Studies of the American Revolution tell us that after the 13 colonies won their independence from Britain another battle was fought over the ratification of the Constitution. I bring this up since Catholics play an important roll as citizens of whatever country they call home. It also brings us to consider the relationship between our duties as citizens and those as believers.

The battle over the ratification of the Constitution revolves around the differences between those folks known as Federalist, like James Madison, John Adams and Alexander Hamilton and the anti-Federalists, like Thomas Jefferson. These two sides are usually described as those who saw the need for a strong central government verses those who feared a strong central government.

The Federalists saw that each of the 13 Colonies were very independent and would fight their neighboring colonies if their neighboring colonies threatened their state’s rights just like the collective 13 Colonies fought against Britain. The anti-Federalists feared a strong central government would crush each State’s individual sovereignty. As both sides defended their opposing positions, all agreed on one very important point. They all agreed that this new nation would fail if the population lacked moral virtue.  “Our Constitution was made only for a moral religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” John Adams.

Our modern society seems to be caught up in the whirl wind of a similar battle but without a common understanding of what constitutes morality. Today, our dilemma might be described as a battle between those who favor “big government” verses those who fear big government. It can also be described as those who hold to traditional moral principles verses those who see such principles as outdated.

As Catholics, we have some great thinkers, many who are saints, who can guide us to a more peaceful and prosperous future. People like St Thomas Aquinas and St Robert Bellarmine. They argued that the bigger a society, the more common moral virtues based on natural law must permeate all levels of government. If it is immoral for a commoner to lie and steal it must be equally wrong for a magistrate to lie and steal. So, as we pray about the direction of our beloved country, moral principles which flow from the sources of divine wisdom are needed now more than ever.