Our Citizenship is in Heaven. Christian Foundations of Patriotism.
“Homeland – when I think – then I express and root myself, my heart tells me about it, like a hidden border, which goes through me to others, to take all of us into the past older than any of us: I come from it... when I think Fatherland – to hide it in me like a treasure”. (Karol Wojtyła, Thinking the Fatherland).
The subject of patriotism is everything that is contained in the word Homeland. The homeland is a country of which I feel like a part of it. I am a part of this country with my spirit and body, language and culture, memories and living environment, roots and ideals. It is the country with which I feel most closely connected - usually because I was born and live here, and because I feel at home here the most (...). I get the most of my spiritual juices from its history and culture. In this country (...) there are the graves of my ancestors, my friends, my family, and I would like to contribute to the fact that the next generations also live here in peace and feel truly at home here.
In the Holy Scriptures we find numerous facts confirming the great love of the chosen people for their homeland. The loss of their homeland and many years of exile showed how attached they are to the land of their ancestors. The foundations of patriotism are reflected not only in the pages of the Bible, but also in the official teaching of the Church. Pope Leo XIII, in the encyclical Sapientiae Christianianae, taught: "The natural law tells us to love and defend the country in which we prayed and grew up, so much so that a good citizen is not afraid to die for his country." St. Pius X also pointed to God as the source of the duty to love the homeland. In the apostolic letter of April 11, 1909, he wrote: “Patriotism is not hatred of other nations, but love that gives our country and our countrymen first place in our hearts, for this is the order established by God's providence. This love does not exclude the love of other people (...). The Church has always taught that patriotism is a duty and binds it to the mandate of the fourth commandment of God.”
The obligation to love the homeland was emphasized by the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council. In the Decree on the Mission Activity of the Church Ad Gentes Divinitus we read: “may they should live for God and Christ in a respectable way of their own national life. As good citizens, they should be true and effective patriots, all together avoiding racial prejudice and hyper nationalism, and should foster a universal love for man.” (DM 15). On the other hand, the constitution Gaudium et spes contains an instruction for all Christians: "Citizens must cultivate a generous and loyal spirit of patriotism, but without being narrow-minded. This means that they will always direct their attention to the good of the whole human family, united by the different ties which bind together races, people and nations.” (GS 75). Moreover, in the decree on the apostolate of the laity, Apostolicam Actuositatem, the Council Fathers encourage the lay faithful to take the lead in the charity of their nation (cf. DA 14).
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, promulgated by Pope John Paul II in 1992, points out that “The love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community” (CCC 2239). The same Catechism quotes the Letter to Diognetus from the 2nd / 3rd century AD: "[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners.... They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws...”. And St. Paul wrote: " our citizenship is in heave " (cf. Phil 3:20).
What is patriotism for a Catholic?
The subject of patriotism is everything that is contained in the word Homeland. True love for the Homeland is based on deep attachment and love for what is native, regardless of time and space. Therefore, the creative force of true patriotism is the noblest love. And although man puts his native values very highly, he knows that God is above nations, who alone has the right to establish the highest moral standards, regardless of individual nations. Hence, Christian love for the Motherland means not only concern for its highest economic, social and cultural development, but also spiritual and religious development.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the duties of citizens towards their homeland and those who govern or direct it are indicated in the fourth commandment of the Decalogue (CCC 2199). The Catechism, however, does not use the term "patriotism". It only talks about love for the country and the responsibilities of both the ruled and the rulers.
St. Thomas Aquinas treats patriotism as that part of the justice that we owe to the created source of our existence. Hence, in his opinion, one and the same virtue "pietas" orders our relationship both to our parents and to our homeland. “Pietas demands from us the cultus, i.e., unconditional respect, towards our parents and the Homeland - also when it is necessary to "shine with eyes – (be ashamed)" for one's parents or Homeland. The point is that the father must be respected, "even if he loses his mind" (Sir 3:13) and even if he deserves a great moral rebuke, and the Fatherland must not be renounced, even in some environment or even in the world opinion perceived, seen negative". Patriotism requires two attitudes - closely related to each other - although their need becomes apparent only in situations of threats and disasters that come upon it. These are, of course, loyalty and self-sacrifice. They are always due to the Homeland, but especially in difficult situations, also loyalty and self-sacrifice are sometimes more difficult for us than usual”.
"It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom," recalls the Catechism and clarifies: " Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community. Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country” (CCC 2239, 2240).
The above-quoted Letter to Diognetus summarizes his remarks on the homeland as follows: "God has given them such an honorable place that they must not leave it", and St. Paul invites the followers of Christ to pray and give thanks for kings and for all who exercise authority," that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity " (1 Tim 2: 2). Patriotism today is also a concern for good manners in our country. It is, for example, reacting - individually and through non-governmental organizations (which sometimes still need to be created) - to permissive pedagogy in our schools, to unnecessary work on Sundays, to bad content in the mass media, to demanding respect for the rights of minority, to caring for the truth in public space”.
Celebrating the Independence Day, let us remember about our earthly homeland. But also remember what Saint Paul said: "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we also await a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (cf. Phil 3:20).
Until Tomorrow
fr. george