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James Martin, S.J.August 28, 2012

Two prominent Catholics have now been invited to pray, and speak, at the Republican and Democratic national conventions: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York and the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops; and Sister Simone Campbell, S.S.S., director of Network, a Catholic social justice organization.  Inviting two such prominent Catholics has riled up those who feel that religion does not belong in politics, much less in a political convention. Tempers have flared, op-eds have been written, teeth have been gnashed.     

Party bigwigs face a seemingly intractable problem: You need someone to pray at your convention, and you want to appeal to Catholic voters, but a prominent Catholic will only raise controversy. 

So let me set forth a (satirical, in case you haven't figured that out) solution: invite someone not so well known.  And I have a suggestion: me.  For a small fee, I will address one (or, fingers crossed, both) conventions and will do a fine job.  Here is a (by no means exhaustive) list of my qualifications, plus why I’ll get out the vote for your party, should I be invited by your wonderful party, which, by the way, I have always supported.   

1.)  I pray a lot.  A lot.  Like, several times a day.  For example, I have memorized both the Hail Mary and Our Father, as well as the Salve Regina (which I can sing in Latin—wouldn’t that be cool onstage?) not to mention the prayers of the Mass.  Or at least I used to know the prayers of the Mass until they changed everything.  Now I can barely make it through the Nicene Creed without looking at those little cards in the pews.  Anyway, I’m a good pray-er.  So you’ll get the religious vote.  That’s what, like 50 million people?  Not bad, huh?  Starting to see the wisdom of my proposal?  Thought so. 

2.)  I’ll keep my prayer super-short.  One minute tops.  Believe me, everyone likes a short prayer.  Just like they like short homilies and sermons.   As we were taught in our preaching class: Be clear, be brief, be gone.  Do you think Cardinal Dolan or Sister Simone will keep it under a minute?  Please.  For every minute they go over, you’ll probably lose a million votes.  With me, on the other hand, you’ll win the crucial short-attention-span voters.  In other words, everyone under the age of 30.  So what, like 10 million votes?  See how it's adding up already?  

3.)  I speak Spanish¡Sí! Well, mas o menos.  If you invite me to your convention, I promise that fully half of my one-minute prayer will be in español, which is bound to cement the Hispanic vote for you.  That’s tens of millions of people right there.  ¡De nada!

4.)  I’ll be sure not to offend anyone with my prayer.  Look, I’ve attended enough ecumenical, interfaith and multicultural events (and even ones with agnostics and atheists hanging around) to know how to pray without annoying anybody.  For example, I could say “God” instead of “Jesus” if you’d like.  Or I could conclude with “In your name,” which is nice and vague.  You’ll win the agnostic/seeker/doubter vote: that’s got to be at least ten million people.  Amen.  Or rather: The End.

5.)  I’m a Jesuit, so you’ll get the Jesuit vote.  Well, most of them.  Or at least many.  Okay, some.  

6.)  I’m on good terms with Cardinal Dolan and Sister Simone, so I’ll be able to console them when they hear the admittedly disappointing news about their having been replaced by someone else.  This might pose something of a "conflict of interest" or a "boundary issue," as we say in counseling circles (since, technically, I'm the one who's replacing them) but I’m really good at pastoral counseling, and a good listener, too, so I will be able to say sensitive things like “You sound frustrated” and “You must have been angry when you found out, huh?”  And then I’ll nod compassionately. 

7.)  I’m really good at finding common "prayer-ground" for Jewish and Christian audiences, which is not always easy.  One word: psalms.  Everyone likes those.  Except the really depressing ones about killing and slaughtering and bashing people’s heads on the rocks, and Og, the King of Bashan.  I’ll avoid those (though, in my experience, Og is usually a crowd pleaser) and stick with the happier psalms, about sunshine and moonbeams and things of that nature.  Really, who doesn’t like a cheerful psalm?  That’s good for about three million votes at least, I figure.  Republican and Democrat, praise the Lord! 

8.)  My mom thinks I’m a good public speaker (most of the time).  So that’s one vote.  But she has a ton of friends. 

9.)  I don’t charge a lot.  Really.  I’m very reasonable.  Just my airfare (I’ve never flown First Class and that would be fantastic, thanks) and a decent hotel (and I promise not to rent too many movies).  And all my money goes to the Jesuits, since I take a vow of poverty.  So no financial shenanigans on my part.  When you hand over that check you can rest easy.  Priceless, right?

10.) I'm really good at meeting new people, so I’m sure that I could make President Obama and Governor Romney feel comfortable around me.  To that end, I would promise not to mention (a) birth certificates or (b) dogs.  Plus, I’m sure I’d get along great with Congressman Ryan and Vice-President Biden, who, as you’ll remember, are Catholic, just like me.  We’d all get along great because, as you know, we Catholics agree on everything.

Call me.  Did I mention I work at America magazine?  Is that patriotic or what?

James Martin, SJ

 

 

      

Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Tanya Monsour Stager
11 years 7 months ago
If you speak -pray- I will listen to you.  That is more than I can say about other speakers.
11 years 7 months ago
This is absolutely wonderful! I think you've been hanging around Stephen Colbert too much! You have my vote!
Eric Stoltz
11 years 7 months ago
This reminds me of a quote by John F. Kennedy, which went something like this: "All bishops are Republicans and all nuns are Democrats."
Fran Rossi Szpylczyn
11 years 7 months ago
Having played host to you recently, I can personally endorse you as a speaker! And what a fine one you would be at both conventions, of course.

My name is Fran Rossi Szpylczyn and I approve this comment.

Oh wait, you're not running for office...

:-)
Michael Leach
11 years 7 months ago
Jim Martin for President!
C Walter Mattingly
11 years 7 months ago
Imagine the progression of firsts possible: first an African American president, then a Mormon (granted, had he several more wives would be more impactful), and then, God forbid/be praised, a Jesuit! 
What is the country coming to? 
Jack Barry
11 years 7 months ago
Ann Romney was gorgeous in flaming red for her speech.  Cdl Dolan in full dress can blaze as brightly.  Fr. Jim - can you compete?  
Dennnis MacDonald
11 years 7 months ago
I was with you Fr. Martin unitl you admitted that you could get along with Congressman Rand, oops, I meant, Ryan.
John Barbieri
11 years 7 months ago
You'll be great at the conventions, Father Jim!
Be sure to tell the networks to tell us when you'll be on!
(During the other speeches, we can take the dog for a walk,
catch a nap, go out for pizza, etc.) 
Barbara Blough
11 years 7 months ago

You know, if we had politicians with enough wit to be humorous, we'd be in good shape.  At this point in time, I'm thinkin' that integrity and humor and intelligence are the three traits that are essential.  Of our current choices, who would be the best bet?  Well, I'd like to see the response of both candidates to your 'prayer.'  Go, James!

Carlos Orozco
11 years 7 months ago
Since Father Jim would do a far better job than Obamney, he has my vote.
Jim McCrea
11 years 7 months ago
After the speech, you should be presented with the Robert Drinan award for Good and Faithful Service.
MARIE-JEANNE GWERTZMAN
11 years 7 months ago
Thank you for a truly welcome laugh - something both campaigns are sorely in need of! 

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