Denver Catholic

19 DENVER CATHOLIC | FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 9, 2018 PAUL KENGOR THE POPE AND A PRESIDENT: JOHN PAUL II, RONALD REAGAN, AND THE EXTRAORDINARY UNTOLD STORY OF THE 20TH CENTURY (ISI, 2017) This book traces not only the remarkable working friendship of Regan and John Paul II, but nar- rates the entire story of the struggle between European Communism and the Church. Surprisingly, the book's common thread comes from Our Lady of Fatima, predicting Russia's errors and uniting the faithful in prayer, as well as guiding not only John Paul but also Reagan. The two men recognized their providential role in what Reagan called the Divine Plan to end Commu- nism in Europe. Portraits of many other key characters (on both sides) emerge: Stalin, Pope Pius XII, Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bishop Fulton Sheen, and Gorbachev. Kengor presents extraor- dinary connections between the two figures: both were actors, deep men of prayer, survived assassination attempts only months apart, and played key leadership roles in the world. The book presents ground breaking research to make a compelling and undeniable case that the two great men worked together closely and succeeded in bringing free- dom to Eastern Europe. POPE ST. JOHN PAUL II/KAROL WOJTYŁA IN GOD'S HANDS: THE SPIRITUAL DIARIES 1962-2003 (HARPER ONE, 2017) This book gives us inside access to John Paul II's prayer life by present- ing notes of his regular retreats from his time as a bishop through most of his papacy. It's somewhat misnamed, as the book consists in his notebooks responding to the retreat material, not a normal diary. It reinforces what we know about the Pope: his strong focus on the Eucharist, his Marian spirituality of uniting our inten- tions to her fiat, and his concern as a bishop for the evangelization of his people. There are many gems, such as the following: "The most appro- priate e˜ects of the redemption in the human being are deeds that stem from it – deeds that through Mary are rooted in Christ, through one's belong it Her, and that are simultaneously in accordance with Christ's law, with His gospel" (10). The book will not dis- appoint those looking to enter more deeply into the spirituality of John Paul. Relativism: An obstacle to the pursuit of truth W hen I was a kid, my favorite television show was The Partridge Family. Mostly because I was completely enamored of the late David Cassidy, whom I was convinced I would marry some day. But also because the show featured just the kind of mildly corny humor a seven year old is inclined to enjoy. I remember one joke in particular. Keith (David Cassidy) is trying to give big brotherly advice to Danny (Danny Bonaduce). He says "If you just believe, you can be anything you want to be." Danny responds, "Great! I want to be a black woman." Laugh track ensues. Because everybody knows that a pale white, red-headed, freckle-faced kid cannot grow up to be a black woman. I was thinking about that scene as I was listening to Bishop Robert Barron Feb. 6, giving a riveting talk on relativ- ism to a packed house here in Denver. As he spoke about the philosophical underpinnings of relativistic thinking, I realized that joke couldn't be told today. Because, as a society, we don't seem to agree that race, gender, or just about anything else, are based in any kind of objective truth. Bishop Barron spoke of a video you may have seen. A rather short male interviewer asks college students what they would think if he told them he identifies as a woman. Then an Asian woman. Then a 6'4" Asian woman. They hesitate at times, but all ulti- mately agree that if that is his "truth," then he is indeed entitled to be a tall Asian woman. That is the ultimate expression of relativism. Relativism, boiled down, is essen- tially the belief that there is no "objec- tive" truth that is true for all. Rather, we as individuals, each establish our own subjective "truths," and we live "authentically" to the extent that we honor these individual "truths." The speed with which we have descended down this path is breathtak- ing. When I was in my 20's (which was not long ago at all — right???), I used to debate abortion at Berkeley. Not exactly a friendly audience — I remem- ber mentally noting exits, including windows, that I could utilize if things got out of hand. But they showed up, and they listened, because there was still some understanding in society that there was such a thing as truth, and hence an openness to listen to others to see if together we could arrive at that truth. Or, at the very least, that I could employ the truth as I see it to convince you that your understanding of the truth is flawed. Not so today. Open discussion of controversial issues is almost nonex- istent on most college campuses. Of course. If I have my truth and you have your truth, what would be the point? We are just supposed to respect each others' truths and move on. But the problem is that we all have to play together in the same sandbox. Somebody's truth has to rule our social interaction. If we can't come to an agreement about whose truth is truer, then the only option left is force. And so, instead of listening to what you have to say, I attempt to forcibly shut you down. I smash windows. I disrupt your talk. Or, alternatively, I call on the authority of the university to do that dirty work for me while I hide in a safe space with my crayons and puppy videos. Pope Benedict XVI called relativism a "dictatorship." And, ironically, it is. The philosophy that purports to allow everyone to believe as he wishes, actu- ally allows no one to believe in anything but relativism. And because there need be no rhyme nor reason behind any individual belief, enforcement through persuasion becomes impossible. Hence, the inevitable clash of ideolo- gies. And it will be the stronger, not the most persuasive, who will prevail. Parents, please — teach your chil- dren that there is such a thing as truth. That yes, we may disagree with others about what that truth is. That we respect people — all people — regard- less of their beliefs. (Another objective truth.) But beneath the disagreement, there is a truth. There is a God or there isn't. Jesus Christ is divine or He isn't. Sexual expression has an inherent meaning or it doesn't. Gender is fixed or it isn't. [And parents, if you want help with this, get your hands on Chris Stefanik's book Absolute Relativism, and check out his YouTube videos on the same subject.] In any disagreement about objective truths, someone is right and someone is wrong. Or perhaps both are partially wrong and neither grasps the full truth. But the truth is there. In the old days, our goal was to find it. Guest Column Bonacci is a syndicated columnist based in Denver and the author of We're On a Mission from God and Real Love. MARY BETH BONACCI

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