Symbol symbiosis

The June 5 Catholic Register editorial, Sacred Heart of Jesus’ reality  rightly praised Cardinal Leo’s rich meditation on the Sacred Heart, especially his emphasis on the power of symbols to shape how we live the faith. But the editorial cautioned against inferring that the Cardinal’s remarks were directed at certain June symbols—like the “Pride” flag—positing that such a reading may be an overreach.

I offer a different view. Cardinal Leo’s message  released June 1, coincided with ongoing debates about flying “Pride” flags at Catholic schools. His call to avoid symbols “borrowed from ideological fora, promoted by lobby groups and endorsed by political movements” seems directly relevant to this context. He added: “We do good to use our own symbols... without resorting to trendy, misguided and inadequate symbols that do not represent us as Catholics but rather contribute to confusion… about what the Catholic faith truly teaches regarding the human person, human nature, and natural moral law.”

June is saturated with ideological symbols. It’s hard to believe the Cardinal’s words were not, at least in part, directed at this reality. Yes, we must not reduce his message to politics. But Catholic witness requires clarity—and sometimes saying what we do stand for also means gently inferring what we don’t. Symbols matter, the Cardinal reminds us. We should use ours. That means saying no to others.

Pete Baklinski,
Combermere, Ontario