Catholic Integralism Is the Wrong Kind of Integration
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TL;DR
- Younger Catholics seek a stronger, more coherent defense of the institutional church in contemporary America, where religious institutions often face conflict with state power.
- The article critiques the 'integration from within' approach, which suggests Catholics seek strategic positions in bureaucracies to expand state power supporting religious values.
- A 'bottom-up' approach is proposed, focusing on building and safeguarding the church's legal authority through strong Catholic institutions and communities, such as 'Catholic ministates' and schools.
- This method aligns with the U.S. Constitution's religion clauses, allowing for the creation of environments favorable to religious life without violating individual free will or legal authority.
- The success of institutions like Divine Mercy Academy demonstrates how a strong commitment to Catholic identity in schools can attract families and lead to the growth of Catholic communities and the church.
- Founding and integrating Catholic institutions into communities is presented as a tangible way for lay Catholics to grow the church and attract souls through authentic witness, not bureaucratic manipulation.