Et cetera: Confessions of a Holy Ghost writer
be spoken of in public. As Lieberman himself has put it, tion of the last fifty years has arguably been the single great"the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not free- ...
...In that sense, it was telling that Lieberman was criticized for a my case, however, the nature of the transgression is such speech delivered in a black church...
...is perhaps the best example of the inevitable confluence of reOf course religion, like the threat of crime or the scope of ligion and politics...
...Religious claims must be tin Luther King, Jr., did not seek an establishment of relisubject to the same scrutiny and criticism as any other voice gion, but he did challenge the nation, from pulpits and poseeking to influence public policy...
...Demagoguery is always a danger...
...In creasing burden of guilt with no ready means of relief...
...The voice is the voice of the priest, but the words are the words of a layman...
...At the instigation of a friendly Jesuit, I have been writing sermons which are printed up in a publication distributed to priests throughout the land...
...Religion has played an essential, even predominant, role in shaping American democracy from its founding docu- ET CETERA ments, in the abolitionist movement, and through the modem human rights era...
...I had consoled myself with the thought that if God could speak through Balaam's ass (Numbers 22: 28-30), he might even speak through a mere layman...
...The Vatican has recently revealed the error of having lay persons deliver sermons at Mass and therefore sternly decreed that only a priest may homilize...
...or historically, and is often little more than prejudice...
...Americans simply want reli- wanes...
...I am certain that she will there have ample time for penitence at the presumption of her preaching...
...By the same token, dog- litical venues, to make good on the promise of equality emmatic opponents of religion's public role should stop crying bodied in the religion of the majority and guaranteed by the "separation of church and state" every time a reference to Constitution...
...The Reverend Mared by quarantining the suspect...
...The danger some liberal groups perceive in the gious words remind us of the irreducible moral dimension public expression of religion is not warranted constitutionally of politics...
...Presumably my words may be read out in churches from coast to coast...
...In my former diocese, one of the most powerful and sought-after preachers was a vowed woman religious...
...That achievement would have been imdefense spending or any other neuralgic issue, can be ex- possible without the black church and the appeal religious ploited for political ends...
...leaders made to the larger society, in explicitly religious lanIt does not follow, however, that the danger is best combat- guage, for social justice and equal rights...
...My case is more grievous and less amenable to remedy...
...Ever faithfully yours, ANONYMOUS Commonweal 6 September 22, 2000...
...As Lieberman himself has put it, tion of the last fifty years has arguably been the single great"the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not free- est moral achievement of modern American democracy and dom from religion...
...Properly she should now retreat to the blessed silence of the cloister whence she strayed into the pulpit...
...Since the sermons have been published without attribution, and in order to protect innocent priests who may ac"Don't look now, but he's let two politicians tually have spoken a layman's words, I remain, aboard the ark...
...Unfortunately, while a religious test on those seeking political office, nor are they ingenuity in discovering faults waxes, oracular confession easily duped by showy piety...
...The civil rights revolu- that a public confession in the pages of Commonweal would be more than appropriate...
...Reasonable people can disagree with Joseph religion pops out of a politician's mouth in a crowded theater Lieberman on certain issues-we certainly do-but his relior church...
...That should always be grateful to our ecclesiastical authorities said, Americans have not the slightest inclination to impose for discovering new ways of sinning...
...Now, I am certain that priestly charism transubstantiates my lame lay prose into inspired revelation, but do not my efforts smack of presumption...
...This leaves the penitent sinner with an ever ingiously motivated views to be given an equal hearing...
...I am, I confess, a Holy Ghost writer...
...To the extent we judge that democracy Confessions of a Holy Ghost writer One a success, religion should get a fair share of the credit...
...Happily, Rome has rectified my misguided views...
Vol. 127 • September 2000 • No. 16
