let marriage be honored in every way and the marriage bed be kept undefiled, for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Do not love money, but be content with what you have, for God has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.’” (Heb. 13:1-5) Tears in my eyes because it appears to me that the leader of our country seems to embody nearly all the things against which the author is counseling his flock.
So, what are we to do? I am not asking you for an answer, but I shall offer several possibilities, which I intend to pursue.
A. Continue to speak. Silence is collusion. The Gospel is not preached by silence. Jesus tells us that our voices must be heard to the ends of the earth. I will not stand by, as nearly all the Republican members of Congress do, bowing in obeisance to a tyrannical leader, fearful of being “primaried,” afraid to stand up and say “the Emperor has no clothes.” (Apologies, Ms. Cheney and Mr. Kinzinger) I will write to my congresswoman and my senators, although I know not how effective that might be, as my congresswoman likely already agrees with most of what I have to say, and my senators will likely write me off as a “do-gooder” priest who doesn’t live in the real world. But I will write. I would hope you and your fellow bishops will continue to speak out—and not just about the obvious (to us) evil of abortion, but evil in all its manifestations.
I find the argument that bishops, priests, religious women, the Church, should not get involved in “politics” to be specious at best. “Just talk about God and Jesus,” they tell us. “Exactly,” I say. And what does Jesus say about love, justice, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, solidarity, fraternity…? Proclaim it to the ends of the earth. Politics is life. It is people encountering people, and the Church must always be in the midst of those encounters. True, we do not support a single political “party,” but we must never shy away from proclaiming the human and spiritual values which must animate our political discourse, whatever the party.
[As an aside, refusing to remain silent is not without consequences. Rev. Max Josef Metzger, who shares my surname and was born and reared in the same locale in southwestern Germany from which my ancestors emigrated 200 years ago, was beheaded in 1944 after persistently speaking out for peace and against Nazi atrocities. He was beatified by Pope Francis in November, 2024.]
B. I will continue to take comfort, inspiration and hope from our Holy Father, Pope Francis. I am edified and proud to be led by a shepherd who daily gives a passionate defense of human life in all its forms. In spite of his advanced age, he consistently and tirelessly reaches out to those on the margins of society and challenges us to live the gospel in every sector of our lives, with particular care for those whom society ignores or derides. Vivat Francis!
I am also buoyed by the witness of countless others who daily speak to the truth of the Gospel: people in leadership like Cardinal Robert McElroy and Bishop Mark Seitz, championing the dignity and rights of migrants; other bishops like yourself consistently defending the unborn; people from other faiths who live lives for others and are unafraid to challenge power brokers, viz. Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde. But additionally there are throngs of faithful Christians daily trying to live the Gospel, becoming “men and women for others.” I will do whatever I can to support such prophetic voices.
C. I will not allow any person or system to take from me the precious gift of hope, the virtue which is so foundational in the lives of believers. I often take comfort in the words of the prophet Jeremiah: “I will call this to mind, as my reason to have hope: the favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him.”
(Lam. 3: 21-24)
I also refer again to this morning’s passage from the Letter to the Hebrews. The writer encourages his listeners, citing the beautiful Psalm 27: “God has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you.’ Thus we may say with confidence: ‘The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5-6)
And as the great Apostle Paul reminds us, “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Rom. 5:5)
In this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis has encouraged us to be “pilgrims of hope.” I recommit myself to following that path.
D. Pray ever more fervently. One of the most common failings of human beings, myself certainly included, is that at times in my life, I come to think that everything depends on me, that I am in charge. Always wrong! Whenever I think or act that way, I fall flat on my face. Only yoked with the Lord Jesus will I be successful in any endeavor, no matter how important I judge it to be. So, I must read God’s Word more diligently with a deeper openness to the movement of the Spirit leading me in the direction he chooses. And I must continue to deepen a prayer life that will draw me closer and closer into the Lord’s embrace.
And my prayer, daily, must include perforce heartfelt prayers for Mr. Trump, Mr. Vance, Mr. Musk and numerous unnamed others, with whom I may virulently disagree. Prayer for them is not a suggestion from the Lord; it is a command. And it will not be the prayer of the reluctant and distempered Jonah at the gates of Nineveh, but the prayer of a sinner who claims the grace to wish and will the good of the other in all things.
Again, I apologize for the length of this reflection, and I thank you for reading. May God be praised!
Msgr. Dennis Metzger
February 7, 2025
