Patriotism requires obedience to God over unjust laws, Cardinal Raymond L. Burke says in the latest episode of his Virtue of Patriotism video series.
The series, produced by the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe and hosted on CatholicVote’s Zeale for America 250 campaign page, releases new episodes every two weeks leading up to America’s 250th anniversary on July 4.
The duties of citizens
In the episode, titled “The Duties of Citizens,” Cardinal Burke grounds civic responsibility in the Fourth Commandment and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, arguing legitimate civil authority “has its origin in God who governs all things according to his justice and truth.”
“Citizens therefore are called to honor and respect just authority as a participation in God’s providential governance,” Cardinal Burke says.
He explains that respect is shown through “gratitude for the blessings of one’s homeland, obedience to just laws, and the faithful fulfillment of civic responsibilities,” including voting, paying taxes, and, when necessary, defending the nation.
“These are not merely social obligations, but acts of virtue ordered to the common good,” he says.
At the same time, Christians “must never obey laws that violate the moral order or attack fundamental human rights,” he continues.
“We must obey God rather than men,” he argues, citing the Acts of the Apostles.
The cardinal warns that Christian citizenship “in a culture often hostile to the truth” requires “courage, discernment, and charity.”
“True patriotism becomes a form of discipleship,” he continues, “seeking not the triumph of ideology, but the reign of justice and peace, grounded in the sovereignty of Christ the King, to whom all earthly authority is accountable.”
The episode closes with Cardinal Burke’s “Daily Prayer for America 250,” which entrusts the U.S. to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and asks God to “guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace” as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.