WAS TOM HOMAN RIGHT TO REBUKE THE POPE?

In an open letter to the U.S. Catholic bishops, Pope Francis rebuked the Trump administration for its deportation of illegal immigrants. Francis insisted that assigning criminality to illegal status is contrary to Christianity and warned that such an approach will “end badly.”

This is not the first time the pope has taken issue with Trump and his approach to immigration. In 2016 Francis held a mass near the Texas/Mexico border where Trump was planning the building of the border wall. He afterwards declared that anyone who builds a wall, rather than a bridge, to keep out migrants "is not a Christian.”

Trump's Border Czar, Tom Homan, who is a lifelong Catholic, took Francis to task and rebuked him for his criticisms. Here are three reasons Homan is right to rebuke the pope.

Reason #1
He’s Too Far Removed from the Situation

Is it not strange that an Argentinian pope who resides in splendor in Rome feels he has the right to instruct America how to handle its border crisis and immigration system? In his response to the pope's criticism, Homan said, “I have harsh words for the pope. He ought to fix the Catholic Church, and concentrate on his work, and leave border enforcement to us.” As documented in my book, Infallible Pope: Key to Unity or Source of Division, the papal office has a long history of meddling in issues and with people that are of no concern to it.

Reason #2
The Border is Not His Concern

According to Roman Catholic doctrine, the pope derives his authority to speak from Peter through a long line of ecclesiastical succession. However, in Scripture, Peter is presented as a very fallible individual who denies the Lord (Luke 22:55-62), waffles concerning true doctrine (Galatians 2:11-14), and is rebuked by Jesus for trying to meddle in John’s ministry and calling (John 21:20-22).

Concerning being rebuked by Jesus, this occurred in a post-resurrection appearance to His disciples recorded in John 21. In this appearance, Jesus addressed Peter and asked him three times, Do you love Me? When Peter answered in the affirmative, Jesus then exhorted him to Feed My sheep and to Follow Me.

Peter then turned, looked at John, and said to Jesus, But Lord, what about this man? With a gentle rebuke Jesus replied, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow me (John 21:22).

In other words, there were issues and things about other believers that did not concern Peter. John had a relationship with Jesus that was of no concern to Peter. Peter must give himself to his own task and not meddle in the affairs of others.

In the spirit of the words of Jesus to Peter, Homan said of the pope, “I wish he would stick to the Catholic Church and fix that and leave border enforcement to us.” Yes, as Jesus said to Peter when he meddled with John’s business and calling, What is that to you? You follow Me!

Reason #3
His Actions Do Not Match His Words

The pope’s words would carry more force if he practiced what he preaches. But while rebuking the Trump administration for its deportations and national security, he lives in splendor behind the high walls and tight security of the Vatican. Homan rhetorically asked, “So, he’s got a wall to protect his people and himself, and we can’t protect the people of the United States?”

Pope Francis reminds me of the wealthy elite on Martha’s Vineyard who had proclaimed themselves a “sanctuary city.” But when Governor Ron DeSantis bused illegal migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the residents there found a way to very quickly have them removed. It is like Hollywood elites who verbally champion the rights of the homeless and illegal migrants to live anywhere they choose . . . except inside the high walls of their gated communities.

Talk is cheap. Leaders must lead by their actions, not just their words. Otherwise, it comes across as mere "virtue signaling."

The Best Way to Lift the Poor 

As Christians we have a responsibility to care for the homeless, the poor, and honest migrants who have been trapped in an unfortunate political situation. One way we do this is by direct charitable actions.

However, we do this on an even wider scale by supporting a form of government that lifts the poor by creating and maintaining a prosperous economy that provides opportunity and well-paying jobs for the greatest number of people. Millions of immigrants arrived to this land poor, but because of the opportunities afforded them, they discovered what has been called "the American Dream."

But to have such a government and economy, we must return to our founding principles of Faith and Freedom. We must have a secure border and a form of government that facilitates and encourages individual liberty and Christian morality. The church in America has a vital part to play if this is to be a reality once again.

The Key to America's Greatness

The vital role of the church in America's greatness was highlighted in a statement by the French sociologist, Alexis de Tocqueville, after a six month visit to America in 1831. He came to study the nation’s penal system and see if he could discover the reason for the young nation’s rapid rise to influence and power in the earth.

The following quote is not found in Tocqueville’s writings, but it has been historically attributed to him and has the sound and feel of Tocqueville. It was probably included in one of his many lectures, which someone wrote down and it later found its way into the written narrative.

Arriving on the heels of the Second Great Awakening, Tocqueville recounted how he sought for America’s greatness in her institutions of government, her educational system, her factories, harbors, and vast commerce. He then said,

Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great (Hyatt, Pilgrims and Patriots, Second Edition, 177).

America’s problems stem from a devastating loss of morality, truth, and spirituality, and only an Awakened Church can resolve the the current crises and Make America Great Again.

This article was derived from Dr. Eddie Hyatt's books, Infallible Pope: Key to Unity or Source of Division? and Pilgrims and Patriots,Second Edition, both available from Amazon and his website at http://www.eddiehyatt.com.