The Catholic Spirit: Hahn, Richert emphasize importance of engaging in local politics

Posted by Minnesota Catholic Conference on September 30, 2016

(September 30, 2016 – The Catholic Spirit – Matthew Davis)

Presidential election mania often overshadows the multitude of critical races other than the one for the White House.

“[It’s] through the local level where we restore the foundation and begin to rebuild … the culture,” Scott Richert told the crowd gathered at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Sept. 21 for the Bishops’ Fall Study Day hosted by the Minnesota Catholic Conference.

Richert, the executive editor of “Chronicles: A Magazine of American Culture,” joined Kimberly Hahn in giving the keynote addresses for the “Our Corner of the Vineyard” conference. Six of Minnesota’s seven bishops attended the event.

Hahn, the wife of Catholic Scripture scholar Scott Hahn, has first-hand experience of local-level government with her service as a city council member in Steubenville, Ohio. She talked about the impact local government can have and how to get involved. Hahn also called political involvement essential in living out the Christian life.

“We need to engage our culture, to help warn our culture, to expose what is evil and reward what is good,” Hahn said.

Moreover, that essential call to all Catholics stems from the fundamental call to love one’s neighbor. Hahn referenced what Pope Francis had to stay in that regard.

“Pope Francis says, ‘Politics according to the social doctrine of the Church is one of the highest forms of charity, because it serves the common good,’” Hahn said.