“What could Francis possibly say?” Will he flatter them or ruffle their feathers?

Writing a speech destined for the members of the United States Congress is no easy task. Although I am not qualified to know what to say under such circumstances, I am going to speculate on what he could say in his speech on September 24th, based on my earlier post.

As Francis likes to develop themes in three points, here is my “triad”:

Revisit the events that led to the choice of the famous American motto: “In God We Trust”. For a real dose of “Basic Trust”!
The stage will then be set to deeply analyze this country that still considers itself “The Greatest One”!
And finally, why not offer “A New Deal” to these tenants of the American dream, reputed as avid businessmen? An offer that they cannot refuse, if they grasp its true value, of course!

1.    “Basic Trust”

The first idea that came to my mind is that Francis could start his speech on a common ground: “In God We Trust”. Indeed, both the United States and the Vatican are political entities that refer publicly to God. This being said, I believe a distinction should be made between the two states; for, to which God is the motto “In God We Trust” referring to? At a first glance, I thought the “deist” wording referred to a god of Prosperity to whom the American Republic entrusted its “interests”. However, it is with great enthusiasm that I discovered that it reflects more than a simple materialistic vision.

The national anthem of the United States only conserved the 1st verse of the original hymn composed in 1812. In the last verse appears these words: “And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust'".

In 1861, after having received multiple letters underlining the importance to refer to God, the Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase wrote: “No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.”

Crédit: In God we trust /Devantart.com

On March 3, 1865, the motto “In God We Trust” is chosen and engraved on the national coins.

In 1956, at the peak of the Cold War, the Congress voted the law establishing “In God We Trust” as the official national motto. The United States wish to distinguish themselves from the Soviet Union who advocates State atheism.

Evidently, this motto has many enemies. But in 2006 and 2011, the Senate and the House of Representatives persist and sign in favor of the mention of God in the American motto (1).
In the context of today’s environment, marked by many crises, the members of the Congress would greatly benefit from Francis’ appeal to rekindle and stimulate their faith in God expressed in their motto. But how should he go about this?

During my research for this post, I discovered that a recent decision from the Supreme Court of the United States, states that praying in Politics is a right (2): “Ceremonial prayer is but a recognition that, since this Nation was founded and until the present day, many Americans deem that their own existence must be understood by precepts far beyond the authority of government”, (Anthony Kennedy, judge responsible for formulating the court decision). Will Francis use this right to start his speech with a prayer? In the intimacy of every person's heart, God would be the first guest to be heard, realizing the motto: “In God We Trust”.

Realizing God’s actions has an impact on the deepest layers of Politics, giving leaders the “Basic Trust” they need to consider the tasks before them with humility, determination and hope.

“I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.” (2 Timothy 1, 12)

2. "The Greatest One"

The motto E Pluribus Unum is written on the Great Seal of the United States.

Francis enjoys a certain neutrality in regard to international conflicts. He could evoke the former motto of the United States: “E pluribus unum” – “From many, one” (3)– to apply it to all peoples, according to Christ’s wish: “May all be one”. (John 17, 20-21). But how do we reach unity?

The United States of America nurture a high esteem towards their Nation. They portray an image of power, considering themselves proudly: “The Greatest in the World!”. True paradox, they are excessively pragmatic when it comes to promote or defend their interests, but on the other hand they can demonstrate a selfless generosity bordering on heroism. Another paradox: capable of an irritating arrogance in their relationships with others, their leaders publicly and humbly bow their heads to pray to God.

But times are tough and the United States find it more and more difficult to hide their vulnerable areas: their global hegemony is contested, their politico-economic system is submitted to increasingly strong crises. The people appear divided, frustrated and disillusioned, not counting the ever-looming threat of terrorist attacks. In front of these political personalities under immense pressure, and probably on the defensive, what tone will Francis use to deliver his message?

Will he flatter them, as Nicolas Sarkozy did in 2007? (4) Or ruffle their feathers, like the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Natanyahu, did in 2015? (5) Neither one nor the other, I would say, or maybe both at the same time. Sometimes you need both to obtain the result you hope for.

In the context of what Francis calls a “third world war in pieces”, judgment and motivation are needed to take appropriate measures. In his direct and cordial way, will Francis call on the members of congress, so that they may realize how their ambition to be “The Greatest” goes against their aspirations to “a Greater Good”?

3.«A New Deal»

Crédit photo : Tim Evanson

More aware than ever that we are all linked to one another on this Earth, the United States are struggling with the concept of cohabitation. No socio-politico-economical regime protects us from abuse, corruption and general chaos generated by the conflicting interests of one or the other. But how to change things?

Here is a citation from the famous speech delivered by Francis this summer in Bolivia, a speech accused of being “socialist” by the “capitalists”. Francis could use this passage again, since it speaks to all sides:

“Change seen not as something which will one day result from any one political decision or change in social structure. We know from painful experience that changes of structure which are not accompanied by a sincere conversion of mind and heart sooner or later end up in bureaucratization, corruption and failure. There must be a change of heart.” (6)

The signing of the TAVC (new deal) by Roosevelt and his Councillors in 1933

In the 30s, to bring the United States out of the Great Depression subsequent to the stock market crash of 1929, president Franklin D. Roosevelt put in place several important structural changes that he called a “New Deal”. But it took a second New Deal, and even a third, according to experts. Even with mitigated results, the expression still seduces the minds.

Francis could tell a parable of the Kingdom to come, speaking of a New Deal that is already at work in the city of mankind, in all those who answered the call of a sincere conversion of mind and heart. Politically speaking, it is in every society’s interest to invest in this transformation, which implies renunciation to one-self, the deepest and most efficient of all.

“Asked by the Pharisees when the New Deal would come, he said in reply, “The coming of the New Deal cannot be observed, and no one will announce, ‘Look, here it is,’ or, ‘There it is.’ For behold, the New Deal is among you.” (Luke 17, 20-21)

Epilogue

On Thursday September 24th, at 9:20 AM, I will be listening to Francis live. I will most likely smile if ever he speaks about one of my subjects, but that is not the goal of this exercise.

While having a better grasp of the amount of work needed to prepare the first speech of Peter’s successor in front of the United States Congress, we must also rely on the impact of the “live” testimonial of Francis. As we say, the speech is not all, “the medium is the message”.

“Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say.” (Matthew 10, 19)

May Francis also welcome the inspiration of the moment!

Francine Dupras

Notes:

(1) In 2006, for the 50th anniversary of the American motto, the Senate confirms “In God we trust” as the official national motto. In 2011, the House of Representatives will pass an additional resolution confirming this, 396 voices against 9.

(2) Praying remains a right.

(3) The latin expression : « E pluribus unum » was considered as the United States motto as soon as 1776, and right up until the American Congress adopted « In God we trust » as motto, on July 30, 1956.

(4) Sarkozy is greeted warmly by Congress.

(5) Netanyahus defies Obama in front of the Congress

(6) Apostolic journey of his Holiness Pope Francis to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay (5-13 July, 2015).