February 22, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
You, my LOA friends, were kind enough to indulge me last week in order for me to offer a reflection of my father on his birthday. If I may, I’d like to ask for one further indulgence on this February 22 — that we might honor our first president and the father of our country, George Washington, on his birthday.
Those who know me understand that I have a particular affection for President Washington. If you visit me at my home, in my living room you’ll see a few prints dedicated to George Washington: Washington kneeling in prayer, a lone General Washington riding in the winter snow, a famous print of President Washington standing next to a table, a copy of his portrait, and, of course, Mount Vernon.
My fascination with Washington stems from the fact that he was not only the first president, but also that it was his character that kept the colonies together. Without the stature of Washington, we would not have the military victory with a unified Army, we would not have the Constitution of the United States and certainly we would not have the presidency. In every one of those cases, it was Washington’s integrity that carried the day not only with the political leaders but also with the citizens of the fledgling nation. I have read several biographies concerning George Washington; some try and make him a god, while others attempt to discredit or minimize his achievements.
Former Supreme Court Justice Anton Scalia referred to Washington as the “indispensable” man. He was not the smartest, or the greatest military strategist, or the shrewdest politician, but without his leadership, we could never have achieved colonial unity and national character.
Every president has their challenges: Abraham Lincoln had to keep the Union together; Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) directed the nation through WWII, but there would be no presidency for them to occupy, nor a constitution to rely upon, had it not been for Washington.
He turned down the crown and the presidency for life. Instead, he returned to his farmland after two terms, setting a precedence for future presidents which was followed until FDR a century and a half later. The personal prestige he possessed kept the colonies focused on the formulation of the Constitution which every leader and citizen has embraced. In Washington’s mind, it was more important for the country to establish its loyalty as a nation than for one man to prosper above the needs of the people he was called to serve.
Washington was a man who believed. In his Farewell Address, he wrote:
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule, indeed, extends with more or less force to every species of free government. Who that is a sincere friend to it can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?”
As we slip into a secular ideology, I wish that his words could be read every year to the leaders of our country.
George Washington: first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen, as well as this archbishop. May we strengthen our country through our dedication to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Sincerely,
Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
